The Oakland University campus is already abuzz with a series of interactive events leading up to the national Republican presidential debate, set for Wednesday, Nov. 9.
As an institution of higher learning, OU supports activities that allow American citizens to make educated decisions about the political candidates vying to represent them. Hosting a national debate is an honor for the university that will serve a critical role in the broader democratic process.
The race to the debate begins the first week of November, with the launch of two multi-media, interactive “tech towers” near the Pioneer Food Court in the Oakland Center. These debate hot spots will offer multiple video screens that will display information about the candidates, video feeds from CNBC, and video clips from past important campaign moments.
At the same time, the towers will include up-to-the-minute information through a Twitter feed that will stream Tweets from students, faculty, staff, journalists and members of the community. The tech towers will be live until Thursday, Nov. 10.
The excitement continues with the “Inside Journalism Today” event, set from noon until 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, in the Oakland Center’s Banquet Room B. The event offers an inside look at what happens during the production of large news events like the GOP debate.
Specifically, one point of discussion will be the question of “How did we get here?” and will focus on how the debate has come together from the CNBC production perspective.
Participants will include CNBC production staff, along with members of the local press corps.
Next on the docket will be a Michigan Senate Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee Hearing, set for 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, in the Oakland Center Gold Rooms A-C. Drawing attendees from the campus and community alike, this event offers an opportunity to hear in-depth arguments about one of the hot issues at large today. The specific topic is yet to be determined, but will likely be related to the state economy.
On Monday and Tuesday, a Secretary of State Mobile Branch Office will provide a full-service operation, including voter registration. This will provide the campus community and visitors an ideal opportunity to register to vote in the Michigan Presidential Primary Election, which is scheduled for Feb. 28, 2012. The deadline to register is Jan. 27, 2012. Mobile office services also include issuing or renewing driver licenses and special endorsements; changing a driver license address or other personal information; issuing or renewing a personal identification card; providing disability parking permits; selling individual driving records; titling and registering vehicles and watercraft; and transferring titles. Some transactions such as renewing driver licenses or vehicle registrations can be processed at the mobile office up to six months early without penalty. The mobile branch will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The Business Economics Forum: Challenges & Solutions for Economic Growth offers a chance for faculty members, student leaders and business professionals to discuss and learn about economic issues facing the nation. It is set from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in 234 Elliott Hall.
With a goal of facilitating a constructive dialog between forward-thinkers across disciplines, this event is geared toward developing ideas to address the nation's current economic challenges and address future economic growth.
View the event website for more information.
On the eve of the debate, Oakland students will showcase their talents at the “Your Voice Heard…Live!” event, set for 8-10 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms.
Hosted by OU’s Student Congress, the event boasts a variety of student performances and will feature opportunities to get involved in politics, campaigns and the democratic process in general, including voter registration opportunities. In addition, non-partisan political and governmental information will be made available. OU alum and WDIV reporter Lauren Podell has agreed to emcee the event.
The afternoon of the debate offers another chance to participate, with the Senate Economic Development Committee Hearing at 3:30 p.m. in the Oakland Center’s Lake Superior Room. Chaired by Senator Mike Kowall, R-15th District, the committee will consider a wide array of legislative proposals ranging from environmental protection, to employment security and labor to trade, consumer protection and more.
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.
The Debate Watch Party, held from 6-10 p.m. in Banquet Rooms A & B, Oakland Center, will provide an opportunity to be engaged in the event, and features an interactive experience with audience discussion and hand-held response devices. Faculty and students wishing to attend should
register for the ticket lottery here, while other members of the campus community should
register here.
Co-sponsored by CNBC and the Michigan Republican Party, the debate will be broadcast exclusively from 8-10 p.m. EST on CNBC. The event will also stream live on CNBC.com.
For more information about Oakland University, events leading up to the debate or parking and direction information, view the debate website at
oakland.edu/debateatoakland.
