Wright State University has dropped out of the first Presidential Debate in September citing both a fundraising shortfall and growing security concerns.
“Having a large open campus, accessible to the public, led to concerns about whether we could ensure the safety and security of those on and around our campus during the debate," said Wright State President David R. Hopkins in a press conference on Tuesday.
Hear the full press conference
Wright State has also struggled to meet fundraising goals. The university budgeted $8 million for the debate and had only raised $2.5 million so far.
Hopkins did get emotional when he talked about how the decision would affect students, “That is my great disappointment, that we’re disappointing them.”
The September debate now moves to the backup site - Hofstra University in New York.
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