Students who want to learn about the ASUA presidential candidates should make a trip to the union today to watch the first non-ASUA sponsored presidential debate.

The Arizona Daily Wildcat is directing the debate today from noon to 1 p.m. in the UofA Bookstore in the Student Union Memorial Center.

Daniel Scarpinato, editor of the Desert Yearbook and a panelist, said the debate will give students the chance to see why they should care about who is their student body president next year.

Scarpinato will moderate the debate with Jeff Sklar, two-time editor in chief of the Wildcat and an administration reporter.

"Hopefully students who come will see through our questions why the elections are important," Scarpinato said.

He said for as long as he can remember, candidates have been running campaigns, saying they want to make students more aware of what student government does.

He said this is a good opportunity for students to see which road candidates want to take ASUA on.

Scarpinato said the debate would give students the chance to see the personalities of the candidates.

Saul Loeb, editor in chief of the Wildcat, said the debate will provide an opportunity for students to meet the candidates and hear what they are all about before the primaries.

"We are completely separate from ASUA, so we can give a much more unbiased approach with the candidates than ASUA," Loeb said.

Two of the four presidential candidates will be cut from the race after primaries Wednesday and Thursday.

Scarpinato said the race will be more competitive than usual.

He said next year's president will have a big influence on issues that will be impacting students, like tuition and the student activity fee.

Scarpinato said candidates should expect to defend their platforms and positions.

A lot of previous debates have been hidden up in meeting rooms, but the bookstore is a place where people can stop in and listen for a little bit, Loeb said.

He also said it will be a fun hour for students because there should be a good discussion and some heated arguments.

Each candidate will give opening and closing statements, and audience members will be able to ask questions at the end of the debate.

ASUA will give out free Eegee's at the debate, which will be held in the bottom floor of the UofA Bookstore.