While the University is somewhat hesitant to assess the overall quality of the SSI guards, they say they are more than pleased with their quantity.

In years past, Harvard proprietary guards had union-mandated schedules which often left Houses unprotected, forcing HUPD to post its officers at some Houses.

"The biggest issue we had with the University guards was we didn't have the manpower," Kotowski says. "The most important thing to us is to have someone at every site."

And SSI's large pool of available guards has helped to ensure that every House is protected during every shift, which frees Harvard police officers for patrol. When more security is needed, like during Head of the Charles weekend, SSI is able provide extra manpower. Administrators also point to the mandatory training, including CPR certification, which SSI guards undergo. While many proprietary guards were former law enforcement officers, several admitted to the Crimson last year that they'd never undergone formal training.

But students question whether Harvard can expect top service from its SSI guards--particularly given their pay, which is, according to University officials, $8 to $9.50 an hour.

"It's bad news for everybody," says the Progressive Student Labor Movement's Benjamin J. McKean '02.

Proprietary guards, by contrast, are paid $11.97--a wage that has held steady for several years and is now frozen by contract until 2003. Harvard guards get health care and retirement benefits, and can take classes at the extension school--all perks denied to the SSI's guards.

"In our minds, it's just horrendous," McKean says. Despite the University's vow to extend health and education benefits to its subcontracted workers, many SSI guards may not receive them, since company turnover rates are high.