We interrupt this regularly scheduled semester to bring you a presidential primary.
While Shep, Brit, Greta, and others (yes, we were on a first-name basis) were coached to pronounce the college’s name right, other behind the scenes work included a transformation of Cushing Center into a 24-hour newsroom for 175 Fox staff.

Production Manager Jennifer Williams (see sidebar) handled logistics for the week-long operation. She oversaw Cushing, which included “Studio B” for live interviews. Studio lighting replaced fluorescents. The windows were draped in black and tables were dressed in blue stars and stripes to complement Fox’s “You Decide 2004” logo. The Gallo Conference Room was reserved as work space for anchors. The only thing that wasn’t removed or covered was Cardinal Cushing’s portrait above the fireplace.

Mark Cronin, director of academic advising, found himself in the Fox penthouse, with his office located directly above the bustling newsroom. “There’s a lot of energy on campus. People are involved in ways they would not have experienced without this opportunity,” he said. “You feel an investment in the primary because of the connection. Sure, there have been some inconveniences, like parking and classroom relocation, but nothing so over the top.”

Hosting Fox and the debate proved logistically challenging, but well worth the effort, according to Bortone, who worked closely with Williams and was aware of virtually every detail affecting the massive undertaking. “For every one challenge the college community encountered, there were 10 others that were resolved before they saw the light of day.”

Physical Plant cleared the quad for the “Fox Box” and resolved parking issues by plowing the football field and an area by the monastery. They assembled a debate night media center for 600 people, while Information Technology arranged for phone lines and remained on-call to troubleshoot. Campus Security rerouted traffic, mapped out a parking plan, and worked with area authorities on public safety. Dining Services created a special Saint Anselm ID for Fox staff so they could eat in Davison Hall and the Coffee Shop. Throughout the week they also provided catering services for more than 1,000 people.

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