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UPDATE: Student registration for the ServiceNation Forum ticket lottery is now closed.

Student registration for the ServiceNation Presidential Candidates Forum online lottery has been extended until 8 a.m. Monday due to high traffic on the server. If you have difficulties accessing the page to register, please wait a few minutes and try again. Everyone will have an opportunity to register for the forum.

President Lee C. Bollinger is pleased to announce that on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7:00 p.m., the "ServiceNation Presidential Candidates Forum" will be held at Columbia University in the Roone Arledge Auditorium of Alfred Lerner Hall as part of the ServiceNation Summit 2008. New York Gov. David A. Paterson will open the program, followed by remarks by Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. Moderated by TIME Magazine Editor Richard Stengel and PBS NewsHour Anchor Judy Woodruff, the forum will offer both candidates a national stage to discuss the role of service in America.

The limited available seating will be open only to Columbia University students through a lottery system. Alternative viewing options for those unable to attend are being arranged. Please continue to check the University homepage for updates.

In order to register for the lottery, you must be a current student at one of the following schools: Columbia Business School; Columbia College; College of Dental Medicine; College of Physicians and Surgeons; Barnard College; Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism; Mailman School of Public Health; School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation; School of Continuing Education; the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; School of General Studies; School of International and Public Affairs; Columbia Law School; School of Nursing; School of Social Work; School of the Arts; and Teachers College.

It is entirely fitting for us to become part of this two-day conclave that will bring together so many admired leaders in our country to consider ways to expand the scope and scale of successful service programs throughout the nation. Public service and active involvement in the issues facing our society have always been an essential part of Columbia's identity and academic mission. As a leading research university in our nation's greatest urban center, ours is a campus of robust engagement in the life of our neighborhood and City, our nation and our world.

Students must register for the lottery online between 9:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, and 8:00 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8. The subsequent drawing for the lottery will be monitored by students and lottery winners will be notified via e-mail on Monday, Sept. 8. Students must pick up tickets in person with a valid student ID card. Tickets are non-transferable. Please be aware that on the day of the event, doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and close at 6:30 p.m.

The ServiceNation Summit is co-chaired by Caroline Kennedy; Alma Powell, chair of America's Promise Alliance; Richard Stengel, editor of TIME Magazine; Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York; and Bill Novelli, chief executive officer of AARP. The summit is underwritten by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation and presented by TIME, AARP, and Target.

Event details can also be obtained by calling 212-854-7328.