Big 10 Letter of Support

The Big 10 conference is the leading academic and athletic conference in the country, comprised of many of our nation’s leading public and private research-intensive institution. The Big 10 is a large part of the production of knowledge in this country and is identified around the world as a leading concentration of intellectual, research, and athletic excellence. It is also home to a number of the strongest forensics programs in the country, measured by performance in competition, but also in leading the development of forensics theory and viewed as a model for many other public universities in particular.

The Big 10 conference recognizes the enormous value of forensics activities to the vibrant intellectual cultures of their campuses and in fulfilling their institutional missions to create valuable new knowledge that improves society and share that knowledge. They take seriously their responsibilities to train new generations of leaders able and willing to pursue the truth through dialogue and through productive and civil disagreement, using words instead of fists.

This why a majority of Big 10 institutions embrace the professionalized and rigorous academic model even in these challenging times, or perhaps precisely because these are challenging times. A majority of Big 10 institutions embrace the professional academic model of forensics – programs receive strong institutional support, are viewed as serious academic enterprises, and overseen by professional forensics educators with a passion for student success.

Oregon Forensics is grateful to receive this strong statement of support from our Big 10 peers, recognizing our long history of academic and competitive excellence.

Read the Big 10 Letter of Support here