CSUF

Dear Forensics Colleague:

The California State University, Fullerton Forensics squad invite you to attend the annual High School/Middle School Speech and Debate Invitational which will take place VIRTUALLY on Saturday, October 18, through Sunday, October 19, 2025. A few programmatic changes that occurred this summer and that were beyond our control led to a late decision to shift dates and return to a virtual modality. Though each year we reconsider an in-person tournament, our staff determined that, again, for this year, the virtual tournament remains the most feasible and accessible option for our university, program, and for members of both the local and national speech and debate community. As such, we are committed to providing you with a professional, virtual atmosphere and an enjoyable online competitive experience. All speech and debate rounds will be SYNCHRONOUS. We are very lucky to have some members of our experienced tab room staff returning to continue this long-standing tradition.

We are approaching this year’s tournament with our sincerest efforts to provide students with the next best experience to an on-campus, in-person tournament. The way we run the tournament was initially developed from focused feedback provided from coaches and has been conducted successfully over the years since the Covid-19 pandemic made it challenging for teams to travel. To maximize inclusion across the country, we have created a schedule that accommodates multiple time zones, provides ample and sufficient competition, and is considerate of all participants’ time spent on their computer screens. Unfortunately, not every tournament feature will be ideal for every participant, but our tournament staff has gained sufficient experience and knowledge to provide you this virtual tournament opportunity, which we hope you will find manageable and fun. However, we also kindly ask you for your patience and understanding as we navigate another virtual online tournament hosting experience as occasional technical difficulties are often beyond our control. We promise you that we are doing everything we can to resolve concerns, issues, and problems quickly and reasonably.

Once again, we will be using the virtual platform, NSDA Campus. Other features include that we have been awarded National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC) bids in some divisions/events in IE, we will pursue AND we, again, have a Tournament of Champions Gold Public Forum Finals round bid. Additionally, we are also offering multiple levels of competition including middle school, novice, and open competition in Public Forum, Lincoln Douglas Debate and in nearly all Individual Events (Speech).

Debate competition for all debates will occur on Saturday and Sunday only. Individual Events competition takes place on Sunday.

On behalf of the coaches and students of the CSU Fullerton Forensics squad, we look forward to hosting you this October.

Sincerely,
California State University, Fullerton Forensics, SCUDL and the Department of Human Communication Studies

TOURNAMENT RULES AND ENTRY GUIDELINES
ELIGIBILITY: A novice is a first-year high school competitor, honestly appraised by her or his coach as a beginner (with no or extremely limited prior experience, generally, no more than 5 prior tournaments or less). CSUF recognizes the following statements regarding novice eligibility:

Upon qualifying as a novice competitor, a student has the right to compete in the novice division for one entire academic year/season.
Our tournament recognizes four ‘non-similar’ event categories: (1) Debate, (2) Limited Preparation Events (Extemporaneous and Impromptu), (3) Platform Events (Persuasion and Informative), (4) Oral Interpretation Events.
- Therefore, a student who has never competed in debate, but has competed in one of the three categories of individual events, may be entered in novice debate and open in a category of individual events.
- Likewise, a student may be entered in open debate and novice in Oral Interpretation, for example, if the student has experience in the former, but not the latter.
- Please note that Individual Events competitors cannot enter in any other debate events. Students entering Individual Events will also be able to double enter within Individual Events patterns (they can enter up to two events in pattern A and two events in pattern B).
To decide which division a student should enter, we recommend the assessment of the coach(es), according to these guidelines:
- determine whether a student in debate has competed in more than 5 previous tournaments (this includes both Middle School/High School) or who have participated in roughly 30 rounds in any style of debate (M.S. or H.S.), and/or who has been in the semi or final out-rounds at two or more novice/M.S. tournaments. In those instances, the high school debate student should be entered in the Open division.
- An IE student is generally ready for Open if they have completed two semesters of prior competition (or more than 5 tournaments) and/or won two or more top three awards in an event in which a final round occurs.
Thus, ninth graders with pre-high school experience (i.e., with a season/year/5 or more tournaments of middle school experience), should enter the Open divisions of either debate or Individual Events.
Keep in mind that ALL students are eligible for open division, at the discretion of their coach or the desire of the student.
- As a tournament, we are not encouraging of any current Middle School student being forced to compete in Open (or even Novice) unless the coach believes it is in the student’s best interest and/or the student desires to do so. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that all M.S. divisions will “make” with sufficient entries. We will notify coaches prior to the tournament if we foresee collapses into other divisions.

