STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
*Mortal Sin*
1. When we stay in a hotel, the coach in charge of the trip will set a
definite curfew hour. After this hour, all students and student judges
should be in their own rooms. No visitors from other schools will be
permitted in rooms after this hour under any circumstances. The penalty
for curfew violation will be at the debate teacher's discretion, based on
the severity of the violation. It may range from a warning to a period of
suspension from future tournament activity.
2. At other tournaments, students may be guests in the homes of host
debaters. The following rules apply:
a. No Lexington debater/speaker should attempt to make any private
housing arrangements before/du ring an overnight tournament. This includes
phone calls to friends of yours at another school; who may be in charge of
housing arrangements. Your housing assignment is the assignment given to
the coach in charge at the housing desk.
b. Observe absolutely the standards of behavior set down by your
host (that's the parent, not the adolescent).
The penalty: Same as #1, above.
3. The possession and/or use of alcohol or drugs at any
debate-sponsored activity is strictly prohibited. This includes Debatathon
and car washes (obviously) as well as all tournaments. The uniform
penalty for the first offense is suspension from the next six weeks of
competition or the next three tournaments for which you are eligible --
whichever is greater. The uniform penalty for the second offense is
expulsion from the team. Parents and school officials will be notified in
all cases.
4. Theft, sale or falsification of evidence is an intolerable academic
offense which carries a single sanction: expulsion from the team. Parents
and school officials will be notified.
5. Verbal and/or physical harassment of other students will be dealt
with by coaches through an appropriate combination of warnings, referral to
school authorities, and suspension from team responsibilities or tournament
competition. In extreme cases, individuals may be required to leave the
program.
*Venial Sin*
1. School policy does not permit you to be absent from school for all
or part of a day and then go on a field trip that day. This means that you
cannot be called in absent on the day we leave for a tournament and still
go to that tournament.
2. In general, students who have been eliminated from a tournament
should devote their time to watching elimination rounds and/or helping
teammates who are still debating. Attendance at awards assemblies is
expected.
3. Tournament dress for gentlemen includes, at minimum, slacks that
are not jeans, a necktie, *a belt*, shoes that are not athletic shoes, and
a jacket or nice sweater.
4. Do not leave the immediate vicinity of a tournament without asking
the coach in charge first. We need to know where you are and when you'll
be back.
5. Never argue with judges. It never changes the decision, and it
makes you look like a jerk. This and other forms of extreme, habitual
rudeness in rounds may result in suspension from competition.
6. Tobacco is bad for you. The speech and debaste teachers will
exercise their First Amendment rights by initiating little talks with the
parents of tobacco users. Students must obey laws and regulations
concering the use of tobacco.
7. Rules regarding the use of the debate room, backfile privileges,
and photocopy privileges will be posted early in the term. They will be
enforced. Repeat violators may suffer loss of privileges or, in extreme
instances, suspension from competition.