VHSL Debate |
Page Last Updated: 05/08/2008 GENERAL INFORMATION
Limited
use of laptop now formally allowed in VHSL debate On Mar. 8, 2006, the VHSL Executive Committee
consented to the following policy manual addition: “Any student who opts to use a laptop in
Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, or Student Congress debate competition must
provide his or her own laptop and is not allowed connectivity to other
computers, persons, or the Internet. The
penalty for students found using connectivity will be immediate
disqualification from the tournament and forfeiture of all rounds.
Use is limited to the taking of notes and for the retrieval of
evidence that the student has pre-written and stored on the laptop.
Students are also responsible for their own battery and power;
tournaments are not responsible for providing outlets.” This policy is in effect immediately. At the start of the first round of every
tournament (Classic Policy, Contemporary Policy, Lincoln-Douglas and
Student Congress), judges should read aloud the policy as it is written
and confirm that all students understand it.
While students are, for the most part, on their honor to abide by
the rules, judges can and should monitor students’ use of the laptops,
preferably sitting behind their students who are using them so that it is
easy for them to see the screen. At
any time, the judge may inspect the computer if a violation is suspected. If a judge suspects a violation, (s)he should
physically inspect the laptop, make note of the reasons (s)he feels there
is a violation (including the type of program or application that was
being used during the violation), judge and score the round without regard
to the suspected violation, and submit the tabulation and critique sheets
to the tab room director along with his/her protest.
Final determination of disqualification will be made by the
tournament director (VHSL assistant director if at state) who may consult
with a rules committee after performing an investigation.
If the director calls for disqualification, ranks will be adjusted
accordingly and coaches will be notified immediately. Voluntary participation in VHSL debate
constitutes agreement to these rules, policies and guidelines on the part
of all participants. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES The Virginia High School League has not assessed the quality, integrity and/or self-promotional claims of the institutes contained in this listing. Inclusion of the institute in this directory does not imply endorsement of these programs by the VHSL.
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