May, 16 2006
Friends, colleagues, and debaters everywhere,
We invite you to join us at the Harriet Tubman Debates, January 20th & January 21st , 2007, in Towson, MD . We will offer 5 preliminary rounds of debate and break to quarterfinals in varsity and in novice. If a JV division is viable we will offer one. This tournament will be CEDA sanctioned and will use the 9-3-6 time limits with 10 minutes of preparation per team per round. We will debate the CEDA topic.
We offer start times conducive to commuting (10:00 Saturday and 9:30 Sunday start times) and a schedule which allows humane but hardworking days (done by 8:30 Saturday and Sunday). We have not negotiated a hotel deal but can provide information for you about rates and group discounts at local hotels.
We have a low and negotiable entry fee of 15 dollars per team. There are fee waivers for new programs, teams with Urban Debate League Alums and colleges willing to donate significantly to the tournament. If the fees are a problem talk to us and we can work something out.
We do not provide meals, but will provide snacks and coffee all day long and will have 90 minute lunch breaks. We will also coordinate several delivery orders at registration. There are many good options in Towson and in the area and we will provide extensive food guides.
Registration will be at 10:00AM Saturday January 20th, and entries are due via debate results (www.debateresults.com ) by Wednesday January 17th at 5:00 PM eastern time.
Details are provided below, please contact me if you have any questions (240-285-083 or andy@budl.org).
Join us in Baltimore at a wonderful time of year.
Andy Ellis Beth Skinner Chris Baron
ELIGIBILITY & EXPECTATIONS: The tournament is open to any two-person team of undergraduate students. Teams in all divisions will be expected to engage in
switch-sides debating . Maverick entries are discouraged and allowed at the discretion of the tab room director. Towson may enter teams and those teams can clear in all divisions. Hybrid teams will be accepted. Novices should meet the CEDA standards for novice eligibility. Varsity is open to any competitor.
ENTRIES & FEES: Please enter via debate results www.debateresults.com, you will receive a confirmation. Fees $15 per team OR free for programs that include at least one UDL alum or are new this season. Entry fees cover awards and snacks each day for competitors and the judge covering the team. Observers are welcome and can either pay $5 per day for snacks or choose to bring their own food.
FORMAT: The tournament will have 5 preliminary rounds; advancement to
elimination rounds will be based on (1) win-loss record, (2) total speaker points, (3) adjusted speaker points, and (4) strength of opposition. Speaker points may be given in .5 increments.
The first two rounds will be pre-set. Round 3 will be paired off rounds 1 & 2. Round 4 will be paired of rounds 1-3 and round 5 will be paired off of rounds 1-4. Sides in round 5 will be randomly assigned by the computer tab program. Time limits will be 9-3-6 with 10 minutes prep time. Elimination round sides will be determined based on (1) reversing sides from a prelim meeting, (2) individual coin flips.
JUDGES: One judge is required to cover every two teams. One judge covering one team is responsible for 3 rounds. All judges are committed to one round past their teams elimination.
A very limited number of judges may be available for hire through the tournament at $100 per uncovered team. Contact us early if you need help finding judges. Judges should meet the standards of the sanctioning organizations.
HOTELS: We will provide lists of hotels in the area and their price throughout the spring and summer. Until we can assure enough non commuting presence we will not negotiate a hotel deal. We encourage you to make arrangements with other teams coming from outside of the area and will facilitate group arrangements when we can. Check edebate and the Baltimore College Debates website (currently http://www.myspace.com/bmorecollegedb8)
TRAVEL: Towson is easily accessible from the I-95 corridor to the north and south and from the I-70 corridor to the west. Towson is 100 miles from Philly, 70 miles from Harrisburg, 80 miles from Hagerstown, 60 miles from DC, 70 miles from Wilmington Delaware and less then 50 miles from Bowie and Annapolis. More information can be found here http://wwwnew.towson.edu/main/abouttu/visitor/dircampus.asp
PARKING: We suggest you park in the Towsontown Garage or Visitor Lot 6 and Lot 5 if it is open. You can drop students off at the circle between Psychology and Linthicum. Please see the map at http://wwwnew.towson.edu/adminfinance/auxservices/parking/documents/TU_Parking_Map2005_005.pdf for more information.
FOOD: We do not provide meals however you can bring your own lunches, order food or visit nearby eating establishments during the 90 minute lunch breaks. We will also coordinate several big delivery orders during registration. Snacks will be provided through out the day and coffee will be available through out the tournament.
Saturday 1/20
10:30 Round 1
12:30 Round 2
2:30 Lunch
4:00 Round 3
6:30 Round 4
Sunday 1/21
9:30 Pairings released
10:00 Round 5
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Quarters
3:00 Awards
3:30 Semis
6:00 Finals