USD Magazine, Spring 1996

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USO to Host

Presidential

Bebate

Hahn University Center will serve as headquarters for a projected 2,000 media representatives covering the debate, while other USD locations will house offices for the candidates and the Secret Service. USD faculty and staff are familiar with the requirements of putting on a presidential debate. The university was selected as a debate site in 1992, but the USD event was later canceled due to scheduling difficulties with the candi– dates. USD's preparations for that event, which demonstrated the university' s willingness and ability to stage a debate, were factors in the decision to designate USD as a 1996 site. USD is one of four universities that will play host to 1996 Presidential or Vice Presidential debates. Washington University in St. Louis will host the first presidential debate on Sept. 25, Trinity College, in Hartford, Conn., will host the second presidential debate on Oct. 2 at the Hartford Civic Center, and the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg will host the vice presidential debate at the St. Petersburg Bayfront Center on Oct 9.

he University of San Diego was selected in January by the Commission on Presidential Debates as the site of the third and final 1996 Presidential Debate, to be held Wednesday, Oct. 16. USD President Alice B. Hayes says the debate will be an extraordinary occa– sion for students and faculty to organize and participate in seminars, conferences and other educational events accompany– ing the debate, and for students to perform volunteer work for the commission, the media and political groups. "We are tremendously excited by this opportunity to make history," Hayes says. "This event will teach our students an unforgettable lesson about democracy." Hayes also notes the debate will provide national recognition for USD, showcasing the university to millions of television viewers worldwide. Soon after the selection of USD as a debate site was made public, university officials met with members of the com– mission and with representatives of national media organizations to begin preparations for the debate, which will take place in USD's Shiley Theatre. The theater will be renovated to accommodate the event, with improvements that may include replacing bench seats with stan– dard auditorium seats, enlarging the stage and adding air conditioning.

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