VP candidate Biden to visit campus

Senator to speak at campaign rally on Hearn Plaza

Democratic vice presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden will speak at a campaign rally on Hearn Plaza on Thursday at 2:15 p.m.

Tickets are not required for the rally, which is being sponsored by the Obama/Biden campaign, but the campaign is encouraging those planning to attend to register at www.nc.barackobama.com. Public access to Hearn Plaza will begin at 12:15 p.m.

Because of limited parking on campus, members of the public coming to the rally should park at BB&T Field on Deacon Boulevard. Shuttle buses will run from there to campus from 11:15 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Biden will speak near the Reynolda Hall end of Hearn Plaza. Those attending the rally will be required to pass through metal detectors. No bags, chairs, umbrellas, signs or banners will be permitted.

Reynolda Hall will remain open Thursday, but the doors facing Hearn Plaza will be closed at noon. The half of Hearn Plaza nearest Wait Chapel will remain open throughout the day. Some parking lots near Hearn Plaza will be closed, but all campus roads and entrances will remain open.

Last year, President Nathan O. Hatch extended an invitation to all presidential candidates to visit the University. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain spoke in Wait Chapel in May (photo gallery). One-time Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Clinton also spoke in Wait Chapel in April (photo gallery).

The Obama/Biden campaign approached University officials earlier this week to request permission to hold a rally on campus. In an e-mail to Wake Forest faculty and staff on Tuesday announcing Biden's visit, Hatch, along with University Senate President Derrick Boone, wrote: “Because of this extraordinary opportunity, especially for our students, so close to the election and the important role North Carolina is likely to play in determining the election's outcome, we agreed to this event.”

Statement from Wake Forest University: As an educational institution, Wake Forest is committed to promoting the free exchange of ideas, which includes providing a forum for speakers who express a wide variety of political views. The University's tax-exempt status, however, requires that it not engage in any political campaign activity, which means the University is prohibited from endorsing or opposing any candidate for public office. Wake Forest takes its obligation in this regard very seriously. This event does not represent an endorsement by Wake Forest of any candidate for public office.