Presidential debates are major showcases for the country's highest leader, but are also major events for the institutions of higher learning that host them.
This story was changed from its original version. Information was added as to why Virginia Tech could not support a presidential debate to better fulfill the article's purpose. The Collegiate Times regrets this error.
Colleges and universities across the country apply to host debates, spending millions to accommodate the event.
Any school or venue that wishes to host a presidential or vice presidential debate must adhere to a list of guidelines set by the Commission on Presidential Debates. CPD then chooses from those who meet the standards.
Peter Eyre, CPD senior adviser, said there are usually 15 or 16 schools to choose from, and it is never an easy decision.
"Every location puts on a full court press," Eyre said.
Washington University in St. Louis is the most consistent debate host. It's been selected as a host in every election cycle since 1992, although its 1996 debate was canceled.
Eyre said the school just has a knack for housing special occasions.
"Washington University is a fantastic school," Eyre said. "They understand how to put on big events."
Steve Givens, Washington University executive director of communications, said the cost of putting on a debate has been rising, but they still feel the price is right.
"I think the main reason that we continue to do them, despite their rising cost, is because of what they bring to the campus itself. By that I mean a level of excitement, a level of political activity, a sense for our students that they are part of something historical."
Universities that host debates must pay a fee to the CPD. It has increased from $500,000 in 2000 to $1.3 million in 2008.
"We probably spent that amount again in all the things that are happening. It's not cheap, but we have found it to be worthwhile and important," Givens said.
Givens estimated that the university spent about $2.6 million to host this year's vice presidential debate.
Facilities must undergo major changes prior to the debate to accommodate the event as well as the media frenzy that accompanies it.
"The biggest change for us happens at our athletic campus. We actually have a really good building for this and we manage to do everything in one building," Givens said. "When you get really close to the day, the other really big impact has to do with traffic and parking."
Tech facilities, for a variety of reasons, don't fit the guidelines.
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Perhaps this is something tech could look into as it continues to build and expand!
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This will never happen because of the money. Tech won't invest that much money in something that is not even guaranteed.
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I understand how Tech could fall short on this issue, as with a title of "As debate host, Tech would fall short," where were the points?
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Another horrible headline with very little, if anything, to do with the content of the article...the CT is definitely going downhill.
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You have to be uphill to go downhill...
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The Cassell Coliseum was built on the cheap and is too archaic for hosting anything other than basketball and commencements. That's why you'll never see a concert in there -- the building lacks any ground level access to the floor and the roof is unable to support lighting rigs.
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