ISU’s Student Government Association held annual debate ahead of the presidential election

NORMAL, Ill. – The annual debate between the College Democrats and College Republicans at Illinois State University took place on Monday in the Bone Student Center. This year’s event was particularly significant due to the upcoming presidential election, which has heightened the focus on civic engagement among students.

“Specifically with this year, [we will] talk about the importance of voting, to get students engaged and hear pressing issues that are concerning ISU students and also just to get [students] involved in either RSO.” the Civic Engagement Chairperson for the Student Government Association, Paige Hofstetter said. 

The Civic Engagement Committee of the SGA curated the questions for the debate, dedicating nearly two months to discussions and planning to ensure a balanced representation of opinions from both sides.

“Each time we meet we draft different questions and we go through it…We have a variety of members leaning very right and very left so we have a variety of opinions,” said Hofstetter.

Key topics covered included abortion laws, the compensation of student teachers, and college affordability, reflecting the current issues that resonate with students.

Debaters were informed only of the general topics to be discussed, allowing for spontaneous and genuine responses. Each side presented three speakers who were selected to speak on national and local issues: College Democrats featured Alex Duffy, Sam McCleary, and Delaney Reynolds. College Republicans were represented by Rhian Fazzini, Ross Vancil, and Braiden Gonzalez. The debate was moderated by Ella Sharp, Tyler Bever, and Cobi Blair who managed the timing and flow of the debate.

Audience members also had the opportunity to submit questions, which were answered during the final period of the debate.