Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - Report on Need for Campus Recreation Facilities (1947) [PAGE 14]

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DEBATING Richard Murphy PART I -- Present Program

J The Speech Department, as a departmental project, sponsors Mens and ' f n Y Debate. In the course of a year, about fifteen women and twenty-five men ifii fully participate in the study and speaking program. The program continues through the two regular terms. The squad members work rather intensively. Their regimen consists of weekly squad meetings, reading and study, practice, conference, appearances before audiences and radio, travel to events. Any student interested in discussing current problems can put to use all the time he may have available. Some of the debates are held at other schools, or before high schools and clubs in the region. There are available for campus residents the following events: • A. Intercollegiate debates and forums — about a half dozen a term. Attendance varies from the phenomenal 1700 at the Oxford debate this fall to fifty or sixty. 3. Squad debates and forums -- held weekly. A half dozen or so non-members usually drift in. I C. Intercollegiate conferences on a current problem. Last term the Western Conference schools mot for a two-day conference on labor legislation, and a conference of Illinois schools was held later on the same question. One conference a term. D. Parliamentary institutes. Three evening sessions for persons interested in learning about and in practicing parliamentary procedure. Held each term. The program is directed by three members of the Speech Department, Mrs. Ruby "./ispe, Mr. Howard Shuman, and the undersigned. Some years ago there was a series of inter-fraternity and inter-ho C atee held annually. These ended some time before the war and they have n b e n revived. PART II -- Plans and Suggestions The Debaters hope to increase the interest of thoir program, and to attract people to events. With an expanded program, more people can be tMI L t o tt tive participation. But at best, probably not more than fifty or sixty people uld be engaged ao participants. But more can be done to provide discussion and m meetings for interested students.