Hoping to heighten student awareness of this year’s race for US Senate in Massachusetts, a political science class at Salem State University has organized forums to bring candidates or their representatives to campus. “As campaign activity has gained momentum over the past several months,’’ political science professor Dan Mulcare said in a prepared statement, “many of our students felt there was a general lack of understanding about the campaign process among students on campus. The decision was made to bring some of that activity directly to our campus and involve students, faculty, and the surrounding community.” The Campaigns on Campus project hosted Democratic candidate Marisa DeFranco on Feb. 7. Three more forums are set: Thursday with Ross Hemminger, youth coordinator for Republican US Senator Scott Brown; Feb. 28, Democratic candidate Jim King; and March 6, field organizer Chris Lange and field director Matt Patton from Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren’s campaign. All are 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. and free. Forums this Thursday and Feb. 28 will be at the Ellison Campus Center on the North Campus, and the March 6 forum in Room 210 of Marsh Hall on the Central Campus. - John Laidler