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Re: SHORTENING THE DEBATE SEASON
southwor@JASPER.UOR.EDU wrote:
>
> I still think an early topic release allows people to invest the
> time necessary for more meaningful reading on the topic and less
> reliance on Lexis. To start debating so soon after receiving the
> topic and being in school would definitely handicap smaller
> programs even more and place students in an even more difficult
> time crunch.
I agree. Coming from a small school (Southeastern Oklahoma), one that
doesn't have Lexis and I am the debate team, our team is at a serious
disadvantage. I'm not gonna cry about our size, etc., I'm only gonna say
that I feel we should not penalize the smaller schools. A later start
would mean that camps (such as ndi) that focus primarily on the rez would
be impossible (the summer's my only free time). Without such camps,
smaller schools would not have the research they now have, research that
larger schools with squads of ten+ could do easily. I know the winners
and the big guns (Mich., Harvard, NW, .....) don't have these problems
and can get their info easily off of Lexis. However, some of us do bona
fide research. I'd agree to a later rez release if concessions could be
made by the larger schools.... for example, Michigan copies everything in
their tubs for schools with squads of 3 teams or less. Otherwise, we'd
be severely crippled, wouldn't debate in the first place, and the level
of competition would be severely handicapped. And for those who say that
smaller schools can't compete anyway, you obviously never heard Matt and
Heather debate (anyone remember who 95 Baylor Debater of the Year was?)
Billy Cravens
SE Ok
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