The College Democrats and Republicans will take the debate stage at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Lumpkin Hall in an event hosted by the political science department.

Both sides have the opportunity to engage their thoughts on a host of issues, ranging from US domestic and foreign policy topics to concerns directly affecting those on Eastern’s campus, such as the budget impasse that recently ended and the revocation of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

For Logan Klepzig, a member of the Political Science Association, the debate has the potential to bring members of both sides together despite the stark differences of opinion.

“They will hear perspectives that they do not hear otherwise, because we recognize that most young people get their news off their Twitter feeds,” Klepzig said.

Klepzig said the debate might be indicative of the direction the country has taken, but could still provide students with a greater understanding of current events facing the country at large.

The Political Science Association has prepared by creating firm rules for Saturday.

“We have to recognize that politics is about debating and having an ultimate epic battle over our ideas,” said Klepzig. “But we have to be careful to keep to those ideas and not the personalities and the falsehoods.”

Klepzig said the Political Science Association created the debate in part to show that while partisanship in contemporary America can be attributed to politicians, the general public has also contributed to these sharp divides.

The College Democrats and Republicans will each open and close the debate with a manifesto, outlining the respective viewpoints of the political parties.

The Political Science Association has developed three or four questions per subject matter and both parties will be given a chance to respond.

A coin flip will determine the order in which the two sides participate.

Political science professor John Morris will moderate the debate.

“That is the whole point of politics,” said Klepzig. “We do not have to agree with each other, but we at least hear each other out.”

Tom O’Connor can be reached at 581-2812 or troconnor@eiu.edu.