In a few short years we will be emerging from the cocoon of college into the workforce, and our country will be governed by one of the two candidates. This is a tremendous opportunity to witness the electoral process firsthand, considering the fact that our generation will soon have to carry the mantle of leadership on our own shoulders.

Students attending DU are subject to relatively high tuition rates and operate under the tight constraints of a quarter system, eliciting two questions – should we be offered some sort of refund for missing a day of class due to the presidential debate on Wednesday, Oct. 3, and, is the money being spent on the debate worth it?

Claiming the school owes us this reimbursement is an untenable position. Our class schedules can be manipulated or made up, but having the debate held on campus is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Here at DU, we understand that education thrives both inside and outside the classroom. What better opportunity exists to engage the domestic policies affecting us than to have them debated on our own turf?

What if this event changes the course of American history, like the famous Kennedy-Nixon debate? DU is located in a key battleground state at a tumultuous time in our nation’s history. Would we not regret begrudging the school a modicum of tuition dollars and several hours of class time if future students read about the debate occurring at our alma mater, a debate that shaped the 2012 presidential election, in their college classrooms?

I believe witnessing history in the making is a worthwhile learning experience we are all lucky to share. In fact, we are not only witnessing history here, but we also have the chance to engage with history, and possibly even the candidates themselves.

Presidential debates also increase a school’s prestige and, arguably, the value of the degrees we will receive. The school’s facilities will be showcased on the national stage, and proud Pioneers should be willing to forsake a day of class without compensation to see it occur.

I am a freshman who, in part, chose DU because it would be holding the first debate of the general election season. One day of classes missed seems a small price to pay to enjoy this opportunity.

The debate may very well impact our futures and the fate of the nation as a whole. Let’s embrace school spirit as we put our tremendous institution on display for the entire country to see. Our school does not owe us any money- rather, we owe it our gratitude.