Pick & Mix

RUNNING A DEBATE
Debates are great at informing other students about
an issue or enabling students to take part in discus-
sion on an issue. You can hold debates on almost an-
ything. All you need is interest from your members
and the wider student population.

Read this leaflet to find out

more.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Student Development
Tel. 0121 251 2424
www.guildofstudents.com/studentgroupsandvolunteering
studentgroups@guild.bham.ac.uk

Counter opening times

Monday — Thursday 11—5.30
Friday 11—4.30

Student Development – student groups

0121 251 2424
Page 2
Debates

What is a debate?

A debate is any event with speakers on presenting motions from different

standpoints which the audience is invited to take a view on.

How do I hold a debate?

Debates are quite different from talks and as such have some extra guide-
lines. Please note that if a student group or individual does not conduct the
debate in accordance with Guild rules, and it can be shown that the
breach of rules was either deliberate or a gross breach, the Guild Officer
Group may decide to:

● Impose a fine or other disciplinary action, at the discretion of the

Student Groups Committee
● Impose a ban on holding debates for a specified period of time
● In an extreme case, decide the current committee should stand
down and a new one be elected

If you need help running a debate, or training for a Chair email the Debat-
ing Society at debating@guild.bham.ac.uk, they are happy to help with ad-
vice and may be able to chair debates for you.

Getting permission for your Guest Speaker

Any speaker from outside the University MUST be cleared by
the University before they attend a campus event or the event
will not be able to go ahead. The student group must com-
plete a Speaker Request form and submit to Student Develop-
ment 2 weeks before the date of the event. Download one
from the Guild website.
 Debates Page 3

How to Plan a Debate

Here are some simple steps for a successful debate:
Be realistic.
● How much time are you prepared to spend finding speakers?
● Do you have any money to pay for their expenses?
● Unless you get a huge name how many people can you realistically ex-
pect to get to attend?
●
TIP: the University has contact details for University speakers who can come
and speak at your events www.birmingham.ac.uk/community/speakers

Plan, plan, plan

● Some speakers may have busy calendars so give them plenty of notice
● Give yourself enough time to publicise the debate.
● Will people have deadlines or exams? Is it reading week?

Get it out there…

● Have you publicised it through Student Development, the Guild, and/or
Redbrick?
● Have you emailed your members and asked them to spread the word?
● Do you know where there are noticeboards in departments? Have you
got permission to put up posters?
● If it’s related to a course, have you done lecture shouts or asked the de-
partment to email their members?

Is there anyone who would be denied speakers’ rights?

The Guild prides itself on being a safe space for all students to socialise and
feel comfortable. In line with this we have a no platform policy which pro-
hibits some people speaking in the Guild. This policy is not meant to restrict
debate, purely to stop individuals or groups who are know to incite hatred
from harming any of our students.
Page 4 Debates

The No Platform Policy States...

1. To condemn racism and discrimination in every form.
2. To ensure that the importance of not providing a plat-
form to such speakers is promoted by the Guild but that the
importance and value of free and open debate among
University of Birmingham students is also respected and up-
held.
3. To lobby University Authorities to ensure that no speakers who may in-
cite racial hatred or discrimination are given a platform to speak as
regulated by the Public Order Act 1986.
4. If a student breaks this code of conduct they may be disciplined in
line with Guild policy and procedures.
5. To work with the NUS and groups, such as Searchlight and the Student
Assembly Against Racism, raising awareness of racism and fascism.

Rules of British Parliamentary Debating adapted for the Guild of Students

● The proceedings of the House will be subject to the ruling and guidance
of the Chair, who must be neutral at all times and ensure that the debate
is fair and balanced.

● All speakers shall address the Chair, using the formula "Mr/Madam Chair".
The Chair should establish the order of speeches and determine the
length of time allocated to each round of speeches.

● The first and last minutes of speech are known as "protected time" and
points may not be offered then, nor are they allowed during the summary
speeches or at any time by other members of the House.

● To offer a point of information, a speaker must stand up and say "On a

point of information". The speaker holding the floor then has the right to
accept or decline the point. If it is declined, the speaker offering the
point must sit down at once. Points of information should not exceed
more than fifteen seconds in length, otherwise the Chair may intercede.
The clock is not stopped while they are delivered.
 Debates Page 5

● Points of order concerning the procedure of the debate can be made at

any time and by any member of the House. They must be addressed to
the Chair who will ask for the clock to be stopped while the point is con-
sidered. The Chair may then rule on the point or act in consultation with
adjudicators or other committee members.

● A chair may also warn and has the discretion to take action against any
member of the House who acts in a discourteous manner, harasses the
speaker holding the floor, or obstructs the debate in any way.

The Format of a Debate

1) Chairman 's Introduction
2) First Proposition Speaker
3) First Opposition Speaker
4) Second Proposition Speaker
5) Second Opposition Speaker
6) Floor Debate or open questions if desired
7) Opposition Summary Speech if necessary
8) Proposition Summary Speech if necessary

The Floor Debate

The floor debate is a significant feature of debating, allowing members of

the audience to react to the debate. Points should be addressed to the
Chair. The main speakers in the debate may not offer points during the floor
debate or reply immediately to any points raised. The summary speeches
will deal with any significant points.

Should this part of the debate take the form of open questions to the panel,
the speaker should indicate to the Chairman to whom the question is ad-
dressed before posing the question. The Chairman should ensure that the
questions are relevant and appropriate to the debate. It is also the Chair-
man’s responsibility to ensure that speakers pose questions rather than
make statements and that the speaker is polite and respectful of the speak-
ers and the House.
 Pick & Mix

Pick & Mix leaflets are available on a variety of topics, designed to

assist you as thoroughly as possible with running your group or un-
derstanding the Guild of Students generally

To find out more information, visit the Guild online:

www.guildofstudents.com/studentgroupsandvolunteering

The Student Development department is located on the ground

floor of the Guild of Students, and supports student groups, volun-
teering and training.

Student Development Counter:

The first port of call for any queries and for any administration re-
garding your group, volunteering or training. During holidays,
we’re open 12-3pm Mon-Fri, and our general Term-time opening
hours are:

11am-5.30pm Monday - Thursday

11am-4.30pm - Fridays.

The general student group area for committees is open 9am-9pm

on weekdays and 10am-8pm at weekends, which you can use for
committee meetings, checking emails and organising your group.
You have access to computers, a printer and photocopier, work-
space and your pigeonholes.

Disclaimer: The information in this leaflet only provides general guidance. The leaflet
should not be regarded or relied upon as a complete or authoritative statement. Univer-
sity of Birmingham Guild of Students will not accept any liability for any claims or incon-
venience as a result of information in this leaflet.

studentgroups@guild.bham.ac.uk