Facilities and Technology

Debate and technology go hand-in-hand, which makes the Debate Program's high-tech learning facilities perhaps the best in the country. The Debate offices are housed on the first floor of the newly renovated Combs Hall and members have round-the-clock access. This state of the art facility is an ideal location because it combines the latest in technology with plentiful workspace and a tasteful décor just yards away from many of the campus' most popular residence halls. Members of the Program access to Dell computers (both desktops and laptops) connected to EagleNet (the University's high-speed, fiber-optic network) which makes using the Simpson Library's numerous full-text research databases a breeze. Our offices are outfitted with scanners, high speed laser printers, and video equipment so that our debaters can view and study our growing digital library of debates. In addition, the networked writing and sound labs, multimedia enhanced classrooms with state-of-the art sound systems, as well as the Speaking Center's practice facilities, with its built in video cameras, combine to give UMW debaters unparalleled access to cutting edge technology. Imagine having a practice session that is recorded and burned to a DVD which you can then view and study virtually anywhere on campus! As the Program continues to grow into a national powerhouse, UMW debaters will be at the forefront of the race to apply information technology to the art and practice of intercollegiate debate.