Information on Observer and Scout Divisions at the NDT

For parties interested in watching debates who are not debating at or coaching at the NDT, there are two categories for watching debates:

Category 1: Scout

Definition: The “Scout” category is for (1) current, active students who attend a dues-paying NDT association who are not debating at the NDT (this includes students from schools that both did and did not qualify a team to the NDT) or (2) coaches/program directors at a dues-paying NDT association that did not qualify a team to the NDT

Example: Debater who attends Indiana University (a school that qualified to the NDT) and is interested in watching debates, debater who attends the University of Tulsa (a school that didn’t qualify to the NDT but is an NDT subscriber)

Entry Procedure: Schools/program administrators are responsible for entering Scouts directly in Tabroom under the “Scout” category

Scouts must:

(1)    Attend the “Observer Orientation Program”

(2)    Fulfill scouting duties as directed by the Scouting Director (which may include an additional orientation session)

Category 2: Observer

Definition: The “Observer” category is for any individual who would like to watch NDT Debates but who doesn’t meet the requirements for “Scout”

Example: Current high school debaters, program alumni, parent

Entry Procedure: Individuals are responsible for completing the online observer form found here

Observers must:

(1)    Complete the online observer form:  https://bit.ly/NDTObservers

(2)    Attend the “Observer Orientation Program”

(3)    Agree to the “Observer Policies”

Observer Policies:

- Observers will not interrupt pre-round preparation by asking questions of either team.

- Observers will remain muted with cameras off while in online competition rooms.

- Observers will not intrude during the debate. This includes the cross-examination periods.

- Observers will not interrupt post-debate discussions.

- Observers will comply with required naming conventions when entering online competition rooms.

- Observers will not share links to online competition rooms.

- Observers will attend an "Observer Training Session" in advance of entering a competition room.

- Observers understand that a list of observers will be made available in advance to participants at the NDT and that observers will not presumptively have unimpeded access to all competition spaces. NDT participants will have the opportunity to opt-out of being observed by individuals who are not an active member or coach of a NDT dues-paying institution.

- Observers have read and understand the NDT rule regarding recording of debates: "Per the Standing Rules of the NDT, the Tournament Director will direct the platform host to record all debates. These recordings will be deleted within a reasonable timeframe after the conclusion of the tournament. Access to any recording will be restricted to cases where said recording is a) needed to resolve a formal ethics challenge or harassment complaint or b) where a debater or assigned judge missed a portion of the debate because of technical issues. Only Tournament Administration and affiliated Program Directors are permitted to receive and review any platform recordings. Recording is also permitted by debate participants (debaters, assigned judges, or coaches from registered schools). Recording of debates by observers is not permitted. Distributing participant-generated recordings without the consent of the participating debaters and judges is not permitted."

Observers understand and agree that violations of the observer policies could result in revocation of that individual's access to online competition rooms.

 For NDT participants:

A list of “Observers” will be made available in advance of the tournaments. Participating teams will have the opportunity to opt-out of being observed by those listed in the “Observer” category. The preference of the observer coordination team would be for teams to blanket accept or blanket deny the entire list of those in the “Observer” category. If there are narrow, specific, and individual exceptions of people that teams would like to be allowed to watch them (e.g. they want a parent to be able to access their debates but not the rest of list), the team should blanket deny the “Observer” category and is then responsible for communicating the desired exception to tournament. If participants wish to make an exception for particular observers in a particular round, they should fill out an “observers” help ticket from that room at the appropriate time and a member of the classrooms.cloud team will be able to grant temporary access.

Livestreaming:

Teams will also have the option to allow their debates to be livestreamed. Observers will be able to watch debates that are publicly livestreamed without registering in the Observer category.