Rec Center Waiver

A few of you took advantage of this last year, and we wanted to extend the offer again this year as well. During your down time in Oxford, the possibility exists that you can spend of of it at the University's Recreation Center to work out, etc. If you want to take advantage of this, you will need to bring this form to registration. Between this form and the others, it gets annoying, but this one is optional, unlike those posted yesterday.

Additional Forms

There are two additional forms that will need to be filled out and submitted upon your arrival at the workshop. The first is the Institute's Code of Conduct. Most of this is straight-forward, but it's important to understand what is/not permitted by both the workshop and the University. So read through the rules and bring them with you, signed, to registration.

The second form is the Medical Consent Form, which will allow us to get the best care possible for you in the event of illness, or otherwise hurt your self playing broomball, ultimate frisbee, etc. It happens - it's just important that we're able to take care of you once it does happen. Similar to the rules form above, bring this filled out to registration. If there are any questions about either of these forms, email me at mgayetsky@gmail.com, and I'll help clarify the ambiguity.

Do I need to bring...?

We try our best to accommodate those staying at the workshop, but we get a lot of emails regarding what things might want to be brought in addition. This is meant to be a starting point, but by no means an exclusive list. I will not talk about the common sense things, like ‘clothes,’ my assumption is that you will bring these things.
Techie Stuff:Laptop – becoming more incorporated into debate through both research and flowing, it’s good to bring along. If you don’t have one, there’s no reason to fret as there are tons of computers free to use around Miami’s campus.
Ethernet cord – another thing that is good to bring, as the wireless network can sometimes be spotty. Since this is the first year that we are staying at Wells (sidebar: HUGE upgrade) I don’t know how the wireless is in this building. Bringing a cord along is a good, safe way to stay connected to the cloud.
TV/DVD – you will have some down time, so it doesn’t hurt to kick back and watch a movie now and then. There is a TV in the common room, but it is up to you if you want to bring your own. There will now be $1 DVD rentals again this year, available in the dorm office, so be ready to take advantage of the offer.
Techie stuff you don’t need: Timers (you’ll get one), USB drive (you’ll get one),
General Dorm Stuff:
Bedding – You’ll need to get a set of extra-long, single sheets. This is the standard size for any dorm room, so if you have a sibling that went to college you might have this size around your house already. Also bring a pillow or two. And towels.
Foodstuffs—You can bring any/all snacks that you like. It is advised, though, that upon arrival you stop by Kroeger or Wal-Mart to stock up, instead of hauling all of that with you. More car space = good. In the dorm there are vending machines, as well as a kitchenette area to facilitate snacking.
Cleaning agents – Of all kinds, toiletries (deodorant, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc) as well as laundry detergent. If you forget something or run out, the dorm staff will make weekly runs to Walmart/Kroeger to fill need that you might have.
Other things: Shower Shoes; just get them, it’s a worthy $5 investment. Alarm clock to make sure you are at lab.
Room stuff you don’t need: Fans (dorm is air conditioned), any type of furniture.
Debate Stuff:
It is important to note that ALL of the MDI evidence produced will be produced and available electronically. That means cutting cards is only a copy/paste process, and does not involve scissors and tape. So you don’t need those things. Aside from the laptop previously mentioned, the more conventional list of things applies – pens of various colors, highlighters, paper for blocking (well, you might want your scissors and tape for blocking…) and flowing. Plus a tub and file folders. It should be mentioned, though, that if you are flying, you might want to think about only taking your evidence back electronically due to escalating costs for checked bags. We will have all of these things available for purchase in the office, and we will make an inventory of requests within the first few days of camp.
This is a good place to start, at least, if you have specific questions about some “X” you can email me at mgayetsky@gmail.com for my opinion of something else.

1. Senior Scholars Leaders Coach NDT Champs!!!
Brad Hall and Casey Harrigan, the leaders of our Oxford Senior Scholars lab, coached the 2008 NDT Champions, from Wake Forest University!!! What more can we say? Our Senior Scholars lab will offer you an opportunity to work with two coaches who are at the absolute top of the game. In addition to the NDT champs, Brad and Casey have coached the winners of this year's Kentucky Round Robin, not to mention that Casey was the 2006 NDT champ, and Brad the 2006 runner up.

2. Best...meal plan...ever
Let's face it - dorm food just doesn't cut it some days. This summer, at least half of your meal balance at the Miami Institutes won't have to be spent at the dorm cafeteria. Through a partnership with MUBucks's "Uptown Bucks" program, Miami Debate students will be able to use their institute meal credits at more than 35 local restaurants, including Domino's, Pizza Hut, Jimmy John's, Subway, Quizno's, Skyline Chili, Qdoba, Cold Stone Creamery, and dozens of Oxford's great local restaurants. Click on the link above for a more complete list.

Faculty Information

Find it here.

New Hire!

Great news! We've added Josh Gonzalez former coach at Michigan State (among his many accomplishments) to the Scholars staff. I'm confident that Josh is going to he an outstanding addition to our staff, his experience at institutes is unmatched.

Announcements!

Hi all,

The Application is up and linked HERE and on the side bar. Apply early and often. Also we've confirmed some exciting new changes. First, the staff is top-notch for 2008. Casey Harrigan, 2006 NDT winner, and Brad Hall, 2006 NDT Runner-up, as well as Iowa coaches Paul Johnson and Jane Munksgaard are lined up for Oxford Scholars. For the Redhawk, Georgetown coach, Michael Greenstein and MSU Seniors Debbie Lai and Garrett Abelkop are excited to get started teaching.

