Despite choosing not to participate in the Office of Career Services' (OCS) on-campus recruitment program, Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. drew a larger-than-expected crowd of job-hungry seniors to the Charles Hotel last night.

Last year, the company made "exploding offers" on campus-which compel students to reply within a certain time frame-and required them to respond by dates that fell before March 15.

Setting a date before March 15 broke OCS regulations, and Merrill Lynch was penalized. While the investment bank was invited to participate again this year, Merrill Lynch chose not to do so, since as a penalty for last year's transgressions, it would not be allowed to host its first on-campus event until November.

Merrill Lynch found this unacceptable, company representatives said, and argued that such a late start would not allow them to cater to needs of the students.

"We went off campus so we could start the process early," said David B. Poor, managing director of investment banking for Merrill Lynch.

"We think it's important for students who know little about investment banking to start early."

Cynthia Bates, from Merrill Lynch's corporate-banking division, echoed Poor's comments, lamenting the company's "technical transgressions" last year. She explained that Merrill Lynch could not afford to wait until November, and therefore had no choice but to leave the on-campus recruiting program.

Bates emphasized that "it's helpful for students to meet with the company early, considering that many don't know a lot about investment banking."

William Wright-Swadel, director of OCS, said that he thought it was unfortunate that the company is not participating in the on-campus recruiting this year, although he accepted their "business decision." He said that OCS "would have been happy to see Merrill Lynch participate this year under the guidelines originally set up."

Despite the minor tensions between Merrill Lynch and OCS, Poor said that Merrill Lynch will be back on campus next year. He apologized, saying that in the future they "will play by the rules."

Packed House

Merrill Lynch was not allowed to advertise recruiting events through OCS. Poor said that "we didn't think that anyone would show up."

Yet the room was packed with sharply dressed, money-hungry seniors, and occasional curious underclass students.

After a multimedia presentation of the company, the Merrill Lynch employees talked to enthusiastic students about their experiences in the corporate world.

Although Merrill Lynch is a key member of the profit-driven world of investment banking, the atmosphere last night was merry.

"The whole idea is to create opportunities for students, to help students to make the right career choices," Poor said.

Students seemed satisfied by the off-campus presentation, as they munched on scores of shrimp and dumplings that were served to them in a banquet room of the Charles