Middle School: We are again offering middle school divisions for most speech and debate events. Eligibility for the middle school divisions are students between fifth to eighth grades. Each division will have the appropriate number of elimination rounds and speaker awards. We strongly encourage all middle school students to enter the middle school division. If a middle school debate division does not attract enough entries for an independent division, they will be collapsed into high school novice. If this happens by the initial registration date, coaches will be notified via Tabroom.com by early on October 16th. (Please note that collapsing divisions may happen before the release of first round if more drops occur that prevent a sufficiently sized division for competition.) Middle School debate will follow the same schedule as novice.
Maverick debaters will only be permitted under extreme circumstances and must be approved by the tournament director – hybrid (debate teams) should be clearly designated as such.
We will try to offer as many entry divisions per event as possible, but divisions may be collapsed due to limited entry (please see underlined note below).

Eligibility/Ethical Challenges: In the event that a coach, parent, or competitor believes that a student is competing in violation of the novice eligibility policy or is doing something else unethical, it is up to that chaperone or coach to present the evidence for that student’s disqualification to the tabulation room staff and within a reasonable timeframe prior to the end of the tournament. We will be asking students to digitally sign an honor code prior to the tournament. That honor code includes a statement that any novice competitors meet the requirements necessary for novice eligibility as well as other commitments to follow ethical competitive practices. We strongly prohibit any other behaviors that are ethically questionable. Violations may still be raised, but the tournament will only disqualify a student for violating the policy if sufficient evidence is presented by the individual making the challenge prior to the end of the student’s participation. Coaches or chaperones should accompany students to the tabulation staff or tournament directors in the event they are making an ethical challenge in a round. Also, please understand that when an ethical challenge is raised during a debate, the judge is obligated to stop the round and resolve the issue. The outcome of the ethical challenge (whether or not the student is found “guilty” of the act based on evidence resolves the decision of the round). Ethical challenges should only be raised in extreme instances and will be taken most seriously.

Important Notes about Entry in Debate vs. IEs and Elimination Rounds:

Students entering Individual Events will be able to double enter within Individual Events patterns (they can enter up to two events in pattern A and two events in pattern B).
Due to the virtual schedule, we will again allow double entry of students in debate events with Individual Events. HOWEVER, we highly recommend that the student drop IEs on Sunday if they continue in elimination rounds in debate (unless they are okay making whatever rounds they can). We plan to implement the following guidelines: 1. We will not be averaging IE scores for IE competitors who break to debate rounds and miss a round of IE, as we have done in the past. 2. We will not implement a drop fee for any students dropped from IE conflicts due to debate conflicts.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT BREAK BRACKETS AT THE TOURNAMENT.

This means that the teams will be assigned elimination debates based on their seeded placement in the tournament’s preliminary rounds regardless of whether the teams are from the same school. If two teams from the school are scheduled to debate, we recommend that a coach determine which team will move on to the next elimination round and notify the tournament’s tabulation staff rather than actually conducting a debate.

Individual Events: No entry limits per school with the following exceptions:

CONFLICT PATTERNS: Students can enter up to two Individual Events in each pattern*
DOUBLE ENTRIES ARE ALLOWED within Individual Events.*
- A “double entry” is defined as entering more than one Individual Event in the same pattern. For example, a student entering in Extemporaneous and Duo (they are both pattern A).
- *Students must get to the round and be ready to speak within 45 minutes of the start of the round, according to the official invitation schedule (If in extemp, ask the proctor to be first speaker). Students choose to double enter at their own peril. We will not drop them from the event if they do not make it in time to a round, but at the same time, the tournament must go on. If they miss an event one round, they can always try again the next round.
- NOTE: If a student is in Extemporaneous speaking and is double entered, they should go to extemp first (because of the prep time) and their other event second.
- Students may not triple enter within a pattern.
- Please inform students who are double entered to notify their later event in the competition room chat that they are double entered and will be back, THEN go to their earlier event and ask to speak first.
- * Whether speech students should also enter other debate events is up to the coach (see above). Students entering Individual Events will also be able to double enter within Individual Events patterns (they can enter up to two events in pattern A and two events in pattern B).
Pattern A: extemporaneous, informative, dramatic interpretation, duo interpretation, oratorical interpretation
Pattern B: impromptu, persuasive, humorous interpretation, thematic interpretation, original prose and poetry
Please note: Individual event pieces should not have been used the prior competitive year.

RULES FOR TECHNOLOGY AND EVIDENCE USE:
In this virtual environment, students are required to use computers in rounds to compete but also to flow speeches, prepare speeches or access pre-prepared evidence files. Live Internet is now required for participation, thus altering expectations in that technology/evidence use.
To participate in the tournament, you must have a strong and stable internet connection. In addition to a strong and stable internet connection, you must have a working microphone along with a webcam. We highly recommend having access to a second device whether it is a laptop or a cellphone which will allow you to access the event you are registered in if your primary technology fails,

Technology Problems:
We do not anticipate technological failures but we know that troubleshooting NSDA is always possible. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these challenges and attempt to strike a balance between fairness and inclusivity. We will do our best to find corrections, make exceptions, and generally resolve issues as quickly as they are brought to our attention.

