McCombe Files Bias Complaint

University security guard Stephen G. McCombe, who has publicly criticized Harvard's handling of discrimination charges made by his colleagues, last week filed a discrimination complaint of his own with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.

McCombe's complaint, obtained under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, charges that Harvard discriminated against him because of his health problems and in retaliation for his public opposition to alleged discriminatory practices in the guard unit.

The health conditions, referred to as a "handicap" in the complaint,

McCombe is the fourth former or currentUniversity security guard to file a complaint withthe commission this year. He declined to commentyesterday.

Dowling, McCombe's boss, yesterday denied theguard's allegations as a whole, but declined toaddress specific charges because he said he hasnot seen a copy of the complaint.

"He can say what he wants to say," Dowlingsaid, "but the files don't prove it."

"If he's got diabetes or things, that's news tome," Dowling added.

Animosity between Dowling and McCombe hasdivided the University's security guard unit.

In a February article in The Crimson, both menrailed against each other, with McCombe accusingDowling of a "pattern of retaliation" againstguards claiming discrimination and Dowlingalleging that McCombe had a "personal vendetta"against him.

A University-commissioned report released byVice President and General Counsel Margaret H.Marshall last month closely adhered to Dowling'sversion of controversial discrimination cases inthe guard unit. The report criticizes McCombe forsupporting guards claiming discrimination andsuggests that he may have been pursuing anunspecified "personal agenda."

In the complaint, McCombe alleges that he wasrepeatedly assigned to shifts that exacerbated hishealth problems despite warnings to securitydepartment management from doctors.

On June 7 of this year, according to thecomplaint, security supervisor Thomas F. Henaghanfailed to respond to a call for emergency medicalattention for McCombe, who had suffered a "lowsugar attack" caused by his diabetes.

"I...telephoned the dispatcher [who] radioedsupervisor Henaghan," says the complaint. "I heardsupervisor Henaghan respond to the radio call fromthe dispatcher, however no one appeared to relieveme."

McCombe also alleges in the complaint that hereceived fewer overtime assignments because of hishealth conditions.

University Attorney Allan A. Ryan Jr., who isrepresenting Harvard in the guards' discriminationcases, would not comment yesterday.

All four guards who have filed complaints arebeing represented by Waltham attorney Richard H.Spicer. Asked to comment yesterday, Spicer wouldsay only that "the complaint speaks for itself.

McCombe is the fourth former or currentUniversity security guard to file a complaint withthe commission this year. He declined to commentyesterday.

Dowling, McCombe's boss, yesterday denied theguard's allegations as a whole, but declined toaddress specific charges because he said he hasnot seen a copy of the complaint.

"He can say what he wants to say," Dowlingsaid, "but the files don't prove it."

"If he's got diabetes or things, that's news tome," Dowling added.

Animosity between Dowling and McCombe hasdivided the University's security guard unit.

In a February article in The Crimson, both menrailed against each other, with McCombe accusingDowling of a "pattern of retaliation" againstguards claiming discrimination and Dowlingalleging that McCombe had a "personal vendetta"against him.

A University-commissioned report released byVice President and General Counsel Margaret H.Marshall last month closely adhered to Dowling'sversion of controversial discrimination cases inthe guard unit. The report criticizes McCombe forsupporting guards claiming discrimination andsuggests that he may have been pursuing anunspecified "personal agenda."

In the complaint, McCombe alleges that he wasrepeatedly assigned to shifts that exacerbated hishealth problems despite warnings to securitydepartment management from doctors.

On June 7 of this year, according to thecomplaint, security supervisor Thomas F. Henaghanfailed to respond to a call for emergency medicalattention for McCombe, who had suffered a "lowsugar attack" caused by his diabetes.

"I...telephoned the dispatcher [who] radioedsupervisor Henaghan," says the complaint. "I heardsupervisor Henaghan respond to the radio call fromthe dispatcher, however no one appeared to relieveme."

McCombe also alleges in the complaint that hereceived fewer overtime assignments because of hishealth conditions.

University Attorney Allan A. Ryan Jr., who isrepresenting Harvard in the guards' discriminationcases, would not comment yesterday.

All four guards who have filed complaints arebeing represented by Waltham attorney Richard H.Spicer. Asked to comment yesterday, Spicer wouldsay only that "the complaint speaks for itself.