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[OFFICIAL NOTICE]

OFFICIAL NOTICE
The Communication Studies Department at the University of Minnesota invites students interested in pursuing an MA or PhD to apply to our program. We have a highly regarded faculty with diverse areas of expertise. Graduate students concentrate in communication theory, rhetorical studies, and/or critical media studies, and are afforded considerable flexibility in crafting a course of study that matches their individual scholarly interests. The department also has an excellent track record of both having students complete their degrees in a timely fashion and seeing those students placed in faculty positions. If you have any questions about the graduate program, or would like to complete an application, please visit our web page at: http://comm.umn.edu/grad/, or contact Dr. Mary Douglas Vavrus, Director of Graduate Studies at: vavru001 at umn.edu

The application deadline is JANUARY 3, 2011. This is much sooner than you think, so if you are interested, you should start the application process soon.

There are also many opportunities for graduate students to work with the debate program. If you are interested, please contact David Cram Helwich at: helwi012 at umn.edu OR cramhelwich at gmail.com. You can also learn more about the team at our website: debate.umn.edu



UNOFFICIAL RECRUITING PITCH
The U has an excellent graduate program, featuring a very bright crop of graduate students and an outstanding faculty. People finish their degrees on time, and move on to good jobs in their chosen disciplines. The department exhibits a high degree of professionalism and comity, and has an excellent working and learning environment.

The debate team receives a high level of support from the administration. We have a great group of students, and are looking for graduate students who are interested in helping us build a strong program that balances competitive excellence with a commitment to debate as a powerful pedagogical tool and platform for social change. You will have the opportunity to put your mark on an emerging program.

The Twin Cities are a fantastic place to live and work--great music scenes, internationally renowned theaters and art galleries, a reasonable cost of living, diverse (and close) outdoor recreation opportunities, and all of the amenities of a major city. Yes, winter is cold, but you can buy a coat to wear when you go out to visit the Guthrie, or MIA, or First Ave, or the Dakota, or the Walker, or the Winter Carnival, or the groomed cross country ski trails in the city parks.

Questions? Please feel free to contact me.

Appalachian State needs a debater for a hybrid team in the Open division. We can split the cost of the team and the judging commitment. Contact me if you are interested.

Sean Ridley
seanrridley@gmail.com

Hi All-

As the Binghamton tournament approaches, we are looking to get our case list policies for the tournament out there.  Prior to round 3 (first thing Saturday morning), all teams will be responsible for uploading the aff/neg positions that they have run rounds 1 and 2 and/or email these arguments in a word attachment to lcamero1@gmail.com, and we will be uploading the positions to case list for you.  To ensure fairness, we must insist that every team complies with this.  Thank you in advanced.

Lauren Cameron
Assistant Coach of Binghamton Speech & Debate

The University of Denver would like to purchase 3 rounds for the Gonzaga tournament. If you have extra rounds to sell please send me an e-mail and we can make a deal.

Thanks,
Justin Eckstein
Justin.Eckstein@gmail.com

Hello all- 

One of my labbies from GDI (awesome camp), who is actually one of Linda Collier's HS debaters at the barstow school in KC (Chiefs!!), sent me an e-mail in which he claims he's got paperless working on the open office program.  I'm posting his explanation as well as the macros.  I have not verified whether this works, but it seems very useful in light of the discussion mr hardy and mr dunn were having.

Email:

I dont know if you are the right person to send this to, but seeing as I know very few people in the debate community maybe you would be able to tell more people.

On the paperless debate wiki it says that while Open Office could be used to make a debate template it hasn't yet been done.

So i took some of the functions of the whitman template, figured out how to switch them over to OpenOffice Basic and then recorded the formatting Macros. The Template is fully functional, but Its a little pretty basic

The attachment is the code for the Macros in OpenOffice Basic.

to install it you install openoffice

place a file in C:\ (the system root) called Speech.rtf (capitalized)

then you create a new module in My Macros - Standard - (whatever you want to call it) then go to tools, customize, keyboard to assign the Macros to whatever hotkeys you want

the SendBlockToSpeech works based on Centered text, not any specific formatting so it can work with other documents. you must have a hat at the bottom of the file or you will get an overflow error, (the cursor keeps going down looking for another Hat)

the SendToSpeech simply sends your selection to the Speech.rtf , you need to include an empty line at the bottom so that it doesn't run into the Hat of the last Block

Both of these Macros open Speech.rtf (you dont need to have it open) past the selection and then save and close it, they dont work if Speech.rtf is open)

when you are done sending things then you use the reader macro to open the Speech.doc, you should turn on web view to read better. The last block that you sent is at the top and you can move the blocks around by dragging them in the document map as long as you use the Hat command to make it a heading. after you organize the document you should save it somewhere (USB stick, desktop etc.) and then open the Speech.rtf again, clear it, and save it.

