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For the second time in three years, UMass Boston has been chosen to host an historic event. On Thursday, January 6, the Commission on Presidential Debates announced that the University, along with the John F. Kennedy Library, has been selected to host the first presidential debate of the 2000 general election. The University and the Kennedy Library together were one of 12 finalists, nationwide, being considered to host one of the three debates, which includes two presidential debates and one vice presidential debate. Scheduled for Tuesday. October 3, the actual site for the debate will be in the Clark Athletic Center. It will be the only debate site in the Northeast, and will be the first time in Boston's history that a presidential debate has been held in the city.
While several factors played a role in the University being selected to host the presidential debate, one factor in particular clearly gave the University the competitive edge. Three years ago this month, UMass Boston was the site of President Clinton's visit to Boston to unveil his $495 million juvenile crime bill. It was the first time in the University's history that a president of the United States visited the campus. Not only was the campus transformed to accommodate the 1,500 people who attended the President's announcement in the Clark Athletic Center, but it was able to provide the facilities, equipment, transportation, media access, parking and other requirements needed to successfully execute such an event.
Bringing the presidential debate to Boston was no easy feat, but it was brought to fruition by a collaborative effort between government officials, along with business and civic leaders. According to Chancellor Penney, Paul Kirk, chairman of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and co-chair of the Commission on Presidential Debates, contacted her in late June to explore the possibility of the University and the library co-sponsoring a presidential debate. Shortly thereafter, the Commission on Presidential Debates visited the campus to see if it met the selection criteria. In November, Senator Edward Kennedy and Mayor Menino hosted a breakfast for 35 corporate and civic leaders to raise the required $600,000 to host the debate. At that breakfast $335,000 was pledged and by mid-December over $540,000 had been raised. Organizations that have lent there financial support for the debate include Fidelity, FleetBoston, Liberty Mutual, Boston Red Sox, Boston Capital, The Boston Herald, Citizens Bank, Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, NSTAR, Alan Solomont, State Street, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Foley, Hoag and Eliot, Ropes and Gray, and Asian American Bank.
"As an historian, I am delighted that UMass Boston was chosen as the site for the first presidential debate. Hosting the debate affords our citizenry a wonderful opportunity to participate in the democratic process. It also provides a significant occasion for our students to witness this lesson in civic education," said Chancellor Penney.
A press conference was held on January 6 at the Kennedy Library to discuss the debate. Paul Kirk discussed the selection process, while President Bulger and Chancellor Sherry Penney discussed the importance of the University hosting this historical event. Speaking on behalf of the Boston business community was Paul Guzzi, president of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.
According to the Commission on Presidential Debates, once the total number of seats is determined for the debate, a public announcement will be made about ticket availability and allocation.