The first African-American vying for president standing foot on Ole Miss campus.
That is history in the making.

2,378 Lafayette County students from kindergarten to high school, learning about voting, policies and political history, wanting to be civically involved.
That is history in the making.

The University of Mississippi will make history on September 26th, 2008 when we host the first Presidential Debate. Ole Miss has always been a forerunner in school involvement, and the debate is no exception. The Commission for Presidential Debates (CPD) has confirmed we offer the most debate-related activities in comparison to the other host universities. Lectures have attracted experienced journalists such as Matt Storin, former editor of the Chicago Sun-Times, Boston Globe and New York Daily News. In fact, over 3,000 journalists will be arriving from Monday Sept. 22nd. Major networks will be broadcasting live from Ole Miss in the week before the debate, so not only do we receive credit as a debate host, but media coverage is a public relations opportunity other university’s can only dream of. We have the opportunity to re-define ourselves as socially, culturally and racially diverse.

Traffic problems are an issue with some residents frustrated by road closures and limited parking. Never fear, parking issues have been considered. There are currently shuttle buses running every ten minutes from the Oxford Mall, to transport students to campus. As a university which prides itself in being environmentally aware, this is also another initiative to decrease our campus pollution. I hope the shuttles remain in place after the debate as a green solution to traffic. In 20 year’s time we will not think back and remember how we had to walk to campus. It is worth the sacrifice.

Is it fair that our own students can’t watch the debate? We must remember the Presidential Debate is designed to be a media event and was never planned to be public. According to Mr Mullins, the CPD saw the 1,250 seat Ford Center as an ideal site for the debate. The Coliseum was suggested as a venue to seat approximately 60,000 people however, CPD declined. We are the closest we can possibly get. But some are asking, what will this “experience” cost? It is estimated the debate is costing around $5 million. Tax payers need not fret, the debate has been entirely funded by sponsors. Some argue the money should be used for scholarships. This is impossible as the money was raised specifically for the debate. We would not have had it otherwise. Ole Miss estimates $1.5 million worth of improvements will be permanent, such as renovations to the music building providing new lighting and televisions.

So when asking yourself whether the debate is worth your time, or parking spot, think about the monumental moment in history about to play out. Become politically involved and show your Ole Miss spirit as you would any other event. In the words of Ole Miss professor of journalism, Andrew Harper, “no one may remember the debate took place in Oxford, but for those of us that are here, it is a once in a lifetime event we will never forget.”