The University will host two well-known speakers to debate the controversial issue of abortion today in the Tate Student Center.

The speakers are Andrew Napolitano, a Fox News senior judicial analyst and former superior court judge, and Michael Waldman, director of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law.

“Michael Waldman was chief speech writer for President Clinton, and he is now a presidential scholar,” said Jonathan Gibson, coordinator for the ideas and issues division at the University Union.

“Judge Andrew Napolitano is a Fox News [correspondent] and I believe he is on CNN, too. And he is a Constitutional scholar and an acting judge.”

University Union is hosting the debate to keep students informed on topics of importance in larger society, Gibson said.

“What our committee does is try to look at issues that are in our world today, and program events accordingly. We decided abortion was still relevant to our times,” he said. “We decided the only way to show both sides was to have a debate. The people we’re bringing for the debate were not people we particularly had in mind, but our agent found two well-qualified candidates that were free to come and speak at the University.”

Gibson said he hopes the debate will help students understand some of the issues behind the debate over abortion.

“The only problem with this topic is that a lot of people know what they believe about [abortion], so I don’t think we’re going to change a lot of minds. So maybe we’ll reach someone who doesn’t know what they believe about the topic,” Gibson said. “This is just a way for students to come together and learn that there are so many issues surrounding the topic that need to be discussed and learned about.”

Attendance is free for students who have paid their student activities fees and $15 for non-students or those who have not paid.

“Since University Union is on student activity fees, we think it’s only fair that those who did not pay student fees should contribute to the cost of the speakers,” Gibson said.

Gibson said he hopes for a large turnout, and that students who plan on attending should bring questions for the speakers.

“We’re going to allow [students] to write questions on note cards when they come in, and those questions will be read by our mediator, Dr. Ed Panetta,” Gibson said. “So students should come prepared with questions for the speakers.”