PSLM members said they planned to reconvene for a "sleep-out" in the Yard at 9 p.m. Organizers said they expected about 100 people to take part in the demonstration.

Demonstrators will camp out in tents, listen to speakers, drink hot chocolate, play board games, jump on a trampoline and groove to the music of Fink Fank Funk.

They plan to remain in the Yard until administrators arrive in the morning.

"We're planning to wait until Rudenstine and the administrators come in," Grant said. "We're not going to antagonize them. We're going to greet them and have them see that we are still here and we are still visible and we will keep fighting."

Illingworth said PSLM had received a permit to rally in the afternoon but did not have permission to occupy the Yard at night.

He said he has been in contact with the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) but did not anticipate any problems.

"I can't imagine anyone would move anyone forcibly," he said. "We're hoping for minimal disruption for the rest of the College."

Today's rally comes in the wake of weeks of extensive labor activism at Harvard and across the nation that seems to have made University administrators anxious. Many have begun taking preventative measures to forestall unannounced demonstrations.

On Tuesday, which was National Labor Action Day, HUPD stationed uniformed and plainclothes officers around Mass Hall and University Hall to forestall any protests. None occurred.

"We had no idea what to expect," said HUPD spokesperson Peggy McNamara. "We were providing extra preventative security for the building and its occupants."

In preparation for today's rally, the Office of Labor and Employee Relations, which is located in Holyoke Center, planned to close early, prior to the start of the rally.

"I believe we may be leaving a little bit earlier tomorrow," said a staff person. She said she received an e-mail message in the morning saying that the office would close before 4 p.m., the time set for the start of the rally.

In past actions, PSLM has marched, chanted and staged "teach-ins" in Mass Hall and Holyoke Center, disrupting work in those offices.

In addition, students at other campuses have occupied administrative buildings in support of workers' rights. A living wage sit-in is currently ongoing at Wesleyan University.

McNamara said HUPD preparations for this afternoon's rally will be similar to those for demonstrations held in the past--additional patrol units will be on hand--but she said HUPD was unsure on how to plan for tonight's event.

"The sleep-out thing is something new and exciting," she said.