In the event of technology failure, you must contact the Tabroom on their Zoom link in order to inform Tabroom that there is a technology issue and the event has been paused. Do so immediately in the case of technology/internet failure. We are imposing a time limit of up to 20 minutes in order to resolve technological/internet issues but we will be closely monitoring any of the issues that arise. We suggest that you make appropriate arrangements to be properly prepared for the tournament.
When contacting the Tournament help line – please include your:
Full Name / Event / Division. For example: John Smith, Open Public Forum.

Team Lincoln Douglas (LD) debate, Public Forum (PF) debate
Live internet is acceptable for accessing files on Dropbox, Cloud, or a similar system for electronic storage. Students should not find, cut, or site new evidence and sources found from the Internet during the round.
Students will sign an honor code that they will not violate this policy.

Limited Prep Events:

Impromptu topics will be provided to each student in the competition room chat box. Judges will need to copy/paste the topics (provided on the eBallots) in the chat window for the students.
Each student will receive a different set of impromptu topics.
Extemp questions will be provided for all speakers in a separate virtual Extemp Prep Room. Students do need to make themselves known to the extemp proctor before leaving the room, but they do not need to stay in that room after checking in with the proctor and receiving the questions. The extemp proctor will copy/paste the questions into the chat window at the specified time.
Students will require their devices/internet access strictly for prepping, and, of course, competition purposes, however, preparation must be completed without the aid of coaches or other contestants. Use of email, instant messaging, the internet or other means of receiving information from sources (coaches or assistants included) inside or outside of the competition room are prohibited.
This is, admittedly, not the same as a face-to-face tournament. We appreciate your patience and willingness to adapt!

Honor Code/Coaching Policy
Using other devices, the internet, and AI, searching for research, and consulting coaches via phone call, texts, messaging on platforms in-round are strictly prohibited. By agreeing to participate in this year’s tournament, each student agrees to follow the tournament’s honor code, which is provided at the end of the document so coaches or chaperones can review with their student(s). If you have questions or concerns, please contact me.

Source Integrity and Related Rules
All students must be able to produce copies of all sources, which must include the full context of the citation, not simply a retyped list of short sentences and quotes. (We will not ask to see this material at registration, but the ability to produce is critical if a question or issue arises during the tournament).
Debaters must make said sources available to either their opponent(s) in the round, and/or their judges during or after the round upon request. Debate entries failing to do so, or debaters who significantly misrepresent sources in the round may be disqualified at the discretion of Tab. Speech contestants should have the full original source of all material in interpretive events available at the tournament, in addition to their cutting.
Oratory and Extemp students should have the text of any material they cite in their speeches available. Students misrepresenting sources or using sources not available may be disqualified at the discretion of Tab.
Finally, in debate events, if evidence of card clipping is brought to the tabroom’s attention, it is ground for immediate disqualification.

EVENT DESCRIPTIONS - DEBATE

LD debate (all division) will use the 2025 NSDA September/October Resolution:
Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, plea bargaining is just.

NSDA LD debate vs. CHSSA LD debate: In the past, we experimented by providing, at entry, a division of LD that follows CHSSA rules. Unfortunately, the division has never had enough entries to run. As an invitational that draws competitors throughout the United States, we do not believe it is feasible to expect all participants to follow or have familiarity with the California High School Speech Association rules and guidelines. Instead, the division will follow NSDA rules. Even if a CHSSA division could be created, CSUF cannot necessarily guarantee that every judge will know the rules and follow the norms of CHSSA. Therefore, we ask our California participants for your understanding of our decision since we view our role as an invitational to a national/virtual audience as taking precedent over our California location. As such, we cannot expect all participants to have familiarity with the organization’s rules. We ask that each school prep their judges and their students on the specifics of the NSDA division. If, in future years, we return to campus and in- person debates, we are happy to reconsider a CHSSA division for any local guests.

Please note that due to community consensus, we will offer 1 resolution for Open and Novice
Time limits for LD are 6-3-7-3-4-6-3, with 4 minutes of preparation time per debater. For debate, elimination rounds will begin with octafinals or quarterfinals as entry size warrants.

Public Forum (PF) 2025 NSDA September/October Public Forum
Resolved: The United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union.

Time Limits/speaking times for public forum are: Speaker 1 (Team A, 1st speaker) 4 min., Speaker 2 (Team B, 1st speaker) 4 min., Crossfire (between speakers 1 & 2) 3 min., Speaker 3 (Team A, 2nd speaker) 4 min., Speaker 4 (Team B, 2nd speaker) 4 min., Crossfire (between speakers 3 & 4) 3 min., Speaker 1 Summary 3 min., Speaker 2 Summary 3 min., Grand Crossfire (all speakers) 3 min., Speaker 3 Final Focus 2 min., Speaker 4 Final Focus 2 min. Each team may use up to three minutes of prep time.

