The official beginning of President-elect Barack Obama’s term in office is expected to draw thousands — possibly even millions — of visitors to Washington D.C. next Tuesday. Among the crowd of spectators eager to witness the 44th president’s inauguration will be a number of University students.
While signs supporting Barack Obama no longer flood Grounds as they did during election season, many University students’ political interest has not waned. Several said they either plan to attend or watch the inaugural festivities. While many other students would like to attend the inauguration, they have encountered obstacles including obtaining transportation to Washington and securing tickets.
First-year College student Francie Berger hopes to be in Washington D.C. on Inauguration Day if she can secure transportation. If she gets to D.C., Berger said, she plans to meet a friend who she worked with at the National High School Model United Nations in March last year.
“It is certainly an interesting time when a Republican from Washington state and a Democrat hailing from South Carolina can meet in our nation’s capitol to celebrate the beginning of a new administration together,” she said.
Though first-year College student Tim Chen initially also planned to travel to Washington, D.C. for the event, in the hopes of finding a job catering or selling T-shirts in order to be close to the action, he has been unable to find transportation or a job. He now plans to watch the inauguration on television with friends.
Several University students have managed to solidify their plans to attend the inauguration. Fourth-year College student Melissa Warnke, who served as deputy field coordinator for central Virginia and mountain region for Students For Barack Obama as part of the official presidential campaign, secured her ticket to the swearing-in ceremony through the congressman she worked for this past summer. Most tickets must be secured through a congressman or senator and are difficult to come by.
First-year College student Maggie Graham also plans to attend the inauguration and possibly one of the 10 official inaugural balls. Her father, the Ninth District chair for the Democratic Party, was able to secure tickets.
Graham said she wants to attend the inauguration in order to be a part of historic change.
“Even if I can’t witness any of the official festivities, just get drowned in the masses of people and never even see Obama, I’ll be there,” Graham said.
For those unable to attend one of the official inaugural balls, University Democrats is holding its own — though slightly before the official inaugural balls. The formal, black tie event will be held Saturday evening.
Students wishing to get closer to the action should be aware that hotel rooms in the District for inauguration week and tickets to the inauguration ceremony are extremely difficult to acquire at this point. Even students who just want to be in the general vicinity of the inauguration should know that the usually simple and short trip to D.C. by car from Charlottesville will be more complicated than usual. Many streets and bridges will be closed Inauguration Day for security reasons, so it would be best to arrive in Washington a day or two before the inauguration.
For those without access to a car, Greyhound buses run from Charlottesville to Washington Union Station for a $48 non-refundable, round-trip fare. Buses are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, so students should arrive at the station early to secure a seat for the three-hour trip.
Don’t want to deal with the hassle of getting downtown for the event? Tuesday classes will not hinder anyone wishing to watch the inauguration on TV. While Tuesday classes may conflict with those wishing to travel to D.C. for the ceremony, they should not hinder those wishing to view it from afar. According to an e-mail from Arthur Garson Jr., executive vice president and provost, classes will be canceled next Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and members of the University community can gather in John Paul Jones Arena to watch the ceremony.
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 6 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | January 6, 2025What the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
