Since they began planning last spring, members of the Institute of Politics (IOP) and the Undergraduate Council promised that Saturday would be the largest political extravaganza at Harvard in years.

It lived up to the hype.

Lured by local bands, prominent politicians, student group booths, voter registration drives--and a large MTV bus--an estimated 3,000 students flocked to Harvard Youth Empowerment (HYPE) '96, where, in the words of an event organizer, they were "hit over the head with politics."

Andrew L. Abner '00 was one of about 400 students who was registered to vote in the Nov. 5 election by Rock the Vote, a group loosely affiliated with MTV.

"I wanted to register. Since this was right here, and I knew about it, it was a good opportunity," said Abner, who received a bag full of shampoo, root beer and pre-paid long-distance calling cards for his efforts.

Carlye A. Murphy '00 said "I wanted to register to vote, and this was an exciting way to do it. There's lots of fun things going on."

Jammin' 94.5-FM also registered students, but exact numbers were not available.

Students mingled with their friends in the MAC Quad, drawing near the stage to hear partisan rhetoric from two Republicans--Susan Roosevelt Weld and national convention spokesperson Mark Merritt--and five Democrats, including Clinton adviser George Stephanopoulos and U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich.

Undergraduates periodically engaged in short, fun-spirited debates on education, taxes and the economy.

"Sounds like he's on the campaign trail already," one junior quipped, as he listened to Andrew J. Green '99-'98 discuss the President's balanced budget proposal.

Some came to hear performances by three bands, Expanding Man, Piraeus and The Dailey Planet. Others romped through a Velcro obstacle course or played hackensack in the grass.

"I'm kind of interested, but it's a nice day, so I'm out here with a bunch of people," said Canadian-born Paul D. Todgham '99.

Because four house dining halls were closed, many went to HYPE '96 simply for hamburgers and hot dogs.

Andras T. Forgacs '98, who was one of 2,200 students fed Saturday, said he was irritated.

"I came for the food, but there's no food left. I do think the rally is good, but the whole thing is very distracting," Forgacs said.

Event emcee and Student Advisory Committee chair Avery W. Gardiner '97 defended the IOP's request to close the Eliot, Leverett, Lowell, Kirkland and Winthrop House dinning halls.