Streisand Visits Harvard Yard

International celebrity Barbra Streisand spent yesterday touring Harvard, lunching with students and John F. Kennedy Jr. at the Kennedy School of Government and hobnobbing with high-ranking University administrators.

Streisand, who will speak at 5 p.m. today at the Kennedy School, met with Harvard officials including President Neil L. Rudenstine and his wife, Angelica, Acting President Albert Carnesale and Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III.

Streisand, 52, and Kennedy met with undergraduates on the Student Advisory Committee of the Institute of Politics over lunch at the Kennedy School. Kennedy, the son of former president and Crimson editor John F. Kennedy '40, for whom the school is named, regularly participates in its programs.

Streisand has used her celebrity status to campaign for a variety of causes in recent years, including the Democratic party, AIDS awareness, and Lesbian and gay rights.

Debate at the luncheon was lively as Streisand, an active campaigner for the Clinton administration, asked the bipartisan group to introduce themselves and to describe their political interests.

After the lunch of salad, chicken, and a fruit and custard dessert, Streisand was dropped off at Johnston Gate by her motorcade. She spoke with Carnesale in Massachusetts Hall, stopping to sign the guest book on the same page as Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who visited Harvard two weeks ago.

Streisand, who wanted her tour of the University to be "as private as possible," fended off news and tabloid photographers throughout the day.

Several photographers took pictures from behind trees in Harvard Yard. Others had to be removed fromin and around the Fogg Art Museum, which Streisandvisited later in the day.

Streisand chatted politely with Epps, as thetwo walked across the Yard and paused in front ofthe John Harvard statue.

Like any good Crimson Key tourguide, Eppsproceeded to tell her the story of the "ThreeLies." Streisand listened intently whilediscreetly pulling up the collar of her long blackovercoat to cover her face from the leapingpaparazzi.

The celebrity then entered University Hall totour the painting collection in the FacultyCouncil meeting room. Before the afternoon wasover, she also visited Memorial Church, WidenerLibrary, the Fogg Art Museum and theHarvard-Radcliffe Hillel.

Around 4 p.m., Streisand's twelve personentourage--including body-guards, personalassistants, Harvard police and other Universityofficials--headed to the Elmwood Street home ofPresident Neil L. Rudenstine.

There Streisand had tea with Rudenstine, who ison a leave of absence recovering from fatigue, andhis wife, Angelica.

"She wanted to tour the area in the capacity ofa private citizen--as much as that is possible forBarbra Streisand," said Harvard spokesperson JoeWrinn. "She wanted it to be low-key and we wantedto provide that."

Officials attempted to keep Streisand'sschedule secret, but leaks resulted in aninordinate amount of media attention.

One photographer who posed as a student had tobe removed from a second-floor gallery of theFogg.

At least 70 reporters and photographers areexpected to be on hand for Streisand's talktonight, and Harvard officials have carefullyscrutinized all requests for press credentials.

Sources said Streisand's schedule is blank fortoday. She plans to spend most of the day in herroom at the Charles Hotel preparing for tonight'sspeech at the I.O.P., entitled "The Artist asCitizen."

Streisand's long career in the arts encompassesdirecting, producing, writing and legendary screenand stage performances.

After a long hiatus from public performances,Streisand launched a concert tour last year,causing a national sensation. Tickets for herappearances sold privately for ove

Streisand chatted politely with Epps, as thetwo walked across the Yard and paused in front ofthe John Harvard statue.

Like any good Crimson Key tourguide, Eppsproceeded to tell her the story of the "ThreeLies." Streisand listened intently whilediscreetly pulling up the collar of her long blackovercoat to cover her face from the leapingpaparazzi.

The celebrity then entered University Hall totour the painting collection in the FacultyCouncil meeting room. Before the afternoon wasover, she also visited Memorial Church, WidenerLibrary, the Fogg Art Museum and theHarvard-Radcliffe Hillel.

Around 4 p.m., Streisand's twelve personentourage--including body-guards, personalassistants, Harvard police and other Universityofficials--headed to the Elmwood Street home ofPresident Neil L. Rudenstine.

There Streisand had tea with Rudenstine, who ison a leave of absence recovering from fatigue, andhis wife, Angelica.

"She wanted to tour the area in the capacity ofa private citizen--as much as that is possible forBarbra Streisand," said Harvard spokesperson JoeWrinn. "She wanted it to be low-key and we wantedto provide that."

Officials attempted to keep Streisand'sschedule secret, but leaks resulted in aninordinate amount of media attention.

One photographer who posed as a student had tobe removed from a second-floor gallery of theFogg.

At least 70 reporters and photographers areexpected to be on hand for Streisand's talktonight, and Harvard officials have carefullyscrutinized all requests for press credentials.

Sources said Streisand's schedule is blank fortoday. She plans to spend most of the day in herroom at the Charles Hotel preparing for tonight'sspeech at the I.O.P., entitled "The Artist asCitizen."

Streisand's long career in the arts encompassesdirecting, producing, writing and legendary screenand stage performances.

After a long hiatus from public performances,Streisand launched a concert tour last year,causing a national sensation. Tickets for herappearances sold privately for ove