The University of Michigan is confirming plans to cancel its commitment to host one of the three scheduled presidential debates between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Mark Schlissel, the university’s president, issued a statement on Tuesday requesting that the University of Michigan bee released from its agreement with the Commission on Presidential Debates.
It is with disappointment that I share @UMich will no longer serve as a 2020 Presidential debate host site. We look forward to continuing to provide programming that supports civic engagement & the spirit of democracy on campus & in our community this fall https://t.co/3RiTdqoIFX
— Dr. Mark Schlissel (@DrMarkSchlissel) June 23, 2020
Noting the “complexity” of the university’s work to ensure public safety amid the uncertainty of the pandemic, Schlissel confirmed that it will not be “feasible” for the university to host the presidential debate.
“Given the scale and complexity of the work we are undertaking to help assure a safe and healthy fall for our students, faculty and staff and limited visitors — and in consideration of the public health guidelines in our state as well as advice from our own experts — we feel it is not feasible for us to safely host the presidential debate as planned,” Schlissel said.
According to the Detroit Free Press, university officials are greatly concerned about the foot traffic the school would be faced with in hosting the Presidential Debate.
From students, faculty, and staff to the influx of media personnel, campaign officials, and political supporters of candidates, university officials are concerned about the possibility of spreading the virus.
While the university does plan to resume with in-person classes in the fall, the publication noted that officials also confirmed many of its classes will be fully online for the duration of the 2020-2021 school year due to the pandemic. Schlissel also emphasized the university’s focus on developing a “public health informed semester.”
The cancellation of the presidential debate comes amid notable declines in Michigan’s coronavirus case rates. During an interview on Monday, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow noted that Michigan has seen a case rate decline of approximately 80%, as previously reported on IJR.
The sharp decline signals much improvement since the beginning of the pandemic. Initially, Michigan was among the top five states with the highest number of coronavirus cases. As a result of the high case rates, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) incorporated some of the most strict stay-at-home orders in the country.
The presidential debate in Michigan, which would have been the second of the three, was originally scheduled for Oct. 15, 2020.
