FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Chad Minnich, (401) 456-8395, cminnich@ric.edu
Thomas Schmeling, (401) 456-8722, tschmeling@ric.edu
Students from seven urban core schools to participate in policy debate tournament
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island College will host the Rhode Island Urban Debate League’s (RIUDL) “Ugly Sweater Bash” on Saturday, December 15 in Gaige Hall. Approximately 50-60 students from seven urban core schools will compete in a three-round policy debate tournament from 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m., with awards and closing ceremony to follow. These high school students will bring a dash of holiday cheer to in-depth discussions of serious policy issues by wearing colorful and tacky sweaters.
The Rhode Island Urban Debate League engages students in policy debate programs in order to improve academic outcomes and increase college readiness. Participants in this competition will con-duct research-based debates for or against proposed federal policy change. The topic for this aca-demic year is whether “the U.S. federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States.”
Competitors will learn and develop cases presenting specific plans for implementing this resolution; they won't know whether they’ll be arguing the affirmative or negative case until just before each round. There will be three rounds, each lasting approximately 90 minutes, followed by a final debate between the top two varsity teams.
This Ugly Sweater Bash is RIUDL’s first event at Rhode Island College; Chair of RIC’s Political Sci-ence Department Thomas Schmeling, who will be giving welcoming comments at the bash, has worked closely with the organization to bring the event to campus.
“This tournament represents the launch of what we hope will be a deep and sustained partnership with RIC, and in particular, the Political Science Department,” says RIUDL “Executive Revolutionary” Ashley Belanger. “We're incredibly grateful to Professor Schmeling and the college for hosting us.”
“We’re working with RIUDL to develop a plan to strengthen this relationship,” says Schmeling. “Build-ing a connection with the organization is valuable for RIC. It connects us to RIUDL students, who are some of the brightest and most promising Rhode Island high-schoolers.”
Belanger believes the partnership will benefit both sides. “Many of our high school debaters intend to pursue careers in politics, law or public policy,” she explains. “We are eager to introduce them to the network of supportive and brilliant faculty at RIC, and to introduce RIC to the next set of superstars.”
Members of the RIC community, including students, faculty, staff and alumni, are welcome to volun-teer as judges. To sign up, click here. Judges are encouraged to get into the spirit of the event by wearing ugly sweaters, as well.
About Rhode Island College
Established in 1854, Rhode Island College serves approximately 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students through its five schools: the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development, the School of Business, the School of Nursing and the School of Social Work. For more information, visit www.ric.edu.
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