Campus glued to TV sets

As Bill Clinton was sworn into office yesterday, University students across campus watched the inauguration on television with reactions ranging from interest to indifference. While some of the University's most active politicos took to the rails or the road to see Clinton and Al Gore assume the country's leadership, others stayed behind to watch the spectacle on TV. A few students were cynical about what they said was the superficiality of the event. "I'm not doing anything, I'm not watching it," Engineering senior David Sorich said. "I don't really care, it's just another stupid celebration." Other students were interested, although anything but ecstatic. "I'll turn on the TV, put on my new tape, and then go back to my studying," said German graduate student Heather Fleming. "I think the inauguration ceremony was a lot less hokey than a lot of the other stuff Clinton has done," law student Ted Normand said. Others, however, said they were excited by the events happening in the nation's capital and considered the inauguration to be a real turning point for the United States. "This is the first presidential election in which I participated, and I felt like a part of something which will be historically significant," College junior Josh Penn said. "I think that parts of it were very moving," said College freshman Jennifer Oberstein, who watched the inauguration in the Quadrangle. "I guess I took a major interest because this is the first time I took an active role in a campaign and followed it closely." "I think that it's definitely a lot of rhetoric, but I have a good feeling about Clinton, and I was a big supporter of Clinton," she added. "I thought it showed that there was a young administration coming in," law student Maria Beguiristain said. "I thought Clinton was very gracious in that he made a small tribute to Bush, [which] is indicative of the smooth transition of power in our country. I am a Republican, but I am open to the administration and what they can do." Many students realized, however, that after the pomp and circumstance, it would be down to business and Clinton's political honeymoon would be over. "I think that as of tomorrow, people will begin closely analyzing Clinton's promises, and deciding the degree of his integrity," Engineering sophomore Michael Zugay said. "Right now I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but tomorrow, the party's over."

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