Arafat to Visit Rice University: Media Coverage Information

Media Advisory

CONTACT: Michael Cinelli

PHONE: (713) 831-4794

ARAFAT VISIT TO RICE: MEDIA COVERAGE
INFORMATION

The following information is designed to assist
reporters and photographers assigned to cover Palestine National Authority
President Yasir Arafat’s visit to Rice University on Wednesday, March 5.

The event, sponsored by Rice’s James A. Baker III Institute for Public
Policy, will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Rice Memorial Center.
Media must be in place by 5:30 p.m.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: Media outlets need to submit the names and social
security numbers of all reporters and photographers planning to attend the event
to the Rice University News Office by noon on Monday, March 3. The News Office
can be reached by fax at (713) 831-4747 or by E-mail at mcinelli@rice.edu or jbob@rice.edu. When signing in, reporters and
photographers must show picture identification. No news media representative
will be allowed in the event site unless their name is on the list and they
present a picture ID.

PARKING: News media will be allowed to park in Lot L, which is on the west
end of RMC. Media spaces will be available on the south side of the lot. To
access the lot take Entrance 13 off of Rice Boulevard. Go through two stop
signs. The lot will be on the right after the second stop sign.

Television crews can unload equipment at the RMC’s main entrance on Loop
Drive and check in at the media sign-in table before moving their vehicles to
the parking lot.

MEDIA PLATFORM: There will be a two-tier platform for photographers and
camera crews inside Grand Hall. A mult-box will be provided for direct audio
feed. A roped-off area for reporters will be provided around the platform. The
event is a reception, so there will be no formal seating.

AVAILABILITY: Arafat will be brought to the media platform after the program
for a brief question-and-answer session. Photographers should hold their
positions on the platform during this availability.

PHONES: A limited number of phones will be available in a small meeting room
in the RMC for reporters needing to file stories immediately after the program.
News Office staff will escort reporters to the meeting room. There will not be a
media work room for this event.

Questions about this information should be directed to Michael Cinelli,
director of the News Office, at (713) 831-4794.

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