University of Rochester Debate Union

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University of Rochester Debate Union

The University of Rochester Debate Union is an intercollegiate team that competes in CEDA, ADA, NDT, Civic, and Worlds Parliamentary debate competitions.

We meet every Monday @ 6pm in Dewey 1204 The University of Rochester Debate Union is an intercollegiate club that competes at CEDA, ADA, NDT, and Worlds Parliamentary debate sanctioned debate tournaments regionally, nationally, and internationally. Unlike many similar programs throughout the nation, our squad focuses on bringing new people into the activity. No previous experience is needed all you need is the desire to learn how to argue and win. Debaters gain the opportunity to travel with the team to other college campuses such as Cornell University, New York University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Harvard University, United States Military Academy at West Point, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Vermont, Binghamton University, and Northwestern. We engage in competitive discussion of including topics as far ranging from current geopolitical climate, domestic political reactions, the philosophical undertones of policymaking, individual and group rights, and the scientific basis upon which decisions are evaluated.

09/19/2026

Liam and Haleigh won a round this afternoon at Haleigh's first college tournament and Liam's first tournament period! Congrats!

09/10/2026

The UR Debate Union welcomes our newest contingent of Civic debaters! Let's go yellowjackets!

04/05/2026

Emily and Gaurav will be debating in the novice break at CEDA!!!

Please send energy!!!

03/26/2026

No, we didn’t go to Worlds a year too early, this was just the Ottowa IV. Despite the cold we braved our way up north and were rewarded with a fantastic tournament, with great organizers, yummy food, and only a bit of snow. We can’t wait to come back in December to compete again - until then, thanks for having us!!

03/25/2026

Congrats to our SJD contingent for their outstanding showing at the Morehouse Championships!!! Erin, Monica, and Nicole ALL broke to quarterfinals 👏 👏 👏 And peep us with our friends from AND Gilda Daniels, the topic scholar for this year!

03/18/2026

Our last tournament from 2025 was also our first of 2026, the BP World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria!! This was an incredible opportunity to travel across the world, and debate and judge with students from universities we never would get to compete with otherwise. We were sleep deprived, often hungry, but always in awe of the experience. Can’t wait to tackle WUDC again next year, only four hours from Rochester, in Ottowa!!!!

03/14/2026

Seniors Erin, Monica, and Nicole have reached Quarterfinals at their last Social Justice Debates National Championship!!! Send them some supportive energy as we take on UVM!

02/26/2026

Love and appreciation to the Suffolk squad for hosting the Northeast Regional Championships this year! The URDU had a wonderful time competing in the novice and Spanish divisions!

The team brought home 3 speaker awards!
Justin Carrero, competing at his tournament ever, received the 10th place speaker award in the Spanish division!
Gaurav Barve, at his second tournament, received 9th place in the novice division.
Emily Cook received 7th place and was killing it in speaks!

The gang had a great time competing and learning. We are looking forward to the last few tourneys of the Spring.

02/16/2026

Policy had a great time at the Gotham Debates at The New School. Despite the cold, we saw the sights, and some great wins! Congrats to:

Rochester MJ (Aisha and Faith) for debating up and going 3-3 in open!

Rochester BC (Gaurav and Emily) for going 4-1, making them third seed, to Gaurav, who did great at his first tournament ever, and to Emily, for being 8th speaker in the novice pool!

Rochester PZ (Gia and Diana) for jumping in at the last moment at their first tournament ever in the novice pool!

Rochester AV (Douglas and Riya) for both jumping in headfirst, but also Riya for trying a new format in the novice pool!

And shoutout to Rochester OR (Lara and Ashaz) for putting on their judging/coaching hats and helping out this weekend. The students become the teachers!

We're so proud of all our teams, especially those who gave policy a try for the first time this weekend. Thank you Vik Keenan and The New School for hosting!

02/06/2026

Another amazing tournament from last semester, USUDC @ UPenn! This was such an awesome and high level tournament to attend, from getting to check out the city of Philadelphia, to competing against so many incredible talented schools, to eating delicious ice cream to celebrate Faith and Carter breaking in at outstanding 12th place at one of the most prestigious tournaments in the nation, and ending the weekend as quarterfinalists. Congratulations to them!!

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Rochester, NY

Website

http://rochester.edu/debate

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