Post by fiulife on Aug 29, 2007 11:08:02 GMT -5
FIU among possible hosts for presidential debate
Article
Politically savvy FIU students may be pleasantly surprised to know that a set of presidential debates may be held right on campus this January.
Leadership Florida, a non-profit organization that brings public awareness to the conditions and challenges of Florida, and the Florida Press Association, are organizing the two statewide-televised debates in the Sunshine State, one night each for the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates.
NBC also became involved by becoming the network sponsor of the debates.
"There seems to be a desire to have the debates in Miami," said Stephen Sauls, University vice president of government relations.
Sauls attributed the desire of wanting the debates held in Miami due to the large Hispanic and black voter blocks, in addition to Miami being an exciting city. After being approached with the possibility of hosting the debates, FIU agreed to be considered.
The first step was a site visit by Leadership Florida earlier this month. According to Terry Witherell, associate vice president of external relations, the inspections went well.
"Any question they raised we had an answer or solution to," Witherell said.
The main debates would be held in the Wertheim Performing Arts Center, which can hold roughly 700 attendants, while the media would be stationed in the Graham Center.
If held at FIU, the debates would have limited access for students. However, at the current time, it is unknown how many students would be able to actually watch the debates in person. According to Sauls, seating for the debates would be at the discretion of the campaigns.
Anthony Rionda, the lectures coordinator for the University Park Student Government Association says that SGA will fight for as many student seats as possible if the debates are going to be held on campus.
Witherell stated that student seating is still being negotiated.
"We have good experience hosting dignitaries," Sauls said.
After the University hosting Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and the Dalai Lama, Sauls hopes that will put FIU over other venues being considered for the debates such as the University of Florida, University of Central Florida and Miami-Dade College.
"There is no negative you could get out of it," said FIU College Republicans' President Juan Carlos "Juanky" Robaina. "It would be great to have all the candidates in one place."
Besides the possibility of the presidential debates being held on campus, SGA has passed a resolution to invite individual presidential candidates to FIU, Rionda said.
"We're sending identical proposals to all the candidates," he said.
Rionda also commented that SGA would be taking a party neutral stance when it comes to the candidates. Candidates will not be allowed to attack their opponents and their discussions would be limited to their own lives and experiences.
It is still unknown whether or not any candidates will make any kind of appearance on campus, but the administration is hopeful of the prospect.
According to Rionda, SGA will also be hosting a voter registration drive during the Fall semester before the December primaries.
Leadership Florida, a non-profit organization that brings public awareness to the conditions and challenges of Florida, and the Florida Press Association, are organizing the two statewide-televised debates in the Sunshine State, one night each for the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates.
NBC also became involved by becoming the network sponsor of the debates.
"There seems to be a desire to have the debates in Miami," said Stephen Sauls, University vice president of government relations.
Sauls attributed the desire of wanting the debates held in Miami due to the large Hispanic and black voter blocks, in addition to Miami being an exciting city. After being approached with the possibility of hosting the debates, FIU agreed to be considered.
The first step was a site visit by Leadership Florida earlier this month. According to Terry Witherell, associate vice president of external relations, the inspections went well.
"Any question they raised we had an answer or solution to," Witherell said.
The main debates would be held in the Wertheim Performing Arts Center, which can hold roughly 700 attendants, while the media would be stationed in the Graham Center.
If held at FIU, the debates would have limited access for students. However, at the current time, it is unknown how many students would be able to actually watch the debates in person. According to Sauls, seating for the debates would be at the discretion of the campaigns.
Anthony Rionda, the lectures coordinator for the University Park Student Government Association says that SGA will fight for as many student seats as possible if the debates are going to be held on campus.
Witherell stated that student seating is still being negotiated.
"We have good experience hosting dignitaries," Sauls said.
After the University hosting Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and the Dalai Lama, Sauls hopes that will put FIU over other venues being considered for the debates such as the University of Florida, University of Central Florida and Miami-Dade College.
"There is no negative you could get out of it," said FIU College Republicans' President Juan Carlos "Juanky" Robaina. "It would be great to have all the candidates in one place."
Besides the possibility of the presidential debates being held on campus, SGA has passed a resolution to invite individual presidential candidates to FIU, Rionda said.
"We're sending identical proposals to all the candidates," he said.
Rionda also commented that SGA would be taking a party neutral stance when it comes to the candidates. Candidates will not be allowed to attack their opponents and their discussions would be limited to their own lives and experiences.
It is still unknown whether or not any candidates will make any kind of appearance on campus, but the administration is hopeful of the prospect.
According to Rionda, SGA will also be hosting a voter registration drive during the Fall semester before the December primaries.
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