Why Iowa?
Best value: You receive an ivy league education for the cost of a state school. The undergraduate Political Science department is ranked 4th in the nation. The English department is ranked 3rd. The Communication Studies department is ranked 5th. Iowa has the #1 ranked student newspaper in the country. A degree from Iowa matters and will make you competitive for any post-graduate endeavor. Coming to Iowa will ensure you access to the type of educational challenges and learning you deserve. Don’t settle for less.
Great community: the city of Iowa City is one of 4 Global Cities of Literature. This is testament to the types of arts and artist who come through the city. Also, we are considered one of the Top 50 places to live in America—and being a college town, this should speak well of the community. Iowa City is a bastion of counter-culture with active student and political groups throughout. It is also one of the most educated cities in America—2nd highest per capita number of advance degrees. This level of education creates an invigorating, inviting, friendly environment. Needless to say, we are not a “cornfield”.
Security: Iowa debate is 150 years old! We were the first student organization on campus and have the support of the administration and departments across the University. Debate’s Public Debate series compliments the curriculum of a number of departments and these partnerships translate into broad faculty support for debaters. Dr. Dave and I have been the directors of the program for over 14 years. We have over a 2 million dollar endowment and continue to raise money each year. This means travel and resources made available to debaters are abundant. Iowa travels a National Tournament circuit which is important for your development and continued success in debate. Iowa’s Communication Studies graduate program is one of the Top 5 in the country which translates into excellent graduate student coaches such as Josh Gonzales, Sarah Spring, Paul Johnson, Adam Abelkop, Dan Faltesek, Jane Munksgaard and more to come. The type of education and one-on-one instruction you are looking for in a college debate program is a promise Iowa can keep.
Debate: The Iowa Debate program won the NDT, NDT Top Speaker, Copeland, Novice Nationals and been in the finals or won every national invitational within the last 10 years. Tournament opportunities exist for all debaters. You will travel a national circuit before you are a junior. This is meaningful as tournament experience contributes to your growth and understanding as a debater. Iowa promises to improve your performance and your chances for success. There are strong partners at Iowa. This means better round experience early in your career as you have access to success at all the tournaments you will attend. Debate at Iowa is a “family”. It provides the type of support and environment you will find welcoming and important as you assimilate to college life.
Education: Iowa graduates its debaters and prepares them to compete successfully for post-graduate work. Iowa privileges performance in the classroom. The Iowa system has produced commencement speakers. Students are trained how to balance academic success and in-round success. After graduating, Iowa debaters have attended Harvard Law, UVA Law, Columbia Law, NYU Law, Iowa Law, Baylor Law, UC Irvine Center for Democracy, U of Chicago Business School, and other prestigious graduate programs and law schools.
Letter to Recruit
Dear Recruit:
The University of Iowa is pleased to learn of your interest in debating for Iowa. The A. Craig Baird Debate Forum provides a unique opportunity to debate for a nationally competitive program while offering an excellent and affordable education. We know that debate in college is second only to an outstanding education. At Iowa we have the best of both worlds.
Money Magazine reported, the University of Iowa means "high quality at low cost." U.S. News and World Report rated the University of Iowa as the 15th best public university
in the nation. Iowa is ranked as one of Money Magazine's "100 Best College Buys." "The Best College For You" -- a co-publication of Time Magazine and the Princeton Review recognized the University of Iowa as one of six honorable mentions for the first annual "College of the Year" competition.
Iowa's academic reputation is ranked 37th in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Iowa has the nation's number five communication studies department. Its political science
department faculty are ranked fourth in the nation (and first in the Big Ten) according to a recent study in the journal P.S. Political Science which is the journal of the American
Political Science Association. Iowa has leading scholars in business, economics, engineering and rhetorical theory. Furthermore, the Writer's Workshop at Iowa is ranked as the nation's
best and has gained international recognition and the creative writing program is continually ranked first in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. As a research institution,
Iowa offers many students the opportunity to work with some of the nation's leading scholars in the fields of business and professional theory, communication studies, engineering,
international relations, political science, law, and rhetorical theory. Undergraduates matter at Iowa.
In addition, Iowa debate is dedicated to promoting excellence in education for our debaters. We believe debaters need to make the most of their educational opportunities. Over the
years we have been very successful in this endeavor. Iowa debaters have achieved individual success in and out of the classroom. For instance, April Rathe, a recent UI graduate,
worked on the Mars Rover and helped build the NASA robot scheduled to explore Chernobyl. Debaters for Iowa have been inducted into national honor societies for communication
studies, business, accounting and political science. Iowa debaters past and present have successfully completed study abroad programs throughout the world. It is important to
note every debater was graduated from Iowa over the past ten years. Each of these individuals pursued post-graduate work or law school at many of the nation's top graduate programs.
