Starting today, the Odegaard Undergraduate Library will be the gathering spot to watch the fight for the White House. Students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to view the presidential and vice presidential debates in Room 220. The event is sponsored by the UW Libraries and the Washington Public Interest Research Group (WashPIRG).

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., are scheduled to debate foreign policy and national security on Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. This past Wednesday, however, McCain requested the debates be rescheduled, insisting Obama join him in Washington for a meeting with other congressional leaders to discuss America’s financial crisis. Obama said that the debates should continue as planned. He will be at the University of Mississippi on Friday, where the first debate is scheduled to be held.

The screening will go along as planned and be adjusted accordingly if the debate schedule changes, said Angela Lee, a UW social-work librarian.

“The elections are a critical time,” Lee said. “And we just want to make sure the students [and faculty and staff] have a chance and opportunity to see the debates.”

The viewing is non-partisan.

“We’re not supporting one candidate over another,” Lee said.

A presenter will introduce each of the debated topics, provide guidelines for civic behavior and encourage voter registration.

Nancy Amidei, senior lecturer in the School of Social Work, will present the first presidential debate. The UW libraries are still hoping to find more presenters for the other debates.

Some students, such as senior Sean Williams, approve of the screening. While Williams will have to watch the debates from work, he encourages other students to attend.

“I think it’s important to pay attention to our presidential election,” Williams said. “It’s time we youngsters got into it, because not a lot of us have.”

Junior Heather Holmes thought the screening was a genius idea for getting friends and other interested students the opportunity to watch together.

“I feel it’s easy to get caught up with the apathetic side of things,” she said. “This allows an open, no-pressure way for people to get involved with such an important election.”

Reach reporter Joy Yagi at news@dailyuw.com.