OU Watch Party offers interactive way to view national debate

In an effort to involve as many students, faculty, alumni, and friends as possible in the upcoming national Republican debate, Oakland University will host an interactive Watch Party on Wednesday, Nov. 9.

The debate offers not only a historic moment for Oakland to take the national stage, but also a unique opportunity for community members to participate in the democratic process.

The watch party will provide individuals who cannot attend the debate with an opportunity to still be engaged in the event. This will be an interactive viewing experience with audience members answering questions about what is happening in the debate on a real-time basis.

By providing all audience members with hand-held response devices, event organizers will be able to pose questions as candidates interact with others. Commercial breaks will provide an opportunity for more involved questions to be asked and answered.

Interested participants may register to be entered into the ticket lottery. Organizers anticipate a sold-out crowd of 400 people. The deadline to register is Friday, November 4 at 8 a.m.

All registrants will be notified of their status by Monday, Nov. 7. Selected individuals must pick up their tickets by a pre-determined date and time at the Center for Student Activities (CSA) Ticket Window in the lower level of the Oakland Center.

The Watch Party is set for 6-10 p.m. in the Banquet Rooms A and B of the Oakland Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. For security purposes, all attendees must arrive by 5:30 p.m. Admission is not guaranteed for those who arrive after 5:30 p.m. The watch party may end later than 10 p.m., as one or more of the candidates may stop by before departing campus.

At the same time, students and community members inside the Oakland Center on the evening of the debate will have an opportunity to share their views in a Speaker's Corner, sponsored by CNBC. The Speaker's Corner is a live video stream where participants can answer three questions and have their responses appear unfiltered and in real-time on CNBC.com. The Speaker's Corner will be open from 6-8 p.m. and again at 10 p.m.

Faculty and students wishing to attend should register for the ticket lottery here, while other members of the campus community should register here.

For more information about the candidates, upcoming events, campus parking and more, visit the debate website at oakland.edu/debateatoakland.