Bard students seem more eager than ever to discuss and debate the most pertinent current events of the day, as over 20 first-year students attended our debate information session and workshop on Friday afternoon (Aug 19)! After a great discussion about the mechanics of debate and some brainstorming about various topics (Afghanistan, handgun possession, etc.), four very brave Bard first years put on an impromptu debate on the topic, “This house would substantially increase the number of cameras in public spaces.” With arguments about the motivating factors that lead criminals to commit crimes to the spending impact of increased police surveillance to Michel Foucault’s “panopticon” and the philosophical distinction between ‘public’ and ‘private,’ these debaters were all thinking on their feet. It was a fabulous debate, and all of us at Bard Debate are very excited about the year ahead. With incoming students like these, we are feeling quite certain that the Bard Debate Union will be a force to be reckoned with in 2011-2012!