SA awaits decision on gym use for Hoffman engagement

The Student Association Senate formally notified Dean of Students Frederick Wierum yesterday of their intention to sponsor the appearance of Abbie Hoffman and Leonard Weinglass. The notification, which is a policy requirement, was accompanied by a formal request to use the facilities of the Rice gymnasium to hold the event. The SA voted Tuesday to invite the radical speakers after the Student Center Board was forced to withdraw the invitation which they issued last week. SA President Bob Parks met with Wierum yesterday afternoon at 2 pm to discuss the request. The Dean told Parks he would have a decision concerning the use of gym facilities by 5 pm yesterday, but indicated at that time that no decision would be announced until this afternoon. Security Discussed Meanwhile, the Senate proceeded with plans to host the speakers at a rally open only to Rice students and faculty. Parks said that security arrangements were under discussion with Harold R. Rhodes, Chief of Campus Security, and with Wierum. Tom McGarity, a Will Rice junior, was appointed coordinator of student efforts to insure security. Tom Greene, SA Internal Affairs Vice-President, said "We had a group talking with man speaks here will be about t h a t security arrangements would be more difficult if the University prevents the event from taking place in a campus building. He said Hoffman would probably speak Monday afternoon on the field between the gym and the Rice Memorial Center, if permission to use a campus building is denied. ACLU Contacted Parks said there is possibility that the Student Association will seek relief through lawyers contacted through the American Civil Liberties Union in the event that the University administration secures an injunction againp.t Hoffman's appearance on the Rice campus. lawyers this afternoon," he said. "The prospects for immediate injunction relief don't appear good (because of the time factor) but if we initiate legal action we will probably pursue it anyway." There is still some uncertainty about Rice's financial obligations to Hoffman and Weinglass if the two are not permitted to speak at the University. Bill Haymes contacted their booking agent in Chicago yesterday morning to try to clarify the financial angle and was able to establish only that they would definitely be coming to Houston this Sunday. The cost to the Senate if Hoff-