While thousands of SIUC students and citizens flocked to campus to hear President Bill Clinton speak, many were disappointed when they were unable to get into the speech. And many SIUC students said they did not even try to hear the presidential address.

Some SIUC students said they stood in line only to be turned away once they reached the gate.

The line was to long so I did not get into the speech and it was tiring standing all that time, Gary Williams, an undeclared freshman from Chicago, said. I stood in line for an hour only to watch the line move about an inch every ten minutes.

Advertisement

Williams said many non-SIUC spectators took up space on the Pulliam lawn which should have been reserved for SIUC students.

Clinton should have spoken to college students only or spoken in an area where everyone could see him, he said.

Megan McCrary said she thought the speech area was not big enought to accomodate all spectators.

SIUC students should have gotten priority seating, McCrary said. Clinton could have spoken in the football field or in the Arena. They could have secured that just as well.

Julie Lampley, an SIUC student from Thompsonville who had to listen to Clinton speak from outside the designated area said, SIUC students should have gotten to hear him since he is speaking about issues that concern college students more than anyone. I just hope the sound system is good so I can at least hear the president.

Kimberly Bills a senior in biological sciences from East St. Louis, said

she tried to catch a glimpse of Clinton’s limo but could not see because of all the people.

Advertisement*

I stood by Pulliam Hall to see if I could see his car but there were so many people I was suffocating, Bills said. Bill and Hillary came and spoke to my high school when he was campaigning, so I have already seen him once so I decided not to go since so many people were there.

Some SIUC students decided to take the day off and relax in the student center instead of hearing Clinton speak.

I decided I was not really interested in hearing Clinton. I would rather do my homework, Jennifer Kobat, a freshman in accounting from Tamaro, said.

Some students said they did not go to the speech because they thought Clinton was just speaking at SIUC for publicity reasons.

I do not think very highly of Clinton. This is all just a publicity gimmick to get votes, Todd Martin, an undeclared freshman from Peoria, said. Clinton will have to do a lot more to get my vote, like give me money out of his pocket to go to school on.