Christopher Newport University
Department of Communication Studies
Hosts DebateWatch 2004
Watch the Debates, Then Turn off the Tube

News Release - September 10, 2004
contact:
Denise Waters
dwaters@cnu.edu
(757) 594-7331

(NEWPORT NEWS, VA) - Christopher Newport University's Department of Communication Studies will host DebateWatch 2004 during the upcoming Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates this fall. DebateWatch is a voter education program of the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) and is designed to bring people together to watch the televised debates and discuss key issues and what was learned.

"National research by the CPD shows that students who participated in DebateWatch were more likely to actively and critically engage in the election process. Since the 2004 will be the first national election in which many of our CNU students are eligible to vote, DebateWatch will increase the confidence students have in their political knowledge and encourage them to seek out additional information about candidates and issues," said Linda Manning, associate professor of communication studies.

CNU faculty from the Department of Government and Public Affairs and the Department of Communications Studies will facilitate discussions immediately following the debates. CNU DebateWatch 2004 is open to members of the community. All debates air at 9 p.m. and discussions will be held in the common rooms in the residence halls.

DebateWatch 2004 will be held in the residence halls indicated for the following scheduled debates:

Thursday, Sept. 30 - Presidential Debate - Santoro and York River East Halls

Tuesday, Oct. 5 - Vice Presidential Debate - Potomac River South and York River West Halls

Friday, Oct. 8 - Presidential Debate - No debates will be hosted on campus due to fall recess

Wednesday, Oct. 13 - Presidential Debate - James River Hall

The Commission on Presidential Debates was established in 1987 to ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. For more information on DebateWatch 2004 at CNU please contact Linda Manning at 594-7683 or email lmanning@cnu.edu.

Christopher Newport University is a four-year public university in Newport News, Virginia. CNU enrolls nearly 4,800 students through its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Business. CNU's faculty and staff of nearly 1,000 focus on "students first," outstanding teaching, access and opportunity, and liberal learning. CNU is committed to leadership in the community and the Commonwealth.