[eDebate] 10 semesters (small schools)

[J.Bradley Heron]

I believe the need for 10 semesters is even truer for debaters at small schools.  When you are trying to be competitive at a small school the research burden is even higher.  Additionally, if you are economically disadvantaged and debate for a small school you are often forced to get jobs, keep up with school, and of course attempt to keep up with larger schools.

Debate by itself is a great activity that often translates into having a significant advantage over our non-debater counterparts in the real world.  However, I can think of an endless list of very brilliant people who aren't afforded the same opportunity because they ran out of eligibility and were short on credits.  This despite the fact that they worked harder in school on educating themselves than many non-debaters, unfortunately many were forced to give debate the priority over school because without debate affording school would be impossible.

I really see no downside to allowing 10 semesters.  Perhaps it might encourage a very small group to stay in college one extra year in lieu of graduating to pursue a competitive dream, actually that is not really a downside either.

Brad Heron
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