DiBaggio was off campus all day, university officials said. He flew in to Boston around 9 p.m. but refused to comment on the situation upon his arrival.

Other administrators were not available for comment.

Early yesterday morning, students entered Bendetson and informed the building's staff that there would be a sit-in, with noise and distractions, and that the workers might want to leave to avoid distraction, said Vanessa A. Dillen, a student supporter outside the building.

According to, a student inside the building, the students who originally entered Bendetson Hall gave staff a typewritten letter stating their purpose and intentions, along with a fresh batch of home-baked cookies.

Geoffrey S. Downs, a student inside the building, said building staffers were surprised by the demonstrators--and that there was "some antagonism."

"[But] some of the people in the administration building have been giving us thumbs up, saying, 'Keep making noise, guys,'" he added.

The protesters originally planned to have some students rotate in and out while others would stay inside for the duration.