The cameras were ready, the police lights were flashing, and the campus was swarming with political activists. But for many FAU Boca campus residents living only a few yards away, it was just a typical Thursday night.

Meanwhile, the Barry Kaye Auditorium was jam-packed with people during the Thursday night debates, watching Republican presidential candidates debate live on national television.

Instead of attending the debates or even watching them on TV, nursing junior Sanchia Pierce spent the night grocery shopping and was in the middle of doing her laundry.

“I would have gone to the debates but I didn’t get tickets,” Pierce said. “I didn’t register for the lottery because it was a slim chance I’d actually win. But I would have gone if I did win tickets.”

The student fitness center at the Boca campus was packed with students who decided to get a workout instead of watching the debates.

“Well I didn’t get a ticket, and I haven’t worked out in several days,” freshman Nichlos Parker said.

In fact, one of the only big differences for students on debate night was what they put in their stomachs. The Centre Marketplace was closed to students because it is near the Barry Kaye Auditorium, so students were offered a chance to eat at the Breezeway cafeteria across campus for the same price.

“I was really excited that they let us eat at the better cafeteria,” business senior Joel Fielder said.

Other students got together to watch the debates inside the student apartments, and thought it was unfair that they didn’t get the chance to actually attend.

“I really wanted to go, but I didn’t win tickets,” biochemistry sophomore Christina Henderson said. “In fact, I have like 10 or 15 friends that signed up for the lottery and didn’t win, either.”