Stopping Out

Russell E. Nelson, an unemployed graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, plans to stand outside Grays Hall today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., facing The Yard, and speaking to anyone who comes along.

Some may find it strange that anyone would fantasize for eight months about what Nelson himself calls an "inoffensive college prank." But Nelson believes the prank will offer him a new perspective on life at Harvard.

Nelson will not "sing, streak, or ask for spare change" today, and will achieve nothing and accomplish nothing except for making this point-"that it is possible, amidst all this activity, to stop," Nelson said yesterday.

A Harvard police spokesman said yesterday that as long as Nelson just stands in the Yard, he will not be arrested.

"I'm not going to try to be a statue; I might even sit down, but I'm going to be there from approximately nine to five," the bearded Nelson said.