{"id":426023,"date":"2026-10-12T23:36:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T23:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/426023\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T23:36:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T23:36:09","slug":"democracy-isnt-dead-its-waiting-for-students-to-show-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/426023\/","title":{"rendered":"Democracy isn\u2019t dead, it\u2019s waiting for students to show up"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Freshman Courtney Kloepper argues her position regarding the candidates in the 2016 election at UM DEBATE’s open discussion in the Shalala Student Center. Kawan Amelung \/\/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

Although ranked third<\/a> in College Football rankings, The University of Miami is ranked one of the lowest schools<\/a> in free expression. With harsh limits<\/a> of free speech, the last time University of Miami had a large-scale political event on campus was 10 years ago<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, students are taking it upon themselves to reignite that political discourse. On October 14, the Hanley Democracy Center and UM Debate will be hosting a student Midterm Debate<\/a> featuring speakers from the UM College Republicans) and UDems.<\/p>\n

While this is a good start, the University needs to start fostering these kinds of student discussions more. Over the past few years, the administration has gradually distanced the University from political expression, including closing election watch parties<\/a> in 2024 and limiting protests on campus.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The school\u2019s demonstration guidelines<\/a> are lengthy: Four business-day pre-approval rules for demonstrations with a cap of a two hour demonstration, costly security fees and strict advertising standards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

These guidelines are a striking disappointment for any higher education establishment. However, UM used to be central to student voices. In 2016, UM hosted the national republican debate<\/a> at the Watsco center. Julio Frenk, University of Miami\u2019s president at the time, was in attendance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDemocracy is more than an ideal \u2014 it is a rigorous and participatory exercise of our rights and duties,\u201d Frenk said to the audience in 2016.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UM seems to have lost this rigor over the years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Going back even further, it\u2019s also hard to forget former President Donna Shalala<\/a>, the namesake of our student center on campus. Before serving her time as president of UM, Shalala was a highly esteemed leader in politics. Shalala served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Bill Clinton for eight years, co-chairing the Commission on Care for Returning Wounded Warriors under President George W. Bush, and later serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Under Shalala\u2019s administration, UM positioned itself at the center of American political life, hosting the 2004 Bush-Kerry presidential debate<\/a> and the 2007 Univision candidate forums<\/a>.<\/p>\n

UM is not legally bound by first amendment obligations as a private university<\/a>. But being allowed to restrict speech doesn\u2019t mean a university should censor its students from speaking out about politics. University of Chicago is a private university, yet is at the top<\/a> of free speech rankings.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe debate is a crucial part of our Republican form of government, especially at a crucial part of life like college,\u201d said Lazaro Chavez, President of UMCRS. \u201cOur clubs are the futures of both parties, one way or another, and it\u2019s important that something as simple as answering questions and debating be seen. It shows that dialogue can still happen \u2026 even in these divided times.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not only in universities where debate is crucial. In Florida elections, governor candidate David Jolly declined<\/a> to debate his opponent, Byron Donalds. Meanwhile, incumbent Senator Ashley Moody also refuses to debate<\/a> her opponent Angie Nixon on top of ducking interviews.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cDebate is an opportunity to learn about the issues that will inform how we vote in the midterm elections,\u201d said Tess Goldberg, President of UDems. \u201cBeing an informed voter means understanding what\u2019s at stake and thinking critically about the policies and priorities we\u2019re voting for.\u201d<\/p>\n

The University\u2019s censorship shouldn\u2019t be affecting students\u2019 capability of debating. In a debate in my Legal Environment of Business class, a classmate turned to me and said, \u201cI\u2019ve always learned to stay away from politics if I want friends.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

To be so far removed from the news and politics is a scary thought, especially for young Americans. It is time to stop shying away from politics.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudents should come to this panel because it\u2019s important to learn about the 2026 elections,\u201d said Dr. Gregory Koger, political science professor and advisor for the Hanley Democracy Center. \u201cBut it\u2019s also important to see civil political conversations in practice.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

By stepping up to host this midterm debate, students are reminding the administration of what UM used to stand for. Every student should show up Wednesday and prove that political discourse is no longer dead at the U.<\/p>\n