A Quiet Evening at Boston U.

BOSTON--A visitor at Boston University last night would never have guessed the school's leadership hung precariously in the balance.

Although an election victory for B.U. president John Silber threatened to leave the university's highest post vacant, few students there noticeably gathered to watch incoming results. Many said exam pressures and apathy outweighed their political enthusiasm.

B.U. students said they noticed no unusual undergraduate turnout at either the student union or the dormitory communal lounges. No special university-wide rallies or gatherings were called.

Indeed, as Silber awaited the voters' decision in downtown Boston, students speculated that most of their peers were quietly watching the election returns from their rooms.

Just Too Busy

"All people know are really interested but they haven't had the time," said B.U. junior Carl H. Ford. "Every one's just too busy with studying to really tune into this."

"There's nothing on at all, it's actually rather tame. You'll find students in their rooms or on floor lounges," said Matthew J. McSorley, news editor of the B.U. Daily Free Press. "People are more keeping it to themselves."

Some students said this year's previous campaign events have drawn much greater support, in contrast to last night's relative calm.

"During the Weld-Silber debates, every time Silber scored point on the debate you heard fairly loud cheers," said James B. McManus, a first-year students. McManus, said students often filled the student union television room to capacity.

An October 4 Daily Free Press Poll showed substantial student support for Silber, according to assistant news editor Tammy H. Audell. "The ones that do know what's going on [in the elections] support Silber. The ones who don't, who far outnumber the ones who do, also support Silber," she said.

Some students said they supported Silber's candidacy as a way to oust him from his B.U. position.

"We don't want him to come back here. He did a great job turning the school around but he's too conservative," said B.U. sophomore Julie Kaufmann. "He could do a great job within the city because the city's in a lot of trouble."

Yet others said they were reluctant to impose Silber's leadership on the public.

"One reaction is, 'Vote for Silber to free B.U.--the reign of terror will be over!" said B.U. sophomore Jason T. Massman. "There's also a faction that says, 'Let not sic the mad dog on the entire state.' "

A number of students supported Silber's authoritative personality and his record of accomplishments at B.U. " I' m really hopeful on Silber winning. The only negative I can find is that we'll no longer have him as president of B.U.," said McManus, before the election returns came in.

"I can't say that I particularly like the man, but he can get the financial response that Massachusetts needs," said sophomore Alison L. Paddock. "I think he'll be able to bring the government under control."

Since he assumed the role of B.U.. president two decades ago, Silber has been the object of widespread controversy. His unconventional tactics, criticized by many as dictatorial, bolstered B.U.'s reputation as an academic institution, but alienated many of the university's students and faculty.

"Last year I think if you asked people there would be an overwhelming majority against him," said junior Christopher L. Hahn. "I'm surprised myself how many students have supported him."