Iowa debaters attend or have attended such institutions as The University of Chicago, The University of California, The University of Virginia College of Law, Georgetown University, and Harvard. This record demonstrates our commitment to your educational success and our ability to properly position you to attend the post-graduate study program of your choice.
While succeeding in school, Iowa debaters have received national recognition as one of the top debate programs in the country. The 2000-01 season saw the A. Craig Baird Debate
Forum bring home the National Debate Tournament championship, following up the team's appearance in the 1996 Final Round. During the previous season, Iowa won the coveted
Copeland Award given to the top-ranked team in the country going into the National Debate Tournament. Iowa is frequently represented in the late elimination rounds of every major
tournament. In the 1990s, Iowa received top speaker at the National Debate Tournament twice, and in 2001 the award returned to Iowa City for a third time. The University has
also been represented within international debate, sending debaters to the World Universities Debating Championship last year in Scotland, the All Asians Intervarsity Debating Championship in Malaysia, competition at the University of West Indies in Jamaica, and the Conference on International Debate and Discussion's biannual tour of Japan, in addition to hosting touring teams from the United Kingdom, Jamaica, and the Russian Federation in recent years..
We are very proud of our program and university. A lot is invested in the running and maintenance of a top debate program at one of our nation's leading academic institutions.
For 150 years the University of Iowa has supported debate. In fact, debate is the oldest running program at Iowa. To demonstrate their support, Iowa's administration began
a project to endow the A. Craig Baird Debate Forum, culminating with a 2 million dollar endowment.
With tradition and success come expectations. Expectations for a student's performance are very high. Debaters must be able to balance a rigorous class and debate schedule.
If you plan on attending the University of Iowa in the fall, we will host a college debate workshop beginning Monday, August 16, 2010. The dorms will be open at that time for you
to move into. Please contact us prior to this date so we can make appropriate arrangements including picking up from the airport if necessary.
Sincerely,
Paul G. Bellus
Coordinator of Forensics
Answers to Recruit FAQs
WHAT ARE IOWA'S REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN DEBATE?
First, a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average in at least twelve semester hours must be maintained to be considered for tournament travel. We believe classes are more
important than debate. Therefore, should a student's grade point average fall below 3.0, we believe he or she should be spending more time on class work. Second, the student
must attend squad meetings every week. Third, no student may serve in a coaching capacity for a high school program or judge for high schools the weekend prior to travelling to
an intercollegiate tournament. Finally, a student must not pledge a social organization or take on major non-academic obligations during his or her first semester of matriculation.
HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE TO PARTICIPATE IN DEBATE AT IOWA?
The number of hours a student needs to spend on debate is a difficult question *to answer since it will vary according to the student's ability, motivation, and level of interest.
Time spent on debate will also vary throughout the semester, i.e. less time is spent on debate in the weeks leading up to finals and mid-terms than at the beginning of the semester.
Of course, participation in any worthwhile activity is time consuming. In addition to weekly squad meetings, individual conferences with coaches and practice rounds are scheduled
in the late afternoon and evening. A good estimate is 20 hours a week.
HOW ARE DEBATE COLLEAGUES SELECTED AT IOWA?
Student input is an important factor in colleague selection. The student is asked to list several people on the squad with whom he or she would like to debate. If the request
is mutual, then it is generally honored. An attempt is made to pair teams on the basis of experience, desire, and ability level in order to provide balanced teams.
Except under unusual circumstances, a debater will attend no more than five tournaments in a semester. The amount of tournament travel is a decision reached jointly by the individual
team and the coaching staff. Some students will want to travel more than others, just as some will want to spend more time in the activity than others.
HOW MANY CLASSES WILL BE MISSED FOUR TOURNAMENT TRAVEL?
College debate tournaments are generally three-day events. Most tournaments will require two days of classes be missed. The University policy requires that debaters be permitted
to make-up work, but arrangements must be made with the professor prior to absence. Debaters are encouraged to schedule classes at times when they are least likely to need to be absent.
DOES IOWA OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING?
Yes, a series of five public debates are held each semester. Students who participate in these debates often reach an audience of 100 or more. The debates are broadcast live on public radio, WSUI AM 910. These programs provide the only look most on the campus get of debate and every intercollegiate debater participates in at least one debate each semester. Dr. Hingstman moderates the debate and members of the audience provide a lively cross-examination of the participants at the debate's conclusion. Video tapes of these programs are checked out by the University Library and a number of classes use them as resources. Iowa does not participate in individual speaking events tournaments. Program development involving Lincoln-Douglas and Parliamentary debate at the collegiate level is ongoing, and entering student input in this area is highly valued.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO PARTICIPATE IN DEBATE AT IOWA?
