On Tuesday, October 3, 2000, the University of Massachusetts-Boston, in cooperation with the John F. Kennedy Library, hosted the first Presidential Debate. UMass Boston s selection as a debate host provides us with a unique opportunity for civic education. The University, which shares the Columbia Point Peninsula with the Kennedy Library, will partner with the Library in sponsoring programs and activities which provide analysis and discussion of the issues, and encourage participation in the electoral process. Included among our many civic education initiatives are voter registration; discussions by faculty and others of the important domestic and foreign policy campaign issues; and programs for our K-12 partners in the Boston Public Schools. In addition, each of the University s five colleges Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Management, Education, Community and Public Service plans its own debate-related program. Our programs are designed to reach beyond the UMass community to our neighbors and the public at large.

From the outset, our students, faculty, staff and administrators are actively involved in our planning for the debate. There are also volunteer opportunities for them during the debate itself.
An informed and engaged UMass community has a front-row seat at a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience.

Presidential Debate web site: http://www.umb.edu/debate/index1.html