Sacred Heart University’s political science students hosted a student-run debate on Oct. 30 in the Loris Forum at the Martire Center for the Liberal Arts. The event, titled “The Voices of Tomorrow,” featured 10 of SHU’s political science students: five Democratic debaters and five Republican debaters.
The goal of the debate was to remind students of their civic duty to vote in the 2024 United States presidential election and educate them on the process and issues covered. The Forum was filled to capacity.
Student participants and moderators pictured at the Voices of Tomorrow Debate hosted in the Martire Forum on October 30th.
Instagram, @sacredheartdemocrats
“The opportunity to see students from various backgrounds and viewpoints debate allows the audience to feel more connected to worldwide issues,” said senior Annamarie Mirando, Debate Moderator and Pre-Law Club President. “This isn’t just another lecture or news story; it’s a platform where students can relate to the material, ask questions and even challenge their own viewpoints.”
The timeliness of the debate was chosen to show how the policies in this election will specifically affect the post-graduation future of students.
“Policies around student debt relief and job creation will directly impact our financial independence as we step into the workforce. Immigration policies will shape the cultural landscape of communities, and decisions around healthcare and reproductive rights can affect our physical and mental well-being,” Mirando said.
The debate covered five topics including the border crisis and immigration, inflation and the economy, abortion policies, U.S. and Israel relations, and U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization relations (NATO).
“The issues presented in the debate focused on the views of students, particularly those who are undecided voters. What students learned in this week’s debate could very well guide their voting behavior,” said Dr. Gary Rose, Debate Moderator, professor in the department of Political Science and Global Affairs, and Scholar in Residence.
The students representing the Republican Party’s point of view said that illegal immigration comes with crime and a lack of jobs for Americans. The debaters agreed with the position that mass deportation of illegal and undocumented persons is necessary.
They also supported plans for the U.S. economy that consisted of tax cuts for those in the upper income level of the population to improve the lives of people in the lower and middle classes.
“With so many illegal border crossings, illegal immigrants have brought crime, drugs, the undercut of American minimum wage, and have forced the working class out of their jobs,” said junior Noah O’Neil, a Republican debater.
Regarding U.S. international relations, the Republican students stated that the U.S. should support the alliance with Israel but decrease spending in NATO. They also voiced that abortion rights should be chosen by each state’s legislature.
“We need to spend our money here in America instead of supporting European countries through immense NATO funding,” said senior Republican debater Andrey Hamparzoumian.
In addition to educating the audience, the debaters said the experience was meaningful to them.
“I remain steadfast in what I believe. With focusing on immigration, I was surprised how many people believed in what I was saying. I assumed Connecticut to be democratic but I received immense support,” said O’Neil.
On the Democratic side, senior debater Anna Macaulay, who is president of the College Democrats Club, said, “While logistical planning was stressful, getting the opportunity to engage with students was the goal, and I think we achieved that really well. The audience members asked questions and it was incredible to have a great conversation.”
“Talking specifically about the economy, my opinion has not changed about the substantial economic change that the [Kamala] Harris administration will bring,” said Macaulay.
The Democratic students noted that the U.S. was built on immigration and that hardships needed to get documentation must be removed. They also advocated for an economy that targets middle-class Americans and minimizes trade wars.
“Immigrants have contributed significantly to our economy and providing a pathway to legal immigrants for the 11 million undocumented people in the U.S. could boost the economy by $1.7 trillion over the next decade,” said junior Ana Sofia Angeles Sanchez, a Democratic debater.
Democratic debaters raised concerns about the U.S. alliance with Israel due to supplying weapons, which are killing Palestinian civilians, while arguing that the U.S. should continue investing into its alliances within NATO.
“We as a nation must continue to look forward to the future where there is no doubt about U.S.- NATO relations so that America continues to safeguard their allies,” said senior Jacqueline Gonzalez, a Democratic debater.
Additionally, they said access to an abortion should be legal regardless of each state’s decision.
“The choice to receive an abortion should be decided by the freedom of a woman,” said junior Democratic debater Latoya Strachan.
The debate left many students with a new political understanding and assisted them in choosing their candidate.
“I came into the debate as an undecided voter but I left knowing which candidate would receive my vote,” said junior Harley Jimenez. “Both parties brought up aspects of the election that I had not thought about before, specifically regarding international politics such as our relations with Israel and standings in NATO.”
