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.
Cassell Coliseum does not have the required floor space to accommodate a debate stage. It would also need to be fully carpeted.
Commonwealth Ballroom does not meet ceiling height restrictions. It also would need to install permanent, padded seating, as well as carpet.
Burruss Auditorium meets many of the venue requirements; however, parking for media trucks would be a catch.
The CPD's site guide stipulates the need for a "large parking area close to the debate hall for up to 50 television remote trucks, trailers and/or satellite trucks up to 53 feet in length. Media will be running cables from this parking area into the debate hall, media filing center, and media interview center."
Burruss and the surrounding area would need major renovations to support that requirement.
Some of the CPD guidelines include a minimum ceiling height of 35 feet, and at least 17,000 square feet of fully carpeted floor space.
The hall is also held to strict standards on electric power and air conditioning. According to the CPD guidelines, the hall must provide "individual overhead vents for the candidates."
Eyre said many schools renovate their facilities to meet the CPD's standards.
"A lot of schools invest a lot of time, money and energy to make themselves eligible to host a debate," Eyre said. "It is not uncommon for schools to make substantial investments in order to be able to host a debate."
Washington University has hosted debates in its basketball stadium, which actually holds fewer people than Virginia Tech's Cassell Coliseum. However, the Washington University Field House has more floor space.
Givens said students have responded positively to hosting debates.
"The feedback we continue to get from our students is that this is one of the most important things they've ever found themselves in the middle of," Givens said.
Washington University students received 432 of approximately 1,100 tickets to the vice presidential debate.
"It's different than a campaign stop rally; it's different than a presidential visit or a speaker," Givens said. "The main difference is that the eyes of the world are really turned toward us for a short period of time. We certainly enjoy the publicity that it brings to our campus."
Tech has never hosted a presidential debate, and no current campus facility meets the CPD guidelines without renovation.
Hofstra University in New York hosted its first debate earlier this year. Eyre said locations are chosen on quality of facilities alone. Location in a swing state or a politically important area has no bearing on the CPD's decision.
The University of Richmond hosted the last debate to take place in Virginia. Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot debated in Robbins Field House on Oct. 15, 1992.