Spring Break
Students volunteer for debate
Caitlin Gray
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Student Experience
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The Drexel Democrats, the Office of Government and Community Relations, and the Office of University Relations worked together to coordinate close to 200 student volunteers that functioned to help the day run smoothly on the day of the Democratic Presidential Debate.
Many of these students were on-call throughout the day and had to report to check-in points throughout the day to be assigned where they were most needed. There were about 20 students who were "Super Volunteers," leaders that worked until after the debate was completed.
The Office of University Relations organized about 30 students to act as media volunteers. Those students were divided into groups and assigned to the media area, Mandell Theater, Chris Matthews "Hardball" in the Quad, Open Vote area and the Main Building. Some students were assigned to NBC debate host Brian Williams, but were redistributed because he did not need volunteers.
Scott Knowles, an assistant professor of History and Politics, used the free time between his classes to volunteer with the Drexel Democrats and the OFCR. He primarily worked in the Main Building organizing and setting up before the debate. He said that volunteers were not needed as much as some people expected.
"It's amazing how prepared everything has been," he said.
According to Knowles, volunteers were selected to help the candidates, but because they bring huge staffs with them, those students were not needed.
Students report several different experiences while serving as volunteers. Some students did not have much responsibility. Many noted that they were not given much direction and did not know what their job was.
Others were very busy, such as the parking volunteers. Some stood outside of the Main Building and greeted people who entered before the debate and others hung signs in the Creese Student Center. Some, like Rachel Attinello, a senior Economics major, along with volunteers for other candidates, stood in for Hilary Clinton during the sound check in the Main Building.
Many of these students were on-call throughout the day and had to report to check-in points throughout the day to be assigned where they were most needed. There were about 20 students who were "Super Volunteers," leaders that worked until after the debate was completed.
The Office of University Relations organized about 30 students to act as media volunteers. Those students were divided into groups and assigned to the media area, Mandell Theater, Chris Matthews "Hardball" in the Quad, Open Vote area and the Main Building. Some students were assigned to NBC debate host Brian Williams, but were redistributed because he did not need volunteers.
Scott Knowles, an assistant professor of History and Politics, used the free time between his classes to volunteer with the Drexel Democrats and the OFCR. He primarily worked in the Main Building organizing and setting up before the debate. He said that volunteers were not needed as much as some people expected.
"It's amazing how prepared everything has been," he said.
According to Knowles, volunteers were selected to help the candidates, but because they bring huge staffs with them, those students were not needed.
Students report several different experiences while serving as volunteers. Some students did not have much responsibility. Many noted that they were not given much direction and did not know what their job was.
Others were very busy, such as the parking volunteers. Some stood outside of the Main Building and greeted people who entered before the debate and others hung signs in the Creese Student Center. Some, like Rachel Attinello, a senior Economics major, along with volunteers for other candidates, stood in for Hilary Clinton during the sound check in the Main Building.
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