*AGAIN, PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT BREAK BRACKETS AT THE TOURNAMENT. *

SPEECH/INDIVIDUAL EVENTS (IEs) INFORMATION/DESCRIPTIONS:
As an invitational, we do not adhere to organizational rules (such as CHSSA/NFL/NSDA) that supersede what is on our tournament invitation. Dispute decisions will be made by tournament directors.

Our tournament has qualified the following events to earn bids to qualify students for the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC): extemporaneous, dramatic interpretation, informative, duo, humorous interpretation, thematic interpretation (POI), and persuasive (OO). Bids are dependent on the number of competitors in each event—see http://nietoc.com/ for more information.

For event divisions with 23 or fewer competitors, the event will not have a semifinal round and will break directly to finals.

In the event Middle School or Novice does not have sufficient numbers to justify both divisions, the divisions will be collapsed into Novice or Open. Decisions on collapsing will be made by the tabulation director and announced on the day of the tournament.

*For interpretation events, props are not allowed—the exception to this rule is the use of the “black book” (manuscript) on a limited basis.

We would like to give a shout-out to the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensic Association for some of the online competition changes in this invite. We hope to see your competitors at the collegiate level soon!

PLEASE BE FAMILIAR WITH THESE RULES FOR ONLINE IE COMPETITION:

Internet Loss/ Connection During Competition: IE Competitors who are giving a speech and lose their internet connection are allowed to attempt to reconnect before they forfeit their opportunity to finish the speech. However, if the student can reconnect before the end of the round, they may be given an opportunity to complete their speech. Once roughly 45 minutes has passed or the round ends, we unfortunately cannot accommodate the speech. They will then be judged on what was presented before they lost internet. Further information on what to do during a “technology “emergency” will be given out closer to the tournament. We highly recommend that students contact us and we will do our best to accommodate/assist in reconnecting efforts prior to implementing the rule above.
Competitors are restricted to the use of a “single camera setup” during the performance. We highly encourage cameras to remain on unless sound/video quality, bandwidth connectivity disruptions, and issues of equity are at stake. For this reason, we do not mandate it but high encourage that competitors and judges leave them all to maximize engagement, eye contact, interaction, sportsmanship, etc.
Physical audiences are prohibited from being present for the performance, with the exception of: involuntary audiences (ex: individuals/families who happen to be in the same room), and assistants/aids for individuals with disabilities. Enforcement is up to the discretion of the TD.
Competitors in Duo will no longer be restricted to competing in separate physical spaces with separate cameras
1. So, for Duo, competitors are allowed to compete together in the same space, or they can also compete in separate physical spaces (such as separate rooms) using separate cameras.
Practices that would not be possible in a face-to-face environment are prohibited (such as motion, video transitions, or audio manipulation) while allowing for the use of screen sharing and virtual visual aids in Individual Events. Note: NSDA Campus does not have screen sharing capabilities.
No persons should participate or contribute to students who are competing during the course of the round.
Judges should avoid discriminating based off a competitor’s background/space available/whether they are sitting or standing. We are still in a pandemic, and many students still do not have a choice as to where they can perform their event and how much space they have or how cluttered their background is.
Interp Events: These are likely the most difficult to translate to an online video conference style.
1. Students may, if they desire, stand up while performing to showcase blocking, but are not required.
2. As stated above, competitors in Duo may either compete together in the same physical space or use separate cameras if they need to due to COVID restrictions.
3. In the event, Impromptu, the judge will have the impromptu quotations on their eBallot. When it’s your turn to speak your judge will copy/paste the prompts into the chat window in the competition room.

PATTERN A EVENTS:

