What are you debating this year?

Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should increase its constructive engagement with the government of one or more of: Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, and Syria, and it should include offering them a security guarantee(s) and/or a substantial increase in foreign assistance.

How much does it cost to travel with the team?  Will I have to pay for meals, filing materials, gas money, plane tickets, etc.?

No, no, no, and no.  ESU Debate provides its team members with ample money to pay for food on the road.  You will not have to pay for any accommodations.  In fact, since your expenses are covered while you are on the road, being a member of the team can actually slightly offset the cost of being a student.

Will being a debater take so much time that I won’t do well in school?

Absolutely not.  You come to college to graduate and succeed professionally.  Debate helps with those things but never trades-off with them.  If any member of the team cannot practice, go to a tournament, or attend a meeting because they have to attend a function for class or simply feel like they are falling behind, the coaching staff will accommodate them no questions asked.  Our team had a 3.15 GPA for the entire ’06-’07 school year and it was not a coincidence.  We expect academic excellence out of our debaters and if you feel like you need some extra time to achieve that, you get it without question.

Additionally, the squad regularly has study hours as a team.  Also, before big tournaments that will require a lot of preparation, students are expected to complete as much school work in advance as they can BEFORE we begin practices and work sessions (some of our debaters complete a month of school work in advance so that they can focus on practice and argument development).

Moreover, you will find that the skills debate teaches you (logical reasoning, research, argument construction, critical thinking) will make your academic career much more fruitful. 

What type of resources does the ESU Debate team have at its disposal?

A bunch.  First, technology.  We travel with two portable printers, one portable scanner, as much flow-paper as we need, and two video cameras.  We have our own copying machine in our squad room, three desktop, and several scanners.  The squad room and all of its gadgets are accessible to debaters 24/7/365 (as a debater, you get a “late pass” that allows you to study, work, or just hang out in the squadroom anytime of day or night).

Second, space.  ESU Debate has two squad rooms (one for work, one for practice).  The squad room and all of its gadgets are accessible to debaters 24/7/365 (as a debater, you get a “late pass” that allows you to study, work, or just hang out in the squadroom anytime of day or night).

Third, files.  ESU has mountains (5 filing cabinets and 15 tubs) of backfiles from previous seasons. 

Fourth, introductory materials.  ESU Debate has introductory academic material for almost all of the more complex authors that are frequently read in college debate.  If you do not know what Zizek is talking about, we have a book that will tell you.  Same with Foucault, Lacan, Butler, Baudrilliard, etc.

Fifth, study materials.  ESU has a proud tradition of sending its graduates to postgraduate institutions and facilitates that with a comprehensive set of study materials for all standardized tests.  If you want to go to law school, you must take the LSAT and we have six books about how to do well on that test from the best publishers on the subject.  Same with the GRE or any other standardized test you might have to take.  These materials can often cost an individual hundreds of dollars.  ESU Debaters have the best study materials at their disposal for free.

How big is the squad?

It varies from year to year but typically ranges from 6-14 debaters.  That is about the average for most college debate squads.

What kinds of arguments does ESU run?

The kind that win.  Our research and argument development strategy does not exclusively cater to ‘policy’ or ‘kritik’ arguments but rather adapts to the strategic climate of the topic in order to generate the most victories possible.  If that is a disad, so be it.  If it is a kritik, so be it.  If it is topicality, so be it.

So can I pick what I want to run?

Absolutely.  As a debater, you must be creative and intellectually invested in the arguments that you run.  Thus, we do not force you to run any particular set of arguments and the coaching staff encourages creativity and innovation in debate arguments.  We want to win, but your education and fun is of the utmost importance.  You pick what you want to run, the coaching staff will help you make it a winning argument.

I like the idea of debating for ESU, but I’m worried that law schools or graduate schools won’t look at a degree from ESU the same way they would a degree from Harvard, the University of Texas, or even Kansas University.  Does going to ESU hurt my ability to achieve academically at the next level?

Absolutely not.  First, just because you’ve probably heard more about larger universities does not mean ESU cannot offer what they do.  ESU graduates go to the best law schools, graduate schools, and achieve gainful employment just as much as graduates from any other university.  ESU is a great school that is often under-rated.

Second, law schools and graduate schools nowadays do not discriminate against students from smaller universities.  In fact, they pay very close attention to students’ applications from smaller (state) universities like ESU.  It is this simple: postgraduate schools know that some very intelligent and well-equipped students simply cannot afford to go to Harvard or larger state schools and they do not want those applicants to slip through the cracks.  Thus, if you are planning on going on with your education, the name of the university at the top of your undergraduate degree does not mean a whole lot.  What matters are your grades, your letters of recommendation, interviews, personal statements, test scores, etc.  ESU has very recently sent graduates to terrific graduate programs (many of them on full-rides). 

Do debaters have to major in something specific or can they major in anything they want to?

Anything they want to.  There is always a wide diversity of majors on the team.

Can anyone be a part of the team?

YES!  ESU Debate has a walk on policy, and no experience is necessary to be a part of the program.  All you need is the desire to get better and patience with your skills development.  Many great debaters at ESU and elsewhere have started with limited or no high school experience.  If you are sitting in your dorm room right now wondering if debate is for you, come over to King Hall room 210 and chat with some team members and coaches.  We would love to have you over!

How many hours does it take?

Depends on what you want out of it.  Many debaters work between 15-20 hours a week on debate, much like being on an athletic team.  Many spend less than that but if you want to compete at the national level, it will require a substantial time investment.  If you want to compete regionally, the time investment is substantially less.

Do I have to attend meeting and practices?

We have regularly scheduled meetings at 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday which are mandatory.  Many weekends have work sessions and practice rounds.  These practices, however, can work around your schedule. 

Ok, how do I know if I am right for the debate team?

If you want to learn more than you do in class, if you want to work hard to be among the best at something, if competition and argument are two things you love, then we’re the right place for you!

How do I join?

Contact Samuel Maurer, Director of Debate at smaurer@emporia.edu you can also come by King Hall 210C where Mr. Maurer’s office is located.  Feel free to talk to debaters or professors if you need help finding us.  See the Scholarship Information page for eligibility requirements for scholarships.
Also fill out the Debate Information Form

 

Last Updated January 4, 2008