As November 4 and the end of the 2008 presidential election cycle is quickly approaching, the Providence College community has been actively involved in political discussion. Between panel discussions, mock debates, and even inviting a U.S. Senator speak about the national climate, PC students are well informed to make some important decisions about our country’s direction. 

A Lively Debate
On Monday, October 27, PC students held a mock debate centered on the 2008 presidential election. During the debate, students weren’t representing actual Presidential candidates, but rather, both liberal and conservative ideologies.  The debate was sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha (the National Political Science Honor Society), PC Democrats, the Debate Team, the Department of Political Science, and Student Congress. Ryan Holt ‘09 and Nick Hemond ’09 represented the conservative perspective while John Ryan Cummings ’09 and Andrew Miner ’09 represented the liberal perspective.  The event's moderators were E.J. Fagan ‘09, president of the PC Debate Society, and Ryan Walsh '09, president of Pi Sigma Alpha.

The students debated multiple issues, including tax cuts, health care, immigration, and the topic of war and terror.  "I thought it was good," said Cummings. "It was fairly even in the end. I hope people came away informed, and up [to date] on the issues. I hope what people got out of this debate was an actual debate; that they got a real discussion of the issues, rather than campaign rhetoric."  His goal in debating was to raise the issues of the election from a fresh perspective, from the point of view of their peers, and not candidates or political pundits.  "It was a great exercise in academic political debates," said Austin Rotondo '11, treasurer of PC Debate Society. "It allows for a much more open forum than is allowed on nationally broadcast events. This leads for a deeper analysis of the issue, and oftentimes leads parties to very well-deserved self-criticism."

An Informed Discussion
Earlier in the month, Pi Sigma Alpha and the Department of Political Science at Providence College sponsored a panel discussion about the upcoming election and campaigns in general. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. students and faculty arrived at McPhail's for refreshments, a panel discussion at 8:00 p.m., followed immediately by the third and final presidential debate of the 2008 Election.  The panel consisted of two professors from the Department of Political Science, James M. Carlson, Ph.D., and Joseph P. Cammarano, Ph.D., and two students: Meghan Whelan, '09, a media marketing major, and Ryan Whalen '09, a history and political science major. The four panelists commented on the practicality and effectiveness of campaigns.

An Inspiring Speech
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) visited campus this month to address the upcoming election. He was sponsored by the Providence College Democrats and Pi Sigma Alpha.  Reflecting on this work, Whitehouse expressed appreciation for his line of work.  "Just in my own life, the opportunity to work in public service is extremely rewarding," said Whitehouse. "The fact that you can work on problems the way you see best is great."  He applauded the intelligence and drive of PC students by expressing his confidence in their abilities to achieve success.  "If you are here, it's clear you have all the talent in the world," he said. "One of the worst things you can do in life is look back and realize you didn't participate in something."  One particular case in which Whitehouse warned against not participating is the upcoming election. 

An Engaging Project
Senator Whitehouse is not the only one urging students to vote. Dr. Richard M. Battistoni, department chair and professor of political science, and Dr. Joseph P. Cammarano, assistant professor of political science, incorporated a voter registration drive into the syllabus of their PSC 101 - Politics classes this semester. "We want to introduce our political science students to a very important part of the political process," said Cammarano. All students in the two professors' Politics classes were required to participate in a community learning project. The 24 students who chose to run the voter drive were divided into teams of four and assigned a mission consisting of three phases.

First, each group was responsible for identifying 400 PC students and contacting them to see if they had registered to vote, were interested in registering, or needed to procure an absentee ballot. Next, the groups were expected to provide their students with the information necessary to make an educated vote. Finally, they will attempt to mobilize as many students as possible on Election Day and ensure they get to the polls. If the voting booths at Providence College 's Schneider Arena seem a little more crowded this Election Day, it may be due to the efforts of some dedicated political science students.