Students at the University of Colorado Boulder are gearing up to host the third Republican presidential debate on their campus today. This is the first presidential primary debate to be held at a university thus far in the 2016 campaign season and the event is expected to cause some controversy on campus.
There is an established “free speech zone” outside the arena in anticipation of protestors. Some students are planning to hold their own debate broadcast because they have been blocked from attending, due to strict ticket restrictions.
“Free speech zones are unfortunate,” said CU student Michael McGrady who is attending the student-led broadcast today. “Protestors – whether they’re college students or not – should have the right to speak anywhere on a public campus.”
“Free speech is a fundamental American right, and therefore it is wrong to restrict our liberties to certain sections and areas,” said senior Connor Smith. “My hope is that my fellow CU students will exercise this right appropriately, and in a way that celebrates the diversity of all perspectives represented on this campus.”
CU College Democrats member Mark Larson II was less opposed, but still called the free speech zone “troubling.”
“Although it is troubling that the entire campus is not recognized as a free speech zone, the zone established should be sufficient if all who wish to have their messages heard are able to share them without obstruction,” he said.
Students from both sides of the aisle voiced concern about student debt and said they would like to hear the candidates take on the issue in the debate.
President of the CU Boulder College Democrats Javier Mabrey said Republican candidates are not addressing the issues that students care about the most.
“None of them are talking about student debt, all of them are climate change deniers,” he said. “None of them really support a pathway to citizenship in a meaningful way.”
However, he said the biggest cause of contention about the upcoming debate was the fact that most students are not allowed to attend.
Ian Andrews of the CU College Republicans also reported concern on campus over lack of debate tickets, but said he has mixed feelings about it himself.
“I do wish there were more tickets available,” he said. “At the same time I can understand the hesitation for fear of interruptions and the kind of things that might ruin the focus of the debate.”
Andrews said he will be able to attend the debate as a volunteer, however only 100 total tickets were allotted for students and university officials.
“I personally would like to see the candidates speak more directly to college students,” he added. “How they plan to handle the rising student debt.”
Fox News in Denver reported that security on Wednesday will be tight. University police have been planning for this day for several months. The main road that runs through campus will be closed and barricades are set up all around the Coors Events Center.
The 10 top-polling presidential hopefuls will square off on economic issues tonight, while the four candidates with the lowest poll numbers will debate earlier this evening.
