Bernie Sanders will speak at UB in Alumni Arena for his "Future to Believe In Rally" on Monday at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 4 p.m.
News of the Democratic presidential candidate’s visit to campus became official Friday after students started an online petition to bring Sanders to UB and the Student Association invited him to speak. SA Treasurer Joe Pace said Sanders’ event came at no cost to SA.
Sanders’ campaign has provided SA with 500 priority tickets for undergraduates, which can be picked up in the SA office - 350 Student Union - with a valid student ID starting at 11 a.m. Monday. The tickets don’t guarantee a seat, but will allow students to bypass the general admission line. Students will have to present the priority ticket and their student ID again at the Alumni Arena doors Monday.
Students who don’t receive a priority ticket can still attend, but will have to go through the general admission line, which will allow attendees until capacity is reached.
UB Progressives began the petition to bring Sanders to campus. The petition, on change.org, got more than 3,000 signatures.
Barbara Ricotta, associate vice president of student affairs, said earlier this week that UB’s decision on whether or not to invite Sanders depended on whether or not it wanted to invite all other presidential candidates, as the university must give all candidates an equal opportunity to speak on campus.
Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton already visited the city of Buffalo on Friday. Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is set to visit the First Niagara Center in downtown Buffalo on April 17.
Sanders' event is free and admission is first come, first serve. Attendees can RSVP on Sanders’ website, go.berniesanders.com.
Sanders is expected to speak about college affordability and health care. The New York State Democratic primary is on April 19.
Tori Roseman is the senior features editor and can be reached at tori.roseman@ubspectrum.com.
