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Re: early release

Let me briefly explain.  I teach virtually all courses in Communication 
for our small college (830FT students.)  I teach 4 sections of basic Comm 
each semester and 2 upper division courses (different each semester.)  I 
advise most Communication majors.  I serve on at least 3 faculty 
committees.  I advise both the radio and tv(cable) stations and supervise 
a tv technical person.  I have taught a groundbreaking interactive tv 
comm class to 3 high schools.  In addition, I take 8-10 debaters to 9-11 
tournaments per year on a $10,000 budget and in-between try to squeeze in 
dissertation work while teaching a summer school class.

What I really 
love is debate--I do it for love--I have had a very steep learning curve 
since I never competed as a collegian and my mind is continually 
challenged by the innovative arguments (yes, I find nanotechnology and 
artificial-life interesting as well.)  Every year I am frustrated by how 
little time I have to do research and teach research skills to a new crop 
of mostly novice debaters.  Having August to get a jump on research would 
be like heaven to me.  Yes, I may not have a life, but at least I would 
be able to develop some decent positions in this endlessly fascinating 
game.  Thanks for listening to the personal anecdote.

Gary Rees
Central Methodist College 
Fayette, MO 65248 816-248-3392 x311

On Mon, 26 Feb 1996, Steve Woods wrote:

> Joe Carver Writes:
> >In response to S.J. Thompson:
> >
> >     When the "cost of the game" becomes exclusion and elitism,  maybe the
> >game costs too much.
> >
> >     While I am impressed by your dedication to debate,  I am not sure
> >that the message that accompanies it is what we should be endorsing(i.e
> >earlier release may crush some people but that's life).
> >     As a community, we should be seeking ways to expand our reach and to
> >become more inclusive.  Professor Korcok is right,  the more difficult we
> >make it for smaller programs to remain competitive,  the tighter the
> >circle will become.
> >                        Joe Carver
> >                       Northwestern State
> 
> I still don't understand this claim without a warrant.  Mike has no proof
> or real analysis why "smaller" (whatever that means) programs will be hurt
> by an earlier release.  I believe people are jumping to the conclusion that
> early release means tougher to compete.  I think no matter the release date
> schools who identify themselves at a disadvantage, are by definition at a
> disadvantage. Joe's post shows concern, but no basis in argument.  It does
> not become true just because people affirm the spurious claims of others.
> 
> Allow me a turn,  I think early release makes it EASIER to outreach to new
> programs, or small programs, because they can focus on debate before
> classes, rather than trying to learn a new activity, and a new topic, all
> in conjunction with the crunch of the start of school.  New/"small" schools
> would also get earlier access to handbooks and source books that can be
> produced earlier and more timely for competition.  Established programs
> could also do workshops on new/"small" school campuses and share citations
> and other research help with new schools earlier on.  Now how does it hurt
> new and small schools again?
> 
> Waiting for an argument, not vague anxiety expressions.
> Steve.
> 
> Steve Woods
> University of Vermont/Lawrence Debate Union
> (802)656-0599  sxwoods@moose.uvm.edu
> 
> 
>
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