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WU considering 2020 presidential debate bid
Washington University is in the preliminary stages of applying to host a 2020 presidential debate.
The University held the town-hall style debate during the 2016 presidential elections, which was the fifth debate the University had hosted. Washington University first hosted a presidential debate during the 1992 campaign.
The process includes submitting an application to non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates. The deadline to submit a proposal to the commission is April 9. If accepted, the commission will then decide if the University will host a presidential or vice presidential debate.
During their deliberation period, the University gathered student feedback during a discussion between members of Student Union. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori White was charged with gathering student opinions and addressing any concerns that students might have.
“There are good reasons to think about holding a debate, and there are good reasons for us to consider the negative impact on our community that the University has to take into consideration,” White said.
Some of those negative impacts could include the high-level security required to host the debates, the closure of Athletic Complex for several weeks and that students who live on Upper Fraternity Row would have restricted visitor access during that time.
College Democrats president sophomore Arik Wolk said he was very excited at the prospect of potentially holding another debate.
“That was a big selling point when I was choosing Wash. U., the [prospect] of hosting a presidential debate and basically having the center of the universe be here for a few days,” Wolk said.
College Republicans president and junior Drew McPike spoke about the energy on campus that surrounded the 2016 presidential debate.
“Everyone had this kind of excitement about it,” McPike said. “For about two weeks, there were so many political events going on.”
He said that he is in favor of the University hosting another debate in 2020, even though he will have graduated by that point.
“I think it’s a great energy and experience for people that are on campus,” McPike said. “I also think it’s a really good opportunity for the University to get its name out there.”
Despite the concerns students have about hosting a debate, White said many students were excited about the idea because of the heightened school spirit and the opportunity for students to get involved, either by potentially attending or by volunteering, as shown by the 2016 debate.
“It brought the community together in ways that students were very excited about,” White said.