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Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: News
In getting debate, a matter of logistics
Street closings forced U. to pass on hosting pres. primary debate
Ashwin Shandilya
When it comes to politics, some students think that Penn just isn't trying hard enough.
The loss of last month's Democratic presidential debate to Drexel University, coupled with the school's lack of financial support of John McCain's speech last week, has left student political groups disappointed with Penn's efforts to attract political speakers and debates to campus.
But administrators say it's a matter of logistics. In 1996 and 2004, Penn raised enough money - the Commission on Presidential debates requires that the host site pay over $1.3 million - to host the presidential debates. But the Commission also required that the University close streets next to Irvine Auditorium for preparation and security reasons.
And because closing Spruce Street would shut down a vital ambulance route for Penn's hospital, that requirement broke the deal, said Annenberg Public Policy Center director Kathleen Hall Jamieson.
"We had the money and technology, but we would never endanger someone's life by closing off ambulance routes," she said. "You can't surmount the Irvine problem."
Location isn't the only roadblock. Penn President Amy Gutmann said the space required for press and campaign staff would only leave about 50 seats for staff and students.
Officials say it's those two issues that led to the University's failure to host the October Democratic presidential-primary debate, which instead went to Drexel.
That left many student political groups frustrated with the University.
Wharton senior Mike Shiely, a former chairman of the College Republicans who helped the Penn Democrats with efforts to secure the debate, said the Democratic party and media representatives told him that the University "dragged its feet" during the negotiation process.
Pennsylvania Democratic Party officials could not be reached for comment.
"The University isn't willing to go the extra mile," Shiely added. "All we hear is excuse after excuse about how Irvine won't work. Meanwhile, Drexel wowed the officials and got it done. This was a big loss."
The loss of last month's Democratic presidential debate to Drexel University, coupled with the school's lack of financial support of John McCain's speech last week, has left student political groups disappointed with Penn's efforts to attract political speakers and debates to campus.
But administrators say it's a matter of logistics. In 1996 and 2004, Penn raised enough money - the Commission on Presidential debates requires that the host site pay over $1.3 million - to host the presidential debates. But the Commission also required that the University close streets next to Irvine Auditorium for preparation and security reasons.
And because closing Spruce Street would shut down a vital ambulance route for Penn's hospital, that requirement broke the deal, said Annenberg Public Policy Center director Kathleen Hall Jamieson.
"We had the money and technology, but we would never endanger someone's life by closing off ambulance routes," she said. "You can't surmount the Irvine problem."
Location isn't the only roadblock. Penn President Amy Gutmann said the space required for press and campaign staff would only leave about 50 seats for staff and students.
Officials say it's those two issues that led to the University's failure to host the October Democratic presidential-primary debate, which instead went to Drexel.
That left many student political groups frustrated with the University.
Wharton senior Mike Shiely, a former chairman of the College Republicans who helped the Penn Democrats with efforts to secure the debate, said the Democratic party and media representatives told him that the University "dragged its feet" during the negotiation process.
Pennsylvania Democratic Party officials could not be reached for comment.
"The University isn't willing to go the extra mile," Shiely added. "All we hear is excuse after excuse about how Irvine won't work. Meanwhile, Drexel wowed the officials and got it done. This was a big loss."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 5
John
posted 11/29/07 @ 6:42 AM EST
Why would we expect any big politics push? it's not like our university president is a political scientist--oh, she is? well then. How embarrassing.
Paul
posted 11/29/07 @ 7:05 AM EST
Two things:
Spruce Street was closed many Saturdays last year while there was construction work being done. Obviously, with any hospital in this day and age, there must be an alternative route. (Continued…)
Student
posted 11/29/07 @ 9:38 AM EST
You are confusing the general election debate with the primary debate from last month. The Commission on Presidential debates is involved in the general election debates; the primary election debates are run by the Democratic National Committee. (Continued…)
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