The Bard Debate Union held its first debate meeting of the year on August 29th and despite the fact that Bard students had just survived their first day of classes (and hurricane Irene), over 30 students attended the meeting! We discussed how the team works, our tournament schedule for the fall, our exciting public debate series, and also some of the mechanics of debating. Then 4 returning debaters paired up each with a new debater to put on a fabulous debate on the topic: “This house would ban the use of fur in fashion shows.” All of the remaining team members stayed to watch the debate which proved to be not only intellectually stimulating but really quite inspiring. Clearly, the 2011-2012 Bard Debate Union is rearing to go!!!