About 200 people, some ASU students, have submitted applications in hopes of becoming volunteers for the 2004 presidential debate to be hosted at ASU on Oct. 13.
"There has been an immense interest from students and the public to take part in the event," said ASU spokeswoman Carolyne Kennedy. "The feedback is more than we expected."
ASU debate planners are looking for 200 volunteers, Kennedy said. Like the media, the volunteers will go through background checks and all who apply may not be accepted.
She said due to security concerns, the Commission on Presidential Debates, a non-partisan organization in charge of sponsoring presidential debates, is dictating specific details for the preparation for the debate.
"The CPD is giving the venues hosting the debates clear directions on every aspect of the debate, and that includes background checking requirements for those who plan to volunteer," Kennedy said.
She said the volunteers will go through a required orientation and then be assigned to a specific job. Depending on the assignment, some volunteers will work as early as the week before the debate, Kennedy said.
Elaine Stover, associate director of Careers Services, said most volunteers would serve hospitality positions, such as greeting visitors at Sky Harbor airport and assisting the media with directions around Tempe and the ASU campus. There will also be positions for cart drivers, general runners and helpers to assist with events leading up to the debate, she said.
"It is a great opportunity to get involved," said Stover.
Stover said volunteers will help out media outlets stationed outside Gammage Auditorium, but no volunteers are allowed inside with the debate. Volunteers also will be stationed at Wells Fargo Arena, where an undetermined amount of students and public will be able to watch the debate live.
Computer science senior Mario Demiguel said he wants to volunteer but hasn't submitted his application.
"I plan to volunteer," Demiguel said. "I think it's a great way to take part in an important event such as this. It is not only a historic event for ASU, but it is important to Arizona too, because the nation will be watching our state during this last debate."
Kennedy said those interested in becoming volunteers but have not filled out applications should do so immediately, especially since volunteers don't have to be ASU students.
Kennedy said students should be careful when filling out their applications. The volunteer application requires the applicant to submit a digital photo, she said.
"Make sure that the information is correct so that the application will not get kicked back," said Kennedy.
The application is available at www.asu.edu/debate. There is no application deadline and volunteers will be chosen on a first come, first served basis.
Reach the reporter at laosamoa.poasa@asu.edu.
