CSUF

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 Friday, October 14, through Sunday, October 16, 2022. All speech and debate rounds will be SYNCHRONOUS.

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 can also enter in Congress, but not 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 (Except LD has no 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. (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.

Individual event pieces should NOT have been used the prior competitive year.

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:

Because of the new schedule we developed from your helpful responses and comments from our tournament survey in August of 2020, Individual Events competitors can also enter in Congress.
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).
This year, we will also 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.
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.
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.
Pattern A: extemporaneous, informative, dramatic interpretation, duo interpretation, oratorical interpretation
Pattern B: impromptu, persuasive, humorous interpretation, thematic interpretation, original prose and poetry

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:
Prior to the tournament, we will release additional details/instructions for contacting the tournament directors, tab staff, or tournament volunteers for troubleshooting purposes in the event that problems with technology should occur or if debate competitors’ or debate judges’ personal technology should fail during the tournament. 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 Tournament help line (more information on this process will be released closer to the tournament) 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 (L-D) debate, Public Forum (PoFo) 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, searching for research, and consulting coaches via phone call, texts, messaging on platforms in-round or once rounds have started are strictly prohibited.

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 will use the 2022 NSDA September/October resolution:
Resolved: The United States ought to implement a single-payer universal healthcare system.

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.

PF debate will use the 2022 NSDA September/October Public Forum resolution:
Resolved: The United State Federal Government should substantially increase its investment in high-speed rail.

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 3 minutes of prep time.

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

EVENT DESCRIPTIONS - 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 RULE CHANGES FOR ONLINE IE COMPETITION:

Internet Loss/ Connection During Competition: IE Competitors who are giving a speech and lose their internet connection are allowed 10 minutes to reconnect before they forfeit their opportunity to finish the speech. They will then be judged on what was presented before they lost internet. 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 (these competitors should follow their school’s COVID guidelines for competition—if their school/competitors/coaches/parents aren’t comfortable with the students competing together in the same room, using separate cameras in separate rooms is still allowed for Duo, or those students could choose to compete in a different event. Be safe and make smart choices). 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 file 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 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. 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 ten (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.

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 GSA's whole team is eliminated from competition. If judges are absent or missing, fees will be assessed.
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 judges with judge no-shows during the tournament.
CSUF Judging Guideline can be found here

HELP US FOLLOW APPORPRIATE 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.

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 will be asked to sign a professional conduct agreement at the time of registration. Form TBA.
**All student participants will be instructed to sign an honor code prior to participating in the tournament. Form TBA.

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 Conference Zoom room. The award room entry is limited to 300 individuals, but it will also be a live simulcast on YouTube. 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 visit the YouTube stream. 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 Zoom. 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, PARLI, POLICY and PUBLIC FORUM) are recognized at the awards stream. Elimination round decisions for LD, Parli, Policy 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, which will be mailed to one coach or school address following the tournament. We will do our best to send these awards as soon as they are made available to us. The fall tournament taught us that there are often elements beyond our control that are slowly down the shipment of the trophies. We appreciate your patience.
All individual events contestants advancing to the finals will receive verbal recognitions during their award ceremony, and awards will be mailed to one coach or school address roughly 1 month after the tournament. Special recognitions are announced to the top 10 competitors in both divisions of Congress, and awards will be mailed to one coach or school address roughly 1 month after the tournament. Following tradition, the first-place competitors in Congress receive the "Reed-Stockton" First Place Congress Award. The individual events/Congress 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/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.
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.
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:

Receive a text/email on your device
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.

CSUF BRUSCHKE INVITATIONAL

15-16 October 2022 for debate
16 October 2022 for speech

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We would love to have you visit soon at one of our open houses.
Check our home page for the schedule!

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