Also, food is going to be different from last year at both camps. Meals will be a combination of a meal plan from Miami's award-winning dining halls and a declining balance from Oxford uptown restaurants including Jimmy Johns, Subway, Skyline, the list goes on.

Any questions just email me springse@muohio.edu.

Sarah!

New scholarships

Miami is now offering a new scholarship to the Institute for 2008. At select tournaments this year we will give a substantial scholarship to the top junior speaker. This weekend at John Carroll we will award the top junior speaker a $300 scholarship. This will also be offered at other tournaments including CCC and more to be named later.

You can also check out our blog miamidebate.blogspot.com for more updates.

We will also be giving EVERY Ohio debater a special in-state scholarship of $100.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at spring.sarah at gmail.com

Dates for Summer 2008

We are excited to announce the dates for the Miami Debate Institute 2008

The Redhawk will run from June 22- July 12

The Oxford Scholars will run from June 22-July 26

Also the brand new Miami Speech Institute will run from June 22 - July 5.

I'm excited and I hope you are too.

Sarah Spring

Thanks for a great birthday!

A quick thanks to everyone who made my birthday a very special day. Thanks for the yummy chocolate cake that required you to be very resourceful since you had to bake it in the dorm! Thanks for all of the cards and Uptown gift cards...the jewels (ask Osahon)...the flowers (ask Elwell)...were all great. I really appreciated all of the sweet notes written in the cards.

My mom will be very glad to hear that you all gave me a special day! :)

Tara

Last Set of Practice Debates

Schedule.... Here!!

Wave 3 is done!

Wave 3 is accomplished and off to the printers. The 5 week scholars produced a variety of arguments and toolboxes --

Soft Power Good/Bad - led by Maffie
DAs to International Actors - led by Fitz
USAID/Delegation - led by Spring
Aff K Toolbox - led by Harrigan
Malthus - led by Tate
AT: Consult CPs - led by Vinson/Jacobs
Impacts File - led by Dale
NGOs - led by Risen

We learned a few things in this wave:

(1) Deutsch does believe that South Africa has nuclear weapons. ADale has the email to prove it.
(2) Tate believes that the Malthus is as terrible as she initially thought.
(3) Georgi believes library time = nap time.
(4) Ironies of all ironies - the Fitz group appeared to be "wheels" off - yes, the horrible, awful pun about wheels (wheelchair) was intended.
(5) None of the 5 week kiddos remembered how to use the library scanning services despite the lecture they had week one.
(6) The new cafe' that serves Starbucks coffee in the basement continues to greatly improve the quality of life of the faculty members.
(7) Adler should never buy a $12 umbrella in the midst of a rainstorm.
(8) The library apparently believes that pints of ice cream are approved "snacks" to be eaten in the building - ask Joe Lance.

Also, Tate will concede to Mapes...although Tate may have had more cards in the file, she had two unfair advantages - a laundry list of cites and the one cite she gave to Mapes ended up not having very many cards. Very worthy opponent!

Tara

Practice Debates Continue

In one of the many practice debates that have occurred, Landsman and Elwell (neg) have taken on Locke and Hobaugh. (aff)

















Later, Casey Harrigan lectured a group on Negative Framework.



Miami Debate Institute attendees left the lecture satisfied!

Tate challenges Mapes

Hey Mapes --

I publically challenge you to have more cards in the Malthus file than I do. Rules are that the cards have to be of high quality, you can't utilize backfiles and you should still try to get some sleep...I don't want to be responsible for any overexhaustion. I still plan on getting sleep.

Do you accept this public challenge? How awful to be publicly humiliated by an old, old woman...

Tara

New Practice Debate Pairings

Here.

Alexis Shklar (Glenview, IL) is being silly right before lecture.

Goodbye to the Redhawk!

Checkout was today for the Redhawk. It was sad to say goodbye! Please email if you need anything at all and we'll see you this fall and next summer at camp. Some pictures at checkout...

Broomball

In the first athletic event in a week where a staff member didn't seriously injure themselves (we love you Dan and Omar...) the Scholars played some broomball today, it was fun I hear. Some pics!

k thx
Sarah

Debate for the Ages! (or is it Aged?!?)

To all those ships out there at sea...

In a blazing fast demo debate, Aimi Hamraie and Eli Jacobs defended a repeal of the Gag Rule for Sub-Saharan Africa. Avery Dale and Aaron Vinson negated advancing a number of arguments including a China CP that also included a number of other planks (arrrrg), the net benefits were a K of the term Sub-Saharan Africa, China Soft Power DA, Spending, and some other jive. There was some debate as to Eli had ever seen a condom, this remained unresolved... The audience overwhelmingly thought the negative prevailed, especially because of the unextended Israel DA or perhaps they won on jokes alone...

Some photographic evidence.

kisses
Sarah

Shaheen and Molinaro Win Three Week Tournament!

Congrats to Scott and Matt for winning the three week tournament. They defeated the worthy opponents of Chris Mair and Delaney Gatz on a 2-1 decision with Ed Lee Dissenting. Congrats to both team for a very good debate. Also, it's worth nothing that 3 of the 4 participants in the final debate were from Ohio, awesome. Here are some pics!