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Re: selfishness and small schools

As one of the often discussed but seldom heard small schools, I find no
research advantage or fairer division of ground on any of the topic areas.
They will all be challenging.  My hope is that the topic committee will do
the best job possible to limit the topics whatever area is chosen.  In any
event, we will do the best job we can even though we will probably be
outgunned no matter what area is chosen.  My team voted for SE Asia
because more of them were interested in international topics than domestic
topics.  I shared all of the arguments presented on the L and none of them
swayed them from voting for what they perceived as most interesting.

Whatever the topic we will prepare by attending Debate Institutes,
traveling to the MU law library, purchasing generic arguments, using the
WWW etc.  We will win at small regional tournaments and take our lumps at
national tournaments.  We debate because we love debate, not because of
any particular topic that is chosen.

Since we run a combination of a recruit them on campus and recruit them
from high school program we do not find the 6 tournament option appealing.
I voiced my opinion that 6 is too few tournaments at Nationals but I was
resoundingly voted down.  I don't think one can effectively recruit debate
addicts by limiting them to 3 tourneys per semester--I certainly wouldn't
come here if I wanted to debate and knew we would not attend enough
tournaments to have any chance to be competitive.

I agree with Tex that most schools will vote out of perceived
self-interest.  Just be careful not to attempt to speak for the small
school programs without checking to see what small schools actually think.
Let's hear from some more small schools.

Gary Rees
Central Methodist College 
Fayette, MO 65248 816-248-3392 x273
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Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
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