Oregon Debate Institute 2014
August 1st – August 17th
Here are a few reasons why you should spend your summer working with us
Short form reasons to prefer the ODI
A Heritage of

Debate Excellence

Debate Team at UO
Established in 1876

Creator of the
“Oregon style”
Debate, still practiced
across the globe
Helped fund the
fledging UO football
team
2009 National
Champions NPDA
2011 National
Champions NPDA and
NPTE


Quality Faculty – We bring in not just top high school and college, but we source experts in the field
who are among the top in the nation
Comprehensive Curriculum - inclusive of all arguments and styles. At the ODI we pledge diversity of
arguments and argument styles.
Instruction for All Levels – We are committed to all levels of instructor from students who are just
beginning their debate path, to competitors trying to achieve the highest goals, whether it’s the TOC
or NFL Nationals.
Student-Staff Ratio – ODI focuses on interaction with experts. The best way that connections are
made is in small groups. We have consistently made a pledge of a ratios never higher than 8:1, with a
goal of 6:1
A Fun, Safe Environment – The Global Scholars Hall will be the site of the ODI, which provides luxury,
security and convenience to debaters.
Long Form reasons to prefer the ODI
The principles of the Oregon Debate Institute are simple. We make a commitment to each debater to help build
and mold them into the type of debater that they want to become. Here at the ODI, we have the benefit of
utilizing EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF STUDY, not just people who have researched the topic for a month or two. At
the ODI, what distinguishes and sets us apart from other institutes is the focus on synthesizing information.
Director of Forensics, Dr. Trond Jacobson, has made it his life calling to understand information.
Why should debaters attend the ODI?
1) To get better. In that regard, we have assembled some of the best staff in the nation. We have university
professors lecturing on their particular field of expertise. In addition to that perk, like other institutes, we have
successful debaters and national champion coaches in the mix.
2) To be a part of a cutting edge live/work environment. Students will be housed at the Global Scholars Hall,
which is one of the flagship dormitories, not just on campus, but in the nation. Students will live in luxurious
accommodations, as well as getting instruction in high tech lecture spaces, with whiteboards, document
cameras, and wireless access. Leisure time will include separate social areas on every floor with large flat
screens, kitchen areas for epicureans, or ping pong and pool areas for gamers.
3) Staff/Student Ratio. Other places advertise a lot of big names that only a select few actually get to work with.
At the ODI, the entire staff is available to help you achieve the goal of improving your debate skills.
Oregon Debate Institute is where champions are
nurtured to excellence!
Robert D. Clark Honors College
119 Chapman Hall
1293 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
Questions? Email us at UODebate@gmail.com
Check out our new, developing website for updates!
Duxdebate.wordpress.com
At the Global Scholars Hall, we blend instruction with the cutting edge technology

Newest dorm on campus. Rooms are extremely spacious doubles, or triple suites, all with individual bathrooms.

Learning Commons including presentation practice rooms with multimedia technology, study carrels, and five multipurpose
classrooms

Full-time, on-site librarian and resident faculty scholar to direct the hall’s academic programs and provide curriculum leadership
Debaters. Researchers. Leaders.
The University of Oregon Way.
Why should Parents/Guardians/Family recommend the ODI?
1) Safety. We will be housed in the Global Scholars Hall. To get into the building you need key card access. There is
a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week staffed front desk. To get to the rooms, there is another secured access point that
only residents will have key card access to. Men and women will be housed on separate floors, with resident
advisors on each floor.
2) We build leaders. We obviously love debate, but eventually it ends. Our job at the ODI is not to just create good
debaters, but to create and prepare future leaders. We focus on the presentational aspect of debate, a skill that
carries over to the classroom. The same idea flows with the understanding of information. We teach skills that are
valuable for a lifetime of inquiry.
3) We build Scholars. Students will have the ability to learn cutting edge techniques in education and debate from
some of the best coaches, debaters, and professors in the country.
.
Why should Coaches recommend the ODI?
1) We are responsible stewards for debate. While there are many good places to send debaters, the University of Oregon
cares about debate and debaters. From the free weekend novice workshops we put on during the year, to our low cost
debate tournaments we run during the year, we strive to improve the quality of debate by providing quality instruction.
2) We are former and current Director of Forensics and High School Debate Coaches. Some camps like to advertise the
success of the instructors. We do too! The difference for the ODI is that we ALSO have successful coaches. On staff, we
have the field coaches who have directly coached students to success at the state, regional and national level. From the
state tournaments of WA, OR and CA to Berkeley, Stanford, the TOC, NFL/CFL Nationals, we have the blueprint.
3) We teach them to coach themselves! We know with a big team it is impossible to coach everyone effectively all the
time. The benefit of sending them to the ODI is that we provide them with the skills to be independent, and continue the
process of improving in debate. At the ODI, there is a focus on teaching them the HOW and the WHY of debate, what
arguments can be utilized on multiple topics, and understanding how to create argument WITHOUT having to rely on
evidence.
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