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DU has made an unprecedented claim to host a presidential or vice presidential debate in the fall of 2012.

The school will compete against 11 other universities in its first ever attempt to hold one of the nationally televised discussions.

DU submitted its application before the March 31 deadline and will now have to wait until the fall, when the Commission on Presidential Debates will announce the location winners.

“DU’s commitment to addressing the great issues of the day and serving the public good make this a perfect fit for the University, the City of Denver, and the State of Colorado,” said Jim Berscheidt, interim vice chancellor of University Communications, in a press release. “Following the successful 2008 Democratic National Convention, it’s appropriate that Denver again hosts an event of national significance, especially given the capacity and quality of the university’s venues.”

If selected for the debate, DU has proposed to host the event in Magness Arena, while a media filing center and offices for the Commission are expected to be located somewhere else on campus.

The debate could attract approximately 3,000 journalists to campus.

The following institutions also applied to host the debate: Belmont University, Centre College, Dominican University of California, Eastern Kentucky University, Hofstra University, Indiana University, Lynn University, Saint Mary’s College of California, the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Wake Forest University and Washington University in St. Louis.