NEW ANALYSIS: ENIAC celebration security questioned

The 50th Anniversary of ENIAC was picture perfect Wednesday as the University captured the national spotlight. But many students said they felt the event did not seem as organized or as secure as a vice presidential visit should have been. Problems ranging from lax security at the Irvine Auditorium entrance, to disorganized seating arrangements, blemished an event that took 18 months of preparation, they said. But Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman said "this event showed a real professionalism of the cooperation of the Penn staff -- to the facilities people to the organizers." "There was a 7:30 a.m. meeting very often," she said. As soon as confirmation that Vice President Al Gore would speak at the event was received from his office, administrators were on the job, making sure that every detail was attended to. University organizers met with University Police, Philadelphia Police and the Secret Service to plan security for the visit. Every detail -- from what door Gore would walk through to the position of the folds in the American flag on the stage -- was scrutinized for the celebration. The night before the speech, White House personnel completed a walk through of Irvine as a last-minute security check, according to University spokesperson Barbara Beck. Secret Service dogs and U.S. Army explosive experts came to the University to inspect the buildings and any bags that were taken in to Irvine. Once Gore was inside Irvine, Secret Service agents sealed the building, and no one was let in or out. Scheman said the level of security was typical of an event of this stature. "I lived in Washington, D.C. for 20 years, and security here wasn't any stricter or less strict then I've seen it," Scheman said. Despite the preparations for the celebration, though, potential mishaps were eminent throughout the day. For example, when Connaissance posted the winning lottery ticket numbers for the 500 student tickets available, the group announced that no cameras or book bags would be allowed in Irvine. But students said they were not told about the restrictions when they received their tickets on Locust Walk. "We didn't know that you couldn't take in bags so my friend who had a backpack with her had to run back to her room to put it away," College sophomore Lizzie Yee said. Those who appeared with book bags were told to go to Houston Hall to check their bags. But students with tickets for the speech were still able to enter the auditorium with purses, books and large winter coats -- objects that could conceivably conceal weapons. While Secret Service agents surveyed the crowd that came through the doors of Irvine, there were no metal detectors or other security devices. "I found it preposterous that I walked through no metal detectors and could just walk in," College sophomore Sean Mario remarked. Seating for the event was a third problem. Although an arrangement had been prepared -- placing ENIAC dignitaries to the far right and important community leaders in the front -- the audience did not adhere to the plan. "As long as people were orderly and quiet they could sit wherever they wanted," Wharton junior Rich Archer, co-director of Connaissance, said. A few students said they were told to move from their seats, but that they were moved closer to the stage and in front of some dignitaries.