Two campus political groups will debate topics of national interest tonight at a forum in the Holmes Student Center’s Illinois Room.

The Young Democrats of DeKalb County at NIU and the College Republicans of NIU will send four debaters each, including their chairmen, to the 8 p.m. debate.

Topics to be discussed are national budget deficit, defense buildup, environmental policy and economic growth/capital gain. All of the issues have been worded in a “Resolved:” form, YDs Chairman Tom Elkins said.

The affirmative side of each matter will be allowed five minutes to present its position. After that, the opposing side will have one minute to prepare and three minutes to speak. Finally, the first side will have a chance for a two-minute rebuttal, Elkins said. Student Association Mass Transit Adviser David Pack will gavel the forum.

Members of the audience are allotted 30 minutes for a question and answer period with the debaters. Elkins said the questions will be directed to the debater who originally made the point in question and will square off with an opposing debater.

“I expect a very good turnout,” Elkins said. “We’ve had a lot of publicity.”

Elkins said he thinks the forum will educate, entertain, persuade and get audience members involved politically. “And, hopefully, they’ll come back (to more debates),” he said.

Elkins said the forum has changed from past years because only the chairmen would debate and not group members. Debating for the YDs are Foria Younis and Eric Pullin. As of press time, the fourth debater was yet to be named. Arguing for the CRs are Ken Hanson, Ed Grasse, Jodie English and CRs Chairman Chris Hudders. Hudders was unavailable for comment.