Dear LMU Community:
As our campus prepares to host the DNC Presidential Debate on Dec. 19, our task forces, composed of cross-disciplinary teams of faculty, students, and leaders are working around-the-clock on this historic event. Please note: as we execute a comprehensive logistics plan, we are producing our most visible, complex, and large-scale event on a significantly compressed timeline with dozens of partners and agencies. Despite the challenges, we are maximizing this opportunity to showcase the university, our academic excellence, and our commitment to freedom of expression, vigorous dialogue, and the democratic process.
Please review the summarized logistics below and visit www.lmu.edu/debate for the latest updates. We acknowledge that quickly developing circumstances require that we all manage and troubleshoot issues in the face of incomplete information. Your continued understanding, patience, and commitment to our institution will be essential to our success.
Debate Broadcast
The debate will be broadcast on PBS, CNN, CNN International, and CNN en Español and on Politico.com live on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019 at 5 p.m. (exact times may change). Please note that we will also host 600 credentialed media outlets and expect significant pre/live/post coverage on all major networks, streaming platforms, and publications. The debate will be carried across mobile devices via PBS NewsHour digital platforms and CNN apps for iOS/Android and via CNNgo apps for Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, Android TV, and Sirius XM Channels 116, 154, and 795. The debate will be moderated by PBS NewsHour Anchor and Managing Editor Judy Woodruff, POLITICO Chief Political Correspondent Tim Alberta, NewsHour Senior National Correspondent Amna Nawaz, and NewsHour White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor.
Tickets
Demand for tickets to attend the debate has been astronomical. Please note that the DNC manages ticketing, and seating is extremely limited. From the outset, our primary goal has been to prioritize programming, volunteer opportunities, and tickets for students. As a result of our persistent negotiations, we are pleased to share that students will receive four times more tickets than any other constituency. LMU’s total ticket allocation is still very limited, and we are prioritizing faculty tickets after students.
Limited Campus Access on Dec. 19
On the day of the debate, access to the LMU Westchester Campus will be limited to:
- staff or volunteers who are working the event;
- pre-identified staff required to operate basic campus services;
- faculty, staff, and the Jesuit Community who reside on campus;
- students who reside in on-campus apartments or have prior approval from Student Housing to remain on campus during winter break.
All staff required to be on campus will be notified by their supervisors. All other faculty and staff are asked to remain home on Dec. 19. As a university directive, staff who remain home will be paid for their normally scheduled work hours. There is no change in how time is recorded for staff who are on vacation or sick leave. Please consult with your supervisor or Human Resources at 310.338.2723 or hr@lmu.edu with questions.
Building Closures
From Dec. 14 to Dec. 21 several buildings will be closed. Faculty, staff and academic administrators who occupy spaces that will be utilized for the debate or debate-related activities are encouraged to activate their Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) at their discretion. If possible, assign staff to work from home during this time. To secure alternate workspaces in University Hall during room or building closures, please contact Vice President of Human Resources Rebecca Chandler. Alternate workspaces will not be provided on Dec. 19 unless it is critical that a college, school, or department remain operational on campus on the day of the debate. To obtain special accommodations for access on Dec. 19, contact Rebecca Chandler.
Access to Campus on Dec. 19
- A placard or a credential will be required for all individuals authorized for campus access. This includes driving, walking, or biking onto campus on Dec. 19. If an individual misplaces or does not have their placard or credential, they will not be permitted to enter and/or remain on campus. If that situation arises, the individual should contact their supervisor.
- A placard will be issued to individuals authorized to be on campus on Dec. 19 who are not supporting or participating in the debate or debate-related activities, including students, faculty, staff and Jesuits who live on campus, KXLU volunteers and staff, construction contractors, and those approved by Human Resources. Any exceptions require approval from your department vice president and Human Resources. Public Safety will distribute placards to directors or vice presidents for distribution to their staff by Dec. 17.
- A credential will be issued to authorized individuals who need access to secure locations or debate-related activities to complete their job assignment or to participate in debate-related activities. Public Safety will distribute credentials through the Debate Task Force.
- From Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. to Dec. 20 at 5:30 a.m., the Loyola Boulevard entrance will be closed. Access by vehicle, walking, bicycle, scooter, skateboard or any other mode of transportation will be prohibited. From the evening of Dec. 18 through Dec. 19, all authorized individuals who have been issued a placard or a credential must use the Lincoln Boulevard entrance. All other access will be prohibited.
Road Closures
From Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. through Dec. 20 at 3:30 a.m., the following LMU campus roads will be closed to all traffic:
- Loyola Boulevard
- Ignatian Circle from Rosecrans Lane to Loyola Boulevard
- Rosecrans Lane
- Whelan Lane
- Facilities Lane
- Burns One Way
Parking Lot Closures
Please note that vehicles are not permitted to remain in parking lots during scheduled closures.
