Is our children learning?

That's what you have to wonder when you see that the contest held by Florida Atlantic University to distribute tickets to the presidential debates there later this month attracted only eight entries. And there are over 26,000 students.

Of 26,245 FAU students, only eight have turned in essays for a chance to win tickets to the debates, held Jan. 24 for the Republicans, and Jan. 27 for the Democrats.

No videos have been submitted for a YouTube challenge pitting would-be Michael Moores against each other.

And just four T-shirt designs are in.

Blame the turnout on timing, said FAU history Professor Ken Osgood, who is organizing the school's "Join It" campaign - a rush of events and lectures leading up to the debates.

Students were more focused on finals in mid-December when the contests, which include prizes of restaurant gift certificates, were announced.

Then there was winter break.

I know a little something about FAU, and I'm not sure I'd blame it on timing, at least not exclusively. In my experience, the typical FAU student is a commuter, with little attachment to the campus, and they tend to be rather apathetic at best, particularly about on-campus events.

Of course, the university didn't exactly help matters themselves by setting the entry deadline on Jan. 9, just two days after students return for the spring semester.

Yes, someone will win the contests and get to attend the debates. But it's a shame that so few students seem interested in something that will go a long way toward determining the course of their own futures.