Notre Dame out as host of presidential debate

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The University of Notre Dame has announced the university will not serve as a host site for the first 2020 presidential debate scheduled for Sept. 29. University of Notre Dame President Reverend John Jenkins says the decision was made after consultation with Dr. Mark Fox of the St. Joseph County Health Department, and with unanimous support from the university’s Executive Committee. 

In a letter to the Notre Dame community, Father Jenkins said that “the inevitable reduction in student attendance in the debate hall, volunteer opportunities and ancillary educational events undermined the primary benefit of hosting — to provide our students with a meaningful opportunity to engage in the American political process.”

Notre Dame has hosted six presidents at commencement ceremonies, which the university says is more than any other university in the country, other than military academies, but this was to be Notre Dame’s first presidential debate. Jenkins serves as a board member of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates.

Jenkins added,“despite this decision, I hope we will all remain attuned to the many important issues facing our nation during this election year — and, please, let’s exercise our right and privilege to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3.”