Joining UW-Whitewater Forensics
What is UW-Whitewater Forensics?
UWW Forensics is a student organization that is open to all majors and ability levels. Forensics is a wonderful opportunity of improve communication skills, meet new friends, and have fun.
Our primary purpose is competing at collegiate speech tournaments throughout the country. At tournaments, our students compete in various individual events and team scores are recorded. Competing at tournaments requires preparation and practice with peers and the coaching staff.
In addition to competing, there’s a place on our team for students choosing not to travel to tournaments. All members can participate in team social events, peer coaching, high school tournament judging, outreach programs, community service projects, and tournament hosting duties.
Who can join the team?
UWW Forensics is open to all undergraduate students enrolled at the university.
What's it like being on the team?
Competing students are expected to constantly strive for improvement. This commitment requires practice and active involvement in the team. Students are expected to attend team meetings and practices. The practices are generally once a week. In addition to team practices, students should schedule one-on-one time with coaches, participate in peer coaching, and practice on their own. There are eleven different events on the college circuit. Students generally compete in two or three events; some more and some less.
Practice and preparation pays off when our team travels to college tournaments. Tournaments are generally held on the weekends. We typically attend about ten tournaments a season and primarily travel to tournaments in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. The year-end national tournament rotates to different sites throughout the country.
For a tournament, we usually leave campus on Friday afternoons and return either late Saturday night or Sunday morning. The number of students traveling varies from week to week. We most commonly travel in vans but occasionally fly. At tournaments, we’ll compete in preliminary rounds. The best scoring competitors advance to semifinal or final rounds. Depending on the number of entries at a tournament, students can qualify for Nationals by advancing into a given tournaments championship round.
Does it cost anything?
UWW Forensics receives funding from a variety of sources such as student fees, fundraising, alumni donations, and tournament hosting. This funding covers nearly all of the team’s travel expenses, entry fee’s and general operating costs. Therefore, there is little or no cost to the team members.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes, scholarships are available. In addition, students can earn credits by active competitive participation on the team.
How do I join or get more information?
Whether you’re a current high school student still trying to pick a college, or a current UWW student, we hope you’ll contact us to discuss your interest in the team. We work with students of all ability levels, time availabilities, and participation goals. First, send an email today to Director of Forensics Jeanine Fassl or Assistant Director of Forensics Jim Disrude.
We also encourage you to skim through this website to read recent newsletters, find current team news, and learn more about our schedule and tournaments. Also, visit the UW-Whitewater homepage for additional information about the campus, university, and surrounding community.
We’re excited that you’ve made it this far in the process. Now by contacting us, we can put your interest into motion. We’re committed to running a fun program that thrives on a positive, cohesive environment, full of individuals committed to improving the overall performance of the team. Many students that have participated on the team have later called this the most rewarding experience of their college careers.
Team Highlights
Did you know...
Students in collegiate forensics can compete in eleven different events. There are three main areas of competition: Limited Prep, Interp, and Public Address. Many students compete in multiple events.
Limited Prep events include Extemp and Impromptu. In both of these events, competitors are given a topic and then granted a short amount a time to prepare and deliver a speech.
Interp events include Prose, Poetry, Program Oral Interp, Duo Acting and Dramatic Interp. Students are judged on their interpreation of the piece they are performing, along with overall delivery and editing choices.
Public Address events are prepared speeches and the events include Persuasive, Informative, and Communication Analysis.
To learn more about these events, their rules & requirements, to find out which event fits you, contact the UWW Forensics coaching staff.
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