2009 Cabin Fever Debates semifinalists selected to contest rounds on capital punishment and Native languages

Tuesday, March 3, 7 p.m. Social Sciences Building (SSB), Room 118

The preliminary phase of competition for the Cabin Fever Debates, UAA's intramural debating tournament, concluded Tuesday, Feb. 24 with the last remaining semifinalist teams selected. From more than 60 student participants, eight teams proved themselves through reason, passion, and exceptional public speaking to advance to the next level of an activity that, according to the Book of Lists, Americans fear more than death.

The last preliminary round showcased the talent and tenacity of UAA student Hannah Scott and Ryan McKe who convinced judges to oppose the motion "The University of Alaska should abandon academic tenure" by showing how tenure preserves academic freedom.

They now join seven other semifinalist teams on Tuesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. in Social Sciences Building (SSB), Room 118. The motion for the 7 p.m. semifinal round is "The State of Alaska should reinstate capital punishment." State House Speaker Mike Chenault recently revived the debate on capital punishment for Alaska with a bill that would allow the use of lethal injection for first-degree murder. Considering the motion will be:

• "Rookies" Alilki Papadopoulou and Joseph Posey
• "Code Red" Christy Strong and Kyle Benson
• "This is not the Hammer" Catherine Helle and Michael Duffy
• "Nobama" Ryan McKe and Hannah Scott

At 8:30 p.m. the CFD's second semifinal round will feature the motion "The State of Alaska should offer direct financial incentives to individuals who become fluent in a dying Alaska Native language." Many of the languages used by Alaska's indigenous peoples are extinct or threatened; the four teams in this semifinal round will examine the relationship between language and Alaska Native culture and the effect of incentives to preserve them. Those four teams are:

• "NaNaShi" Holly Wichorek and Heather Hamilton
• "Schrute Farms" Kelsie Ralph and Faith Capras
• "The Bees' Knees" Solomeia Kojin and Brenna McLaughlin
• "The Vikings" Nils Sandtroen and Eric Romig

From each semifinal round, two teams will progress to the Championship Round of the 2009 Cabin Fever Debates in which the winning team receives a $2,000 prize and the opportunity to compete in the U.S. Universities Debating Championships with the regular Seawolf Debate Team.

The motion for Championship Round will be "The United States should prosecute the Bush Administration for war crimes." The debate is scheduled for Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m. in the SSB 118. A reception and awards ceremony will follow the debate. All of the Cabin Fever Debates are free and open to the public.

For more information about the Cabin Fever Debates, visit the Cabin Fever Debates Web site or contact Steven Johnson at (907) 786-4391.

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