This Template is very basic and only does what is necessary for paperless debate. I think it will still be useful because in an age of tightening belts teams could save a lot of money by using Open Office, which is free. Also hopefully other interested people will build on what I have here and make it easier to use OpenOffice

Thank You

Macros:

REM  *****  BASIC  *****

function fnOpenDoc(sFile)
sURL = ConvertToURL(sFile)
fnOpenDoc = StarDesktop.loadComponentFromURL(sURL, "_blank", 0, Array())
end function

sub SendToSpeech

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem define variables
dim document   as object
dim dispatcher as object
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem get access to the document
document   = ThisComponent.CurrentController.Frame
dispatcher = createUnoService("com.sun.star.frame.DispatchHelper")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:Copy", "", 0, Array())

oDoc = fnOpenDoc("C:\Speech.rtf")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem define variables
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem get access to the document
document   = ThisComponent.CurrentController.Frame
dispatcher = createUnoService("com.sun.star.frame.DispatchHelper")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:Paste", "", 0, Array())

thisComponent.store()

thisComponent.close(true)

end sub

sub SendBlockToSpeech

Dim Doc As Object
Dim oVC As Object
Dim A As Integer
Dim B As Integer

B = 3
A = 1
Doc = ThisComponent
oVC = thisComponent.getCurrentController.getViewCursor

oVC.gotoStartOfLine (False)

IF oVC.ParaAdjust = com.sun.star.style.ParagraphAdjust.CENTER THEN

Do While A = 1
   oVC.goDown (1, False)
   oVC.gotoStartOfLine (False)
   IF oVC.ParaAdjust = com.sun.star.style.ParagraphAdjust.CENTER THEN
      A = 2
      oVC.gotoStartOfLine (False)
   ELSE
      B = B + 1
   end IF
Loop

Do While B > 1
   oVC.goUp (1, True)
   oVC.gotoStartOfLine (True)
   B = B - 1
Loop

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem define variables
dim document   as object
dim dispatcher as object
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem get access to the document
document   = ThisComponent.CurrentController.Frame
dispatcher = createUnoService("com.sun.star.frame.DispatchHelper")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:Copy", "", 0, Array())

oDoc = fnOpenDoc("C:\Speech.rtf")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem define variables
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem get access to the document
document   = ThisComponent.CurrentController.Frame
dispatcher = createUnoService("com.sun.star.frame.DispatchHelper")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:Paste", "", 0, Array())

thisComponent.store()

thisComponent.close(true)



ELSE
MsgBox "Place cursor in Hat"
end IF

end sub



sub Reader

oDoc = fnOpenDoc("C:\Speech.rtf")

end sub


sub Underline
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem define variables
dim document   as object
dim dispatcher as object
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem get access to the document
document   = ThisComponent.CurrentController.Frame
dispatcher = createUnoService("com.sun.star.frame.DispatchHelper")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args1(0) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args1(0).Name = "Bold"
args1(0).Value = true

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:Bold", "", 0, args1())

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args2(2) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args2(0).Name = "Underline.LineStyle"
args2(0).Value = 1
args2(1).Name = "Underline.HasColor"
args2(1).Value = false
args2(2).Name = "Underline.Color"
args2(2).Value = -1

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:Underline", "", 0, args2())


end sub

sub Tag
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem define variables
dim document   as object
dim dispatcher as object
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem get access to the document
document   = ThisComponent.CurrentController.Frame
dispatcher = createUnoService("com.sun.star.frame.DispatchHelper")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args1(2) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args1(0).Name = "FontHeight.Height"
args1(0).Value = 14
args1(1).Name = "FontHeight.Prop"
args1(1).Value = 100
args1(2).Name = "FontHeight.Diff"
args1(2).Value = 0

