In anticipation of the 2016 presidential election, plans for the presidential debate are in progress, and Wright State may be a key part of those plans.
As the only Ohio applicant, Wright State is one of 16 locations that have applied to host the debate. The Commission on Presidential Debates released the complete list of applicants, where colleges and universities all over the country are listed. Schools in New York, Texas, Florida, Nevada and Missouri are also on the list.
Benefits for the university and the community include national and international attention as well as a unique learning experience for students, professors and members of the community.
If selected, the event would be held at the Wright State University Nutter Center. In the past, it has held four debates—three presidential and one for vice-president candidates.
The requirements for hosting the debate are that the location has at least 17,000 square feet of space that is air-conditioned, a large parking lot, a media filing center and nearby hotels that can provide 3,000 rooms for the event.
A decision will be made by October 2015, after the Commission of Presidential Debates visits Wright State and the other universities over the summer.
