On behalf of the International Public Debate Association, we invite you to participate in the inaugural IPDA Online Debate Tournament held on January 21, 2012.  This tournament will feature a program versus program format using a computer mediated modality.  A program may choose different students for each round if they choose.  The debate will offer four preliminary rounds of IPDA-style competition.  Entry fees are being covered by the IPDA and entries will be limited to the first 16 programs to enter; the tournament will break to semi-finals.

The 2012 tournament offering is considered an exhibition only and will not affect IPDA standings nor will it count towards eligibility requirements for the Novice Division (the Executive Committee has agreed to consider this an exhibition not counting as a “tournament” for eligibility purposes).  Eligibility requirements will follow the standard for the Varsity division competition.  Please note that we are hoping to not only validate the concept of an annual Skype Debate but be able to record and archive the highest level of competitive rounds as training tools for new programs and debaters.

Entries may be made beginning at 10:00 a.m. CST on Monday, January 9, 2012.  All entries must be received via email to tournament@ipdadebate.info no later than Friday, January 13, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. CST.  Again, this field is limited to the 16 programs on a “first come, first served” basis.

The complete invitation can be found on the "schedule and invitations" page.

The invitation for the University of Central Arkansas' spring tournament has been added to the schedule and invitations page.