Founded in 2003 by a freshman who wanted to build community at Lang, the
New School Debate Team currently ranks 27th in the nation in college
competitions, ahead of Dartmouth, USC, and NYU. The team competes in
collegiate policy debate at the Novice,
JV, and Open levels. It is part of both the Cross
Examination Debate Association (CDA) and the National Debate Tournament
(NDT). The team also does campus and community outreach.
Debating
engages students in the full range of intellectual
and policy arguments on selected issues of current public interest.
It brings New School students as ambassadors to universities and other
venues in the city, the country, and the world. Every semester, a
workshop course in debate is offered for New
School students interested in joining the team. New School students
at any level of debate experience can join the team. Students can also
volunteer to coach in the citywide Urban Debate League, a consortium of
debating teams from New York City public
high schools. For more information, contact Debate Team coach Vik
Kennan at newschooldebate@gmail.com.