Michael Fusella, president of USF’s College Republicans, said this year’s presidential election is one of the most important in students’ lifetimes and looked forward to hosting a respectful debate at USF. 

Along with Alexa Matos, president of USF’s College Democrats, Fusella moderated a joint debate Tuesday night to discuss policy issues ahead of the election.

To open the two-hour-long session held in the Marshall Student Center, Fusella asked how many people had already voted. Most of the 150 attendees raised their hands.

“Listen, I don’t care if you’re Republican or Democrat. I’m just happy our generation is getting out there and voting,” Fusella said. “We got to let those politicians know we’re not to be messed with.”

Just one week before Election Day, the students discussed major policy issues set to play a role in the election, such as the economy, abortion, immigration and foreign conflict.

Over the past three months, there has been a small but notable increase in voters’ focus on abortion and social policy issues, according to a 2024 election quarterly survey of 1,500 registered voters nationwide conducted by USF. 

Immigration has also remained among the top three issues on voters’ minds, according to the survey.

When a topic was announced, students could run to the “stage.” Standing on the left side meant they agreed with the statement, and on the right side meant disagreeing.

They had 10 minutes of back-and-forth discussions before the moderators moved on to the next topic.

Matos said both organizations “hired” a University Police officer for the event.

“Don’t try anything stupid because my dog is back there to protect all of us,” Matos said.

Matos and Fusella then opened the floor for students to express their opinions on the chosen topics. 

Those opposed to abortion said Planned Parenthood shouldn’t be an organization that allows people to get abortions but one that teaches new mothers and fathers about having a family.

Alexis Hobbs, president of St. Pete’s Planned Parenthood Generation Action club, used real-life examples of women who were denied abortions to explain what the “extreme” bans look like in Florida.

Amendment 4 is on this year’s ballot and, if approved, would increase access to abortion in Florida, allowing the procedure before fetal viability, which is around 24 weeks.

Related: USF SG passes resolution in favor of Amendment 4

Students in favor of Amendment 4 said women get abortions because they need to, not because they want to.

The discussion ended with a member of College Republicans saying if the party wants stricter abortion regulations, it needs to do a much better job at helping mothers who aren’t allowed abortions. 

Students ran to the stage as the subject changed to “Is there a crisis at the southern border?”

Lilia Peacey, secretary for College Republicans, said she is originally from Canada and thinks immigration laws should be revised. She said her legal immigration process shouldn’t have taken as long as it did — eight years.

Despite her personal story, she said she doesn’t like the idea of mass amounts of people who “don’t necessarily have good intentions” coming in.

“My parents are good people and worked hard to come here,” Peacey said. “We came legally and paid for all of it.”

The Migration Policy Institute shows more than 1 million immigrants became lawful permanent U.S. residents in 2022. That same year, the unauthorized immigrant population in the country grew to 11 million, according to The Pew Research Center.

Jared Nunley, events coordinator for College Democrats, asked the audience, “Who agrees we need comprehensive border reform in this country that will strengthen the border and offer a path to clear citizenship?”

Most of the attendees raised their hands.

“It’s great that we have a lot of agrees in here,” Nunley said. “Because I did not make up that quote. That quote is from our next president, Kamala Harris.”

The audience quickly laughed or booed in response to the comment. 

Nunley then moved on to the topic of the Israel-Hamas conflict by pointing out mental health resources on campus and sharing his deepest condolences for anyone in the room who might have been affected.

Related: USF protesters still face consequences months after spring encampment

Darien Barrera, a member of College Republicans, said she disagrees with how the U.S. has handled the Israel-Hamas conflict because she doesn’t think the government has been supportive enough of Israel.

Those in support of Palestine said Israel has already done a lot to harm the Palestinian people and shouldn’t receive more support.

Some students were heard chanting “Free Palestine,” while others said words of disapproval.

To end the debate, a student said that no matter what side of the Israel-Hamas conflict attendees were on, everyone in the room had something in common — they wanted to see world peace. 

Students responded with applause and praises as the debate reached its end.