Nancy Reagan congratulates President Reagan after the second presidential debate.

I heard that students will have to go through security checkpoints and that they will not be allowed to bring cellphones and backbacks to campus this week. Is that true? Would this be true for faculty and staff, too?
Most students, faculty, and staff will not even notice the enhanced security on campus this week. Cellphones and backpacks are fine, and no one will have to go through magnetometers or other security devices. All students, faculty, and staff, on the Coral Gables campus, however, are required to wear their Cane Card IDs through Thursday.

Is the Plumer Building closed the day of the debate? If I work there, do I have to take a personal vacation day?
The Plumer Building will be open for business as usual on September 30, and no employees are being required to take a vacation day.

Will Canterbury Prechool be open the week of the debate?
Canterbury Preschool will be closed on Thursday, September 30, but it will remain open all other days that week.

Will students’ backpacks and bags be searched by security on campus?
Students should exercise the same caution and behavior they would in any airport. Do not leave bags or belongings unattended. Do not accept bags or packages from strangers. And do not joke about topics such as firearms or explosives that would raise suspicion.

What type of security will be on campus that week?
The University campus will be a very safe location the week of the debate. An unprecedented amount of local, state, and federal law enforcement will be on campus, as any time a sitting President and a presidential candidate visit an area, a significant amount of security is involved. To ensure your safety and to verify your connection to the University, please visibly display your 'Cane Card at all times that week.

How do I identify myself as a member of the UM community?
Beginning Monday, September 27 through Thursday, September 30, all University of Miami faculty, staff, and students will be required to wear their University identification ('Cane Card) while on the Coral Gables campus. Those without their UM identification may be stopped by security personnel associated with the presidential debate and asked to leave campus. Lanyards have been distributed at various locations on campus, including parking garages, parking lots, the food court, and events attended by UM faculty, staff, and students. In addition, individual University departments and divisions are also in the process of distributing lanyards to all employees. Those who do not have a 'Cane Card are strongly urged to obtain one now in Allen Hall, Room 111. There is no charge for an initial 'Cane Card. If you have lost your 'Cane Card, a replacement costs $15.

Can I have friends or colleagues visit the week of the debate?
Escorted or invited visitors may visit campus for specific University events September 27-29. Overnight guests will not be permitted on campus the night of Wednesday, September 29. Faculty, staff and students may not have visitors on campus Thursday, September 30.

Will deliveries be made to campus on Thursday, September 30?
Due to street closures, mail (United States Postal Service) and package delivery (UPS, FedEx, DHL, Airborne) will be suspended at the following locations on Thursday, September 30. Normal deliveries will resume on Friday, October 1.

• Residential Colleges (Mahoney, Pearson, Hecht, Stanford, and Eaton) and Student Apartments
• Wellness Center
• Convocation Center
• School of Architecture
• Fred C. and Helen Donn Flipse Building (Department of Public Safety, Parking and Transportation Services, Department of Psychology, Sociology Research Center)
• Department of Theatre Arts (located in Hecht Residential College)
  

Will the Wellness Center be open the week of the debate?
The Wellness Center will host the media during the upcoming presidential debate. Although the Wellness Center is closed September 27 through September 30, Yoga and group exercise classes will still be offered at the University Center. Wellness Center members may use the outdoor pool, also located at the UC. The pool is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

For information on what time the Wellness Center will reopen on Friday, October 1, call 305-284-8500.

Will I be able to visit the Wellness Center and Convocation Center to watch the activities there?
Only credentialed individuals will have access to these buildings and surrounding areas. No visitors or on-lookers will be allowed.

Are classes canceled the day of the debate?
No. Classes will be held that day.

How will the Hurry 'Cane shuttle services change during the debate?
On Thursday, September 30, Hurry 'Cane shuttle service will not operate the Dickinson Route and will operate modified service on the Stanford Route with no reduction in the number of shuttle buses. The Fountain Route will operate normally. The Hurry 'Cane shuttle hub, which is located at the Ponce Garage, will shift to Coral Gables municipal lot 42 across from the Ponce Garage.

Will Metrorail service be altered during the debate?
Metrorail service will be suspended at the University Station on Ponce de Leon Boulevard on Thursday, September 30. Miami-Dade County Transit will provide shuttle service from the South Miami and Douglas Road Metrorail stations to the Coral Gables campus on that day with connections to the Hurry 'Cane shuttle system.

Where and when will the debate be held?
The debate will be held at 9 p.m. (EST) Thursday, September 30, at the University of Miami Convocation Center, One Dauer Drive, Coral Gables, Florida.

How do I obtain seats for the presidential debate?
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) assigns audience seats for the debate. An extremely limited number of seats are available for the University of Miami community and, of those, President Donna E. Shalala has determined that students will able to apply for seats through an application process. For more information, visit the Attending the Debate Web page.

If I can't watch the debate live, how can I participate?
The University of Miami has a number of opportunities for the campuses and community to get involved. A series of forums, lectures, and special events are planned. As events and speakers are announced, they will be listed on the Debate Calendar page.

Republican candidate Ronald Reagan, left, and Democrat Walter Mondale debate before the 1984 presidential election.

Who organizes the debates?
The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). Established in 1987, the CPD ensures that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. Its primary purpose is to sponsor and produce debates for the leading presidential and vice presidential candidates and to undertake research and educational activities relating to the debates. The organization, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan corporation, sponsored all the general election debates in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004.

How was the University of Miami selected to host the debate?
The University of Miami submitted a proposal to the CPD and was selected as the location for the first presidential debate. The University was chosen based on several factors, including debate hall, technology infrastructure, media accommodations, and campus participation.

How much does it cost to host the debate?
The University of Miami received generous underwriting support from the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida to host the debate and other related activities on campus.