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SKILLS QUESTIONS
The questions and answers specific to policy debate are set off in [brackets].
I’ve never debated before. Is the HDI right for me?
We are equipped to work with all levels of debaters. You may have to ask more questions and watch a video or a movie, but you will be far ahead of the other kids who will join your debate team at the same time you do.
[I'm a JV policy debater. I could learn a lot at a three-week workshop. Why should I choose the HDI?
Because the HDI focus on skills development will make you a much better debater. In 2007, Gulliver and Pine Crest were the only teams from Florida to make it to the quarters of the TOC. The coaches of both those teams are the co-directors of the HDI. Additionally, the HDI pre-dates many of the other workshops, so you can attend the HDI before you go to your three-week workshop of choice.]
Will I get a lot of evidence out of this workshop?
No. That's not how we do things. We think the "evidence production" workshop model is obsolete and counterproductive. We will focus on skills development. [Besides, you can get a lot of the evidence you need for the beginning of the year from the National Debate Coaches' Association Open Evidence Project website. We will teach you how to research efficiently to supplement that material.]
[Will you guarantee that I will become a really fast debater?
We could, but then we'd be lying. Some people are naturally faster than others. We will teach you the exercises necessary to become faster, but it's up to you to commit to those exercises. We will emphasize quickness and efficiency.
If we followed the techniques of this famous Japanese policy debate coach, we would guarantee that you would not only become faster, but also flawless in your delivery. However, his methods do not fall in line with our philosophy (amongst other things).]
So what am I getting out of this workshop?
[You will get a 1AC with extensions. You will get a flexible negative strategy against that 1AC. More importantly, we will teach you the mechanics of debating.] You will get the knowledge of knowing how. We will teach you how to research efficiently. We will teach you how to craft smart cases. We will teach you how to refute them too. We will teach you how to debate.
In short, it's our belief that teaching PROCESS is the most important factor in determining a debater's immediate path to competitive success. Content will come. However, process puts everything into perspective.
TRAVEL LOGISTICS
I’m flying to South Florida. How do I get to campus?
We would prefer that you fly into MIA as FLL is 45 minutes away from campus. We advise that you take a Super Shuttle from MIA to Pearson Residential College at the University of Miami. The physical address is:
Pearson Residential College
5185 Ponce De Leon Blvd.
Coral Gables, FL 33146
If you expect to receive mail, just add your room number at the end of the street address.
You should also take the Super Shuttle from Pearson to MIA when you leave.
Students may arrive and check in on Sunday, June 7. Students should arrange for their plane flights to land at MIA some time after 12 noon and before 6:00pm on Sunday, June 7. Please email your flight information to both the HDI Director, David Steinberg (dave@miami.edu) and the HDI website director (hurricanedebateinstitute@gmail.com) so we can track your arrival times.
I'm driving my own car to the institute. Can I use it during the workshops?
No.
You (the student) may drive yourself to the institute. However, due to liability issues, we can’t allow you to use it during the institute. We must have possession of your car keys during the institute.
No one will use your vehicle during the institute.
How do I get to Pearson Residential College?
...from the north using US1...
...take a right on Stanford Dr. Cross the stoplight at Ponce de Leon. Pass the guard gate. Take the next available right turn. The Mahoney/Pearson building will be on your right. The entrance on the LEFT is Pearson.
...from the south using US1...
...take a left on Stanford Dr. Cross the stoplight at Ponce de Leon. Pass the guard gate. Take the next available right turn. The Mahoney/Pearson building will be on your right. The entrance on the LEFT is Pearson.
My son/daughter is a commuter. How do I get to the School of Communication to drop off/pick up my child?
…from the NORTH using US-1
Follow US-1/S. DIXIE HWY until Granada Blvd.
Turn Right on Granada Blvd
Turn Left on Pisano Ave (first left after Ponce de Leon Blvd.)
Take the 2nd entry left (across from Doctor’s Hospital) after stop sign. The four-story Wolfson Communication Building will be in front of you.
…from the SOUTH using US-1
From US-1/S. DIXIE HWY until Granada Blvd.
Turn Left on Granada Blvd
Turn Left on Pisano Ave (first left after Ponce de Leon Blvd.)
Take the 2nd entry left (across from Doctor’s Hospital) after stop sign. The four-story Wolfson Communication Building will be in front of you.
…from I-95
Follow I-95 South until it merges with US-1/S. Dixie Hwy and continue South
Turn Right on Granada Blvd
Turn Left on Pisano Ave (first left after Ponce de Leon Blvd.)
Take the 2nd entry left (across from Doctor’s Hospital) after stop sign. The four-story Wolfson Communication Building will be in front of you.
…from the TURNPIKE
Follow Turnpike to I-95/Miami exit (left side of the fork)
Follow I-95 South until it merges with US-1/S. Dixie Hwy and continue South
Turn Right on Granada Blvd
Turn Left on Pisano Ave (first left after Ponce de Leon Blvd.)
Take the 2nd entry left (across from Doctor’s Hospital) after stop sign. The four-story Wolfson Communication Building will be in front of you.
….from WEST BROWARD/I-75
Follow I-75 south to SR-826 South (last exit before the end of I-75)
Take SR-836 East exit
Take LeJeune Rd. South exit.
