The College Republicans at Oakland University are gearing up for the upcoming Republican debate at OU and have been active promoting the group.

On Nov. 9, from 3 to 5 in the Oakland Room in the Oakland Center, the group will host a reception dinner.

Free and open to all students, the dinner will feature a message from former U.S. representative Pete Hoekstra and possibly presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

“It’s a great chance to meet elected officials,” said Joshua Cline, president of College Republicans at OU.

The dinner will also be a chance to discuss topics related to the GOP debate and meet other republican officials who were invited.

Cline noted the enormity of the GOP debate at OU and its significance to Oakland.

“It’s enormous in the fact that we are going to get national coverage and for the schools economy,” Cline said. “For students, it is a chance to get involved and maybe express their opinions to journalists and candidates.”

Adam Manngold, a member of College Republicans at OU, said it is a privilege it that OU is hosting the event.

“It’s the magnitude of the event,” he said. “OU got it, not Michigan, Michigan State, Eastern Michigan or Ohio State — we got it.”

College Republicans at OU do not endorse any one candidate, but instead are advocates for conservative principles and the Republican Party. They encourage their members to volunteer in campaigns with candidates.

College Republicans at OU meet on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Their meetings discuss the status of the Republican Party and political issues and if there are any volunteering opportunities with campaigns.