University poised for Clinton's arrival

Planning for today's visit to the University by President Clinton has been the logistical equivalent of D-Day, history professor Sean Wilentz, who is organizing the appearance, said yesterday.

Starting Friday, Secret Service officials and White House staff began arriving on campus to set up offices and organize security for the president's visit. Director of Communications Lauren Robinson-Brown '85 said that despite the level of preparation, plans have remained flexible to accommodate Clinton's constantly changing schedule.

As of yesterday, the White House expected Clinton to arrive around 1:45 p.m. today on the Marine One helicopter, land on Poe Field and travel by motorcade up campus to Alexander Hall.

However, "the plans will be uncertain until the president gives his speech," Robinson-Brown said. "Everything is up to his discretion."

Clinton's speech — to be held in Richardson Auditorium at 2 p.m. today before a capacity crowd of faculty, regional and national press, and some 550 lucky students — will kick off a two-day conference titled: "The Progressive Tradition: Politics, Culture and History."

Yesterday, security officers and sound and light experts moved in and out of Richardson putting the final touches on the venue and tying up the loose ends.

To lessen potential security threats, officials installed a special 300-pound podium yesterday designed to withstand bullets and explosives, according to Geoff Petersen of Stirling Audio Services. People attending the address must also go through metal detectors outside Alexander Hall before entering the building.

During the visit, Public Safety and local police will act as liaisons to the Secret Service and will provide "perimeter security," said Public Safety Crime Prevention Specialist Barry Weiser.

"There definitely will be searches," Weiser said.

Scully Hall residents were notified last night to expect Secret Service security checks this morning because of the helicopter landing on Poe Field. Officers will check common areas and entryways and, if necessary, individual rooms, sometimes using specially-trained security dogs.

Residents of Mathey and Rocky colleges can also expect security checks throughout the day. "We will facilitate the security checks as much as possible," Weiser said.

Princeton Borough and Township police officers will also be on hand to help out. "Public Safety is really leading the way, and we are assisting," Capt. Charles Davall of Borough Police said yesterday.

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For the address, students, faculty and "pencil reporters" will fill Richardson's balcony, while VIPs and television crews will be seated on the main level. A very limited group involved in the planning of the conference will meet with the president before his speech.

Of the students who did not receive tickets to the speech in the lottery, 200 to 300 were notified via e-mail yesterday morning that they could attend a brief "receiving" event in a tent outside Alexander Hall, according to Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students Thomas Dunne.

"It was set up by White House staff and University officials yesterday so that the president could meet as many students as possible," Dunne said.

Various other people from outside the University also have been invited to the address, according to Wilentz. "I wouldn't be surprised if some local politicians were on hand out of respect for the President," he said.