Debate Team Rules

(Addendum to Code of Ethics)

These rules have been put on paper to clarify any questions you may have concerning proper conduct while attending a speech and debate tournament. You are a good group of students, however, it is sometimes wise to “put things in writing” for everyone’s own good. This should serve as a guide if you have any questions concerning the rules governing travel to other schools. If further clarification is needed, ask me before doing something that might get you in trouble. Remember, the school is under no obligation to allow a misbehaving student to continue traveling with the speech and debate team.

I.Smoking – There will be no smoking by any student at any time during a debate trip. This includes time spent on the bus, at restaurants, at the motel, and at the host school. If you violate this rule, you will be disciplined in accordance with the code of ethics signed by you and your parents.

II.Drugs and Alcohol – This goes without sayings, but I thought I would say it anyway. “NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.” You have no business messing with this stuff on or off tournament days. If you violate this rule, you will be disciplined in accordance with the code of ethics signed by you and your parents.

III. Departure – The bus will leave the school at the time listed on the schedule. If you are late, the bus will leave without you and you will be dropped from the tournament. You may not drive or be driven to a tournament without the prior approval of both the coaching staff and the WHS Activities Director. You will board the bus dressed for competition or with competition attire available.

IV. On the Bus – Students will remain seated at all times. Students will act in such a manner as to avoid distracting the driver (loud conversations, shouting, flash photography, etc). Students will keep the bus clean by removing any trash from on or under seats and making sure to take any personal items home. Students will assist in moving team items (coolers, debate files, etc) to and from the bus.

V.Motel Room Conduct –

  1. Curfew will begin fifteen minutes after we arrive at the motel. Curfew will end when we depart the motel the next morning.
  2. You will be expected to remain in your assigned room after curfew. You are not to roam the halls or balconies of the motel after curfew. Under no circumstances are you to enter the room of another motel patron.
  3. Once we arrive at the motel, you are not to leave the motel.
  4. You are allowed to visit one another’s rooms prior to curfew. However, all doors are to remain open.
  5. Do not, under any circumstances, visit the rooms of students from other schools.
  6. Under no circumstances are students from other schools allowed to visit your rooms. A student who does enter your room will have his or her name reported to his or her coach.
  7. Be courteous to motel employees, security guards, and other patrons.
  8. Remember that we often return to a motel rather late on Friday evenings. This means that people are sleeping. Remember to have the courtesy to be quiet.
  9. Keep in mind that your room and the motel in general is not a place for horseplay. Avoid shouting, running, wrestling, food fights, etc. You will undoubtedly annoy somebody and invite a visit from the motel security.
  10. DO NOT charge phone calls home to your rooms. The school will not pay for these calls.
  11. DO NOT make joke phone calls in the middle of the night. It is rude and there may be others who have to compete in the mornings that need their rest.

VI.Tournament Conduct –

  1. Team members are expected to comply with all instructions of the coaching staff.
  2. Attend and participate in all rounds in which you are scheduled to compete
  3. Arrive at least 5 minutes early to all rounds
  4. When an audience member, be respectful (be the audience you would want!)
  5. Watch the entire round. If cross-entered, watch the remainder of the final room.
  6. Return to the team “home base” when not in competition (between each round and at the conclusion of all rounds) for announcements. This does not mean that you cannot socialize with people from other schools. You are encouraged to socialize.
  7. Remain on the campus of the host school at all times
  8. Team Members will ride the bus both to and from tournaments. Exceptions must be cleared in advance, in writing, through both the coaching staff and the WHS Activities Director
  9. Watch rounds during any time you are not scheduled to compete. This includes all out rounds and finals. When possible, you are expected to support your teammates
  10. Do not leave personal items unattended.
  11. DO NOT share your debate cases or evidence with other schools.

VII.Tournament Dress – Remember that your appearance makes a positive or negative statement about you. Grooming is an important aspect of non-verbal communication and shows respect for yourself, your activity, and your audience. As a general rule, both men and women should dress professionally.

  1. Gentlemen: Business Suit (or) Dress slacks, button-down shirt, and a tie. All gentlemen should wear a tie or a vest at all times. Polo-style shirts are not appropriate. Clothes should be ironed and clean. Dress socks and shoes are also expected. No denim or provocative or revealing clothing allowed.
  2. Ladies: Professional suit or skirt, dress shirt, or dress. Clothes should be ironed and clean. Dress shoes are expected. No denim or provocative or revealing clothing allowed.
  3. Both: Must be appropriately groomed, including hair, make-up, and limited jewelry. No tongue, nose, or eyebrow rings allowed.
  4. You are at the point in your life when you need to start dressing professionally for those activities that require it (academic competitions like debate, job and college interviews, etc.) If you are not yet mature enough to abide by this dress code, please feel free to see the counselor and have yourself removed from the course.

VIII. Awards –The awards ceremony is a time for our team to join with the other schools at the tournament and recognize those students from all schools who have gone above and beyond. To maintain the best atmosphere possible, please follow these expectations:

  1. Our team sits together.
  2. If you are receiving an award, please remain in tournament attire.
  3. When a teammate receives an award, the team will stand and applaud. We will not shout,

yell, or otherwise distract others – we need to be the audience we would want.

  1. The team will stand and applaud for the first place contestant in every event
  2. All team members receiving awards should be prepared to take a publicity photo immediately

following the ceremony.

  1. Any hardware should be returned to the coaching staff the school day following the tournament

(take it home, show it off, bring it back!) for display in the trophy case. All individual trophies will

be returned at the end of the year banquet.

IX. Bus Conduct –

a. When on the bus the driver is “the Captain of the Ship.” What he/she says about behavior on the bus

is the final word.

b. Before leaving the bus, make sure all papers and trash have been picked up off the bus floor.

NO ONE leaves until this is done.

c. Avoid excessive noise. Remember that there are other team members who will probably wish to

do homework, rehearse lines, or work on debate cases on their way to the tournament.

X.Restaurant Conduct –

  1. We will eat together unless I feel it is advantageous to do otherwise.
  2. When it is practical to do so, we will vote on where to eat. A simple majority vote rules. If you are not in the majority, sit back and keep quiet about it.
  3. Be courteous to restaurant employees, even if they are rude to you.
  4. Remember that you are eating in a public place. Mind your manners!

XI. Medication or special medical conditions – If you are under any medication or have a special medical condition of some kind, the school nurse will need a note from your parents or guardian explaining the nature of the medication, its purpose, or condition. She in turn will pass this information on to me. This rule is not intended to violate your privacy, but is intended to allow me to make an informed decision in the event of an emergency.

XII. Leaving the teacher’s supervision – Under no circumstance are you allowed to leave my supervision without the approval of the principal prior to departure form the high school. This refers to situations where you would leave the team to eat with friends or relatives, spend the night with friends or relatives, or drive home with friends or relatives. As a rule you will leave Waynesville with me, eat with me, stay in the same motel and high school with me, and you will return to Waynesville with me.

XIII. Attending classes on the day of a tournament –

  1. You are NOT excused from attending classes prior to the departure time on the day of a tournament. You are REQUIRED to be in school the day of a tournament.
  2. You are REQUIRED to inform your teachers that you will be missing classes at least two days prior to a tournament. Be sure to get our homework for these classes.

I HAVE REVIEWED THE DEBATE TEAM RULES WITH MY SON/DAUGHTER. I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT HE/SHE WILL BE EXPECTED TO ABIDE BY THESE RULES DURING ALL SPEECH AND DEBATE TRIPS.

Parent’s or Guardian’s Signature ______date ______

Student’s Signature ______date______