Spring Break
More money for fewer debaters
John Krudy
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: News
The speech department is reducing the number of debate scholarships they offer each year while also increasing scholarship size and tightening application requirements.
"In the past, we've offered 12 or 13 scholarships," said Assistant Professor of Speech and Debate Coach Jeremy Christensen. "We decided to offer eight for a larger amount."
Christensen said he hopes the new scholarships will cover $1,500 to $2,000 of tuition each year.
The changes will not affect forensics scholarships.
Debate team member Nathaniel Wynia, a junior, welcomed the changes.
"Too many people were not taking it seriously," Wynia said. "I think fewer scholarships means more people will be committed, and they'll spend more time on debate and improving their skills."
Wynia said the application process for a scholarship includes 10 pages of questions and a short interview.
Christensen said changes to the scholarship requirements make them "more directive."
"We had to regulate expectations - the requirements are clearer in terms of GPA requirements, attendance requirements," he said. "We're looking for students who are willing to make adjustments, and who are willing to travel for debate."
The exact dollar amount of the new scholarships will not be known until April.
Forty students currently participate in the debate program.
"In the past, we've offered 12 or 13 scholarships," said Assistant Professor of Speech and Debate Coach Jeremy Christensen. "We decided to offer eight for a larger amount."
Christensen said he hopes the new scholarships will cover $1,500 to $2,000 of tuition each year.
The changes will not affect forensics scholarships.
Debate team member Nathaniel Wynia, a junior, welcomed the changes.
"Too many people were not taking it seriously," Wynia said. "I think fewer scholarships means more people will be committed, and they'll spend more time on debate and improving their skills."
Wynia said the application process for a scholarship includes 10 pages of questions and a short interview.
Christensen said changes to the scholarship requirements make them "more directive."
"We had to regulate expectations - the requirements are clearer in terms of GPA requirements, attendance requirements," he said. "We're looking for students who are willing to make adjustments, and who are willing to travel for debate."
The exact dollar amount of the new scholarships will not be known until April.
Forty students currently participate in the debate program.
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