FAQs about the Speech & Debate Team
By Elenore Klingler
Everything you wanted to know about the exciting world of UF Speech and Debate. If you have an infrequently asked question, please feel free to contact us directly at uf-debate@clas.ufl.edu.
What do you Speech and Debaters do?
The Speech and Debate Team at the University of Florida is an intercollegiate, competitive team comprising the Forensics fields of Individual Events, Policy Debate, and Parliamentary Debate. Please see their individual pages for lengthy descriptions of what each event is.
Forensics? Like dead people?
No. We do not carve up cadavers for fun. Check your dictionary.
When do you travel?
The Speech/Debate season runs from mid September to Early April, with a break in November and December. Tournaments are generally scheduled over weekends, though travel to some tournaments requires travel on Fridays, and sometimes Thursday or Monday, as well. There are tournaments nearly every weekend, but we tend to travel 2 or 3 weekends a month. Individual members can choose their own frequency.
Where do you go?
We attend tournaments at college campuses all over the country. However, most tournaments are located in the Southeast (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina).
Who pays for all this stuff?
Our team is very generously funded by the wonderful folks in Student Government. They pay for our travel, registration, and lodging. The President's concession funds provides limited funds for food. An average tournament will run you $30-60 in food. Additionally, the Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication provides office space, a copier, and funding for graduate assistant coaches. Finally, the Alumni Association provides additional funding.
So can I join?
As a Student Government Organization, all UF students are eligible to join our team. However, the American Forensics Association regulations only permit undergraduates to compete. So, grad students are welcome, but they can't compete.
How do I join?
Watch for fliers on campus in early September. We'll have a New Member Open House for all interested students. You can come meet us then. If you miss the Open House, just stop by our regular meetings.
When are regular meetings?
The team meets weekly at a time set by the team during the Fall and Spring Semesters. Currently, we plan to meet every Tuesday at 6:15 pm in Rolfs 211.
Rolfs? Where the heck is that?
Rolfs is the building shoved up against Turlington behind the Park and Ride bus stop. It achieved ADA compliance several years ago by installing an elevator. Before that, we got to trudge up 4 flights of stairs to get to the Debate Office on the 4th floor in room 413.
Are there dues?
No. Student Government Organizations are not permitted to charge dues.
How do you decide who travels?
The decisions on travel are made by the Director of Forensics, Kellie W. Roberts, with input from the Graduate Assistant Coaches and Team Captains. Most tournaments are open to any team member who is prepared for competition. Some flying (i.e. really expensive) tournaments are limited to senior members, and the National Tournaments have qualification requirements of their own.
Do you have auditions?
No.
Are the Speech Team and the Debate Teams different?
No. We are one team, with different divisions. Most students specialize in IE or Policy, simply because that's how tournaments are organized, and there's not enough time to do everything. Occasionally someone will amuse him/herself by trying another division, usually with disastrous results.
But I did LD in high school!
Sorry; with the exception of one or two tournaments, there is really no LD on the college circuit. Don't worry, you'll like the other divisions.
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 10-20 hours a week on their events, but many members can enjoy the team with less. It's up to you.
But what about your grades? And do I have to miss class?
With a few exceptions, our team does very well academically. 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 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!
What do the five stars on the Chinese Flag stand for?
The large star stands for the Communist Party, and the four smaller stars represent the four revolutionary classes, the Peasants, the Proletariat, the Petty Bourgeoisie, and the National Bourgeoisie. In case you ever need to know.
So how does this help me? (The team, not the Chinese Flag)
Well, the 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.
Does anyone else care?
See for yourself: in an email from former U.F. President John Lombardi to Director of Forensics, Kellie Roberts dated October 2, 1997, he said:
"Hi, congratulations on your terrific start! The debate team is a great asset to the University of Florida and I can't tell you how delighted I am with your success. Best wishes for the rest of the season, and please do keep me posted."
When does this list of FAQs end?
Now. See you at a future meeting!
