Eligibility

To be eligible to compete with the Truman State University Forensics Program, students must be Truman students, enrolled full-time (or part-time in the final semester of eligibility) with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students on academic probation will not be permitted to join the team. Once on the team, students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA. Coaches have the discretion to remove a student from active competition who appears to be in jeopardy of falling below the 2.0 GPA mark (usually falling below a cumulative GPA or 2.25 or a semester GPA of 2.5).

Students are eligible to compete for up to four national tournament years (if any national tournament is attended in a given year, it is deemed to be a "national tournament year."). Students may also complete up to eight semesters (a semester involves more than two tournaments of invitational competition) in a given academic semester. Students having exhausted eight semesters and/or four national tournament years may not compete.

It is the policy of the Forensic Union to promote the timely graduation of its members above all competitive concerns. Students will not be encouraged to lengthen their academic careers for the exploitation of continued competitive eligibility.

Diagnostics

During some seasons it is necessary to hold try-outs for the purpose of reducing the pool of interested competitors to a managable size. These try-outs are normally held during Truman Week, or for returning students, in the very first week of class. On occasion special try-out sessions are held in the spring for the following year, from among students already on campus. These sessions are used to determine whether a student has the potential to be ready for that season of competition. These sessions are also used to determine placement with certain debate partners and into certain individual events most suited for the student's talents.

When it is necessary to reduce the team's size, students deemed not yet prepared for travel are "redshirted." Just as in an athletic activity, "redshirted" students are entitled to the benefits of team membership, may attend practices, and so forth. They may not, however, enter competition until they are deemed ready for travel. The goal is always to prepare these students for eventual competition.

Membership in the program is a privilege that is earned, not a right.

Requirements for Continued Membership

To continue as a member of the Forensic Union, students must meet minimal competitive requirements. These requirements are outlined each year as needed to meet program needs. Students must also maintain academic eligibility, represent Truman State University positively at intercollegiate functions and in forensics-related forums and respect the rules and policies of Truman State University and the Forensic Union.

COMM 272

Students are eligible to earn up to eight academic credits for participation in forensics. Students may elect one credit per semester, for up to eight semesters. To earn credit students must meet the requirements for continued membership, described above, or meet special conditions described by the coaching staff at the beginning of the academic year.