On Oct. 30, three College Democrats and three College Republicans debated on issues ranging from the economy and health care in the SAVE Collegiate Presidential Debate. The debate, co-sponsored by SAVE and Election Alliance, took place in the Student Life Center.

The debate served as a mirror of the debate going on around the country, as people discuss the merits of the two parties' policies and candidates as the presidential election draws nearer.

Junior Cameron Pastrick, president of SAVE, said she believed the debate applied national issues to students' lives.

"(The debaters) took issues and showed how they affected students," said Pastrick.

"Preparing for (the debate) was the best part because of how much we learned," said senior Kevin Duong, an executive board member of College Democrats.

As a member of Vanderbilt's debate team, senior Houston Shaner, a member of the College Republicans team, knew what to expect in the debate.

"I've done some stuff like this before," said Shaner.

Audience members enjoyed the student debate.

"It was the highlight of my Thursday night ... very informative," said sophomore Sophia Foroudastan.

According to an audience poll, the College Republicans won the debate.