By Phillip Pronschinske & Shane Carlson<\/p>\n
Winona State University hosted its second Warrior Debate of the academic year this past Tuesday, March 15, in the Phelps Hall TV Studio. This debate focused on whether Winona State University should establish a social media code of conduct.<\/p>\n
Each debate is led by a moderator, with each side given a limited amount of time to present their arguments.<\/p>\n
First, those for and against the motion receive seven minutes respectively for opening statements. Next, there\u2019s another seven minute period for rebuttals and questions posed by the moderator. This is followed by a brief period of questions from the audience. Finally, each side receives three minutes to make their closing arguments. Audience votes are taken before and after the debate using placards scanned by a tablet. The winner is determined immediately via tally.<\/p>\n
Four Winona State students participated in Tuesday\u2019s debate. Arguing for the motion were Benedict Linsenmeyer, a senior studying law and society, and Danielle Weiler, a senior majoring in individualized legal studies. Arguing against the motion were Duc Nguyen, a junior and Michaela Curley, a freshman, both of whom are majoring in business administration. Ken Graetz, WSU\u2019s director of Teaching, Learning and Technology served as moderator.<\/p>\n
During the debate, Curley and Nguyen argued against the motion on the grounds that Winona State\u2019s current code of conduct already contains guidelines for appropriate social media use, therefore, establishing a new code would be redundant.<\/p>\n
Arguing for the motion, Weiler and Linsenmeyer argued standards for social media conduct would not, in fact, limit speech, but rather encourage it and promote appropriate use.<\/p>\n
WSU\u2019s director of Student Conduct and Citizenship, Alex Kromminga, said an interesting aspect of the debate is students are not necessarily allowed to choose the position they argue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really does take you out of your comfort zone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kromminga said the inspiration for these events came from a series of YouTube debates by a group called \u201cIntelligence Squared.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life Denise Lloyd-McDowell said once Kromminga brought the idea to a board meeting it grew bringing together different groups on campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Warrior Debates was a brainchild that came out of the Student Life and Development directors meeting,\u201d McDowell said.<\/p>\n
Afterward, the idea was brought to Student Senate, where Kromminga said the idea was so well-received, they felt they should contribute. He said senate had discussed the idea of a social media code of conduct before and was interested in getting student feedback. This led to their proposition of the debate\u2019s theme.<\/p>\n
Regardless of the importance of the issue, Kromminga said these events are more about the act of debating itself rather than the outcome of the vote.<\/p>\n
\u201cA big thing to glean from it is understanding how to develop an argument,\u201d Kromminga said.<\/p>\n
He also said decisions made by the voters in attendance may not necessarily result in any policy change.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though there\u2019s a voting aspect to the debate just to give a sense of accomplishment for either team, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that the university is going to adopt a social media code of conduct,\u201d Kromminga said. \u201cIt\u2019s an idea to figure out, \u2018Do we need to have more conversations, more education on how the campus views social media and our responsibilities in those realms?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Kromminga said the university hopes to continue having these debates each semester. If they garner more interest, there is the potential for more, and perhaps the formation of a new club on campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur hope is, is that this movement would be more student-driven,\u201d he said. \u201cWe really do want students to kind of start taking a lead and thinking of different topics…we\u2019re hoping students that come and observe will show more of an interest and want to take on the next go-around.\u201d<\/p>\n
McDowell said she is optimistic about the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited that Winona State University can create this opportunity for students and find yet another way to help another group of students get engaged in the college experience,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Kromminga said he hopes that these events can pave the way for more debates in the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it would definitely be something a lot of students could benefit from.\u201d<\/p>\n
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