On Monday, Sept. 26, the Honors Student Association (HSA) will be holding the 2016 Debate Watch in the Sykes Theater from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
According to Dan DeBrakeleer, a fourth-year student and the student organizer for this event, Debate Watch, which is associated with the Presidential Debate Commission, “promotes civic engagement by inviting community viewing of the presidential debates in a nonpartisan environment.”
Audiences will gather 30 minutes prior to the start of the debate and complete a perception questionnaire addressing their political thought coming into the event and their expectations for the evening. They will receive instructions about being attentive listeners and nonpartisan during the debate.
Once the debate ends, electronic images and sound are eliminated and members receive a few moments of si-ence to complete a second short form addressing their post-debate impressions. As they have done since 1992, Drs. Kevin W. Dean and David Levas- seur will co-moderate the evening’s post-debate conversation.
From 10:35 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., audience members will share their reactions and impressions to topics such as
the strongest arguments, memorable moments, use of evidence or support, missed opportunities and any shifts in audience beliefs as to who they might vote for in November. All students who attend will receive a “campaign style button” reading, “I Watched Debate Watch 2016.”
“The evening should prove pivotal in providing a better understanding of the two candidates who seek this nation’s highest office,” says DeBrakeleer.
Writers from The Quad will be attending to report the event and to interview students and audience members.
Samantha Mineroff is a third-year student majoring in English writings track with a minor in creative writing. She can be reached at SM825021@wcupa.edu.