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING (PATTERN A): The general topic area will be national and international affairs for the preceding 90 days. Each speaker will draw three topics 30 minutes before s/he is to speak and select one for the topic of the speech. Preparation must be completed without the aid of coaches or other contestants, though the use of magazines, newspapers, or other published research resources is permitted. Please also refer to the “Rules for Technology and Evidence Use” above for Extemporaneous Speaking. Notes are allowed but not encouraged in open division. Notes are permitted in novice division. There is a 7 minute maximum speech time.
DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION (PATTERN A): Selections may be prose, poetry, drama, or screenplays of a serious nature. All selections must consist of published material. The contestant may not have used the selections in tournaments prior to the current school year. This is not an acting event; thus, no costumes, props, etc. are to be used. Although gestures, pantomimes, and movement are not barred, they should be used with restraint, as this is not a contest in acting. There is a 10 minute maximum.
INFORMATIVE SPEAKING (PATTERN A): Any appropriate subject may be used, but the primary purpose of the speech must be to inform, explain, demonstrate, or impart knowledge about an idea, concept, process, or procedure. Visual aids may be used insofar as they contribute to the overall goal of the speech. No costumes may be worn, but items of dress necessary to the presentation may be added during the speech. All informative speeches must be the original work of the student and must have been prepared during the current school year. Speeches used in previous years will be disqualified. A typewritten or clearly handwritten manuscript of the speech must be available on request from the Tournament Director. No notes or manuscripts are allowed in open division. Notes may be used in novice division. There is a 10 minute maximum.
DUO INTERPRETATION (PATTERN A): This event is a cutting from a play, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two (or more) characters presented by two individuals. The material may be drawn from stage, screen, or radio. This is not an acting event; thus, no costumes, props, etc. are to be used. Use of scripts is optional. Contestants should be evaluated on their interpretation and not on whether scripts are used. Although gestures, pantomimes, and movement are not barred, they should be used with restraint, as this is not a contest in acting. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes, including the introduction.
ORATORICAL INTERPRETATION (PATTERN A): The event requires presentation of a published speech that was actually delivered in a public forum. This speech event encourages students to understand the relationship of an oration to the times that inspired it. Students must interpret the oration with a whole new voice to a whole new audience. It is the only interpretive event that allows you to use the internet as a source for selection so long as the web source is accessible from a basic internet search. The piece must have an introduction that includes the name of the author, the title of the oration, if any, the name of the source where the oration was published, and the place and date of the original delivery. No more than 150 words can be added, including the introduction and any transitions. The editing and/or delivery must not change the author’s intent. The speech should be memorized. Presentation cannot go over 10 minutes long. While there is no minimum time, speeches are usually not shorter than 5 or 6 minutes.

PATTERN B EVENTS:

IMPROMPTU SPEAKING (PATTERN B): Topics are varied from round to round and can include philosophical quotations, fortune cookies, postcards, physical objects, etc. Each speaker will draw 3 topics and choose one as the subject matter of the speech. The speaker has 7 minutes maximum to divide between preparation and speaking time as s/he chooses (2 minutes preparation followed by a 5 minute speech is considered standard--there is no assumed additional preparation time for middle school impromptu). Students are permitted to use one blank note card in order to make speaking notes during prep time and to use those notes during the presentation of the speech.
PERSUASIVE SPEAKING (PATTERN B): (Also known as Original Oratory) Any appropriate subject matter may be used, but the primary purpose of the speech should be to alter or change beliefs, attitudes, or behavior. All persuasive speeches must be the original work of the student and must have been prepared during the current school year. Speeches used in previous years will be disqualified. No more than 200 words of quoted material are allowed. A typewritten or clearly handwritten manuscript of the speech must be available on request from the Tournament Director. No notes or manuscripts are allowed in open division. Notes may be used in novice division. There is a 10 minute maximum.
HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION (PATTERN B): Selections must be prose, poetry, drama, or screenplays of a humorous, but not slapstick, nature. All selections must consist of published material. The contestant may not have used the selections in tournaments prior to the current school year. This is not an acting event; thus, no costumes, props, etc. are to be used. Although gestures, pantomimes, and movement are not barred, they should be used with restraint, as this is not a contest in acting. There is a 10 minute maximum.
THEMATIC INTERPRETATION (PATTERN B): (Also known as Program of Oral Interpretation) The contestant is to present a program of 3 or more selections from different works based on a theme of the contestant's own choosing, utilizing an original introduction and transitions. All selections must consist of published material and shall be at least 150 words in length. The contestant may not have used the selections in tournaments prior to this school year. This is not an acting event; thus, no costumes, props, etc. are to be used. The manuscript is to be interpreted; although gestures, pantomimes, and movement are not barred, they should be used with restraint, as this is not a contest in acting. There is a 10 minute time limit.
ORIGINAL PROSE AND POETRY (PATTERN B): The contestant is to present his or her original material, which may consist of prose, poetry or a combination of both. The contestant may not have used the material in tournaments prior to the current school year. This is not an acting event; thus, no costumes, props, etc. are to be used. Although gestures, pantomimes, and movement are not barred, they should be used with restraint, as this is not a contest in acting. There is a 10 minute time limit.

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS ON NSDA CAMPUS
NSDA Campus offers free practice space for current NSDA members to log in and experience the video conferencing portion of NSDA Campus now, at https://www.speechanddebate.org/nsda-campus/ This is an excellent means to check blocking prior to the start of the tournament.

