Tightly wrapped around Barney Frank's eyes was a clubbie tie. In front of him were sheets of paper, held by the Paper Holder, and bearing the signatures of more than 1500 people who want to meet with Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, first honorary associate of the Kennedy Institute.

A hush did not fall over Winthrop House Dining Room as Frank stabbed blindly at the top sheet. Sometimes his pencil landed on a name, in which case its owner became one of the chosen 120. Sometimes the Kennedy Institute's special assistant for undergraduate affairs missed the paper entirely. "I don't understand," said a member of the audience. "Neither do I," responded Frank, and stabbed again.

Gathered for the festive occasion, which reminded almost no one of the signing of the Magna Carta, were representatives of Students for a Democratic Society, Young Democrats, Young Republicans and the Harvard Policy Committee. Frank had invited them all to the public ceremony so that everyone would know the coveted list was honestly compiled.

If the blindfolded Frank landed between two names, top level conferences were convened. Cries of "Dysfunctionally on the line!" and "Policy decision!" reverberated through the staid hall. About halfway through, someone noticed that the backs of the sheets were also filled with names. But then Frank couldn't see anyway. "I didn't take Stat 123 for nothing," he said.

Those selected (50 people to meet in the Eliot House Junior Common Room and ten more for dinner Nov. 6, plus ten for Quincy House lunch Nov. 7 and 50 for discussion) will be notified by mail. Their acceptances have to be in by Thursday, so that seconds can be invited if necessary.