Date: Nov 19, 2007

Hofstra University to Host Third and Final Presidential Debate in 2008

Today the Commission on Presidential Debates announced that it had chosen Hofstra University for the site of its final 2008 Presidential Debate, to be held on October 15, 2008.   The Commission on Presidential Debates, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation, has sponsored and produced every presidential and vice-presidential debate since 1988.

"We are extremely pleased and proud that the Commission has chosen Hofstra University for one of America's most important political events," said Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz.  "The presidential debates are pivotal events that can shape the course of the election, and our students and community will be able to witness, first-hand, the democratic process."

President Rabinowitz will soon announce plans for a series of academic programs to be held in the months leading up to the debate that will provide students and the community with insights into the process and workings of the national election.  "With Hofstra's unique academic strengths, particularly with our Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency and our vibrant academic programs in political science, journalism and mass media, and law, we are uniquely poised to take advantage of the special opportunities a presidential debate offers.  We plan to maximize every opportunity to involve students, faculty and the community in this historic event."

The Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, the Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies and Hofstra's presidential conferences make the University one of the very few institutions in the country with a unique focus on the presidency.  Beginning in 1982 with a conference on Franklin D. Roosevelt, Hofstra has presented a conference on each president thereafter, culminating in the 11th presidential conference, "William Jefferson Clinton: The 'New Democrat' from Hope," held on November 10 - 12, 2005.

During the application process, Hofstra University received overwhelming support for the debate from county, federal, state, and local elected officials as well as area businesses and utilities.  All officials have pledged their municipal and governmental support to ensure that the debate will be a success.

"Hosting the debate will be a unique opportunity to showcase Hofstra University and Long Island, our nation's first suburb, to a national and international audience," said President Rabinowitz.  "Long Island and Hofstra University will be introduced anew to our nation's political and government leaders, journalists and the billions of people around the world who follow the United States presidential elections."

Hofstra University will use the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex as the venue for the debate, and the adjoining Physical Fitness Center as home for the media center, which will host hundreds of journalists from around the world and all major networks, as well as supporting services for the Commission on Presidential Debates.  Other Hofstra University facilities have been selected for support services for media and visitors.

ABOUT HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
Hofstra University, located in Hempstead, New York, approximately 25 miles east of Manhattan, is a dynamic private institution where approximately 12,500 students choose from more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, and a School of Law. Hofstra University, which was founded in 1935, has more than 110,000 alumni.  Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence; cutting edge technology; extensive library resources; internships and special educational programs that appeal to students' interests and abilities. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.  In addition to the Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, Hofstra University is home to the National Center for Suburban Studies and the Center for Civic Engagement.

---

About Ticket Availability:
Hofstra University is very pleased to host the third presidential debate of the 2008 presidential campaign on October 15, 2008. The debate itself is produced and sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), a non-partisan, non-profit organization, who controls all aspects of debate production.

Ticket availability for the debate itself will be extremely limited. In debates produced by the CPD in prior presidential elections, at most a few hundred tickets were made available to the host university in the days immediately prior to the debate. The campaigns control a significant portion of the tickets.

Virtually all of tickets allocated to Hofstra University from the Commission on Presidential Debates will be distributed to current students in the days before the debate, as recommended by the CPD and consistent with past practices of debate hosts. President Rabinowitz has already clearly stated that he, along with all administrators and faculty, will not take seats within the debate hall but watch the debate at a campus simulcast, in order to allow the maximum number of Hofstra students to attend the debate.

All students who are interested in attending the debate should look for instructions to sign up in the fall of 2008, and not contact the CPD. Tickets will not be available through Hofstra University personnel, and tickets are not available through any means at this point in time.

Related Link: Presidential Debate Visit Video