IMPORTANT JUDGING REMINDERS:

ALL DEBATE JUDGES ARE REQUIRED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST ELIMINATION ROUND (SUNDAY) REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOUR TEAMS/STUDENTS HAVE QUALIFIED! Please note that each judge is obligated until ONE ROUND after his or her team is eliminated from competition. If judges are absent or missing, fees will be assessed or the judge security deposit will be retained.
Under no circumstances are judges allowed to pass their electronic ballots to someone else without permission of the TABROOM. We will impose nuisance fees for repeat offenders of this policy.
$25 per round will be charged to schools with judge no-shows during the tournament.

HELP US FOLLOW APPROPRIATE NETIQUETTE AT CSUF’S VIRTUAL TOURNAMENT
While attending the CSUF HS MS Invitational, we expect that all participants, observers and judges follow the netiquette policies outlined below and the policies of their institutions that they are representing. We know that the majority of your students and virtual attendees will follow tournament rules and conduct themselves according to professional behavior, however, the inappropriate actions of a few students could jeopardize our ability to host future speech and debate tournaments and events. Remember, while online, you are representing your various institutions and should act accordingly.
As such, participation in our tournament requires the following guidelines:

All students and guests should follow civil decorum in competition and when providing judging feedback, showing respect to other teams, competitors, coaches, or judges,* participants and conducting themselves in a professional manner. It is expected that every member of the tournament participates in a mature and respectful fashion and in accordance with their respective institutional polices.
While we cannot police all language use, we strongly discourage the use of profanity and encourage tactful and appropriate communication. We expect all participants will show an appreciation and openness to diversity and we strongly condemn any behaviors that can be construed as racist, sexist, heteronormative, ableist, or offensive. Engaging in such behaviors are grounds for disqualification or removal from the tournament.
CSUF is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination (including online bullying, zoom bombing, and harassment on any social media or within a round) are prohibited, whether committed by participants, judges, coaches, or observers. CSUF tournament directors will enforce this policy and any individuals in violation of this policy will be subject to removal from the tournament.
- Judges’ web cameras should remain on and pointed at eye level while judging unless there are extenuating connectivity issues that the tournament is aware of.
Do not write or engage in any communication/discourse that you would not want publicly shared.
Coaches, please continue to monitor your students at tournaments and inform our staff if student participants and campus guests are engaging in inappropriate behavior.
All schools should provide at least one parent chaperone or coach who is actively engaged in the virtual tournament, immediately available as an emergency contact, and responsible for all underage students’ participation in the virtual event (and able to contact students and students’ parents right away and in the case of an emergency).

Additionally, please follow these guidelines when competing virtually:

Your name online must accurately represent the name that you have registered with the tournament.
Recordings of participants, observers, or judges are strictly prohibited. If any extenuating circumstances regarding the issue of recordings should arise or exceptions need considered, they should be discussed with tournament directors prior to any recording taking place.
Remain muted unless you are speaking in order to maintain clarity for the competitors speaking.
If possible, reduce background noise to a minimum by using a headset.
We highly recommend that both JUDGES and COMPETITORS leave their cameras on to maximize engagement, eye contact, interaction, sportsmanship, etc. However, we cannot mandate that the cameras are on if sound/video quality, bandwidth connectivity disruptions, and issues of equity are at stake. Nonetheless, we highly encourage your use of cameras when individuals are speaking, performing, competing, and judging.
Be aware the space in which you are in and clarify that the participants and judge or competitors can hear you.
Due to limited bandwidth, we cannot allow observers of rounds. We apologize for the inconvenience.

* ALL participating judges are expected to abide by a professional conduct agreement. Please review the document (provided on Tabroom.com) prior to the start of the tournament.
**All student participants are expected to abide by the honor code when participating in the tournament.

RECOGNITIONS AND FINAL NOTES
RECOGNITIONS: Virtual award ceremonies will occur. The debate and IE awards ceremonies for the CSUF HS/MS Invitational will be held in a Zoom room. The award room entry may be limited to a particular number, but we will provide a recorded link on YouTube after the tournament. Prior to awards, the Tabroom will send out the invite for the awards. (Specific information/links will be provided at that time). We are asking that competitors join the awards ceremony first and that observers/judges view it on YouTube. If you are unable to join (when we are at maximum capacity), please contact for us. We ask that you remain muted during the awards ceremony, and we encourage the usage of reactions both on camera and with the reaction features in the room. When joining the awards ceremony, please make sure your name correlates with the name you have listed on Tabroom.
Team and individual debate speaker placements (PROVIDED FOR LD and PUBLIC FORUM) are recognized at the awards stream. Elimination round decisions for LD and Public Forum debate are announced immediately following each elimination round. Debaters receiving a speaker award or advancing to the elimination rounds in all divisions will receive an individual award in the form of a commemorative award (plaque, medal, or certificate), which will be available to the coach or school address as soon as they are produced following the tournament. (We have fallen behind in tournament mailings in years past; if coaches are available to arrange pickup or are missing previous awards, please let the tournament director know).

