Obama on Campus
Backstage meeting (from left) XU VP for Institutional Advancement Dr. Kenneth St. Charles, First Lady Michelle Obama, XU President Norman C. Francis and U.S. President Barack Obama
We looked at classrooms, at the new Qatar Pharmacy Pavilion, and even an old warehouse that was acquired by Xavier across the canal on Washington Avenue. However, the final site to be visited was the William and Mary McCaffrey Ballroom that is on the 3rd floor of the University Center. Every inch of the University Center and ballroom was inspected, to include elevators, closets, restrooms, the cafeteria, and all adjoining offices and service entrances.
the event would be a standing-room only event. Chairs would be limited to the elderly and disabled. Both of these developments were disappointing for the University, especially given the fact that we wanted to include as many of our current students as possible. Nevertheless, the University agreed with all of these decisions because we fully understood that the safety of the president was the reason these requests were necessary.
Reminder from the White House: We’re Calling the Shots
Move in, Set-up, and Ticket Distribution
As the final site for the speech was been vetted back in Washington, the White House correctly predicted that the University would begin to receive requests from a wide range of ticket seekers, to include politicians, alumni, students, faculty, staff, media, and of course the general public. Xavier was told in very clear and direct terms that this speech was a White House event, not a Xavier event and even though Xavier was being asked to host the president of the United States, our hosting was similar to a bridal party seeking to reserve the Xavier ballroom for a wedding reception. Our only role was to provide the actual room. The White House would be responsible for everything else to include furnishings, fixtures, decorations, printing, room layout, and of course ticket distribution. While Xavier was initially promised 350 to 400 tickets, this number eventually was lowered to a surprising 170 tickets. Additionally, the White House informed the University that all guests that were to be invited should be advised that
The actual move-in and set-up was similar to a military-style operation. Equipment, staging, full-body airport-style metal detectors, flags, and of course the famous official podium with the presidential seal began arriving at the University on the morning of Friday, August 27th. It was only at this time that the University began to be told the actual flow of the event. Phone calls to prospective guests also began to be made beginning Friday morning. Additionally, the White House established an online ticket distribution system that allowed anyone from the general public interested in attending to be considered in a lottery-style system. The Xavier allotment of 170 tickets, which ironically were not ready for pick-up from the Intercontinental Hotel until 11pm Friday night immediately following the New Orleans Saints pre-season football game, were totally committed-for in less than 90 minutes. Actual ticket distribution for both the Xavier group as well as the general public took place on Saturday morning, with each and every guest in the Xavier party being required to undergo a special background screening. It was later
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