The University of California, Berkeley, rescinded its invitation to host a debate between Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and former baseball player Steve Garvey in their race for Senate.
Although neither candidate had accepted the invitation, UC Berkeley withdrew its offer, citing the cost to hire security guards in a time of campus unrest. The Institute of Governmental Studies, a research center on campus, sent the candidates invitations in March.
“After considerable reflection, we have determined that we do not have the capacity to ensure a safe and civil event,” wrote Christine Trost, executive director at the institute. “We also don’t have the resources that would likely be needed to ensure adequate security for such a high profile event.”
Both campaigns confirmed they had received notice that the invitation was rescinded.
“On any campus right now, you need to be responsible to have enough security and a plan to conduct the event so it’ll go on successfully,” Eric Schickler, co-director of the institute, told Politico. “The kind of resources needed for a Senate debate in California with high stakes, high visibility — that’s beyond what a single unit like ours can do.”
The decision to take back the invitation could be a sign that campus unrest could spill into the summer months.
“It’s terrible how violent, pro-Hamas protesters are dictating campus policy, creating an unsafe environment for students, and preventing unique educational opportunities such as hosting this debate,” Garvey said in response to the invitation being taken back.
The invitation came before many college campuses across the country experienced pro-Palestinian encampments. Trost said the debate would have taken place sometime in the fall. In her email taking back the invitation, she said tensions on campus “may be even more intense due to the November election.”
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She apologized for not being able to host the debate.
“[It’s] really such a shame that we cannot promise both candidates a civil and peaceful event, especially at a time when civil dialogue and discourse is needed more than ever,” she said.