EACH OF the members of the University community can participate in the 2008 Presidential election by voting or supporting a candidate. The University as an institution, however, passed up a tremendous opportunity to participate in the process by deciding not to apply to host one of the three Presidential debates, despite a decision in favor of such an action by Student Council. The University ought to have submitted itself as a possible venue for one of the debates in 2008, and it most certainly should do so in 2012, as it is uniquely qualified to host such an event.
According to Student Council Vice President for Organizations Catherine Tobin, in the spring of 2007, Council considered an ultimately unsuccessful resolution that called for the University to push for consideration as a debate site. Citing Virginia's status as a "battleground state" and "an expressed interest in the student body to host a debate" as its reasons for seeking a debate, the resolution called for the committee to "exist until a debate is completed or all efforts at hosting a debate are exhausted."? According to Tobin, a committee of 100 students formatted a proposal presenting the University's case, working with local leaders and the Center for Politics to make sure the University's proposal met the standards outlined by the Commission on Presidential Debates. Despite these efforts by students, the University declined to even be considered as a potential host. The reason the University declined to apply to be considered lies in the cost of hosting such an event, an estimated $7 to $10 million, including a fee of $1,350,000 just for the rights and other costs for equipping the debate facility adequately with furniture, food, and lodging for the candidates. According to Tobin, the administration thought the cost far outweighed the benefits of the opportunity to host a debate.
The University, however, regularly sinks excessive amounts of money into projects of a less prestigious and arguably less important nature, the most prominent example being the South Lawn Project. The South Lawn Project will cost at least $105 million dollars, and has helped spawn a new round of giving for the University, already having raised almost all the money necessary. Hosting a Presidential debate is certainly more exciting and memorable than watching grass grow, and would instantaneously draw a great deal of attention to the University. Tobin suggests that this might help garner new donations and a new base of politically interested donors, who might contribute to future capital campaigns as well.
The debate would also offer a boon to the local economy, as it would pump money into caterers, hotels, and the other event staff necessary to feed, lodge, and coordinate an influx in media members and political staffs.
Besides the chance to offer students a rare firsthand glimpse into national politics, the University ought to consider hosting a debate because there are few sites more appropriate for one. Virginia has an unsurpassed presidential legacy, with Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Harrison, Tyler, Taylor and Woodrow Wilson all hailing from the Commonwealth. The University has its own obvious presidential tradition. As the flagship university of a state with unparalleled presidential history, the University deserves the opportunity to host a debate.
Another reason that the University deserves a chance to host a historic debate is that Virginia's current political situation exemplifies moderation. As the Council's resolution states, one of the reasons for the University to apply to host the debates stems from the fact that Virginia is a "battleground state" for the two major parties. The Commonwealth has a Democratic governor and one Democratic senator; the other senator and the lieutenant governor are Republicans. Former governor Mark Warner was also considered a moderate Democrat. For a state that is usually considered conservative, its recent voting record is quite moderate. The University also expresses a relatively moderate atmosphere, compared to other universities and colleges around the country.
Given Virginia's rich political history and moderation in recent political contests, the state itself seems the perfect place to hold one leg of a Presidential race. Add to this student interest and the Council's efforts to make it feasible, as well as the opportunity to excite a new, politically concerned donor base, and the University's reasons to host a debate stand out.. Hosting one -- if not in 2008 then in 2012 or later -- would provide the University with prestige and national attention, and would afford University students an unforgettable opportunity.
Robby Colby's column appears Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at rcolby@cavalierdaily.com.
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