University of Michigan officials are seeking to assure taxpayers that no taxpayer support or tuition dollars will be used to foot the bill for the $2.5 million cost the university will incur for hosting the Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, presidential debate at the Crisler Center.
“The university understands there will be significant costs associated with hosting an event of this magnitude and importance,” the university stated on its website for the debate. “We anticipate there will be donor support to underwrite these expenses.”
When all is said and done, the $2.5 hosting-fee price-tag may be a modest estimation of the overall cost for bringing the event to Ann Arbor.
UM spokesman Rick Fitzgerald told MLive the university also will be responsible for providing a host of other services connected with the event. Among the requirements for hosting such an event are an air-conditioned, 15,000-square-foot hall with accommodations for media, close hotels that can offer 3,000 rooms and a guarantee of services such as public safety.
As part of its plan for making the event a successful one, UM has established a steering committee of campus leaders appointed by the provost and a debate core assembly of 30 representatives that includes faculty, students and staff, MLive reports.
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