Student Debate Hits Key Election Issues

Political science students defend views on immigration, abortion, the economy and more

Sacred Heart University students, faculty and staff joined local politicians and candidates the Wednesday before Election Day for a passionate debate about the key issues voters faced this year.

SHU’s Get Out the Vote Student Coalition hosted the event, The Voices of Tomorrow, in the Dr. Michelle C. Loris ’70 Forum in the Frank and Marisa Martire Center for the Liberal Arts. Seniors Isabella Sardina and Anna Macaulay helped coordinate and plan the event. Ten political science students—five Republicans and five Democrats—debated immigration, the war in the Middle East, the economy, abortion and the United States’ involvement in NATO.

The formal debate included opening remarks from participants, rebuttals and closing statements. The students also took questions from audience members. Annamarie Mirando, pre-law club president, and Gary Rose, professor and scholar in residence, hosted the forum.

In a pre-event announcement, the coalition said, “We hope to show the student body the importance of engaging in our civic duty and remind them to vote in the upcoming election.” Coalition members said they felt confident they achieved their goal.

The student debate is a long-standing tradition at SHU. Rose praised the students for their political knowledge and for engaging in civil discourse with those who hold different opinions.

“I was impressed with the extensive preparation of the students on both panels and the substance of their presentations,” Rose said. “They prepared very well for their assigned topics and effectively rebutted the views of their opponents.

“The debate was lively, and the questions and comments from the audience added to the intensity of the issues discussed,” Rose continued. “The debate demonstrated very clearly why this tradition needs to be encouraged during election years at Sacred Heart University.”