All individual events contestants advancing to the finals will receive verbal recognitions during their award ceremony, and awards will be made available to the coach or school address at a later date after the tournament. Any ability to coordinate a pickup for area schools is greatly appreciated. The individual events awards ceremony is held Sunday evening.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT BREAK BRACKETS AT THIS TOURNAMENT. IF TEAMS FROM THE SAME SCHOOL ARE SCHEDULED TO MEET IN ELIMINATION ROUNDS, THEN THE COACH WILL BE ASKED TO ADVANCE ONE OF THOSE TWO TEAMS.
In the event we collapse divisions (such as Middle School and/or Novice), we will recognize 1 Top Novice Speaker and/or 1 Top Middle School Speaker in those divisions.

Competitor Logistics / Best Practices

Please open a tabroom account so you can get ePostings on your device. Your coach should be able to link your account to your team for the tournament.
Competitors will receive a text/email with their ePostings information.
There are two places to check for postings:
1. Receive a text/email on your device
2. Check the Pairings tab on the tournament website. If you did not receive a text/email, always double check here. Always double check here.
The ePostings will have a link to a competition room where you will present/compete. Click that link to go to your round. Judges will be in the same competition room to judge the round. The tournament will be using the NSDA Campus video conference room software.
Please do not immediately start to talk when entering a competition room. Another student may be already performing. Please make sure your audio is off and wait to be recognized by the judge.
Students should remain in the competition room as audience members with video on to the extent possible, and audio off. Due to audio feedback loops or bandwidth issues, you may need to mute your audio or video feeds. But ideally, react to the performances like in a face-to-face round.
Students can, if it fits their particular setup, sit while performing. Judges are instructed not to penalize students for sitting while speaking since the particular tech setup may work better while sitting.
Students are encouraged to leave cameras on during the round, competition, and when speaking.
Students are also encouraged to use a mic/headphones since audio quality is much better than with an external mic. Judges are instructed not to penalize students for having mics/headphones on.
We recognize this creates some challenges for certain events. But we trust in the ingenuity of the forensics community to adapt to this new environment. Some students may also have better quality video, lighting, sound, etc. We will all try our best.
If a student’s internet connection drops or audio quality is poor, they will be encouraged to call into the video conference room and give their speech with audio only. While not ideal, it will ensure all student’s speeches are listened to by a judge. You can get the dial-in information from the info icon in the bottom right of the screen.

Additional Judge Logistics / Best Practices

All judges must have a tabroom account. The head coach can link judges’ accounts to their team for the tournament.
Judges will receive a text/email with their eBallot link. Judges should click on that link within 5 minutes of receiving it to indicate that they have “picked up” their ballot.
There are two places to check for your ballot:
1. Receive a text/email on your device
2. Check your account on the tournament website. If you did not receive a text/email, always double check here. Always double check here.
On your eBallot you will have all of the competitors in that round along with a link to a live video room. Click that link to go to your video conference competition room.
Your eBallot will then have a feedback form where you can type your feedback to the student while they are performing or afterwards.
Judges should turn on cameras albeit connectivity issues. We highly recommend it.
If a judge’s keyboard is loud they are encouraged to mute their audio during performances but please leave the video feed on so competitors can receive your visual feedback.
Judges are instructed not to penalize students for sitting while speaking since the student’s particular tech setup may work better while sitting.
Judges are also instructed not to penalize students for having mics/headphones on since audio quality is usually much better using a mic/headset.
Judges are also instructed not to penalize students for lighting, video/audio quality, video background to the extent possible.
If a judge’s internet connection drops or audio quality is poor, we will work them to assist the best possible connection. As a last resort, they may be encouraged to call into the video conference room and listen to speeches with audio only. While not ideal, it will ensure all student’s speeches are listened to by a judge. You can get the dial-in information from the info icon in the bottom right of the screen.
For Impromptu/Extemp, the eBallot will have the quotations/questions listed on it.
Specific judging instructions.
Basic debate judge instructions
Dramatic Interpretation (DI) judge instructions
Duo Interpretation (DU) judge instructions
Extemporaneous (EX) judge instructions
Humorous Interpretation (HU) judge instructions
Informative Speaking (IN) judge instructions
Impromptu Speaking (IM) judge instructions
LD debate judge instructions
Oratorical Interpretation (OI) judge instructions
Original Prose & Poetry (PP) judge instructions
Public Forum Debate judge instructions
Thematic Interpretation (TI) judge instructions
Persuasive Speaking (PE) judge instructions

Please make students aware of the following policies they agree to abide by and direct any judges to the equivalent judging document on Tabroom.com.

