Former aides say access to Clinton is rare

As federal investigators look into allegations that President Clinton had an affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, University students who have interned at the White House say it's difficult, but not impossible, to get to know high-profile White House officials.

The White House offers internships to college students across the country, including many University students, who work for about two months in various departments. During those months, most interns work daily in the Old Executive Office Building. A small percentage of all interns have access to the West Wing of the White House, which houses the Oval Office, said Sarah Holewinski, an employee in the White House's Office of National AIDS Policy.

But LSA junior Ben Wolf said it's not impossible to see top officials while on the job.

"One of the major misconceptions is that the president is untouchable, which is not true," said Wolf, who had access to the West Wing as an intern last summer. "If (Clinton) has to go to the OEOB and you're there, you might happen to meet him. I would obviously run into some major officials all the time. Al Gore works there. The First Lady works there."

While some interns may encounter high-ranking government officials from time to time, most only have access to staff members who interact with the president, said LSA senior Eric Jamarkin.

"The White House is gigantic," Jamarkin said. "It's rare that one would come across a high-ranking official. It's the lower-level staff members you become close with."

Jamarkin said it's more plausible for an intern to get to know a staff member than the President.

"The staff members at the White House are very young," Jamarkin said. "A lot of them are in their twenties. There's not a lot of difference in age. A relationship could be conceivable. From what I saw, I didn't know of that."

Business senior Robin Landy, who interned in the Office of Presidential Personnel in the OEOB said she had limited access to major officials, although West Wing interns were much closer to the Clinton.

"In the White House, I was never actually around the high-ranked officials," Landy said. "But these allegations could happen to anyone. Monica Lewinsky was in the West Wing, and you have to have special permission (to do that). You have to go through a lot more precautionary clearance."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducts background checks for West Wing interns, who must obtain special badges to enter the West Wing of the White House, said Holewinski, who started at the White House as an intern.

"There really weren't many who could go into the West Wing," Holewinski said. "Only 5 percent of all interns are housed in the West Wing."

LSA junior Stephanie Powell said the relationships she formed while interning at the White House last summer were not with top officials, but with the staff members within her office.

"My office was pretty laid back - not as strict as you'd think a government office would be," Powell said. "We were there from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Each staff person is assigned a new intern every session. We played games to meet the staff so that we'd get to know each other. At that point, it wasn't just work."

Wolf said he would not speculate on the allegations against Clinton, but said Clinton's schedule was always full.

"He is an extremely busy person," Wolf said. "For him to alter his schedule would be detrimental to some of the policies and plans. He does more in one day than most people will do in a month."

Interns said Clinton customarily greets the hundreds of interns only once each session, taking time to pose for pictures and extend handshakes.

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