The Barkley Forum is a forensic organization guided by the belief that participation in academic debate contributes to participation in a civil society. When a student learns these fundamental skills, they have developed the academic discipline to research and analyze other subjects as well. In addition, debate improves fundamental communication skills such as organization and presentation which makes other academic knowledge more useable.
Debaters are also part of a broader community.
The Barkley Forum is guided by an appreciation for the support of those who make the debate experience possible and by a commitment to bring debate out into the broader civil society. As a department within the Division of Campus Life, The Barkley Forum supports a student's whole education by requiring strong academic performance for travel, by expecting debaters to support various forms of community outreach, and by encouraging students to be involved in other campus activities. Back to Top Barkley Forum students maintain a strong academic tradition. Students cannot travel with less than a B average. Most debaters substantially exceed that standard.