Obama to hold rally in Mac Court

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama will speak at a "Stand for Change Rally" on Friday at McArthur Court. The event begins at 9 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but organizers recommend that attendees RSVP on Obama's offical Web site.

Rumors have been circulating on campus since an Obama campaign representative contacted the ASUO offices and said he had spoken with University President Dave Frohnmayer. On Tuesday, Frohnmayer told the Emerald he could neither confirm nor deny the visit. Nicole de Lancie, the ASUO student office assistant who spoke with the campaign representative Monday, said the campaign was flying down from Portland to scout out potential speaking venues. The representative expressed interest in a venue with a capacity of 10,000. De Lancie said both she and Frohnmayer informed the representative many students would be away from campus because of spring break.

Director of Public and Media Relations Phil Weiler said if Obama were to visit campus, his campaign would have to rent a facility. Weiler was unsure Tuesday whether Obama would come to Eugene, but he said there had been some previous conversation between University officials and Obama campaign representatives.

As of Tuesday evening, the official Web site of Obama's presidential campaign was advertising the rally, along with a rally that will be held earlier in the day in Portland.