Debate team enjoys success, worries about next-year funding
Debate team travels to California next month
Jack Willems
Issue date: 2/23/09 Section: News
The debate topics typically concern current events, with an emphasis on politics, the economy, and foreign affairs, Funkhouser said. Sometimes, however, the debate topics are a little more philosophical.
"For our upcoming tournaments we'll expect topics on the stimulus package and bailouts, bank nationalization, the housing crisis - lots of economic issues," Funkhouser said. "We'll also be prepared for foreign affairs topics - for example, U.S. relations with Pakistan, North Korea, Cuba etc."
The team's next debate is the Hatfield Debates in Salem, Ore., on Feb. 27, Funkhouser said. This debate tournament is in West Coast debate style, which is more technical than typical debate style, Clinkscales said. To prepare, the team has been practicing in that style during its practice sessions every Wednesday, she said. Two two-person teams will be sent to the debate, Clinkscales said.
"I think we will do pretty well," Clinkscales said.
After that, the team will start preparing for the National Championship Tournament at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., from March 26 to the 30, Funkhouser said. Hundreds of teams will be participating in that tournament, Funkhouser said. Last year, the debate team finished second in the Pi Kappa Delta Nationals in St. Louis, said Clinkscales, who has been on the team for three years.
"Everybody is super competitive," Clinkscales said. "That's why they are on the team to begin with."
However, the team might not be able to go to the National Championship Tournament next year, Funkhouser said. Usually it is in a location that requires flying, and that will be hard to afford in the coming year because the team is facing serious budget cuts from the university, he said. The university is looking at cutting the debate team's budget because the general downturn in the economy is putting pressure on the university to cut costs, Clinkscales said.
"We do not know what our budget will be for next year. But, it looks like it will be significantly scaled back," Funkhouser said. "This will negatively affect both the quality and the quantity of tournaments that our teams will be able to attend."
Typically, the debate team attends four tournaments a semester, Clinkscales said.
"For our upcoming tournaments we'll expect topics on the stimulus package and bailouts, bank nationalization, the housing crisis - lots of economic issues," Funkhouser said. "We'll also be prepared for foreign affairs topics - for example, U.S. relations with Pakistan, North Korea, Cuba etc."
The team's next debate is the Hatfield Debates in Salem, Ore., on Feb. 27, Funkhouser said. This debate tournament is in West Coast debate style, which is more technical than typical debate style, Clinkscales said. To prepare, the team has been practicing in that style during its practice sessions every Wednesday, she said. Two two-person teams will be sent to the debate, Clinkscales said.
"I think we will do pretty well," Clinkscales said.
After that, the team will start preparing for the National Championship Tournament at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., from March 26 to the 30, Funkhouser said. Hundreds of teams will be participating in that tournament, Funkhouser said. Last year, the debate team finished second in the Pi Kappa Delta Nationals in St. Louis, said Clinkscales, who has been on the team for three years.
"Everybody is super competitive," Clinkscales said. "That's why they are on the team to begin with."
However, the team might not be able to go to the National Championship Tournament next year, Funkhouser said. Usually it is in a location that requires flying, and that will be hard to afford in the coming year because the team is facing serious budget cuts from the university, he said. The university is looking at cutting the debate team's budget because the general downturn in the economy is putting pressure on the university to cut costs, Clinkscales said.
"We do not know what our budget will be for next year. But, it looks like it will be significantly scaled back," Funkhouser said. "This will negatively affect both the quality and the quantity of tournaments that our teams will be able to attend."
Typically, the debate team attends four tournaments a semester, Clinkscales said.
Be the first to comment on this story