Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best way to contact the Barkley Forum if I have questions or need to make changes?

• Email is the best way to reach us: emorybfhs@gmail.com

• To whom should checks for payment be made payable?

• Emory University. Email emorybfhs@gmail.com if you need a current W-9.

• It is strongly encouraged that you bring your check in person to the tournament because of delays with mail service.

• The website is telling me the application for one of my students is incomplete. What do I do?

• You need to enter the competitive records/qualifiers for all your students so we can consider them for admission.

• Member schools do not need to enter records if they are entering prior to the December 2 deadline, but after 12/2, Member Schools need to enter records for their students to be considered, as well.

• How can I tell if my students are admitted or on the waitlist?

• After the December 6, 2024 admittance date, when you look at your squad on tabroom.com, the students who have “In” under “status” next to their names are ADMITTED. Students who have “WL” under “status” next to their names are WAITLISTED.

• How will I know if students are removed from the waitlist and entered in the tournament?

• After the December 6th initial admittance date, when students are removed from the waitlist, an email is automatically sent to the email address on record with tabroom.com.

• Is there a release form required to participate?

• Yes, each student should have this completed form on file - signed by the student if over the age of 18 and by a parent or legal guardian if the student is younger than the age of 18. - by January 17, 2025.

• I don’t have students debating in the Pelham Debates, but we have to wait until after the final debate in Pelham before the awards assembly is held. Why?

• The Barkley Forum for High Schools is designed to celebrate all forensics events. The Awards Assembly celebrates speech and debate in all of its forms, and the tournament is one of the few tournaments that continues the tradition of recognizing that we are all part of a broader community celebrating the pedagogy of speech and debate that encourages students to critically engage their world and become part of a broader citizenry. We encourage everyone who is able to attend the final rounds of all events to celebrate the achievements in all divisions.

• The registration deadline has passed, and I just found out about your tournament. What do I do?

• Email the Tournament Administrator at emorybfhs@gmail.com and indicate which events you have students interested in entering. Any schools (Member schools or non-member schools) must enter records for each student applying for the tournament if it is after the December 2 application deadline.

• How do I hire a judge?

• If you are not able to provide a judge in an event, please request the number of rounds/judges you need to hire on tabroom.com by January 11, 2025. It will automatically charge you for a judge hire, and the Barkley Forum staff will make sure a tournament judge covers your obligation.

• Where do I find schedules?

• Full schedules are posted on tabroom under the “schedules” tab; these schedules and building locations are tentative and subject to change.

• Why can’t you confirm the building locations for all events until so close to the tournament date?

• Since our tournament falls very close to the beginning of the semester, we have to wait to get final confirmation from the university about rooms and buildings until after classes are underway.

• On the schedule, I see “tutorials” and “exhibitions” listed on Saturday and Sunday. What are those?

• When the Barkley Forum for High Schools began, the state of Georgia did not allow competition on Sundays. In the spirit of the educational aims of the tournament, the “rounds” were renamed “tutorials” and “exhibitions.” No competition there; just education! Tutorials are any outrounds up until the final round, and the exhibitions are the final rounds in all events. You will notice that many of those rounds have been named for influential and impactful forensics educators.

• I would like to be hired as a judge for the tournament. How do I do that?

• Fill out the form available here. All judges hired by the tournament will need to complete a background check.

• Do you have a judges’ lounge?

• Yes, we will have a few centrally located places on campus where judges can congregate and will provide coffee and snacks. Please note: we will NOT be providing single use water bottles. Emory is committed to sustainability and strongly discourages the use of single use plastic water bottles. Please bring a reusable water bottle that you may refill at one of the water bottle refill stations on campus.