Student Code of Conduct
As a competitor at a middle school and high school event, I understand that poor conduct and irresponsible, dangerous, unethical or illegal behavior will not be tolerated on the digital campus and repeated offenses may result in my disqualification as a team or competitor. I will avoid inappropriate behavior that would detract from having a positive experience at California State University, Fullerton’s Fall virtual M.S./H.S. Speech and Debate tournament. I, as a competitor pledge to maintain the highest expectations for honor in competition.
This means that I promise to only participate in behaviors that uphold fairness, honesty, and integrity for the activity. I know that this is necessary so that all participants in the competition will have an equal chance to compete.

Additionally, I understand and adhere to the tournament’s Code of Conduct guidelines:

Respect digital campus policies, including showing respect to other teams, coaches, or judges, and always conducting themselves in a professional manner.
Uphold the highest standards of integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service in the pursuit of excellence.
Do not allow non-tournament participants (friends, family, etc.) to interact with the tournament environment. No one should be speaking to competitors or other participants who are not officially registered with the tournament.
Physical audiences are prohibited from being present for the performance, with the exception of involuntary audiences (ex: individuals/families who happen to be in the same room), and assistants/aids for individuals with disabilities.
Do not consume or encourage the consumption of alcohol/drugs/smoking to any other minor participant.
Do not take unwanted photos or encourage/direct others to take photos of minor participants on personal cell phones or cameras. This prohibition extends to publication of minor photos or images on personal sites.
The University's preference is that rounds are NOT to be recorded. If, however, for any reasons, a participant asks to record a portion of the debate or one of their speeches, assure that all students and participants have agreed and give their permission in the chat. If for any reason, the round is recorded, it cannot be shared publicly or on social media.
Do not engage in or encourage violation of any use of the digital facility space for unintended purpose or use.
Do not show inappropriate/culturally or gender insensitive materials or make risqué and offensive jokes around participants.
Do not engage in any activity that may or will reasonably lead to bodily or psychological harm to any other program participant.
Do not engage in horseplay, any form of bullying or pranks or forms of sexual harassment.
Do not make fun of others or your opponents in rounds, or display overly aggressive styles of debate that include ad hominem attacks, interrupting, and making unnecessarily rude comments to opponents or teammates. Please do not confuse this behavior with assertive behavior – you can be argumentative and confident without speaking in cruel or mean ways.
Do not immediately start to talk when entering a competition room, instead make sure your audio is off, and wait to be recognized by the judge.
Do not "card clip" (deliberately cut off parts of cards or words when reading) in debate rounds.
Do not quote material out of context, or remove, edit or replace words, phrases, or sentences in cards or in any directly cited quotations.
Do not engage in any form of plagiarism in tournament speeches.
Do not withhold evidence that was read in round from an opposing team if they ask to review it during the round.
Do not use other devices, the internet, digital research, and/or coaches’ assistance via phone call, texts, messaging on platforms during rounds.
Please ensure that all zoom backgrounds are appropriate for a middle school and high school age group. Profanity and sexually inappropriate images will not be allowed.
Please ensure that all things visible when your camera is on are appropriate for a school-aged environment.
Please ensure that practices that would not be possible in a face-to-face environment are not used (such as motion, video transitions, or audio manipulation) Otherwise, use of screen sharing and virtual visual aids are permitted in Individual Events.
Please ensure that no other persons participate or contribute to students’ performances or competition during the course of the round.
Please ensure that, during an entire round, you remain in the competition room as audience members with video on to the extent possible, and audio off.
Please ensure that you use only a “single camera setup” during the performance. We highly encourage cameras to remain on unless sound/video quality, bandwidth connectivity disruptions, and issues of equity are at stake.
Please ensure that all students can produce copies of all sources, which may include the full context of a citation, if asked.
Please ensure that referenced sources are made available to opponent(s) in the round, and/or their judges during or after the round upon request. Debate entries failing to do so, or debaters who significantly misrepresent sources or delay providing sources in the round may be disqualified at the discretion of Tab. Debaters who need to take time to search for materials will use their own prep time.
Please ensure that all technology rules in debates, extemporaneous speaking, and impromptu speaking events are followed (see the tournament invitation on Tabroom.com and any subsequent uploads or tournament emails for further description).
Please ensure that, if entered in the division of “Novice,” you meet novice eligibility (see the tournament invitation on Tabroom.com for further description).

All students acknowledge voluntarily participating in this Activity. They agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from any and all claims, actions, suits, costs, expenses, and liabilities for any injuries to myself and for any damage to my property or possessions that arise out of or arise from my participation in the Activity.

CAL STATE FULLERTON MS AND HS INVITATIONAL

18-19 October 2025 for debate
19 October 2025 for speech

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