MICHIGAN BIF

The 2020 University of Michigan High School Debate Tournament
Saturday, November 7- Monday, November 9, 2020
Tournament of Champions (TOC) Octafinals Bid Tournament- Varsity Policy Division and Finals Bid- Varsity Public Forum Division

On behalf of the University of Michigan and Michigan Debate Program, we are pleased to invite you to participate in the 25th Annual University of Michigan High School Debate Tournament. The tournament will provide competition in the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Novice divisions of two person (policy) and Varsity and Novice divisions of public forum (PF). The tournament has been certified as an OCTAFINALS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS QUALIFIER FOR POLICY DEBATE IN THE VARSITY DIVISION AND PUBLIC FORUM VARSITY DIVISION AT THE FINALS LEVEL.

This year's tournament will be online through the NSDA Campus Platform

POLICY DIVISIONS TOURNAMENT FORMAT

Competitors will debate the 2020-2021 policy topic; Resolved: The United States federal government should enact substantial criminal justice reform in the United States in one or more of the following: forensic science, policing, sentencing.

The schedule is always subject to change based on entries. The varsity policy division will consist of seven preliminary debates: two preset rounds on Saturday and five additional preliminary rounds on Saturday and Sunday. The top 32 teams will clear to a Double Octafinals on Sunday evening.

The novice policy division will also consist of seven preliminary rounds: two preset rounds on Saturday and five additional preliminary rounds on Saturday and Sunday. The Novice division could clear to Double Octafinals or Octafinals on Sunday evening depending on entry numbers. Either way, a maximum of 32 teams will reach the elimination rounds if we go to Double Octafinals.

All judges are obligated for the first elimination round. Judges are further obligated to judge one round after the elimination of their school's last team. Schools whose judges do not meet their obligations are subject to a penalty fee of $50/missed round.

Judges must have a tabroom.com account, are required to enter their ballots online, and must have a public philosophy online by Monday, November 2nd.

Since we are online this year, the tournament plans to use side equalization to determine sides in elimination rounds to avoid coin flips.

NOVICE AND JV DIVISION ELIGIBILITY

We cannot verify the experience of each individual entrant in our tournament, so it is incumbent upon individual coaches to ensure their students are entered in the right division. Entrants found to be in violation of eligibility rules may be removed from the tournament at the Tournament Directors' discretion.

Please note that in order to compete in any division labeled, "novice," a student or students must be the first year of high school debate. If a team has previously won the Novice Division of a Tournament of Champions qualifying tournament, they must enter the JV or Varsity division.

Please note that in order to compete any division labeled, "junior varsity," a student or students must be in their first or second year of high school debate.

2020 DATES AND DEADLINES
Tuesday, November 3rd- All policy judge philosophies must be posted/available on tabroom.com
Wednesday, November 4th- Judge Preferences for applicable divisions will open on tabroom.com
Friday, November 6th- The tabroom.com online registration system will be enabled in the evening (for coaches)

TECHNOLOGY
We strongly encourage debaters to operate from direct Ethernet connections, as opposed to WiFi.
We strongly encourage every debater to wear a headset with a microphone or to use similar technological equipment.
Debaters are required to have their web cameras on during the time that they are speaking.
The use of Zoom backgrounds are permitted, but must be age and content appropriate.
We will provide an email address for technological assistance/questions that arise during the tournament closer to November.

Further advice and recommendations regarding online debate can be found here-
https://hsimpact.wordpress.com/2020/03/18/um-debates-tech-tips-for-online-debate/
https://hsimpact.wordpress.com/2020/08/26/final-debate-tech-post-for-now-and-q-and-a/
https://hsimpact.wordpress.com/2020/08/19/workstation-set-up-avoiding-asthenopia-eye-fatigue-and-other-problems/
https://hsimpact.wordpress.com/2020/08/13/reviewing-microphones-for-online-debate/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMliUupFz7w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koCar2mjDvY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzM73I7Qy2Y&t=1807s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUSiftlfrOA

I will keep a copy of this form for reference. *

YES

We are signing up with the understanding that my child will work to be ready by the tournament date. If we choose to drop out because my child is not ready that will be considered when making assessments for future classes. *

YES

I understand that if I fail to drop the tournament before the deadline that I will still be responsible for the fees of both my son or daughter, along with that of his or her partner and the fines. *

YES

I understand that if payment is not received we won't be registered and our spot will be given up to someone else. *

YES

I confirm that I have completed all necessary paperwork for this tournament. *

YES

I understand that The Golden State Academy has no control over tournament entries other than the initial sign up. I understand that my child's priority will be based on either the last time I signed up OR the date paid, whichever is latest. *

YES

I understand that my child must check in and check out periodically at the tournament with the coach and that if I do not my child will be barred from participating in following tournaments. This is to ensure coaches can see where students are at competitively and to give any initial feedback for improvement. *

YES

I understand that I can check my entry status through tabroom.com. *

YES

I am a consenting adult. I understand that by submitting this form I agree to all that has been covered. *

YES

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HS DEBATE TOURNAMENT

7-9 November 2020

Information

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Drop Fee

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Registration Form

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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UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HS DEBATE TOURNAMENT ​