UWG News Archive

Presidential Debate Watch

September 27, 2004

CARROLLTON, GA - The National Commission on Presidential Debates organizes debate watches across the nation every four years. The University of West Georgia will host a debate watch this year, beginning Thursday, Sept. 30, at 9 p.m. in the Technology-enhanced Learning Center (TLC) Room 1301.

After viewing the debate, television coverage will end and audience discussion of the debate will be facilitated by UWG faculty and staff involved in the American Democracy Project.

According to Dr. Thomas Hynes, vice president for academic affairs, televised presidential debates have been an important part of presidential elections since 1960.

“Whatever your political affiliation, these debates open the door for thoughtful discussion of the presidential election campaign and process,” he said.

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) was established in 1987 to ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners.

Its primary purpose is to sponsor and produce debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates and to undertake research and educational activities relating to the debates. The organization, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation, sponsored all the presidential debates in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000.

All debates are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. E.T. The first presidential debate is set for Sept. 30 at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL. The vice presidential debate is Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. The second presidential debate is Friday, Oct. 8, at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. The third presidential debate is Wednesday, Oct. 13, at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. A debate watch will be conducted at UWG for each event.

UWG is participating in the debate watch as part of its ongoing participation in the American Democracy Project. UWG has made civic engagement, particularly voter registration/awareness and participation in this year’s election, a top priority.

The American Democracy Project is a multi-campus initiative that seeks to create an intellectual and experiential understanding of civic engagement for undergraduates enrolled at institutions that are members of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The goal of the project is to produce graduates who understand and are committed to engaging in meaningful actions as citizens in a democracy. For more information on the project, visit the web site at http://www.aascu.org/programs/adp/default.htm.

The events are open to the University and Carrollton community. For details, contact the UWG Vice President of Academic Affairs Office at (678) 839-6445 or visit the web site of the National Commission on Presidential Debates at http://www.debates.org/.

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