What to Expect 

The debate team competes on three levels: Novice, Junior Varsity, and Varsity. Novice includes debaters with up to one year of experience, Junior Varsity includes debaters with more than one year of experience and Varsity typically includes debaters with more than two years of experience.

With its travel schedule and necessary topic research, being on the team requires a large time commitment. Although it is possible to put in as few as two hours of preparation time before a tournament, most debaters devote far more.

Tournaments

The number of tournaments the team participates in is largely based on students' desire to compete and their level of commitment. While the team encourages students to attend as many tournaments as possible, there is not a required number.  The only required event is the Jay Weinberg Tournament, which the full team is required to host, coordinate and participate. Most tournaments are held on weekends, with many local tournaments starting on Friday afternoons. Debaters will typically miss some class on Fridays and on Mondays. These tournament days are granted as excused absences by the University, but students are required to notify professors in advance.

Research

Debaters are required to conduct research for the team based on skill level. Assignments are given out at various points throughout the season in specific areas or against specific teams. Update areas are often assigned so that recent evidence can be gathered and assembled before each tournament.  The area and direction of research is based primarily on the interests of each individual debater.