William R. Fitzsimmons '67, dean of admissions and financial aid, said during the same interview that he was pleased that prospective first-year students had the opportunity to see Harvard in a realistic light.

"One of the things we don't like is that often these visits can be very sanitized and very unrealistic," he said. "Really what we want people to do is get a sense of the fabric of everyday life at Harvard, and this is a part of it."

Protesters entered the building at noon and created immediate chaos as they attempted to post signs and set up a folding table.

Staff members seemed unsure how to react as PSLM member Benjamin L. McKean '02 presented them with a letter declaring the group's intentions to abide by the guidelines established by the College's "Resolution on Rights and Responsibilities," but not to leave until 6 p.m.

The letter claimed that the protest was within the bounds of the University's free speech regulations, despite the fact that PSLM members were inside an administrative building.

Several HUPD units arrived within minutes, but after meeting with administrators they decided not to force the protesters to leave the building as long as the demonstration remained non-disruptive and administrators did not feel threatened.

"After conferring with the deans, [they decided] as long as there were no further disruptions to them, they would allow them to stay until 6," said HUPD Chief Francis D. "Bud" Riley.