The Public Debate Squad is an on-campus representation of the UF Speech and Debate Team. It hosts several debates focused on a myriad of diverse, relevant topics. All of the debates take place on the University of Florida campus to engage the rest of the team, the student body, and members of the local community. The squad utilizes multiple types of debate styles that can vary on a debate-to-debate basis, including traditional 2v2 debates, 1v1 debates, audience interaction, etc.
2022-2023 Public Debate Co-Captains:
Ben Davis (davisbenjamin@ufl.edu) & Christina Salsberry (csalsberry@ufl.edu)
2021-2022 Debates:
Public Trust and Health ~ September 14
“Resolved: If the scientific community improves the way it communicates with the general public, there will be significantly less scientific skepticism in the United States.”
Bright Futures ~ July 27
“Resolved: Bright Futures should be expanded to cover the full cost of college.” This was a 2v2 debate held over the summer via Zoom! Hunter Hurley and Sophia Rappazzo were on the affirmative and Geoffrey Tacinelli and Cyrano Davis were on the negation. The audience voted for the affirmation, and the judges voted for the affirmation 2-1.
2020-2021 Debates:
Cancel Culture ~ September 10
“Resolved: ‘Cancel culture’ is a productive means of progressing society.” This was a 3v3 debate. Jianna D’Addario, Daniyah Sheikh, and Hunter Hurley argued the affirmative, while Wen Jiang, Geoffrey Tacinelli, and Elena Abbott argued the negative. The affirmative won on a 3-2.
Civics ~ September 25
“Resolved: The current Civic Literacy requirement for the state of Florida adequately prepares students for their role in society.” This was a traditional 2v2 debate featuring a panel of expert and guest judges. Hunter Hurley and Andy Shodell argued the affirmative, while Anna Wilder and Jorge Romeu argued the negative. The negative won on a 4-2.
Halloween ~ October 29
“Resolved: The mass coverage of serial killers is detrimental to society.” This was a 3v3 debate. Odine Laurenvil, Holly Smith, and Ben Davis argued the affirmative, while Nina Zaremba, Rochelle Bogle, and Rachel Lucy argued the negative. The affirmative won 4-1.
Solitary Confinement ~ November 12
“Resolved: Solitary Confinement is a violation of the eighth amendment.” This was a traditional 2v2 debate. Rachel Lucy and Daniyah Sheikh argued the affirmative, while Sabrina Guillen and Andy Shodell argued the negative. The affirmative won 5-0.
Gene Modification ~ November 19
“Resolved: Gene modification in humans before birth is ethical.” This was a 3v3 debate featuring cross examination and spontaneous rebuttals. Jabir Hossain, Kedrick McKissock, and Jorge Romeu argued the affirmative, while Kyle Moriarty, Nina Zaremba, and Ben Scarpino argued the negative. The negative won 4-1.
2019-2020 Parliamentary Debate Tournaments:
Polk State University ~ October 10-11
Four teams competed in a Novice tournament for 2 Person Parliamentary Debate: Jianna D’Addario and Elena Abbott, Megan Babin and Jabir Houssain, Wen Jiang and Alex Rong, and Geoffrey Tacinelli and Ben Scarpino. Geoffrey and Ben broke to finals and got third place!
Off-Broadway Swing ~ Dec. 7-8
Debaters Jianna D’Addario and Elena Abbott competed outside of their region in a competitive NPDA (National Parliamentary Debate Association) tournament.
2018-2019 Debates:
“Resolved: University of Florida students should not change their voter registration to be able to participate in the local, Alachua county elections.”
“Resolved: Lifetime appointments of the Supreme Court should be removed and replaced with a 65 year-old age limit.”
“Resolved: Members of Congress should be paid their regularly scheduled salary during a government shutdown.”
2017-2018 Debates:
“Resolved: The cost to students for Student Government’s budget is worthwhile to the average UF student.” The affirmative won on a 4-1
“Resolved: UF should implement Affirmative Action in the admissions process.” The negative won on a 4-1.
“Resolved: The Florida Legislature should only restore the voting rights of nonviolent felons, not violent felons.” The negative won on a 4-1.
“Resolved: Anthropologists have the responsibility to intervene respecting existing ‘harmful cultural practices’.” The affirmative won on a 3-2.
“Resolved: The United States should provide mandatory public vaccinations for contagious diseases.” The affirmative won on a 2-1.