(Click here to download)

(Thanks to the University of Florida)

 

What is debate?
The Speech and Debate Team at Florida Atlantic University is an intercollegiate, forensic team competing in debate (Parliamentary and Lincoln‐Douglas), public address, and interpretation. The team was founded in Fall 2007 by Alan Gray (agray20@fau.edu) on the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter.

When do you travel?
Most of our tournaments will be from October/November through March. Tournaments are generally scheduled over weekends, though travel to some tournaments requires travel on Fridays, and sometimes Thursday or Monday, as well.

Where do you go?
We attend tournaments at college campuses all over the state and country. Exact tournament locations vary depending on the year’s calendar.

Who pays for all this stuff?
Fundraising is essential to affording to compete at debate tournaments. Whatever money fundraised by students for competitions is supplemented by a small budget from Student Government, as well as occassional out-of-pocket expenditures.

So can I join?
Absolutely! Anyone is welcome to join, regardless of experience or concentration.

When are regular meetings?
We determine that based on everyone’s schedule.

Are there dues?
Not at this time.

But I did L-D in high school!
Sorry, L-D in college is more like one-on-one policy rather than a typical value‐oriented debate. Don't worry; you'll like the other divisions, if not college-style L-D.

How do you have time for all this stuff?
Well, we won't lie to you. Speech/Debate takes a lot of time. However, your personal level of time commitment (beyond a minimum level) is really up to you. Our most successful competitors put in several hours per week on their events. It's up to you.

What about your grades? And do I have to miss class?
Balancing school and competition takes some creative time management, such as getting papers done before we leave for a tournament, but generally we do just fine. We do tend to miss class on Fridays and sometimes on Thursday. Talk to your teachers individually BEFORE you leave and they usually don't mind you missing class, as long as you get the assignments. Tests are sometimes another story, though, so be sure to remember that SCHOOL COMES FIRST. You can't compete if you fail out!

So how does this help me?
Awards look great on a resume, and many employers and professional schools (i.e. law school) like to see that you have the ability to talk intelligibly (or at least fake it). Also, the research you do and the practice you get in public speaking makes those class presentations a breeze. Even if you don’t plan on going into a public speaking‐oriented career, grad schools, med schools, and the like look to see that you’re well‐rounded.