Security Tight for Gore Visit

The Secret Service and a special "advance team" comprised only a small part of the extensive security measures taken for yesterday's Harvard visit by Vice President Al Gore '69.

State, Cambridge and Harvard police were abundant both inside and around the Kennedy School of Government to protect the nation's second-ranking official.

Lt. George Hill of the Harvard police stood guard outside the Kennedy School as the Vice President arrived with his entourage.

"At least 15 cars and an ambulance" drove speedily past to drop off the vice president at the school's entrance, Hill said.

Elizabeth R. Caputo '94, chair of Student Advisory Committee at the Institute of Politics, said the Harvard police deserved particular credit for the "incredible" security.

"The University police department took a lot of extra effort to make sure the event went smoothly, especially Lt. [Lawrence J.] Murphy," Caputo said.

Luckily for Gore, "there weren't any major incidents at all. Overall I think itwas extremely successful--a lot of work went intoit," said Caputo.

Kennedy school staff, employees, and studentspacked into the ticket only event after waiting ina line which extended from the river to Eliot St.

Even a ticket, however, did not guarantee agood view.

"Most of the people who came knew seating wouldbe first come, first serve," said Caputo. "Thetickets guaranteed entrance, not a seat."

Those who did not make it into the main roomwere ushered into two Kennedy School classroomswith closed-circuit television. "They were filledto capacity and held close to 100 people in eachroom," Caputo said.

One Kennedy School employee, who asked not tobe identified, said the event's management shouldhave planned better for the inevitable largecrowd.

"If you look at the Kennedy School staff theywere extremely upset about [their] tickets," shesaid, "Half the tickets you waited in line for,[and then] you couldn't see [Gore]."

One Kennedy school employee said sheappreciated Gore's visit because it gave her timeoff from her job.

"The 'K' school is pro Clinton/Gore, that's afact," she said, adding, "We're used to all ofthis. It's a hassle, but it got people out ofwork."

Karen Chapman, a first-year Kennedy Schoolstudent, said she welcomed the event because itgave her an opportunity to listen to a nationallyrenowned politician.

"I thought it was a great opportunity and agreat reflection on the caliber of people weattract to the school," Chapman said. "The vicepresident made me proud of my country."

But another Kennedy School student, who wouldnot give his name, said the crowd seemed moreinterested in seeing a celebrity than learningabout politics.

"So many big names come to this school--I thinkwere all obsessed here by power. You saw somepeople in there with video cameras, you have towonder why they were doing that," he pondered."Were they doing it for the content, or did theywant to record the event itself and be able to saylater, 'I was there?'

Kennedy school staff, employees, and studentspacked into the ticket only event after waiting ina line which extended from the river to Eliot St.

Even a ticket, however, did not guarantee agood view.

"Most of the people who came knew seating wouldbe first come, first serve," said Caputo. "Thetickets guaranteed entrance, not a seat."

Those who did not make it into the main roomwere ushered into two Kennedy School classroomswith closed-circuit television. "They were filledto capacity and held close to 100 people in eachroom," Caputo said.

One Kennedy School employee, who asked not tobe identified, said the event's management shouldhave planned better for the inevitable largecrowd.

"If you look at the Kennedy School staff theywere extremely upset about [their] tickets," shesaid, "Half the tickets you waited in line for,[and then] you couldn't see [Gore]."

One Kennedy school employee said sheappreciated Gore's visit because it gave her timeoff from her job.

"The 'K' school is pro Clinton/Gore, that's afact," she said, adding, "We're used to all ofthis. It's a hassle, but it got people out ofwork."

Karen Chapman, a first-year Kennedy Schoolstudent, said she welcomed the event because itgave her an opportunity to listen to a nationallyrenowned politician.

"I thought it was a great opportunity and agreat reflection on the caliber of people weattract to the school," Chapman said. "The vicepresident made me proud of my country."

But another Kennedy School student, who wouldnot give his name, said the crowd seemed moreinterested in seeing a celebrity than learningabout politics.

"So many big names come to this school--I thinkwere all obsessed here by power. You saw somepeople in there with video cameras, you have towonder why they were doing that," he pondered."Were they doing it for the content, or did theywant to record the event itself and be able to saylater, 'I was there?'