Dylan Porter and Julissa Rivas, social action student coordinators for the Center for Volunteerism and Social Action, held a screening of the Feb. 19 Democratic presidential debate in the Idaho Student Union Building (ISUB) Room 302.
The event allowed students to grab some free food and watch the debate with other students.
Porter and Rivas in coordination with Associated Students University of Idaho (ASUI) were able to acquire the space for the Presidental debate screening, as well as provide snacks to attendees.
The last debate screening had around 30 students in attendance outside of student government, with Feb. 19 attendance being much lower.
There had been conflicts in the past with debate screenings. At one point, the Young Democrats attempted to screen debates at a different location but ended up attending the Center for Volunteerism’s instead, Porter said.
Freshman transfer student Jonathan Hill came to watch the debate purely for entertainment. Last-minute changes to nominations for debate candidates, body language and facial expressions were the reasons Hill came to watch.
“I think every student should be politically active — or at least aware — and not just active but actively critical,” Hill said. “The Center for Volunteerism and Social Action coordinator provided a nice room and a good atmosphere, and honestly people just need to sit and pay attention to what is being said.”
There will be another debate screening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today in ISUB 302.
Brandon Roberts can be reached at [email protected]