University Symposium to Draw Chief Aides to 6 U.S. Presidents

In what UC San Diego Chancellor Richard C. Atkinson describes as a “historically significant” event, the chiefs of staff of six U.S. Presidents will discuss the inner workings of the White House and their role in shaping the nation’s history later this month at a symposium at UCSD.

Entitled “25 Years of the Presidency,” the Jan. 17-18 symposium, part of a three-day event commemorating the silver anniversary of the University of California, San Diego, will focus on the presidential aides’ recollections of major national crises such as the Bay of Pigs, Watergate and the Iranian hostage impasse.

“This event is of national historic significance,” Atkinson said. “Never before have all these chiefs of staff been assembled at one time, in one place.”

Participants in the symposium will include Andrew Goodpaster from the Eisenhower Administration; Theodore Sorenson of the Kennedy Administration; Harry McPherson of the Johnson Administration; Alexander Haig and H. R. Haldeman of the Nixon Administration; Donald Rumsfeld and Richard Cheney of the Ford Administration, and Jack Watson of the Carter Administration.

The event, to be moderated by NBC News commentator John Chancellor, will be televised in the San Diego area.

Admission to the Jan. 17 morning session is by invitation. The Jan. 18 session, at which a group of journalists will participate in a round-table discussion with the chiefs of staff for a planned book of essays, is closed to the public.