Ensure vice presidential debate involves students
In October, Washington University will once again host an important national political debate, though it will be the vice presidential candidates this time around. Although Washington University has been selected to host a debate for five consecutive election cycles, this should not be taken for granted-no other university has had such an opportunity, and every effort should be made to make this debate a success.
Most importantly, the University must ensure that students have adequate opportunities for involvement with the debate.
For many new freshmen on campus, the vice presidential debate will be their first real exposure to a political atmosphere. The University should encourage their participation by implementing the recommendations of the Student Civic Initiative (SCI). Formed by University students in response to the University’s refusal to allow presidential candidate Barack Obama to speak on campus, the SCI offers concrete plans for increasing political awareness and involvement among students. In particular, they have proposed that a program be offered during Freshman Orientation to encourage civic engagement and that residential advisors be trained to help their students register to vote. Measures such as these will go a long way toward motivating new students to become involved in the debate and giving them the tools to join in the political process.
Older students should also be given ample opportunity to participate. With the economy teetering on the brink of recession and the recent announcement of the 4,000th American killed in Iraq, this election is bound to elicit strong political opinions from many students.
It is crucial that students be given both the permission and the means to publicly express their views on the issues. This means that the University should provide open spaces for political demonstration and protest within a reasonable proximity of the facility that houses the debate. In addition, opportunities to volunteer for the Commission on Presidential Debates and both political parties, such as those offered at eRecruiting, should be widely provided and well-publicized.
The elections in November will also present opportunities for political speakers to appear on campus; such openings should not be squandered. In the past, the University has not allowed political candidates to speak on campus in a misguided attempt to appear nonpartisan. We agree with the SCI that this is a mistake.
The University should allow political candidates to speak while structuring the engagements according to the SCI’s recommendations. For example, the University should encourage question and answer sessions to help students become active participants rather than passive observers. We believe that such measures will allow political discussion on campus to flourish without the University unfairly endorsing any candidate or political position.
Students will make significant sacrifices in their quality of life as Washington University caters to the desires of those in charge of the vice presidential debate. Restricted athletic facility hours, strained parking capacities and other disruptions are likely.
In order to make the experience worthwhile, the University needs to ensure that students actually receive the benefits of attending a university hosting a national debate. This means students should have the opportunity to express their political opinions and to learn about the political issues facing our nation.
After witnessing the enormous turnout in this year’s primary elections, it is clear that college-age people are anything but apathetic. The vice presidential debate is a unique opportunity that should not be wasted to do these students justice.
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