Forensics at APU

Squad Policies and Procedures

PART ONE: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

With an overarching goal towards advancing Christian principles and ideals, APU forensics strives to develop each student\'s full potential as a self-confident, organized, critically aware public speaker capable of competent self presentation of original or interpretive concepts and/or material in public or private settings, and to represent Azusa Pacific University in the intercollegiate speech community in the highest manner possible.
The coaching staff at Azusa Pacific University firmly believes that competing in speech and debate can be one of the most life-changing event in a person’s life. We believe that the skills necessary to succeed at this activity impact multiple aspects of a person’s life and that this competition will change your life for the better. In an effort to achieve this goal, the following squad policies are in effect.

PART TWO: BEHAVIORAL GUIDELINES

PREAMBLE: It should go without saying that forensic activities are an extension of the APU campus life meaning that all campus rules and expectations apply at tournaments. Taking part in inappropriate activities while at tournaments is an excellent way to be invited to leave forensics. No individuals are so important to the squad that they are above the rules. The Director of Forensics WILL NOT and cannot allow the activity itself to be endangered by the irresponsible actions of a few. No single person is so important that this does not apply to her/him.

DEALING WITH TEAM MEMBERS: Not everybody will be close friends with everybody else on the team. This, however, does not excuse inappropriate behavior from one person to another. Matthew 18 outlines how to deal with people who do not do what you believe they should, and in this context, we believe that the following is in order. First, confront the person individually. Second, find a member of the coaching staff. If this does not solve the issue, the DOF will be asked to mediate as he sees fit. This means that mature Christianity confronts the issue head-on and does not resort to name-calling, gossiping, or being overly critical. Jesus called us to love one another. Behaviors that do not show Christ-like behavior are not appropriate.

DEALING WITH COACHES: Each member of the coaching staff has a great deal to offer students. It is always inappropriate to disrespect these people who are working very hard to ensure your success. None of the assistant coaches is compensated nearly enough for the time that each of them puts into this activity.

As a result, you are to ALWAYS make any coaching appointments that you schedule. If you cannot make it, you must alert that coach 24 hours in advance of your miss. The first miss is a warning and the second miss will cause removal from the APU Forensics team and loss of any applicable scholarship for the semester.

Finally, disrespect directed toward the coaching staff is NEVER acceptable. By simple virtue of their position, each coach on this team deserves the respect of each student. The Apostle Paul reminds each of us to respect those in authority over us and that should be practiced and behaved on this competitive team. Some coaches have strengths in areas that others may not, but that does not invalidate their expertise. Certain acts of disrespect may result in immediate dismissal from the forensics team.

DEALING WITH BEHAVIORS: While representing APU by attending and/or participating in a tournament, each member of the APU Speech and Debate Team will be expected to subscribe to the following standards of conduct:

• ALCOHOL – The use of alcohol at tournaments is not permitted. Squad members who possess, distribute, and/or use alcohol while attending a tournament will be subject to suspension or expulsion from the forensics team. Traveling to and from tournaments and competing at tournaments is not an appropriate time to drink.
• NARCOTICS – Unless prescribed by a doctor, the use of any narcotics at tournaments is not permitted. Students who possess, distribute, and/or use narcotic or any type of controlled substance will be subject to suspension and/or expulsion from the forensics team. Cold medications and/or aspirin are not to be considered a narcotic and are acceptable medicines.

CHRISTIAN WITNESS: As a traveling team for a Christian University, we should strive to uphold the values set forth by Christ Jesus. I am not only speaking of obeying the school rules, but of going the extra mile. Be the most supportive audience members you can possibly be. Always be willing to help others or encourage them when they could use encouragement. Make sure that your speeches are edifying, and not objectionable. Support other team members at all times.

PART THREE: ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS

Pursuit of academic excellence must be the number one priority of each team member. You are at Azusa Pacific University to receive an education. Intercollegiate forensics is a co-curricular activity of Azusa Pacific University and is designed to complement curricular activities by enhancing students\' skills in research, writing, speaking, and reasoning. Forensics is part of that education, but it can never supplant that education.

A minimum 2.75 overall GPA is required for participation in forensics. Any student falling below this minimum GPA will be placed on probation for one semester. Probation will be removed by raising the overall GPA to a 2.75 or higher. Unless the probation is removed in the following semester, a student will not be allowed to travel unless that semester\'s GPA is 3.0 or higher.

Forensics is an official school activity and the Provost excuses required absences. Attending certain tournaments may require you to miss scheduled class meetings or assignments. Most professors are agreeable to making special arrangements with advance notice since this is an official school approved academic activity. However, it is up to individual students to make arrangements necessary to complete assignments prior to the tournament.

PART FOUR: COMPETITIVE EXPECTATIONS

TOURNAMENT COMMITMENT: All team members who are on scholarship are required to help at events hosted on APU’s campus and attend four tournament events per semester. Not every team member is eligible to compete in every tournament, so students should clearly communicate which optional tournaments they wish to attend early in the semester.

TOURNAMENT ELIGIBILITY: Some tournaments have different events and levels of competition. Also, budgetary restraints, transportation and judging availability require selective decisions be made for most tournaments. Do not just assume that you will be competing in a tournament. Verify each tournament entry with the DOF.

SPECIFIC TOURNAMENT ENTRIES: The Director of Forensics (DOF) will prepare each tournament entry based in part on the above student commitments. Since most entries will be submitted up to a week before the tournament, students must make sure to alert the DOF more than a week in advance of any change in availability or event preference.

TOURNAMENT NO SHOWS: If a student fails to alert the DOF that they will not attend a given tournament or compete in a given event prior to the deadline for entry changes that student will be responsible for paying the applicable entry, judging and penalty fees charged to the school. Repeated no shows will jeopardize the student’s squad standing and scholarship.

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY: Every member of the squad is required to have each event in which they are competing coached every week. Failure to have an event coach will jeopardize the student’s opportunity to compete at tournament.

• Individual Events Only Competitors - To be eligible to compete, each competitor must have at least three prepared events for local and regional tournaments, and four for travel/national tournaments. For both debaters and IE only students, EACH event must be approved by a member of the coaching staff.
• Debater and IE Competitiors - In order to be eligible to compete in a given tournament each debater must have been attending the weekly meetings, performed adequately in practice debates, kept current with research assignments, and have completed their own individual file. Each debater must also be prepared to compete in two individual events for local and regional tournament and three for travel/national tournaments before they can travel.
• First Year Competitors - Novice requirements will be discussed individually, but typically will be one event for the first local tournament and two events for the second and subsequent. Debaters may attend the first tournament in debate only, but will be expected to add an individual event by the second tournament.

PART FIVE: MISCELLANEOUS

NOTE ON LEGALISM: The Bible seems to speak fairly clearly against legalism, and therefore, none of these rules should be interpreted legalistically. However, only in extreme circumstances will exceptions be made, and when granted, they will granted by the Director of Forensics. Some exceptions will be explained, most will not.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Scholarships can be taken back if student commitments are not upheld. Scholarship amounts are NEVER to be discussed with other students. Only the DOF knows each student\'s unique needs and abilities.

PART SIX: CONTACT INFORMATION

If you believe as we do that Forensics offers you life-changing skills and training to speak to a lost and dying world, and want to develop yourself to give reasons for the hope that lies within you and present yourself in a way that is seasoned with salt, then please contact Amy Jung, the Director of Forensics at (626) 815-6000 x. 3716 or ajung@apu.edu.