Security Preparations for the Dalai Lama’s Visit

By: Ashley Giandomenico
Posted In: News

Many colleges aim to please their student body by providing guest appearences and special events. While Boston University is hosting a comedy show presenting Dennis Leary and the University of Massachusetts is conducting concerts featuring trendy singers like O.A.R., here at Salve, we are in anticipation of welcoming His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama.

On Thursday, Nov. 17, history will be made at Salve. According to Kristine Hendrickson, Director of Public Affairs, an attempt was made four years ago by the university inviting the Dalai Lama to speak.

This happened after the Atwood Lecture Series brought Nobel Peace Prize Winner Elie Wiesel to speak at Salve. It then became the dream of Marjorie Atwood, an alum and founder of the Atwood Lecture Series, to have the Dalai Lama speak at Salve as well.

During this time, the Pell Center for Inernational Relations and Public Policy was being developed, and the Pell family was building a relationship with the Dalai Lama’s representatives.

Senator Pell and the Dalai Lama became friends. Although the university has asked the Dalai Lama to speak in the past, “he is truly coming to visit with his longtime friends Senator and Mrs. Pell and the Pell family and to see the Pell Center,” Hendrickson said. “Sadly, Marjorie Atwood passed away last year before she could realize her dream – but her children will be in attendance on the 17th.”

Hendrickson also said that most places need six to nine months to plan for a visit by the Dalai Lama. Salve has less than three weeks; therefore, everyone is working hard to prepare.

In preparation for the visit, the university is dealing with large safety and security issues. The most challenging of these is ticket distribution, ID checks and the entrance to the event.

“We are also dealing with putting up the tent, making sure that the Dalai Lama will have everything he needs and hundreds of other details,” Hendrickson said.

Additionally, Hendrickson said that the university telephones have been persistently ringing with people who would like to attend the event.

“Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate all of the requests,” Hendrickson admitted. Additionally, Salve security and the Newport Police are working together to create an extremely secure atmosphere. The requirements to enter the event are stricter than any other event.

According to Michele Corbeil-Sperduti, Associate Director of the Pell Center, the event is being planned and organized by several offices and staff members around campus. “This is an enormous group effort,” Corbeil said. “We are extremely excited about the Dalai Lama’s visit.”

Although the visit was supposed to be a personal meeting between friends, it has grown into a gathering of approximately 3,500 students, faculty, staff and some members of the public.

When Junior Stephanee Synnott was asked if she was attending the event, she replied: “Of course, this in a once in a lifetime opportunity. I feel privileged to be allowed such an experience.”

Another student, Chris Comb, said he was absolutely attending the Dalai Lama’s visit. “I may not go to many of the talks around campus, but there is no way I would miss the chance to see and hear the Dalai Lama,” Comb said.