tl20001120-000 "I Ter /gib 1 irrilitYlonday www.thetowerlight.com Published twice-weekly by students of Towson University 11/20/00 Study abroad program growing 3 Tomato: good menu, bad food Basketball opens with foul defeat Seniors close careers with win Departments News Nation 4 Campus briefs 7 A&E � 9 Sound Bites 10 In a Theater Near You.10 Sports 15 Fast Break 15 Athlete q f the Week I6 Op/Ed Towson close to naming Murphy's replacement University choosing between three finalists for permanent chief of police position Josh Cohen The Towerlight Towson's police force is still without a permanent chief after more than a year of searches and interviews, but that could soon end. When Stephen Murphy retired last year after 15 years in the position, the search not only began for a new chief, but also for someone who could help make the campus police more of a service to the University. The task of finding a new chief has been given to a nine-member committee consisting of faculty members. and student representatives, Jerry Dieringer, housing and residence life direc-tor, a University Police officer, and Jay Taffel, senior business analyst for the Office of the Vice President. More than 70 candidates responded to the University's ads on websites and through police organizations, and the list has been narrowed down to three finalists whose names the committee declined to make public. Taffel said the pool of candi-dates was strong, with many of the prospective chiefs looking to become active in the University community. ""One candidate expressed an interest in teaching classes, which we feel is encouraging because most are enthusiastic about becoming involved in the campus,"" Taffel said, adding that he believes many of the can-didates are interested in Towson because of its size, concept and File photo Stephen Murphy retired as Towson's chief of police last fall. after 15 n ears at his post. Joe Herbert has served as acting chief since, and Towson is now choosing between three finalists for the permanent post. the direction it's heading. ""We want someone who will not just be a cop, but who has broader skills,"" he said. The search committee is look-ing for a person who can make the police more accessible on campus, and provide leadership for the officers, but is in no rush to fill the position. With inter-views continuing, a hiring is possible by Jan. 1, but the com-mittee will take its time. Taffel and several others began the search by going to neighboring schools � such as the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Delaware � and talking to people on their campuses to determine the role of their chief of police, and the interaction between the campus police and the University members. Taffel said those visits led to their decision to change the aspect of the police chief's job from just enforcing laws to serv-ing the public by making the police more involved in campus affairs and in the community. ""At Towson, we have many different types of people in the University, from residents and commuters, to faculty and town neighbors,"" he said. ""It is impor-tant to find a candidate who can work with everyone in the University."" The new chief will also be responsible for keeping closer See POLICE, page 8 Today High 46 Low 30 Tuesday High 40 Low 21 Wednesday High 37 Low 22 Thursday High 42 Low 29 "
