Presented by the Stanford Union and Stanford Debate.
Thanks to the Office of Student Activities and the Vice Provost's Office for their financial and administrative support.

Resolutions and Speakers for Fall 1998

October 8, 1998
Resolved: that pre-professionalism contradicts the obligations of a University.
 Speakers:

Government           Opposition
Erik F.X. Benson     David Gamage
Amer Ahmad          Jon Dunn
 

October 15, 1998
 Resolved: that in America, technology is developing too quickly for our own good.
 Speakers:

Government          Opposition
Erik F.X. Benson   Kelly Bayer
Amer Ahmed        Arijit Sengupta
 

October 22, 1998
 Resolved: that economic progress should be considered before environmental preservation.
 Speakers:

Government                                                                               Opposition
Erik F.X. Benson, NPDA Captain/Education, Stanford Debate    Laura Brown, Secretary, Stanford Debate
Michael Toth, Editor, Stanford Review                                       Lauren O'Brien, Students for Environmental
                                                                                                                                                           Action at Stanford

October 28, 1998
  Resolved: that at Stanford, computing has replaced conversation.
 Speakers:

Government                                                   Opposition
Mariam Ali                                                     Arijit Sengupta
Alex Turkeltaub                                              Laura Brown
 

November 5, 1998
 Resolved: that Western Civilization should inspire more shame than pride.
 Speakers:

Government
Arijit Sengupta

Also Debating
Michael Toth
Mariam Ali
 

November 12, 1998
 Resolved: that American races are reaching a stable equality.
 Speakers:
 

November 19, 1998
Resolved: that the Constitution is outdated.
 Speakers:

Government
Erik F.X. Benson

Also Debating
Martin Zemitis

About the Public Debate Series

The White Plaza Public Debate Series brings  community conversation into the open air.  Its purpose is twofold: first, to encourage open discussion of topics that bridge common dialogue at Stanford; and second, to bring to the aesthetic tradition of rhetoric to the external campus setting ? with all its academic and entertainment value.  Debates are lively, informed, and involve speakers from all branches of the Stanford community as well as gallery participation.  In democratic spirit, the floor is opened for speech and debates are judged by a voice vote of the audience.
 

Format of the Debates

Debates follow a modified American Parliamentary style.  Audience members may ask questions from the floor at any time.

Prime Minister  (Stanford Debate member)
 5 mins.
Leader of Opposition (community member)
 6 mins.
Member of Government (Stanford Debate)
 6 mins.
Member of Opposition (community)
 6 mins.
Floor Speeches
 2 mins.  10 at most.
Leader of Opposition Rebuttal
 3 mins.
Prime Minister Rebuttal
 4 mins.
Gallery voice vote
 

Officers

Address all enquiries to:
Project Director:
Erik Campano
576 Alvarado Row
Stanford, CA 94305
650-497-9580
 campano@leland.stanford.edu

Stanford Debate:
President:
 Alex Turkeltaub
Secretary:
 Laura Brown
Captains:
 Erik Benson, David Gamage

Stanford Union:
General Secretary (temporary):
 Erik Campano
 

Directions to White Plaza

When you enter the campus on University Avenue, turn a left when you get to Campus Drive.  Follow Campus Drive around the campus until you make a right onto Mayfield Avenue.  Follow Mayfield Avenue until you reach a large parking lot on your right, across from the Florence Moore dormitory complex.  There is metered parking available there, and White Plaza is located at the end of the parking lot. The debaters will be positioned at "The Birdcage", which is behind the far side of Dinkelspiel Auditorium.