The Ibis Debates

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida

October 10-12, 2008

Offering 5 preliminary rounds of debate plus appropriate elimination rounds in Championship and Novice Policy Debate, Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and Open Public Forum Debate and 4 rounds plus finals in

Varsity Student Congress

Hotel Information:

Entries:  At this time, we will not limit entries; however, we reserve the right to do so as necessary to facilitate the tournament.  We have very limited room availability.  Please enter as soon as possible, and no later than 5:00 p.m. (Miami time), Monday, October 6th.  Please also note that for Student Congress, we ask that all legislation be submitted by Friday, October 3rd!

How to Enter:  You will be able to register at http://www.joyoftournaments.com/ 

If you have difficulty with the entry process or need assistance, please contact Professor Steinberg (dave@miami.edu).  Again, the entry cut-off date is Monday, October 6th, at 5:00 p.m. in Miami.  Please be sure to enter your school and your students by that date.

Contact Information:  For information, assistance, etc…, please call the Tournament Director, David L. Steinberg, 305-284-5553 (office), 305-926-8498 (cell), dave@miami.edu

Maps and Directions:  For Maps and directions to the campus, visit http://com.miami.edu/ContactUs.htm

For specific directions to The School of Communication, visit http://com.miami.edu/directions/

Events: Team topic policy debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, and Student Congress.

1.      Team Topic Policy Debate.  Debaters will compete on the 2008-2009 Policy Debate Topic, Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase alternative energy incentives in the United States. The format will be 8-3-5 with 8 minutes of preparation time.  Championship division is open to all middle school or high school students.  Novice division is limited to students debating their first policy resolution (first year, beginning debaters).

2.     Lincoln-Douglas debaters will compete in an equal number of affirmative and negative debates on the SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007 LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP/NFL LD DEBATE TOPIC, Resolved: It is morally permissible to kill one innocent person to save the lives of more innocent people. Time limits will be 6-3-7-3-4-6-3 with three minutes of preparation time per debater. Open to all middle school or high school students.

3.     Student Congress.  Please see attached information for details (consistent with Florida Forensic League).

4.     Public Forum Debate.  Debaters will compete on the October, 2008 PFD Topic,Resolved: The United States should significantly increase its use of nuclear energy.  The format is the standard 4-4-3-4-4-3-2-2-3-1-1.

Judging:  You must provide one judge for every 2 debate (Policy or LD, or fraction thereof) and 5 congress entries (or fraction thereof).  If you are unable to provide judging, we may not be able to accept your entry.  We will have a limited amount of hired judging available at $60 per uncovered team for the team debate events, $60 per uncovered L-D debater, and $30 per uncovered student congress entry.  Please let us know as soon as possible if you anticipate needing to hire judging.

Fees:  We will lose money.  However, to help defray some of the costs of trophies, materials, personnel, facilities, and hospitality, we will ask that you pay a fee of $25 per debater (not per team) to be collected at registration. Please pay by school.  Checks should be made out to UM Debate.  If you wish to pay by credit card, please contact Professor Steinberg.

Food and amenities:  A coaches/judges lounge with refreshments will be available throughout the tournament.  Continental Breakfast will be provided on Saturday and Sunday for all participants, as well as snacks throughout the tournament.  Participants will be on your own for lunch on Saturday, but on campus dining will be open and available. 

Student Congressional Debate

The Ibis Debates are proud to support the growth and education of high school students through skillful and entertaining debate. Your team is strongly encouraged to submit original bills and resolutions for debate.

This tournament will be following the Florida Forensics League Student Congress Manual.   Please refer to the following website for detailed rules, regulations, and procedures under the most recent available Student Congress Manual: http://www.floridaforensics.org/forms.htm

The Director of the Congressional Debates will be accepting a maximum of five (5) pieces of legislation per competitor. All legislation must be submitted no later than Friday, October 3rd .    Email to David Steinberg dave@miami.edu.

Upon receipt, legislation will be reviewed and accepted bill and resolution titles will be emailed to you, giving your team ample research and preparation time. Additionally, we will make the necessary copies so that each debater will have a full text copy of the resolutions and bills at the commencement of the tournament.

To ensure the maximum debate time, four (4) preliminary rounds will be held, with appropriate elimination rounds. The number of House and Senate chambers will be determined by the total number of entries. I encourage you to enter as many team members as are interested, as there is not a cap on entries.

Student Congressional Debate Format

I.      Temporary Presiding Officers.  Temporary Presiding Officer will be a member of the tournament staff who will oversee the election of the session Presiding Officer and Parliamentarian (who will also act as session timer).

II.      Election of Presiding Officer and Parliamentarian and Introduction of Judges.  The floor will automatically be open for nominations at the start of the session and votes will be cast by secret ballot in accordance with FFL rules and regulations. Upon successful election, the session Presiding Officer will be provided with a gavel and session will commence. Parliamentarian will introduce judges and give them the opportunity to announce their preferences and answer any questions from the floor.

III.      Selection of Speakers and Speaking Order.  Speaking orders will be left to the discretion of each chamber’s Presiding Officer. Debaters will rise to be selected following each speech. They may NOT be placed on a list at the commencement of the session. Proper motions and speaker selections will be in accordance with FFL guidelines and Robert’s Rules of Order (Parliamentary Procedure).

IV.     Individual Speeches and Cross Examination.  Individual speeches may not exceed three (3) minutes in duration. Remaining time may be yielded to the floor for cross examination. Grace periods (max. 15 sec.) are at the discretion of the Presiding Officer.

V.       Authorship Speeches and Cross Examination.  Authorship speeches may not exceed three (3) minutes in duration. A mandatory two (2) minute cross examination period will follow the authorship speech.

VI.      Final Ballots and Judging.  Judges will follow FFL procedures, rules, and regulations.     Top three (3) names for Selection of Best Speaker of the session will be given to the chambers. Votes will be by secret ballot with Parliamentarian as tie-break vote.

These are the most basic rules that this tournament will follow; additional rules are found in the FFL Manual. Should there be any questions as to procedure, regulations, rules of nomination, speaking, voting, etc, refer to the FFL Manual as the foremost authority or contact the Director of Student Congressional Debate.

Tentative Tournament Schedule*

*This is a tentative schedule (start times for each day will remain the same)!!