F R I D A Y SEPT. 10, 2004 Vol. 126, No. 6
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STUDENT LIFE T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F WA S H I N G T O N U N I V E R S I T Y I N S T. L O U I S S I N C E 1 8 7 8
WU ‘moves forward’ with debate prep n University has already paid $750,000 for hosting privileges By Rachel Streitfeld
questions from every television station in St. Louis and every major radio station, the Post-Dispatch, the Kansas City Star and the Associated Press, among others. The University is not in contact with the Bush or Kerry campaigns; instead, for debate updates Givens communicates with the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). The CPD sent letters to Bush and Kerry this Tuesday inviting them to participate in the three scheduled debates in October. Kerry has publicly accepted the proposed schedule, but the CPD has yet to receive confirmation from either candidate. With two years of prep work for this election cycle under its belt, the CPD is moving forward on plans for all three debates this fall. The University paid the CPD $750,000 for hosting privileges. Corporate sponsors like Emerson Electric and Anheuser-Busch donated
Contributing Editor Rumors that President Bush may not accept the debate scheduled at Washington University have debate organizers chanting a common refrain: they intend to “move forward” with debate preparations. University debate coordinator Steve Givens said that for the time being, he considers the rumors nothing more than idle chatter. “As far as the University is concerned, we have to keep moving with all our preparation and plans,” said Givens. “We’re a month away from Oct. 8 and our planning hasn’t even taken a stutter step. We are just moving ahead.” Givens has been inundated by interview requests from the news media, both national and local. “I did about 15 media interviews yesterday,” said Givens, who fielded
$600,000 of that sum, and the University contributed the rest from a fund that has been accumulating since the University entered its bid for the 2004 debate. Givens said that in the event of a cancellation, the money could be partially refunded. “It depends on how much [the CPD] has spent on their preparations,” he said. “It’s possible that we might get some of it back.” The CPD would not answer questions about a potential refund. This isn’t the first time University officials have been confronted with a potential debate cancellation. In 1996, President Clinton, then an incumbent with a sturdy lead in the polls, did not accept the proposed debate at the University. “The fact that these conversations are taking place is no surprise. These
CHUCK KENNEDY | KRT CAMPUS
President Bush has yet to accept the invitation to the presidential debate hosted at Washington Univeristy. Earlier this week, published reports suggested he may See DEBATE, page 4 be reluctant to attend the town-meeting format debate.
Matthews, Moore and MTV to visit campus
Cancel your pedicure, ‘cause Killswitch Engage is a-comin’! Cadenza previews upcoming concerts, and the names get more fun!
n Events should go on
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even if debate is cancelled, organizers say By Austen Faggen and News Staff Contributing reporter and Staff
EMILY TOBIAS | STUDENT LIFE
Students eagerly sign Project Democracy’s “Letter of Enthusiasm” petition in support of the presidential debate.
Ol’ moneybags WU needs to cut the “not need-blind” crap and start getting generous, says the staff editorial.
Students petition to save debate By Liz Neukirch
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Senior News Editor
Nothing better to do than rent old films from the library? Check out “Olin Oldies.”
PAGE 11 Get your kicks on Francis Field with the women’s soccer team, which is playing this weekend.
Over 1,000 students signed a “Letter of Enthusiasm” at the Activities Fair on Wednesday as Project Democracy joined Student Union (SU) in an effort to ensure the Oct. 8 presidential debate continues as planned. The petition, sent to both the Bush and Kerry campaigns this morning, began with an assertion that University students “wish to dispel any notion that Washington University’s 2004 Presidential Debate will not occur.” In an additional letter addressed to the candidates, SU President David Ader stressed the importance of courting the youth vote. “Throughout each of your campaigns, you have reminded the nation of how important young voters
News Sports Forum Classifieds Cadenza
1 5 6 10 12
See STUDENTS, page 4
n Station aims to improve programming and
provide professional recording equipment Contributing Reporter
INDEX
are, not only in the upcoming election, but for the future of our country,” wrote Ader. “We hope you regard the enclosed Letter of Enthusiasm as a symbol of the students’ desire to engage in the political process.” Students also sent a press release to local and national media notifying them of the petition and
Newly constructed KWUR studio ready for air By Matt Rubin
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EMILY TOBIAS | STUDENT LIFE
A forum at the SU Senate was held to discuss and pose questions about the possible presidential debate cancellation.
In the midst of major expansion, Washington University’s KWUR radio station has completed work on a new professional-quality recording studio. KWUR plans to use the new facility to record, edit, and produce interviews, sound clips, live performances, and student music groups. “The recording facilities at KWUR will improve the quality of our on-air programming and provide an outlet for [student interest] on campus,” said
STUDENT LIFE
junior Michael Bortinger, KWUR’s general manager. The new recording studio is built from top-quality professional equipment and features an advanced mixing console, digital recording capabilities, and a powerful Apple G5 computer. While the new facility will be used extensively by KWUR itself, other students will also have a chance to take advantage of the studio. Bortinger explained that while they have yet to finalize the terms,
See KWUR, page 4
One Brookings Drive #1039 #42 Women’s Building St. Louis, MO 63130
DAVID BRODY | STUDENT LIFE
Michael Bortinger, general manager of KWUR, sits at the controls in the station’s studio. KWUR recently added a studio with new high-tech equipment.
Newsroom: (314) 935-5995 Advertising: (314) 935-6713 Fax: (314) 935-5938
The debate may be in question, but Washington University is sure to see its share of political fireworks with Chris Matthews, Michael Moore, and MTV’s Rock the Vote all slated to appear on campus within a week of each other. Chris Matthews will be on campus first, with the Alumni Association bringing him to speak to students and later alumni for Founder’s Day on Oct. 2. Matthews hosts the nightly political analysis and debate show “Hardball with Chris Matthews” Michael Moore and will anchor MSNBC’s election coverage for the 2004 and 2008 presidential debates. The Rock the Vote concert will take place in the Brookings Quad from 12-5 p.m. on Oct. 9, the day after the scheduled presiChris Matthews dential debate. Rock the Vote is a nonprofit and nonpartisan media partner of MTV that tours college campuses encouraging political activism. A Rock the Vote representative confirmed that musical groups Dan Dyer, Shelly Fairchild, and Wylde Bunch with St. Juste will perform at the concert. Though the details of his contract have been uncertain for several weeks, Student Union (SU) President David Ader has verified that political instigator Michael Moore has now officially agreed to speak at the Pageant in The Loop on the evening of Oct. 7. In addition to speaking for Founder’s Day, MSNBC’s Matthews may host a live version of his show “Hardball” from campus. “That is definitely in the works, and we’re working hard to get that into his contract,” said Ines Tiu from the University’s Alumni and Development Office. Tiu said that security concerns have prevented Matthews from officially committing. In the event of a cancellation of the Oct. 8 debate, all of the events scheduled through SU will continue as planned, Ader said. “Every event we have signed so far is
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See MOORE, page 2
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