Published: May 13, 2008 11:07 pm            

ISU wants to be host of gubernatorial debate

Campus one of 10 sites interested in holding event

TERRE HAUTE — Indiana State University is one of 10 sites in Indiana that has expressed interest in hosting a debate among the candidates for governor this fall.

The Indiana Debate Commission is reviewing applications from ISU and nine other facilities statewide. The process is a competitive one, and three debates will be scheduled.

Commercial theaters, university auditoriums and high schools are among the sites under consideration.

Mark Edwards, ISU director of marketing, has coordinated the university’s effort to land a debate here.

“I suggested to John Beacon [vice president for enrollment management] it might be something we want to consider,” Edwards said.

A site selection team has already visited, and ISU is suggesting Tilson Music Hall, which can seat about 1,400.

When Edwards spoke with Beacon, they agreed that a debate at ISU “would generate a great deal of interest in class and on campus,” Edwards said.

It also would showcase ISU and Terre Haute. “An opportunity like this won’t come along every day,” Edwards said. “We thought it was worth the effort to see if we could be selected as a site.”

Site selection teams are visiting each of the facilities through May to review logistics, technical support, public participation possibilities, new technology innovations and other factors.

Tribune-Star Editor Max Jones is on the board of the Indiana Debate Commission and served as team leader for the ISU site visit. The university submitted an excellent application, he said.

“ISU’s chances at this point are as good as anybody’s,” he said. The fact that there are no other applicants from this immediate region “probably enhances its chances.”

Potential sites can apply through the end of May, and the goal will then be to establish the debate sites and dates as quickly as possible, Jones said.

The debate could include as many as four participants — Republican incumbent Mitch Daniels, Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson and potentially Libertarian and Independent candidates.

The commission’s intent is to conduct three debates and to vary the sites geographically throughout the state, Jones said.

The debates will occur between the end of the Labor Day weekend and the last week of October.

The site visits have been thorough and comprehensive — covering technical to practical aspects of hosting a debate, said Terri Jett, a site team leader and chairwoman of the political science department at Butler University.

A 13-page checklist is part of the on-site review process. Facility tours take about two hours.

Other venues that have applied to host fall debates include:

• Emens Auditorium/Ball State University-Muncie

• Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis

• Jasper Arts Center/Vincennes University-Jasper

• Rotary Club of Indianapolis/Scottish Rite Cathedral-Indianapolis

• Indiana University Auditorium-Bloomington

• Our Lady of Providence Junior-Senior High School-Clarksville

• Star Plaza Theatre-Merrillville

• Grand Wayne Center-Fort Wayne

• Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne

Facility managers/owners have until May 31 to apply for consideration. They may apply online at www.indianadebatecommission.com and fill out the preliminary site review form.

Indiana Debate Commission is a non-partisan, statewide group of affiliate organizations dedicated to promoting debates at the state level.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.

        

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