FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 22, 2008

The Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) acknowledges that each of its member institutions must hire and staff their programs with faculty that best represent the educational mission of their university. As an organization, we must rely upon member institutions to hire individuals that conduct themselves appropriately and within the standards stated in the CEDA by-laws. As such, we respect the decision made by Fort Hays State University and their President Dr. Edward H. Hammond to dismiss Dr. Bill Shanahan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 18, 2008

Statement by the Cross Examination Debate Association Regarding Recent Controversies

The Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) is deeply disappointed by the incident immediately after the quarterfinal debate between Fort Hays State University and Towson University at the 2008 CEDA national tournament. As an academic organization dedicated to promoting critical thinking, the behavior exhibited by members of our organization does not represent CEDA’s educational mission.

 70 ballots were cast for the resolution for next year.  The winning resolution for the 2008 - 2009 season is 2A.  The topic wording and a break down of the voting is below.

Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should substantially reduce its agricultural support, at least eliminating nearly all of the domestic subsidies, for biofuels, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, corn, cotton, dairy, fisheries, rice, soybeans, sugar and/or wheat.

First count of first-place votes:

1A:  23

1B:  2

3 amendments were on the ballot for consideration by the full membership.

Amendment 1 (eliminate affiliate) passes 57-7.  

Amendment 2 (final round judges) passes 55 - 12.

Amendment 3 (conferences) fails 42 - 23.

The constitution will be updated soon.  The revised constitution will be announced on this site and available online.

The business meeting held this summer at UT Dallas passed three amendments for consideration by the full membership. A full copy of the text of the amendments is attached as a pdf file.

Amendment 1 eliminates the often-misused membership category of affiliate (since replaced by emerging programs).

Amendment 2 uses MPJ to fill slots assigned to regions on the final round panel that do not have a representative to judge.

Amendment 3 replaces CEDA regions with self-selected conferences.

FROM DARREN ELLIOTT, as posted on eDebate:

It is my pleasure to announce that CEDA Nationals 2009 will occur on the campus of Idaho State University in the beautiful city of Pocatello, ID. Sarah Partlow-Lefevre submitted a model bid and has coordinated tremendous support for the tournament from University Administrators, Vice-Presidents, the University President, the Mayors, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

As this year's Tournament Director I am looking forward to working with this year's Host, Sarah, and her staff. The CEDA Executive Council was very impressed with the bid brought forward by Idaho State and is excited to be going to ISU next March.

FROM GORDON STABLES, as posted on www.cedatopic.com

Resolution 1a: Resolved: that the United States Federal Government should substantially reduce its agricultural support, through the elimination of all or nearly all the domestic support, export subsidies and/or market access barriers, for biofuels, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, corn, cotton, dairy, fisheries, rice, soybeans, sugar and/or wheat.