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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The University of North Florida expects to capitalize in a big way with limited expense in front of an international and national audience tuned into the Republican presidential debate.
Nearly 400 journalists are on the campus for today's debate being broadcast by CNN starting at 8 p.m.
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UNF spokesperson Sharon Ashton said no student fee money or tax dollars are being spent to host the debate at the Lazarra Performance Hall. The hall rents for $2,200 a day; donations to a fund administered by the university will cover the six-day rental expense of $13,200.
"It is really a pretty simple arrangement," said Ashton.
PICTURES: UNF Debate Prep
"If we have it we loan it to CNN for free. For instance tables, chairs we are letting CNN use those for free."
Expenses beyond that like for security or overtime she said those costs are being picked up by CNN with university never seeing the bill.
One condition is that the debate's location must be noted by CNN. Ashton is "getting our name out there in ways we cannot afford."
First Coast News