Equity and Conduct

Woodward Academy Debate is committed to providing its participants, judges, coaches, and staff the opportunity to pursue excellence in their endeavors. This opportunity can exist only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. Woodward Debate prohibits all forms of harassment and discrimination. Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination, whether written or oral, based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law are prohibited, whether committed by participants, judges, coaches, or observers. Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament premises.

While we are proud that so many coaches and debaters care deeply about their competitive results at our tournament, we expect everyone involved in the tournament to conduct themselves with respect for other students, judges, coaches, and guests. It is the responsibility of each school to use every means at its disposal to impress upon students, judges, coaches, and spectators the values of respectful disagreement in all areas of the tournament. We believe it is our responsibility as hosts to ensure the comfort and security of all students, coaches, and spectators on our campus and in our programming. As a result, we reserve the right to ask anyone who is interfering with the progress of the tournament or the comfort of our guests to end their tournament participation.

Adults, please keep in mind that many of our judges are current high school students. We ask that you be particularly thoughtful in your conduct and remember that you are modeling appropriate coaching and spectating behavior. Fierce competitive spirit — even with a national championship on the line — need not result in a hostile environment. We appreciate your efforts to help us maintain the appropriate tone by encouraging your students to compete honorably and your judges and coaches to behave respectfully.

Any tournament attendee who believes that they have been harassed or discriminated against may complete this form to report the alleged violation.

Please Note: Equity Complaints are for if someone feels they have faced discrimination or harassment, while Rules Protests are about the violation of competitive event rules (like the falsification of evidence, etc.). The equity form is not the correct form if you have a rules protest. If you would like to file a rules protest, the Coach of Record should go to the Help Desk to take the necessary steps.