Some areas of the campus are restricted until 1pm today as part of security measures for the visit of Premier Zhu Rongji of the People's Republic of China. Premier Zhu will deliver an address in Kresge Auditorium this morning.
Only members of the MIT community who hold tickets and invited guests may enter the area. Members of the community who do not hold tickets may watch the address on MIT Cable TV in one of several campus locations (see list below).
Protestors are expected to demonstrate on the grassy area in front of the Student Center along Massachusetts Avenue down to Vassar Street, as well as along the Charles River from the Harvard Bridge west. State Police said that four groups of about 1,000 people each have requested permission to hold demonstrations.
Police officers from the MIT Campus Police, Cambridge Police, State Police and MBTA Police Departments as well as the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office are on duty for the Premier's visit.
Memorial Drive is closed from Massachusetts Avenue to Endicott Street to make way for the motorcade. Massachusetts Avenue is closed to traffic from the Harvard Bridge to Vassar Street, and barriers are in place along Massachusetts Avenue from Memorial Drive to Vassar Street, restricting pedestrians from entering the west side of campus. Ticket holders must enter from the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Amherst Street. This is the only access point to Kresge Auditorium.
ARRIVAL
You must show your ticket or provide your name as you enter this area. Those with tickets will be routed to a ticket collection area where photo IDs will be checked. Faculty members picking up tickets will be directed to a pickup point within the staging area. A photo ID is needed not only to pick up tickets but also prior to passing through metal detectors. All who attend will pass through metal detectors prior to entering Kresge Lobby. The staging area opens at 8am; doors to Kresge Auditorium open at 8:45am and all guests must be seated by 10am.
SECURITY GUIDELINES
These security guidelines have been developed by Campus Police in consultation with the US Secret Service:
You must not carry large or metallic objects such as radios, large key rings or beverage containers. If you bring a camera or videocamera, it is recommended that you do not bring it in a case, which would slow the screening process. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited. The smaller the number of carried objects, the faster the security screening. Even items known to be safe will be scrutinized and will cause delays. In consideration of those around you, please limit the use of personal communication devices within Kresge Auditorium.
MIT cannot accept responsibility for storing items that are not permitted through security checkpoints. You will be required to return them to another area and return for additional security screening. Your cooperation is appreciated.
PARKING
Until 1pm today Amherst Street (to Endicott Street) is closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic; parking is not allowed along Massachusetts Avenue from Memorial Drive to Vassar Street; and Kresge Parking Lot is closed. Permit holders for the Kresge lot can park in the West Garage.
BUILDING CLOSURES
Until 1pm today, Building W11, the chapel and the Stratton Student Center are closed. Regularly scheduled athletic activities in Buildings W23, W31, W32, W34 and the tennis bubble are cancelled until after 1pm.
The Dining Service is offering an alternate location (due to the Student Center closure) in Lobby 13 until 2pm that will feature Pan Geos, sandwiches, salads, soup, bagels, cookies, muffins and assorted beverages. This is also a viewing location for the cablecast of the Premier's address.
ACCESS RESTRICTIONS
Until 1pm, access from Ashdown House, McCormick Hall, Green Hall and Baker House to Amherst Street is restricted; access to and from these buildings is via Memorial Drive only. The section of Amherst Street from Ashdown House to Endicott Street is closed except to those attending the event in Kresge Auditorium. Access to and from Bexley Hall is from Massachusetts Avenue only; Bexley alley is closed.
VIEWING LOCATIONS
The Premier's address will be broadcast over the MIT Cable system. Monitors are available in Lobby 7, Lobby 10, Lobby 13, Lobby E52, the Tang Center's Wong Auditorium and Diebold Lounge, and Rms 16-160, E25-117, E51-063 and E51-385.
A version of this article appeared in the April 14, 1999 issue of MIT Tech Talk (Volume 43, Number 26).
