Event Policies
The John R. Park Debate Society hosts several events on campus each year. Some of these events are public but are regulated by policies that govern participant's and non-participant's access to and conduct during these events. Events governed by these policies include, but are not limited, to:
- Beehive Bonanza Annual High School Tournament
- Refugee Debate League Events
- Great Salt Lake Annual Collegiate Tournament
- Utah High School Tournament of Excellence (UTE)
- Beehive Forensics High School Institute (BFI)
Additional events may be held with partner organizations which are subject both to University of Utah/John R. Park Debate Society policies, as well as policies established by partner organizations.
Policies governing University of Utah Events
University of Utah Youth Protection Protocols - To judge at any event involving minor participants, all individuals who are unaffiliated with participating schools will need to have completed a Youth Protection Training.
John R. Park Debate Society Campus Use Agreement - All schools/individuals participating in the Beehive Bonanza, the U.T.E., and the BFI must submit a Campus Use Agreement. This document can be found in the tournament invitation for the Bonanza and the U.T.E. and in the registration materials for BFI.
John R. Park Debate Society/University of Utah Press Credentials - The University issues credentials only to an accredited agency (the “Agency”) solely to provide access to a representative of the Agency (the “Representative”) for a legitimate working function (media or event service) in connection with specific events (the “Event”). Each credentialed media member must be working on a specific assignment for a legitimate news organization. For coverage inquiries related to the John R. Park Debate Society, or to request credentials, please contact the Director of Forensics.
John R. Park Debate Society Academic Research Policy – Individuals wishing to engage in academic research associated with one of the John R. Park Debate Society Events must obtain appropriate IRB approval from the University of Utah before any research begins. IRB approval and verification must be presented to the Director of Forensics at least 15 days before the start date of the event.
Policies Governing Partner Events
The University of Utah is pleased to have been selected by the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) to host its 2024 National Championship Tournament. In addition to the policies above, the NPDA requires all participants (observers, faculty, students, etc.) abide by the following policies and procedures. Questions about these procedures should be directed to NPDA President, Ashley Nuckels-Cuevas (San Diego State University) via email: anuckelscuevas@sdsu.edu.
Title IX Verification – All participants (students, judges, coaches, and spectators) must have completed an NPDA-approved Title IX training to attend any NPDA-sanctioned event.
Critic Certification Form – For the NPDA National Championship, all judges must be included on a NPDA Critic Certification Form and sponsored by an institution or the tournament as a hired judge.
Program Responsibility Form – For the NPDA National Championship Tournament, all institutions must submit a NPDA Program Responsibility Form, which extends to all students, judges, coaches, and spectators accompanying that institution. If an individual has a history of violent or disruptive conduct, they may be denied access to or removed from campus at the discretion of either tournament staff or representatives of the University of Utah.