Academic Policies
Clemson Forensics is committed to academic integrity
• Participants must maintain a 2.5 GPA in order to travel to tournaments. Students who fail to maintain a 2.5 GPA will be put on probationary status.
• Participants must give professors timely notification of all tournament related absences, and complete any missed assignments per instructor’s specifications.
• Participants will not plagiarize and must adhere to the AFA guidelines for the ethical use of literature.
Competitive Standards
Clemson Forensics is committed to competitive excellence
• Participants will practice their events weekly.
• Participants are expected to compete in at least 2 events when traveling to an overnight tournament.
• Participants will not perform unmemorized PA or interp events in competition.
• Participants will not perform “canned” impromptu or extemp speeches.
• Participants are expected to write his/her own speeches, cite all sources accurately, and keep copies of original source material for interpretive events.
• Participants will support the program goal of obtaining a high national team ranking.
Campus Policies
Clemson Forensics is committed to respect for the campus community
• Participants will abide by Clemson University policies.
• Participants should respect faculty and staff working in the Communication Studies Department. Participants will also make sure not to disrupt faculty and staff when they are practicing and rehearsing their events.
Travel Policies
Clemson Forensics is committed to safe and considerate travel
• Participants will wear their seatbelts at all times.
• Participants will be on time for all team departures. If you are late you will be left and responsible for getting yourself to the tournament or paying your drop fees.
• Participants are required to inform the coach of any serious medical conditions they may be suffering. Participants must also inform the coach of any prescription medications they are taking. This will allow the coach to adequately handle any emergencies.
• Participants will assist in the loading and unloading of luggage.
• Drinking is NEVER permitted on forensics and debate tournaments. Additionally, no participants may bring alcohol into a team vehicle or lodging. No participant should consume alcohol prior to departure to or from a tournament. If participants are in possession or consuming alcohol, it will result in immediate expulsion from the team. Other penalties may also be enacted by the University.
• Participants will never use or possess illegal drugs or controlled substances of any kind. This includes the abuse of prescription medication or over-the-counter supplements. Such actions will result in immediate expulsion from the team. Other penalties may also be enacted by the University.
• Smoking is not allowed in team vehicles or lodgings.
• Participants are responsible for all hotel incidental expenses they may accrue.
• Participants will adhere to the curfew established by the coach in charge.
• Participants will respect the authority of the coaches. Any disputes with the coach should be tabled until the team has returned to campus.
• The coach reserves the right to restrict travel of participants who have been derelict in their responsibilities, repeatedly behaved inappropriately, or have not met practice expectations.
• The coach reserves the right to restrict the travel of any participant without prior notice. This would occur only in cases when the coach believes that travel is not the best interest of the participant in question or the team as a whole.
Professionalism
Clemson Forensics is committed to professional behavior
• Participants will be on time to every scheduled event, whether competition or team meeting.
• Participants will refrain from making critical comments about tournament management, judges and other competitors.
• Participants will appear attentive and interested during the performance of other competitors.
• Participants will demonstrate respect for their coach and teammates at all times. This includes changing the topic of conversation during a van ride if anyone expresses discomfort with the subject.
• Participants will not receive their ballots until the first class day following the tournament.
• Participants must assist with and attend all team sponsored activities such as tournaments we host, public performances and fund raisers.