Campbell Debate Series
Disagreement in the Public Interest
Employing a style adapted from the Oxford Union debates, each Campbell Debate will allow a gathered audience to consider a question of national, regional or local significance. Two panels comprised of thought leaders will argue for each side, followed
by counterpoints and audience questions and comments. At the conclusion of the debate, the audience will vote on the proposition by walking out one of two doors. The event is open to the public and a reception will follow. The Debates are moderated
by Campbell Director Grant Reeher.
Immigration
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 | Maxwell Auditorium | 7:30 PM
The Campbell Debate Series will host the S.U. College Democrats and College Republicans as they debate Immigration. Topics include ICE, Family Separation, and Policy Solutions. A reception will immediately follow the lecture.
Live Web Stream
The First Public Debate on a Metropolitan Form of Government For Onondaga County
Wednesday, April 12, 2017 | Maxwell Auditorium | 7:00 PM
VOTER RESULTS:
Pre-debate: 108 for; 98 against; 9 undecided
Post-debate: 85 for; 127 against; 1 undecided
THE
PROPOSITION: “This House Would Establish a Metropolitan Form of Government for Onondaga County”
The principal recommendation of the Final Report of the Consensus Commission on Local Government Modernization is to establish a new municipal form of government for Onondaga County, with a single executive and a 33-seat legislature. While public forums
and town hall meetings have been held to discuss the report, and the proposal has been both criticized and defended in the media, missing is a direct exchange between opposing views, with opportunities for challenge and rebuttal. Moderated by Campbell
Institute Director and WRVO Campbell Conversations Host Grant Reeher, this debate provided that exchange.
Arguing in
favor of the proposition were two members of the Consensus Commission:
James Walsh, Government Affairs Counselor, K&L Gates LLP, former Member of Congress [R-NY-25]
William Byrne, Chairman of the Board of Byrne Dairy
Arguing against the proposition:
Stephanie
Miner, Mayor of the City of Syracuse
Robert Antonacci, Onondaga County Comptroller
The debate provided a lively direct exchange among the speakers, as well as opportunities for audience questions. The audience voted on the issue both before and after the event.
Members of the Central New York community attended the debate as well as the public reception following the debate, both were free and open to the public. Contact: Kelley Coleman at 315-443-9707 or kgcolema@syr.edu.
Press Contact: Grant Reeher, gdreeher@syr.edu or 315.443.5046.