Actually, the cost of participating in debate is quite low due to the University's support of the program. The University pays for the cost of student travel, lodging, meals, and tournament fees. Books, journals, newspaper subscriptions, government documents, supplies, file boxes, folders cards, and photocopying are provided when necessary. Many of these resources, in addition to networked computers, extensive backfiles, and other debate-related resources are available for use within the Forum's offices at the Communications Center, a positive work environment for debaters, recognized as one of the most extensive and valuable debate team facilities in the nation.
IS DEBATE AT IOWA A SQUAD OR INDIVIDUAL TEAM EFFORT?
Iowa insists that debate be a squad effort. College topics are broad, and one team cannot research a proposition adequately without jeopardizing their academic success. Therefore, we rely on a central evidence and brief system. Each team is responsible for certain assignments. Briefs on specific arguments and cases are prepared, photocopied, and distributed to each team. Every team receives a complete set of prepared briefs.
SHOULD A FIRST-YEAR STUDENT PARTICIPATE IN DEBATE?
Yes, why lose the opportunity of a year's experience in an activity that offers so many individual advantages? Students who aspire to achieve the highest level of national competition generally need to begin the activity in the first year. Experience level does not detract from the awards offered by debate.
DO DEBATERS PARTICIPATE IN OTHER ACTIVITIES?
Yes, debaters participate in a number of activities, including intramural sports, student government, residence hall programs, and other political and civic endeavors. Some activities that are as time-consuming as debate might preclude participation in both. These activities include the band, varsity sports, social organizations, and the newspapers. While debate takes a great deal of the student's time, debaters are encouraged to participate in other activities that provide them with a well-rounded, broad-based college experience. During the first semester in residence, debaters are not permitted to pledge social organizations or make other major non-academic commitments. The number will vary from year-to-year but generally about sixteen students participate on the intercollegiate team. A number of students participate in the public debate series.
IS COLLEGE CREDIT AWARDED FOR PARTICIPATIN IN DEBATE AT IOWA?
Yes, a debater may receive one semester hour of academic credit for debate once every academic year, but he or she must enroll in a course for intercollegiate debaters offered in the Department of Communication Studies. Students who are not enrolled in the class may not receive credit, though the course is not necessary for participation. To register for the Fall semester, select Practicum in Debate, with the course code 036:013:001, and list one semester hour.
WHEN DOES IOWA BEGIN DEBATE PREPARATION?
Each year, the national intercollegiate debate question is announced around August 1. We begin research on campus on Monday, August 16, 2010. Under the direction of the debate staff, debaters spend 12 hours a day during this week on the new topic. New debaters are encouraged to begin preparatory reading and research earlier in the summer if they care to do so, and may contact Mr. Bellus and Dr. Hingstman for assignments. It is our belief that the more work done before classes begin, the more time available for classes. Invitations to this workshop will be sent during the summer, and we advise recruits to contact the staff to ensure that they are invited.
WHAT IS THE HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY?
In accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa and the University of Iowa's Policy on Human Rights and Regulations Affecting Student Organizations. The A. Craig Baird Debate Forum and the Iowa Forensic Union at the University of Iowa do no discriminate in educational programs and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, religion, sex, age, or handicap. The University also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to University facilities without reference to affectional or associational preference.
Financial Aid/Scholarships
The A. Craig Baird Debate Forum offers scholarships to participants starting at $1,000 per semester. To apply to receive this funding, students need to contact Paul Bellus at paul-bellus@uiowa.edu.
Details on scholarships available to first-year students entering the University directly from high school enrolling full time can be found at http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/scholarships/first-year.htm. Cut-off dates for scholarship applications are as early as December of the year prior to attending The University of Iowa. All debaters are encouraged to apply early for scholarships.
The University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid encourages students to file the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 and preferably by March 1 for the upcoming academic year. The FAFSA can be filed using estimated income information if actual information is not available. After a student is admitted ot the University of Iowa and has submitted the Iowa Verification Form and federal tax returns, the FAFSA information is reviewed and the student's financial aid eligibility is determined. Students are considered for grants and scholarships before employment and loans.
Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Although students can apply for financial aid throughout the year, funding for some financial aid programs may be depleted prior to May 1 for the upcoming academic year. Therefore, students are encouraged to submit all forms as soon as possible to be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid.
More detailed financial aid application information is available at http://www.uiowa.edu/financial-aid/aidtypes/scholarships/index.shtml.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Paul Bellus, Coordinator of Forensics, at 319-335-1969 or email him at paul-bellus@uiowa.edu.