- From Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. to Dec. 20 at 5:30 a.m., Parking Lots B and C will be closed.
- From Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. to Dec. 20 at 5:30 a.m., Parking Lot A and LSB will be closed.
- From Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. to Dec. 20 at 5:30 a.m., Parking Lot H will be closed.
On Dec. 19, parking will only be available in Drollinger and University Hall.
Related Logistics Considerations
- Student Parking Lot A During Holiday Break: We ask all students with vehicles in Lot A Hannon to park in Drollinger and/or University Hall over the winter break. Vehicles left in Lot A will be relocated at owners expense.
- Free Speech Zone: Due to security requirements, a free speech zone has been designated for protest activities along Lincoln Boulevard at LMU Drive. Please be advised that individuals without debate credentials will not be permitted to enter campus on Dec. 19.
- ITS Security Advisory: Information Technology Services asks the LMU community to be cautious as the debate approaches. This event will make the university a possible target for cyber attacks, especially phishing email campaigns. Be vigilant and on the lookout for any phishing emails, and remember, when in doubt, contact the LMU Service Desk. Tips on how to recognize phishing emails may be found here.
- Media Inquiries: Please redirect all inquiries from the public and members of the news media to MarComm Public and Media Relations at news@lmu.edu or 310.258.INFO.
- Social Media Engagement: We anticipate unprecedented levels of social media activity. Join the conversations using #DemDebateLMU. If you notice anything concerning on social media, please email prtracker@lmu.edu.
- Get Your Exclusive Watch Party Kit: For those who will be watching the debate at home, limited-edition debate watch party kits, including debate buttons, stickers, and a sign to hold your photos are available, while supplies last. Request a kit here.
- Bike Removal – Burns Rec Center and Gersten Pavilion: All bicycles parked in the racks outside Burns Rec Center and Gersten Pavilion must be moved by Friday, Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. Bicycles still on the bike racks after that time will be removed at the owner’s expense. Please contact Sergeant Desmond Burns with any questions.
- LMU Children’s Center: The LMU Children’s Center will not be impacted. The LMUCC winter break begins Dec. 18.
Debate Events and Activities
Student and faculty engagement have been placed at the forefront of our efforts, including:
- On Dec. 18 at the LMU Playa Vista Campus, The Coelho Center for Disability Law, Policy and Innovation – an interdisciplinary center intersecting all of LMU’s colleges and housed at LMU Loyola Law School – will host Breaking Barriers to Voting: An Ongoing Advocacy. The event will feature DNC Chair Tom Perez, and Coelho Center Founder and former House Majority Whip Tony Coelho. Panelists will include Astrid Ochoa, Future of California Elections; Elizabeth Campbell, Disability Organizing Network; and Tony Hoang, Equality California & Silver State Equality. LMU First Lady and former CNN anchor Carol Costello will serve as moderator. RSVP here.
- LMU will host a Community Watch Party for students, faculty and staff, as well as members of our surrounding neighborhood who registered via an online form distributed through LMU This Week. The event will feature our faculty, highlighted by a pre-debate expert panel. Limited spaces remain, so please register here by Friday, Dec. 13 at noon if you are interested in attending.
- PBS NewsHour will host a Young Voter Watch Party with students from across Los Angeles, featuring a pre- and post- debate panel with analysis and participation from first-time voters.
- We are offering a variety of opportunities for our students and faculty. Over 500 volunteers have signed up and we are in the process of contacting individuals with volunteer assignments. Examples of student participation include:
- a student will perform the national anthem at the debate and a student vocal ensemble will perform prior to the start of the debate;
- students will serve as candidate stand-in’s during debate rehearsals;
- students will have opportunities to provide media support in the file, spin and green rooms;
- students will also serve as debate hall assistants and work with guests and debate candidates for check-in, transportation, and other logistics;
- faculty experts will be showcased in the media spin room, on the expert panels prior to the debate and in the community watch party, with significant broadcast exposure.
- Our faculty are generating tremendous editorial content for media outlets, publications, and the LMU debate website, transforming our online presence from purely logistical information to a thought leadership destination.
The eyes of the nation and world will be on LMU on Dec. 19. We thank you for your continued support. Ongoing logistical information and updates will be provided via email, LMU This Week, and the LMU debate website, as soon as it is available.
With sincere appreciation,
Tom, Lynne, and John
Thomas Poon, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
Lynne B. Scarboro
Executive Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer
John S. Kiralla
Senior Vice President
Marketing, Communications, and External Relations
