Santorum said he was looking forward to visiting Hillsdale to participate in the forum.
“I am excited to share my vision for a brighter America, and the life experiences that have helped shape those positions,” Santorum said.
The Hillsdale College Constitution Symposium, a coalition of students representing campus groups, is sponsoring the event which will take place at the Jesse Phillips Arena on Feb. 20.
College President Larry Arnn said the administration approved of students’ plans to bring candidates onto campus.
“We have agreed that this is a good thing to the extent that it does not disrupt the work of the college,” Arnn wrote in a statement. “Of course the college takes no position on who should be elected president.”
Senior Opinions Editor Elliot Gaiser, president of Students in Free Enterprise and chair of the Constitution Symposium, said he approached Santorum’s campaign over Christmas break to gauge the former Pennsylvania senator’s interest in coming to campus before the Michigan presidential primary on Feb. 28.
“Forums such as this are a great way for voters to learn where the candidates stand,” Santorum said.
Students from the Hillsdale College Republicans, the Classical Liberal Organization, and SIFE are collaborating to put on the event, Gaiser said.
Before last semester’s Herman Cain event, Hillsdale had never hosted a presidential candidate, College Historian Arlan Gilbert said.
Although both Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt visited Hillsdale, neither of them was a candidate for the White House at the time, Gilbert said.
Sources close to candidate Ron Paul’s campaign indicated that the Texas congressman is not likely to attend Monday’s event, due to scheduling logistics. Almost 200 students and alumni have signed an on-line petition asking him to come to Hillsdale.
The campaigns of Gingrich and Romney would not comment on their plans.
Gaiser said the event will play an important role in the Michigan primary, which in turn could significantly affect the presidential race.
“The Michigan primary is like the Gettysburg of the campaign,” Gaiser said. “A victory here could be decisive for Super Tuesday just seven days later. Additionally, Michigan could be in play for the GOP this election cycle, so the strength of a candidate’s victory matters.”