Illinois Policy Debate was founded in 2004 by undergraduates Chime Asonye and Forrest Sumlar and began competing with the 2005-06 National Debate Tournament (NDT) / Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) season. The team is dedicated to diversity and inclusiveness both in college debate and on the University of Illinois campus. Policy (or NDT/CEDA) debate requires intensive research and preparation across a broad, interdisciplinary range of issues and is often described as an intellectual equivalent to varsity sports. In Fall 2006 I Debate hosted the British National Debate Team. In April 2007 I Debate hosted Joe Miller, author of the book Cross-X, and a public debate on the University's contract with the Coca-Cola Company. In Spring 2008 I Debate will host the campus wide Illinois Debates: First Annual Intramural Policy Debate Tournament. Past I Debate members have taught academic debate in Liberia for the United States Agency for International Development and been awarded "All-American" honors. The university recognizes debate as a class and members earn independent study credit under Political Science 490. A major resolution was also passed by the Senate on the Urbana-Champaign campus, a legislative body comprised of 200 faculty and 50 students, calling for full institutional support for the Illinois Policy Debate team. I Debate, a registered student organization, is co-sponsored by the Institute of Government and Public Affairs and the Campus Honors Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

View a video produced by Illinois debate to represent its vision and advocacy:

Please contact us by mail or email at:
280 Illini Union, Mailbox #75
1401 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
illinoisdebate@gmail.com