That graciousness is expected to spring forth again in Oxford when the University of Mississippi hosts the first 2008 presidential debate Sept. 26. At least, local officials are hopeful. With fewer than 800 hotel rooms available, the city of Oxford is scurrying to provide adequate housing for the more than 3,000 journalists expected to converge here for the headline event.

"Journalists are expected to be arriving in Oxford anytime from one week to two days before the debate," said Pam Swain, vice president of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce. "Due to the lack of local hotel rooms, we are asking the people of Oxford - known for their Southern hospitality and charm - to open up their homes and private residences to the visiting journalists who will be in town for this historic event."

The Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation, Chamber of Commerce and
Lafayette-Oxford-University community are encouraging area property owners to rent their properties to the media representatives. A new Web site, http://www.oxforddebatehousing.com, enables Oxford and Lafayette County residents to list their properties online.

"Debate housing hosts will have the opportunity to rent their private homes, apartments, condominiums or rooms within private residences and post their rental terms and rates on the site," Swain said.

The Web site also allows journalists to preview and book properties, making the process an easy one for both property owners and potential renters.

Oxford resident Lance Herrington, a UM instructor in English as a second language, has already listed two guestrooms in his Autumn Ridge townhouse.

"The Web site is very easy to manage and navigate," he said. "I was able to do it all by myself without calling anyone for help.

"Of course I stand to make a little money, but I think it will be an interesting learning experience. I hope to get a behind-the-scenes peek as to what goes on during the debate."

Suggested rates for an entire house or a large condo range from $250 to $450 a night; for an entire apartment or small condo, $150 to $250 per night; and for a room within a house or condo, $75 to $225 per night. A Debate Housing Committee is in charge of visiting the properties listed to verify their amenities and value.

Amenities required include a bathroom with basic toiletries, coffee pot and coffee, fresh linens and 24-hour access. More specific listing guidelines are posted on the Web site and must be agreed to by the host before the property is posted.

Property owners must set up a PayPal account designed to allow the property owner to receive direct payment from the renter. Detailed explanations from listing a property to setting up a PayPal account are available on the site.

Once the booking process is complete, the listing is automatically removed from the Web site. The property owner and the renter are advised to reconfirm all arrangements, exchange additional contact information, discuss arrival and departure times, get additional directions to the property and make arrangements for obtaining a key.

Property owners interested in serving as debate housing hosts may register their properties by visiting the Web site. For more information, call 662-234-0303.

Sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates in Washington, D.C., the debate is to be broadcast live from the Ford Center for the Performing Arts on the Oxford campus and covered by an estimated 3,000 journalists from throughout the world.

For more information on the debate, go to: http://debate.olemiss.edu.