Spring Break
AASA plans political forum
Brian Coburn
Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: Inside WCC
Election '08
What: A political forum sponsored by the History Department and African-American Student Association, with representatives from both presidential campaigns
Where: Morris Lawrence Building, Room 101 (Auditorium)
When: Thursday, Oct. 23, 5-7 p.m.
For those who feel they know a lot about the candidates in the Nov. 4 presidential election but lack an understanding of the actual issues, there could be an event at Washtenaw Community College coming up that's tailor-made for you.
On Thursday, Oct. 23, the WCC History Department and the African-American Students Association will hold an "Election '08" political forum.
"I was thinking of it this summer and thought that a lot of students, especially the first-time voters out there, will need to have a better command of these issues," said event coordinator Thornton Perkins, history professor and co-adviser to the AASA.
Perkins plans on having three representative speakers from both the Democrat and Republican parties, and some are already committed to an appearance, such as Dave Adamson from the Washtenaw County Republican Committee and Adam Hitchcock, a worker on Democratic candidate Barack Obama's Ann Arbor campaign team.
Perkins said he would like to see at least 150 to 200 students at the event (there will be room for over 300 in the auditorium of the Morris Lawrence Building). It is to be strictly educational and attendees will be told ahead of time to not cheer, boo or in any way treat it as a partisan political rally or debate.
Likewise, the representatives on stage will be asked to keep the tone primarily informal instead of just offering talking points for their party's candidate.
"I'm not too concerned because I'll be steering things as the monitor and make sure that there's not going to be any excess political rhetoric or propaganda from anyone," Perkins said.
Question compositions were already sent out to professors in the history and political science departments for the purpose of having students write up questions on issues such as: the collapse of the economy, the outsourcing of jobs, the war on terrorism, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, educational problems, federal student loans, new job creation, the energy crisis, affirmative action, and health care.
Pre-selected students will come to microphone to ask questions to which members of either party can answer. All are welcome, and refreshments will be provided.
What: A political forum sponsored by the History Department and African-American Student Association, with representatives from both presidential campaigns
Where: Morris Lawrence Building, Room 101 (Auditorium)
When: Thursday, Oct. 23, 5-7 p.m.
For those who feel they know a lot about the candidates in the Nov. 4 presidential election but lack an understanding of the actual issues, there could be an event at Washtenaw Community College coming up that's tailor-made for you.
On Thursday, Oct. 23, the WCC History Department and the African-American Students Association will hold an "Election '08" political forum.
"I was thinking of it this summer and thought that a lot of students, especially the first-time voters out there, will need to have a better command of these issues," said event coordinator Thornton Perkins, history professor and co-adviser to the AASA.
Perkins plans on having three representative speakers from both the Democrat and Republican parties, and some are already committed to an appearance, such as Dave Adamson from the Washtenaw County Republican Committee and Adam Hitchcock, a worker on Democratic candidate Barack Obama's Ann Arbor campaign team.
Perkins said he would like to see at least 150 to 200 students at the event (there will be room for over 300 in the auditorium of the Morris Lawrence Building). It is to be strictly educational and attendees will be told ahead of time to not cheer, boo or in any way treat it as a partisan political rally or debate.
Likewise, the representatives on stage will be asked to keep the tone primarily informal instead of just offering talking points for their party's candidate.
"I'm not too concerned because I'll be steering things as the monitor and make sure that there's not going to be any excess political rhetoric or propaganda from anyone," Perkins said.
Question compositions were already sent out to professors in the history and political science departments for the purpose of having students write up questions on issues such as: the collapse of the economy, the outsourcing of jobs, the war on terrorism, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, educational problems, federal student loans, new job creation, the energy crisis, affirmative action, and health care.
Pre-selected students will come to microphone to ask questions to which members of either party can answer. All are welcome, and refreshments will be provided.
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