Debate Signals Growing Political Role for UMass Boston

By Anne-Marie Kent

Gubernatorial candidates and forum participants gathered at UMass Boston on May 9 to discuss issues of concern to women. From left to right: Carla Howell, Libertarian; Warren Tolman, Democrat; Steve Grossman, Democrat; Carol Hardy-Fanta, director of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy; Shannon O’Brien, state treasurer and Democrat; and Tom Birmingham, senate president and Democrat. (Photo by Harry Brett)

On the night of May 9, Lipke Auditorium was filled near to capacity with voters, students, and members of the media, including Renee Loth from the Boston Globe, Wayne Woodlief from the Boston Herald, and syndicated columnist David Broder from the Washington Post. They were there for the 2002 Gubernatorial Forum on Issues of Concern to Women. The forum was sponsored by the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy (CWPP) with the Office of the Chancellor, the Women’s Education and Industrial Union, the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, and more than 25 women’s and student organizations.

It was only a year ago October that the university hosted the first presidential debate between Bush and Gore in 2000, an event that transformed the campus into a center of high-level political activity, televised worldwide. While this gubernatorial forum was an event smaller in scope, it signaled UMass Boston’s continued involvement as leading host of political debates, especially in Massachusetts and Greater Boston.

University of Massachusetts President William M. Bulger said, “Over the years, this campus itself has become a place where public policy and the issues of the day are analyzed and discussed.” UMass Boston Chancellor Jo Ann Gora added, “UMass Boston is home to institutes such as the John W. McCormack Institute of Public Affairs, the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, and countless researchers whose work is relevant to politics and public policy. Our presence itself is symbolic of public purpose, and so we are a logical choice to host public forums such as this one.”

CWPP director and forum organizer Carol Hardy-Fanta noted, “The empowerment of women depends upon an informed citizenry through forums such as this.” Moderated by veteran broadcast journalist Sarah-Ann Shaw, the non-partisan forum included opening and closing statements from each candidate and three rounds of questions on issues such as education, abortion, healthcare, family leave, domestic violence, and economic security. The forum also included an opportunity for audience members to ask questions.

All of the gubernatorial candidates were invited, but Republican Mitt Romney, Democrat Robert Reich, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein did not attend. Those remaining, Democrats Thomas F. Birmingham, Steve Grossman, Warren Tolman, and Shannon O’Brien, and Libertarian Carla Howell, were present.

“Forums of this nature provide voters with valuable opportunities to take the measure of the courageous souls who step forward to seek positions of public leadership,” said President Bulger. “Every one of the candidates here has that virtue in common: courage.”

“I think it’s wonderful for the students to be able to hear the candidates,” added Student Trustee Sandra Karahalis. “I’m hoping that this will become something that will be happening every time there’s an election.”

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