Turn Right on Bird Rd.
Turn Left on University Dr. (stoplight right after Granada Blvd.)
Turn Right on Pisano Ave (at the stop sign after passing Doctor's Hospital appearing on the right)
Take the 2nd entry left (across from Doctor’s Hospital). The four-story Wolfson Communication Building will be in front of you.
RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE ISSUES
In what dorm will I be staying?
It’s not a dorm. It’s a residential college. You will be staying in the Pearson Residential College. The rooms come with some good stuff!
What is a “Residential College?”
It’s what another college or university would call a “dorm.”
The University of Miami adopted the Residential College system over 25 years ago to model the British university residence system, where the “dormitory” would also house professors who would also interact and assist students when necessary.
What if I requested a roommate?
You better hope they requested you too, or else you'll be rooming with someone you've never met before.
What do I need to bring with me?
Great question. Here’s the breakdown.
Debate Supplies:
Pens
Single-subject notebook (for notes)
Highlighters (must include yellow)
One expandable folder (preferably with 1-31 pockets)
Laptop computer (optional)
USB drive (optional, but highly suggested)
Dorm:
Single Bed Sheets - Extended Length Twin
Blanket(s)
Pillow(s)
Towels/washcloths
Alarm Clock(s)
Proper Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, deodorant, etc.
Sandals - for shower/beach
Sunglasses/shades, or whatever you call them
Umbrella – the clouds may open up once in a while…
Entertainment (optional):
TV (75 channels on UM TV)
Cable
DVD player
Stereo/iPod (bring headphones)
Extra cash
Clothes:
Bring enough clothes for a week, plan on doing laundry on Sunday morning or evening.
Some laundry detergent and dryer sheets
Do the washing machines and dryers take dollar bills?
No. They don’t take quarters either. They’re free. Just throw in the dirty laundry, then the detergent, then hit “start,” then wait until the machine has finished. Then throw the wet laundry into the dryer, hit “start” again, then wait again. Sweet, huh? Laundry just got a whole lot easier!
Are the residential colleges air-conditioned?
This is Miami. We couldn’t survive without it!
When do we have to be in bed?
Sleep during a packed summer institute is important, though we can understand your excitement staying in a college dorm room, especially at the University of Miami. Students must be on their own assigned floor by 10pm. If you are not inside by then, expect work detail on Saturday morning. Additionally, we will have nightly room checks at 11:05pm.
Are the dorms safe?
As a former RA in the Residential College system at the University of Miami, I can assure you that the safety of the residents is the top priority of the students, staff, and professionals who run each of the residential living spaces on campus. Access to the wings where the rooms are located can only be gained through a security card assigned to each resident.
Additionally, the front desks are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Resident Assistants are also assigned to the wings and will monitor floor activities after 5pm daily. There is also a full-time professional Residence Coordinator on duty every day for emergencies. On top of that, the University of Miami has its own Police Department and also operates 24/7.
What if I get sick?
The Student Health Center is right across the street from Pearson. If the condition becomes serious, your parents will have to withdraw you. (Sorry, no refunds. That procedure is standard at any workshop as costs per student are fixed.)
Can I smoke pot, do drugs, drink alcohol, inflict physical or mental harm on others, and/or perform illegal activities?
Absolutely not. If the RA, any Residential College staff, or employee of the HDI catches you committing a crime, we will expel you from the institute and expect you to leave or have your parents pick you up within 24 hours of the infraction.
Residents are expected to follow the rules and regulations both of the Department of Residence Halls and of the HDI.
Can I have visitors over?
Due to safety concerns, we cannot allow visitors in the residential college during the institute. Students may be signed out of the institute during meals by a parent/guardian with 24 hours notice or on Saturday/Sunday during the time when no lab is scheduled.
OTHER CONCERNS
Do I need to have a laptop with me?
No, but it would help. Most institute students bring their laptops with them, and it’s a convenient way of taking notes and flowing debates. If you don't already have a flowing template for your laptop, you can download one here. During lectures, staff members will be checking to see that you’re not on a facebook or on a twitter page, or otherwise distracted.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a laptop. The institute program coordinators all favor flowing with pen and paper anyway. It’s always the best way to learn. Additionally, having a one-subject notebook (or one of those science lab composition books) is a great way of keeping all your notes in one place.
I’m a practicing (____insert religious preference here____)? Can I meet my religious needs while at the HDI?
The HDI staff will make every effort to ensure that students’ particular religious needs are met. This may require special parental permission to allow a senior staff member to drive student(s) to a particular place of worship. Just email any religious needs to hurricanedebateinstitute@gmail.com.
Will the institute be all work and no play?
It’ll be mostly work and a little play. In these tough economic times, we want to provide you with the most for your money… but yeah, there will be some time to play. What other debate institute provides an afternoon on South Beach or an evening in Coconut Grove? On the other hand, we could take you bowling instead, if that’s what you really want…
I have physical disabilities. Will the institute meet my needs?
The HDI will comply with any and all requirements for accommodation. Parents must make the institute director (dave@miami.edu) aware of such student disabilities prior to the beginning of the institute.
YOU MISSED SOMETHING. I have a question that this page fails to answer. Where can I get it?
No problem. Send an email to hurricanedebateinstitute@gmail.com, and you'll get a reply shortly.
