Help Fund Speech and Debate Programs for Students

This September, less than a month before the start of the 2025–2026 competing season, the UO made the surprising and disappointing decision to close the Department of Forensics. On the eve of the 150th anniversary of speech and debate on the UO campus, dozens of current debate and mock trial students and supporters are facing unexpected cuts and challenges. Alumni and donors have risen to the challenge through the formation of the Oregon Forensics Foundation (OFF), a 501(c)(3)-pending organization with a mission to support speech and debate opportunities for students in Oregon. OFF’s first order of business is funding urgent needs for coaching, training, and tournament-related expenses this fall for UO students.

OFF is seeking donations from alumni and other key supporters who believe in the importance of functioning forensics programs in Oregon schools — in this moment, prioritizing the urgent and immediate need at the UO. Your donations will be used to support grants to cover critical costs and services that forensics students need to meet to compete this fall, including coaches’ salaries and instructional materials, American Mock Trial Association membership fees, and expenses related to participation at the University of Puget Sound’s season-opening debate invitational.

If you are able, we would greatly appreciate a commitment to a one-time or monthly donation to OFF in this time of great need. If you cannot give at this time, we would greatly appreciate your help in spreading this message to other parties who may be interested and willing to provide financial support for Oregon students. With tournaments approaching mere weeks away, the need for donor support is imminent. Anything you can do in the near future to help us and OFF advance this cause will be immediately and immensely impactful to dozens of Oregon forensics students.

Donate here today.

Oregon Forensics Foundation
Support speech education, debate programs, and mock trial activities for Oregon students by donating to the Oregon Forensics!

For teams, lots of expenses are coming due within the next two weeks, making this period critical. Shortly, we hope to be able to begin to provide donors with some concrete deliverables as we receive testimony from students who their funds are directly helping.