The Arrow hosts debate between College Democrats, College Republicans

The Arrow, Southeast Missouri State University’s student newspaper, will hold a debate Wednesday between representatives from the College Democrats of Southeast Missouri State University and the College Republicans of Southeast Missouri State University.

It is the first debate held by the Arrow.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. and is set to be held in Rose Theatre and broadcast live over the Southeast Arrow Facebook page.

Ethan Schumer, a political-science major, and Camille Shoals, a political-science and communication-studies major, will represent the Democratic student organization.

Representing the Republican organization on campus is political-science and agribusiness/agriculture communications major Reagan Tibbs and political-science major Gavin Sample.

“I decided to participate because I wanted to present the issues that affect nearly all of us,” Tibbs said.

He said good civil discourse is an “essential part of our system of government.” Tibbs said he hopes the debate will help viewers in their decision come Election Day.

“When we stop communicating and debating, democracy suffers,” Schumer said. “I am very proud that we are doing this.”

Schumer said it is timely and important to discuss political issues, “especially [with] those we disagree with.”

“The most satisfying thing about politics for me is when people from different ideologies can agree on something, even small issues,” he said.

Arrow editor Lucas Irizarry said, “I think the debate is a good way to bring together the Republicans and Democrats in a more civil way than the presidential debates.”

The event will be moderated by Clayton Hester, Allison Otto and Martin Woods. It will be hosted by Ashlynn Wyman, host of “What’s Up SEMO,” the Arrow’s video series.

“The student-led debate, hosted by the Arrow, is a great opportunity to come together as a student body and have a discussion about the political issues that can so easily have an effect on our future,” Otto said.

Questions will cover current events on various topical issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy and the U.S. Supreme Court. Each team will have 3 minutes for their initial answer and 2 minutes to respond to the other side.

Ahead of the event, students may submit questions for use by the debate moderators via any of the Arrow’s social media.