Debate on the Internet: UMass Boston Votes
University Communications
University Reporter
By Melissa Fassel
What about those students who didn't attend a debate event on campus? Along with staff, faculty, and community members, they were still able to participate in the debate. By using the Internet, those who wished to take part could do so in the comfort of their own homes, probably in an environment that was warmer than the 50-something degree temperature in the debate hall.
People could listen to the debate live on UMass Boston's WUMB 91.9 FM via a webcast, using Windows Media Player. Those who sought to participate more actively were invited by SpeakOut.com, an online opinion research company that teamed up with UMass Boston, to use their computers to give moment-by-moment ratings via the Internet. While watching the debate, participants used SpeakOut.com's interactive "dial poll slider" to rate the candidates' responses to major issues - such as Roe v. Wade, social security, education, and oil prices, on a scale from 1 to 100. The results, combined with others from around the nation, were made available within minutes in graph format. To participate, students needed only to register prior to the debate and await detailed instructions via e-mail.
Yet another way for students, staff and faculty, alumni, and the Boston community to participate was through the UMass Boston online mock election held Friday, October 6. Responses to the debate indicated that Gore and Bush seemed to have performed equally. However, a significant portion of respondents said that neither candidate impressed them. Finally, an overwhelming number of respondents said that if UMass Boston had the opportunity to host another debate, it should. Exact results are posted at www.umb.edu/results.html.
Through a link from the UMass Boston debate website, surfers could respond to the "Question of the Day." Questions included, "What question would you ask the debating candidates?" "What issues do you feel will confront the next president and the United States in the years to come?" and "Will the debates of October help you determine for whom or if you will vote in November?" You can view samples of responses at www.umb.edu/debate/comments.html.