Last night, Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama debated the issues one last time before this year's highly anticipated presidential election comes to a close on Nov. 4.
And like any debate, the candidates' performances generated discussion across campus, some more organized than others.
Student advisers for Communication Within the Curriculum, a program in which students help peers with their presentation skills, hosted DebateWatch events last night.
DebateWatch is program sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates that aims to bring people together to watch the debates and discuss them.
The format of the discussion "is really up to the students and the facilitator," said CWiC speaking advisor and College junior Stephanie Hoo, who hosted a DebateWatch event during last night's debate between McCain and Obama. "It's not like a professor is in charge," she added.
CWiC has held DebateWatch events for all three presidential debates and the vice presidential debate. Last night, the program had events in Harrison, Hill, Fisher-Hassenfeld, Ware and Rodin Colleges Houses and in Van Pelt Library.
About 20 people attended the DebateWatch event in Harrison, although only three stayed for the optional post-debate discussion.
CWiC speaking adviser and College junior Jaclyn Hall led the informal discussion by asking questions and providing factual information. When asked for her opinion on the debate by one of the discussion participants, Hall said she was not allowed to give it.
The discussion group, which was generally pro-Obama, thought this debate was more interesting than the previous debates.
College freshman Haywood Perry, who stayed for the discussion portion of the event, said DebateWatch is "a tremendous opportunity to connect peers and to view current events through the lens of difference perspectives."
Cristina David, a College freshman, who also stayed for the discussion, said she liked the DebateWatch event because "I like seeing it with people and hearing people laugh at the same parts."
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