Arizona Board of Regents sponsors fifth annual Regents’ Cup

The Arizona Board of Regents is proud to announce the 43 students selected to compete in the fifth annual Regents’ Cup, a tri-university speech and debate competition celebrating free speech, to be held on March 23, 2024, at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. This competition honors participants for articulating different points of view in an environment where competitors remain civil and respectful, while showcasing participants’ commitment to practicing free speech and advancing civil discourse.

Participants and Themes

The 2024 student participants come from a wide range of college majors, including political science, economics, philosophy, and biology, to name a few. This year’s competition centers around the theme of “Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law.” Students will spend the next few months honing their debate skills and crafting persuasive stories with expert guidance from coaches at each university.

Recognition and Rewards

The board awards generous scholarships to first, second, and third place winners of the competition. The first-place winner will receive a $15,000 scholarship, the second-place winner a $12,000 scholarship, and the third-place winner a $5,000 scholarship. Additionally, all other team members receive a $500 scholarship. Funds may be used at the students’ discretion to support and advance their education.

Sustainability and Education

The Regents’ Cup is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating free speech in a respectful and civil environment, an ethos reflected in Arizona’s public universities. These universities are exemplars in free speech and are recognized by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education with the highest free speech rating. The program also allows participants to receive internship or course credit for their work, making it an innovative and rewarding educational initiative that advances civil discourse and contributes to a sustainable educational ecosystem.

Community Participation and Judgement

Veterans from the fields of education, journalism, business, politics, and community service volunteer their time to support and judge the Regents’ Cup. The competition aims to promote thoughtful and respectful exchange of ideas, regardless of political affiliation or social and cultural background.

Conclusion

The Arizona Board of Regents is thrilled to sponsor this exciting and meaningful competition, and we congratulate all the students selected for the 2024 Regents’ Cup. We look forward to seeing the competition unfold and to all the wonderful ideas and stories that will emerge from this dynamic, civil, and constructive event.

Originally Post From https://www.azregents.edu/news-releases/universities-select-2024-regents-cup-teams-tri-university-speech-and-debate

Universities Choose Teams for 2024 Regents Cup Speech & Debate Competition