The following proposals were passed unanimously(9-0) by the NDCA Board on June 25, 2014.
#1 - Proposal 14.06.10.01 - Cornucopia of non-controversial items
I move that all of the NDCA National Championships tournament procedures be amended as follows: Amend the “Tournament Committee” section by adding this sentence: Individuals may serve on more than one of the tournament committees. Amend the “Pairing of Debates” section: Delete all current wording and replace it with: To the extent possible the tabroom should equalize competition in preset debates and power match high/low within brackets starting with round 3. Add to the “Tournament Qualification” section Any entry denied admission to the National Debate Coaches Association National Championships by the tournament director may appeal to the NDCA Board for admission to the tournament if they tried to enter the tournament prior to March 15th. Any entries admitted to the tournament after March 15th will be solely at the discretion of the tournament director. Any student registered for the tournament after March 15th will not be allowed to appeal the decision of the tournament director. (this will be added to the tournament procedures for all events) Amend the “Amendments” section: These procedures may be amended by a simple majority vote of the board consistent with voting procedures as specified in the bylaws. Amend the “Rounds of Competition” sections by adding this paragraph: Any student who forfeits a round of competition will be ineligible for a speaker award. For seeding purposes students who forfeit debates will have their points averaged. Amend the “Speaker Awards” sections by adding: Any student who forfeits a round of competition will be ineligible for a speaker award. All references to the National Forensic League will be replaced with National Speech and Debate Association. Any mention of round 7 should be removed. Proposed wording: I move that the Public Forum and Lincoln Douglas NDCA National Championships tournament procedures be amended as follows: Delete any reference to ranks as part of tiebreaking formula’s or teams qualifying for elimination rounds. Proposed wording: I move that the Public Forum NDCA National Championships tournament procedures be amended as follows: Amend the “Rounds of Competition” section: All rounds, including elimination rounds, will be flip for sides and positions. If teams in elimination rounds have met previously in prelims, they will still flip for sides and positions. and from the “Elimination Round procedures” section delete this sentence If sides are locked and the late arriving debater is designated affirmative the negative debater may request a delay of up to fifteen minutes to ensure both debaters have adequate preparation time.
Proposal 14.06.08.03 - Definition of "School" - Public Forum
I move that the NDCA National Championships tournament procedures be amended as follows: Remove these sentences under Tournament Qualification in the public forum debate tournament procedures: Public forum debate competition is considered a team activity. A team is comprised of two individuals from the same degree granting institution. and replace it with: Public forum debate competition is considered a team activity. Both students on a participating team must attend the same school, represent that school and be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for that school. Even if the school district allows some students to compete with other schools within the district the NDCA National Championships will not allow those entries. If the tournament director determines that a given entry does not represent a school that entry(ies) may only file an appeal to the board if they registered for the tournament prior to March 15th. Coaches acknowledge that by entering the tournament that their teams are in compliance with the tournament rules. It is the obligation of the coach to file an appeal prior to March 15th if there is a situation that stretches the limits of one of the rules, such as the definition of the word “school”.
Proposal 14.06.08.05 - Definition of "School" - Lincoln Douglas
I move that the NDCA National Championships tournament procedures be amended as follows: Under Tournament Qualification in the Lincoln-Douglas debate tournament procedures add: Students must represent a school and be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities for that school. If the tournament director determines that a given entry does not represent a school that entry may only file an appeal to the board if they registered for the tournament prior to March 15th. Coaches acknowledge that by entering the tournament that their students are in compliance with the tournament rules. It is the obligation of the coach to file an appeal prior to March 15th if there is a situation that stretches the limits of one of the rules, such as the definition of the word “school”.