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:FontHeight", "", 0, args1())

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args2(0) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args2(0).Name = "Bold"
args2(0).Value = true

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:Bold", "", 0, args2())


end sub

sub Highlight
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem define variables
dim document   as object
dim dispatcher as object
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem get access to the document
document   = ThisComponent.CurrentController.Frame
dispatcher = createUnoService("com.sun.star.frame.DispatchHelper")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args1(0) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args1(0).Name = "CharBackgroundExt"
args1(0).Value = false

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:CharBackgroundExt", "", 0, args1())


end sub

sub Normal
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem define variables
dim document   as object
dim dispatcher as object
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem get access to the document
document   = ThisComponent.CurrentController.Frame
dispatcher = createUnoService("com.sun.star.frame.DispatchHelper")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:ResetAttributes", "", 0, Array())

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args2(1) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args2(0).Name = "Template"
args2(0).Value = "Default"
args2(1).Name = "Family"
args2(1).Value = 2

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:StyleApply", "", 0, args2())


end sub

sub Hat
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem define variables
dim document   as object
dim dispatcher as object
rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
rem get access to the document
document   = ThisComponent.CurrentController.Frame
dispatcher = createUnoService("com.sun.star.frame.DispatchHelper")

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args1(1) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args1(0).Name = "Template"
args1(0).Value = "Heading 1"
args1(1).Name = "Family"
args1(1).Value = 2

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:StyleApply", "", 0, args1())

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args2(4) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args2(0).Name = "CharFontName.StyleName"
args2(0).Value = ""
args2(1).Name = "CharFontName.Pitch"
args2(1).Value = 2
args2(2).Name = "CharFontName.CharSet"
args2(2).Value = -1
args2(3).Name = "CharFontName.Family"
args2(3).Value = 5
args2(4).Name = "CharFontName.FamilyName"
args2(4).Value = "Arial"

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:CharFontName", "", 0, args2())

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args3(2) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args3(0).Name = "FontHeight.Height"
args3(0).Value = 18
args3(1).Name = "FontHeight.Prop"
args3(1).Value = 100
args3(2).Name = "FontHeight.Diff"
args3(2).Value = 0

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:FontHeight", "", 0, args3())

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args4(2) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args4(0).Name = "Underline.LineStyle"
args4(0).Value = 1
args4(1).Name = "Underline.HasColor"
args4(1).Value = false
args4(2).Name = "Underline.Color"
args4(2).Value = -1

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:Underline", "", 0, args4())

rem ----------------------------------------------------------------------
dim args5(0) as new com.sun.star.beans.PropertyValue
args5(0).Name = "CenterPara"
args5(0).Value = true

dispatcher.executeDispatch(document, ".uno:CenterPara", "", 0, args5())


end sub

I hope this helps us make a transition to mr dunn's grand vision of a truly open source way to go paperless.

Congrats Harris, well deserved

We will pay cash at the tournaments. We need a ton of GSU rounds and 8 NU rounds. Let me know if you are interested.

sarah dot topp at gmail.com

We need two rooms with double beds and one room with either a king or doubles. If you have any you aren't using, PLEASE let me know.

Also, we will pay cash for rounds. We need one full commitment (8 rounds).

Email me at sarah dot topp at gmail.com.

Thanks!
Sarah Topp

Los Medanos College of Pittsburgh, CA is now searching for a full time instructor.  They plan to start a speech & debate team, so a person with forensics experience would be great.  It is a community college about 45 minutes east of Berkeley.  It is part of the same district I teach in (at Diablo Valley College.)  The job posting is available here:  http://www.4cd.edu/career/fulltime_faculty/Forms/AllItems.aspx

The job will start January 2011.  Please pass this information on to anyone you think might be interested!

Hello all,
I've been contacted by the Hotel Orrington because they are currently maxed out on double double hotel rooms for our weekend.  If you have reserved double doubles that you do not plan on using or if you have doubles reserved that could be converted into a King or Queen single please contact Kathy at the Orrington (kathyk at hotelorrington.com).  There are still plenty of single bed rooms in our block.

If you have yet to make hotel reservations and will need doubles please let me know lukephill at gmail.com.  We will try to negotiate a room block at a near by hotel based on the need. 

Thanks to everyone for their understanding and update. 

Best,
LH