March 23, 2000

Grand Ballroom, Marriott Crown Plaza, Kansas City, Missouri

Committee Chair John Fritch called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m., with Frank Harrison serving as Secretary and David Hingstman as Parliamentarian.

Members present in person or by proxy were: Shawn Whalen (District I); Glenn Frappier (District II); Joel Rollins (District III); Heather Aldridge (District IV); Steve Mancuso (District V); Mike Janas (District VI); Mike Berry (District VII); Tim Mahoney (District VIII); Ken Strange (AFA East); Ross Smith (AFA South); Cate Palczewski (AFA Midwest), and Greg Achten (AFA West).

Also present were the 2000 Tournament Host, Linda Collier (University of Missouri, Kansas City); Tournament Director Donn Parson (Kansas) and his associate Rich Edwards (Baylor); John Gossett (North Texas), Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Brett O'Donnell (Liberty), Board Secretary and NDT Ranking Director.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

It was MOVED by Whalen, second by Smith, that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as submitted. CARRIED unanimously.

REPORT OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR

Parson and Edwards reported on efforts to improve mutual preference judging assignments, in particular to equalize panel selections according to team preferences and to provide for two "A+" judges in "cusp" debates. They cautioned that the process was somewhat experimental as the multiple simulations they had conducted were not based on real data.

REPORT OF THE TOURNAMENT HOST

Collier advised that "disclosure sheets," as approved by the Committee at its February meeting, would be posted outside all competition rooms. She asked for the cooperation of all "scouts" in this regard.

By unanimous consent, an item of NEW BUSINESS was moved to this point in the agenda.

Alfred Snider (Vermont) submitted a written request to broadcast the Final Round on the Internet. MOVED by Whalen, second by Achten, that the request be approved subject to a $25.00 cost of the phone line, that a copy of the broadcast be given to the Tournament Director, and that the copyright remain with the American Forensic Association. CARRIED unanimously.

REPORT OF THE CHAIR

The Chair's written report was distributed to the Committee and is attached to these minutes.

Fritch also reported that he had attended the morning meeting of the Board of Trustees. The Board has voted to refurbish, and may determine to replace, the Larmon Trophy awarded to the winner of each year's Tournament. With Board approval, Mancuso has purchased large plaques to be given to the 2nd through 5th ranked teams in the 1st Round At-Large process.

The Board approved sale at the Tournament of "Debate like a Girl" tee-shirts, and will create a committee to determine criteria for approval of similar sales in the future.

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Linda Collier and her staff, registration per team has been reduced to $150.00.

Fritch then reported on behalf on the 2001 Host, Karla Leeper (Baylor), who was unable to attend the meeting.

The 2001 NDT will be held over the weekend of March 28th through April 2nd. This will immediately follow the CEDA National Tournament, which will be held at Middle Tennessee State University from September 24th through 27th.

The Waco Hilton and the Courtyard Marriott will be the NDT hotels. It is presently anticipated that the "room block" for the period will be 90 rooms on Tuesday, 130 on Wednesday and 200 on Thursday through Monday. Elimination rounds will be held at the Waco Convention Center, which is attached to the Hilton.

REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Gossett advised the Committee that the Board had elected Tim Hynes (West Georgia) as Chair and Brett O'Donnell as Treasurer for the 2000-2001 academic year. A Secretary will be chosen at a subsequent meeting.

George Ziegelmueller (Wayne State) has suggested that a "second" Ziegelmueller award be given for the next few years in order to recognize retired coaches. The Board has decided that it will solicit recommendations for this and for the Keele Award, to be submitted by September of each year. Recipients will be determined at the annual NCA meeting, so that they can make plans to attend the Tournament for the presentations(s).

Starting this year, the Board will recognize the 2nd through 5th "pre-bid" teams at the ceremony held on the evening before the tournament. Trophies for these honorees are under consideration. The Board is concerned that engraving space will soon be exhausted on the Larmon and Walker trophies, given to the winner and runner-up in the Final Round. The possibility of commissioning a new First Place Trophy is under consideration.

REPORT OF THE RANKING DIRECTOR

O'Donnell reminded the Committee that a school must be a paid subscriber of the NDT to be listed in the year's final ranking.

It was MOVED by Berry, second by Mancuso, that standings be released to the news wire services on a weekly basis. After discussion, the motion FAILED by voice vote.

O'Donnell discussed the computer program which he had developed to maintain and publish the ongoing ranking system. He also advised the Committee that he would be unable to continue as Ranking Director beyond this academic year.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

On behalf of the Bid Allocation Committee, Mancuso reported that this year's process worked well.

Smith reported the same on behalf of the Appeals Committee.

For the Judging Philosophy Booklet Committee, Berry reported that the Book is somewhat smaller this year, and that there were several last minute submissions. While there were various technical and clerical problems, the fact is that, overall, the trend on submissions is decreasing. Mancuso suggested that we identify the non-filers this year, and announce the Committee's intention to enforce the $25. fine for non-compliance next year.

OLD BUSINESS

Mahoney MOVED, second by Frappier, that the records of clearing teams be released at the banquet, or other Sunday evening event, prior to "elim" day. CARRIED unanimously with Berry, Smith, Palczewski and Whalen abstaining.

NEW BUSINESS

It was MOVED by Palczewski, second by Janas, that the research proposal submitted by Sandy Berkowitz be approved, subject to Linda Collier's judgment as to its feasibility. CARRIED unanimously.

It was MOVED by Smith, second by Mancuso, that the fourth team from any member institution ranking among the top twenty teams in the First Round At-Large balloting be extended an invitation to the Tournament, with that bid to come from the 2nd round quota. Strange suggested that any such invitation be announced, as a 2nd round bid, at the time 1st rounds are announced.

MOVED by Frappier, second by Rollins, to TABLE the motion. CARRIED, with Berry voting in the negative.

It was MOVED by Rollins, second by Whalen, to eliminate participation by third teams from any participating institution.

MOVED by Whalen, second by Palczewski, to TABLE the motion. CARRIED unanimously.

RECOGNITION OF THE 2000-2001 NDT COMMITTEE

The current members from even numbered districts and AFA West and Midwest will continue on the Committee. Shawn Whalen (San Francisco State) has been re-elected from District I. Heidi Hamilton (Augustana, Illinois) and Warren Decker (George Mason) have been elected to represent districts V and VII, respectively. District III has not yet elected. There was no report from District IX. AFA President Jim Klump has appointed Gordon Mitchell (Pittsburgh) to represent AFA East and Ed Panetta (Georgia) to represent AFA South.

ELECTIONS

Ross Smith was nominated for Chair of the Committee, but withdrew his name from consideration.

The following Officers of the Committee were then elected by acclamation for the 2000-2001 academic year:

Chair: John Fritch (Southwest Missouri)

Parliamentarian: David Hingstman (Iowa)

Secretary: Frank Harrison (Trinity)

ADJOURNMENT

The Committee adjourned by unanimous consent at 2:45 p.m.