Harry C. Behler Debate Society
Colgate Debaters at SUNY Binghamton
Fall 2012
Overview
Debate, one of Colgate’s most enduring extracurricular activities spanning generations of Colgate students, offers you training and practical experience in advocacy, issue analysis, and public speech. Its competitive speaking activities will enable you to solidify your own stance while questioning and rebutting others. As a debater you will use the spoken word to advance and defend diverse points of view while improving your persuasive skills. You will win debates. You will lose debates. But, no matter what, you will gain valuable experience, improve your speaking skills, and form lasting friendships with your fellow Colgate debaters. You will also have opportunities to develop your leadership skills by serving as an elected member of the Harry C. Behler Debate Society’s Executive Board.
We have a longstanding tradition of teamwork. Our members work together and help each other become better debaters. For example, experienced debaters and new debaters team up together to compete and judge at regional tournaments. In fact, some of Colgate’s best debaters joined the Harry C. Behler Debate Society with no experience in public speaking or debating.
Competition
British Parliament: Where it all began!
We compete in the British Parliamentary style of debate. Competitive travel occurs throughout the academic year to a variety of locations, with past destinations including Canada, England, New England, Oregon, California, Malaysia, Ireland, Thailand, Turkey, and Botswana.
Worlds 2013
Berlin, Germany
Most recently, we competed in the 2013 Worlds Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) in Berlin, Germany.
Worlds 2009
Cork, Ireland
We also compete annually in invitational tournaments at Oxford University and Cambridge University. During the 2012-13 academic year, in addition to competing in
Debate Chamber
Oxford University, 2012
regional tournaments, and competing at Oxford and Cambridge, our travels will include California, Berlin (2013 WUDC), and Madrid for the 2013 Campeonato Mundial de Debate Universitario en Español, CMUDE.
Worlds 2010
Antalya, Turkey
In 2014 we will travel to India to compete in the WUDC at Chennai. Also, in conjunction with various student organizations, we host weekly public debates on the Colgate campus.
Worlds 2011
Gaborone, Botswana
In addition, every year we host the Colgate Invitational Debate Tournament and the British National Debate Team Showcase Debate!
Worlds 2012
Manila, Philippines
About our name
Harry C. Behler was a beloved faculty member and debate coach at Colgate University for many years. As a tribute, the Debate Society bears his name.
Join Here: Get Involved!
Contact: Javed Narejo ’14 Debate Society President
Debate Videos: CSU Vimeo
Contact: Colgate Speaking Union for information about other clubs involved in extracurricular competitive speaking activities.
Visit: www.colgate.edu/csu
