By Eugene Vilensky
Today the University of Louisville Debate Society will begin the first of its 2002 – 2003 Public Debate Series.
Opening with an analysis of Campus Harassment Policy, future installments scheduled for fall 2002 include the topics “Louisville Urban Renewal” on October 8 and “Immigration Laws” on November 19. Each session is scheduled for 2:30pm at the Ekstrom Auditorium, on the ground floor of Ekstrom Library, and is open to the public.
Teams of three will present a total of six speeches, each person both supporting and opposing the topic. Debates are scheduled to last 60 minutes, with a student and faculty question and answer session to follow.
Heading the ULDS is Director of Debate Dr. Ede Warner, Jr. Under Dr. Warner’s leadership, the ULDS focuses on fostering the participation of minorities typically excluded from debate, particularly African Americans.
Dr. Warner has made it the mission of the Debate Society to break through racial exclusivity of intercollegiate debate by “challenging current stylistic conventions, traditions, and norms.” His presence puts U of L at a marked advantage, as he is one of few African American intercollegiate Directors of Debate.
The debate team’s current travel schedule is extensive; eight tournaments are scheduled for fall, including the Las Vegas Round Robin, Wake Forest University, and Vanderbilt University, and eight for spring 2003.
