FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The inaugural University of Arkansas "Life Raft Debate" will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Old Main’s Giffels Auditorium.

The Life Raft Debate will feature nine faculty members, each representing different departments in the Fulbright College. After listening to the faculty arguments, a voting audience of students will choose which discipline is most essential to their lives. Faculty will take questions from the moderator, each other and students.

An apocalyptic scenario will frame the debate, and there will be a few surprises along the way. The faculty contenders are:

• Joel Freund, psychology
• Chaim Goodman-Strauss, mathematics
• Laurence Hare, history
• Mack Ivey, biology
• Brandon Jackson, sociology
• Mohja Kahf, comparative literature
• Leo Mazow, art

Lisa Corrigan, representing the Department of Communication and the Gender Studies Program, will play a special role in the debate as the “Advocate,” challenging her peers’ arguments.

The debate will be moderated by Lissette Lopez Szwydky of the Department of English, who also serves as Faculty in Residence for University Housing.

Students must bring a standard University of Arkansas clicker to vote throughout the debate. Students can begin the conversation now using the hashtag #UALifeRaft14. Reporters from The Arkansas Traveler newspaper will live tweet the debate via that hashtag.

This event is sponsored by University Housing and the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Students, faculty and staff must present valid University ID for entrance. Admission is contingent upon seating availability and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 6 p.m. For special accommodations due to disability please contact University Housing at housing@uark.edu or call 479-575-3951.