2010 Student Meeting Minutes

Matthew Hogan called the meeting to order at 3:36 p.m.
Matthew acknowledged Michael Dreher as taking notes during the meeting for purposes of the website.

1. Overview – Matthew mentioned that it was his pleasure to be able to be part of the discussions surrounding the activity.
2. Recap of business meeting – The primary item of discussion was whether there should be 2 divisions for the national tournament. There was a great deal of agreement that there is a schism; people are leaving the activity. One was the MPJ, the other was adaptation. Adaptation wouldn’t have strikes; MPJ would be based on mutually preferred judging. Most of the discussion centered on the stylistic differences. The proposals were voted down but the committee is still in place. The other item was to change sweeps; however, that was tabled.

Question: Other alternatives? Not as of yet – there is a group headed by Aaron Donaldson to talk about seminars discussing pedagogy about debate – how can we talk about inclusion?

3. New business – Announcements? Tournament thoughts/proposals?
Pepperdine – Coffee or continental breakfast being available? At least tournament hotel should have breakfast if NPDA doesn’t.
Travis – Concurs; forcing to spend money on campus…
Anna – Vegan options should be available as well.
–Money should be able to be applied to Sunday if there was extra money.
Pretty much unanimous… Matthew will forward to Exec Council; meetings to set up next year will be starting soon if not yet.

b. Something should said about resolutions – some are offensive to people … i.e., the Roman Catholic church resolution.
Matthew – How would you recommend fix?
–Input on resolutions being proposed.
–Group of potential resolutions being released, then vote on resolutions?
–Could have been insensitive given discussion on Net Benefits that NPDA counts Christian College Nationals. Should have been given more consideration.
–At state tournament, schools submit 10-15 ideas for resolutions, voted as not acceptable.
–How does it work now?
(Michael explains how it works now – Topic committee solicits resolutions as part of invitation, and on NPDA-L and Parli-L. The committee is not allowed to coach their own students. Some years there are many resolutions; other years, there are only relatively few resolutions. Anyone is able to contribute resolutions.)

–Motion: For every team sent to NPDA, every team must submit 1 resolution.
Motion seconded. Discussion on the resolution.
–Some schools bring 7-8 teams, some 1-2. Limit per school?
Matthew: Anyone could make this as a recommendation.
–Number of teams = minimum. Could submit more if wanted.
–No guarantee picked, but variety to choose from.
(Anker): Interesting, but unlikely to fix problem because risk of perceived as privileging certain topics. Want to talk about issues that I know I like; there’s a sweet spot in terms of topic committee. 15 topics is problem; forcing to sift through 200 topics plus other = lengthen topic choosing. For example, Roman Catholic occurs as a result of the full implication. Anything that decreases amount of thought = exacerbate thoughts.
–Shouldn’t make topics taboo. Might have been offensive; non-unique. Need to have a wider range of topics to discuss.
–Nature of NPDA – Undermine integrity – should be a bit unpredictable. With regard to religious, strikes chord – how many religious institutions have to debate against their viewpoints? Check back or more consideration of the resolution.

Question called. Vote fails by 1 vote. Matthew suggests that this can be brought be back to the National Student Representative in the future. Lack of knowledge of how to contribute to topic suggestion process.

2. Suggestion – Electronic topic announcement – i.e., twitter; get the wording every single time.
Motion to discuss. Matthew asks for 4-5 minutes in order to do the election.
–Whitman does this.
–Electronic distribution. i.e; especially for T debate.
–Electronic balloting? CEDA/Bruschke system.
–Whatever form, accessible to everyone.
–Announce live and electronic? Coach had to be there, then go back… = shaving of 6 minutes of prep each time.
–It should be both. Upload right as announcement. i.e., NPDA website?

Unanimous.
Matthew: Rules that preclude?

Renea Gernant – Have tried different types of distribution. Electronic didn’t always work; people didn’t pick up ballots or didn’t get access … round didn’t start on time because felt they should have 5 extra minutes. If judges are responsible and get back to their teams, that helps.
Matthew – If students feel important, should discuss. Bring up in business meeting and tournament procedures.

Based on time, time for elections.
Nominations:
Max Alderman – UN-Reno
Aly Fiebrantz – Washburn

Max Alderman from UN-Reno was elected.