Dear Campus Community,

One of the central themes of UNLV’s Top Tier 2.0 Strategic Plan – and of our growth as a university – is community partnerships.

In order for UNLV to have the greatest possible impact as a public urban research university, we need to further embed ourselves in the heart of our community, addressing issues, identifying opportunities, and applying our expertise along the way. As we continue to advance in our efforts to build community – a phrase you’ve heard me mention frequently – it’s important that we embrace our role as a venue for civil discourse.

This October, UNLV will partner with local television station KLAS-TV (Channel 8) to host two political debates ahead of November’s general election. The debates will highlight Nevada’s gubernatorial race and U.S. Senate contest. KLAS-TV plans to broadcast the debates live from the Judy Bayley Theatre on the UNLV campus on the evenings of Tuesday, Oct. 18, and Thursday, Oct. 20, respectively.

The one-hour debates will air in Southern Nevada on KLAS-TV and on UNLV’s public radio station KUNV (91.5 FM); and in Northern Nevada on KTVN-TV (Reno). The debates will also air on Univision stations in Las Vegas and Reno and will also stream on 8NewsNow.com.

Debates are a cornerstone of the American political process, and UNLV is proud to partner with KLAS-TV to host two signature events that will inform Nevada voters and give our students a unique opportunity to experience impactful public policy conversations up close. This is a prime example of how public urban research universities can directly participate in community engagement.

Though it’s hard to believe, the start of the fall semester is just four short weeks away, and the November elections will be here in no time.

Warm regards,

Keith E. Whitfield, Ph.D. 
UNLV President