KENT, Ohio - Students worried that free tickets to see President Barack Obama Wednesday afternoon would disappear camped out by Kent State University's campus center on Monday to make sure they weren't left out.

Students, faculty, residents and anyone interested in seeing the President in the homestretch of a heated 2012 campaign lined up all morning until early afternoon until the tickets finally ran out.

KentStatesenior Paul Miller was one of the lucky ones.

"I'm aiming toward the Democratic vote," Miller said. "He's all about moving forward and all about change, so if it's for the betterment of me, my family, my child, why not go with that route?"

Looking to sway a few voters to the left, President Obama may find a few here. Freshman Jacqueline Teagle hasn't made her mind up quite yet. She scored a ticket the last hour before they were gone.

"I'm just going to kind of listen to everything he has to say and see if makes me want to vote for him or not. I'm 18 so this is my first chance to vote," said Teagle

KentState executive director of university media relations Eric Mansfield said while the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center can hold up to 6,000 people, there won't be that many tickets given out to the public.

"A little more than 5,000 is a pretty good rough estimate. We'll be working with the fire marshal that day to make sure that we're at capacity, not over capacity," Mansfield said.

One of those seats will be filled by Kent State junior Hayze Moore. Moore has already decided he's voting for Republican candidate Mitt Romney this election, but couldn't pass up the chance to see a president in person.

"Got my ticket, although I am not voting for Obam,a I'll be there to see him," said Moore. "He's still our president and I'd like to get a chance to meet him. Got my ticket, ready to see him."

Junior James King said he is a deputy field organizer of the Kent State Obama campaign. The student democrats sent out the invitation this fall, which Obama's campaign accepted last week.

"On top of getting these tickets to the student body and to other community people who want to get tickets to see the president on Wednesday, we also have volunteers up and down the line to get students and community members registered to vote because that is the best way to help the President," King said.

Traffic in and around campus may be of some concern. Kent State issued this statement Monday, Sept. 23:

President Obama Visits Kent State on Sept. 26

Posted Sep. 23, 2012

President Barack Obama will be a special guest of the Kent State College Democrats for a campaign rally Wednesday, Sept. 26, at Kent State University’s Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MAC Center). Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entrance. One ticket per person will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To pick up your ticket, visit one of the following locations beginning Monday, Sept. 24, at 9 a.m.
 
Risman Plaza
Kent State University Campus (in front of the Kent Student Center)
1085 Risman Drive
Kent, Ohio 44242

Obama for America-Kent
1307 S. Water St.
Kent, Ohio 44240

Obama for America-East Akron
396 East Waterloo Rd.
Akron, Ohio 44319


What You Need to Know: How Presidential Visit Affects Kent State Students, Faculty, Staff and Campus Visitors

In preparation of Wednesday’s presidential visit, members of the Kent State community and visitors to the campus should be aware of the following:

• Kent State University Library will not be affected.
• KentStudent Centerwill remain open with possible restrictions on Wednesday.
• Gym Annex will be open for activities on Tuesday and Wednesday with no access to the MAC Center.
• Residence halls will not be affected.
• MACCenteractivities will be affected Tuesday and closed Wednesday.

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• Allow extra time for all activities adjacent to and around the MAC Center beginning Monday evening.
• Parking in the R-11 lot behind the Kent Student Center and MAC Center will be limited on Monday and Tuesday. It will be closed on Wednesday.
• The R-3 lot next to Taylor Hall will be closed to students, faculty and staff beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
• Manchester Field will be open to foot traffic throughout Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Midway Drive from Theatre Drive to the MAC Center will be closed beginning 9 a.m. Wednesday. Foot traffic can continue on the east side of the road and to all buildings in that area.
• There will be limited access to Williams Drive on Wednesday.
• Foot traffic around the MAC Center will be restricted on Wednesday.
• Visitor parking and metered parking in front of the MAC Center will be limited on Wednesday.
• Classes held in all other buildings will go on as scheduled.

For more information about Kent State University, visit www.kent.edu .

For a map of the Kent State campus, visit www.kent.edu/campuses/maps/map.cfm .

This advertisement is not an endorsement by the university