Missouri State > Debate Team > 2008 Missouri State Debate Institute (MSDI) > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About The MSDI
Every year we get dozens of phone calls and e-mail messages from students and parents with questions about MSDI policy. We want to do everything possible to familiarize you our policies and procedures. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail the camp at EricMorris@MissouriState.edu.
In the interim, we hope that the following FAQ sheet will help you get to know us a little better.
Q: How do I contact my child while they are at camp?
A: The dorm has active phone lines, but does not have physical phones. Students may bring phones, but should bring a calling card for any long distance calls. Many students instead bring cell phones, which are an excellent choice. Parents can also leave messages with the camp office phone or the dorm. At registration, we will provide students the cell phone numbers of the directors, which parents may freely use in an emergency or if their students are not responding quickly enough.
Q: Do you offer financial aid?
A: As MSDI is part of the State of Missouri, our budget is maintained through state channels and operated according to state policy. The camp is not designed to earn a profit - in fact, it is subsidized in many ways by Missouri State. If any profit were earned, it would be recycled into the camp budget to offset losses from past and future years and ensure its continuity from year to year. Thus, we set our fees just high enough to cover the expenses of hosting students and covering our operating expenses. This does not enable us to offer financial aid. If you compare our camp's price to other camps, you notice that we are considerably less expensive - in many cases, even less expensive than other camps after a scholarship award. Also, students are sometimes able to obtain financial aid through other sources, including scholarship programs sponsored by state activities and coaches' associations, school scholarship funds, and private foundations.
Q: Are there restrictions for leaving campus and the dorms?
A: Springfield and the Missouri State campus are very safe places. However, we think it's important to know where debaters are at all times. Consequently, campers are restricted to the Missouri State Campus during their stay at MSDI. The only exceptions will be for any official supervised camp activity or if a student has officially checked out to a parent or an adult appointed in writing by a parent. Students are also not allowed to leave the dormitory after 10pm. Everything needed for entertainment, research, and food can be found within the boundaries of Missouri State. Our recently renovated campus union has several fast food options, an arcade, a bowling alley, and other recreation options.
Q: I've heard about the camp being housed in a hotel. Is that correct?
A: No. Once (in 2003), we used a hotel since the camp's dates extended into August past the dorm cutoff day. We've since re-scheduled the camp to early, and are able to remain in the dorms for the entire period.
Q: What happens if I get sick or hurt?
A: Students are encouraged to drink lots of fluids and take proper care of themselves during camp as it can become quite hot in Missouri during the summer. If you become ill during the camp a MSDI staff member will accompany you to the appropriate medical facility. After we have received your camp registration you and your parents will be asked to fill out two medical forms. One authorizes the Taylor Health Center on the Missouri State campus to treat you for illness and minor injuries. The second form allows you to be treated for more serious conditions, as well as after hours, at St Johns Memorial Hospital.
Q: Can I go to church?
A: There are no church services on campus proper. For Catholic and Presbyterian students there are churches on the immediate perimeter of campus that you may walk to after informing the camp staff. If you wish to attend services for another denomination, please let us know. We will make every effort to see that you get to a church in Springfield.
Q: Can I leave campus on weekends?
A: Only with written permission from your parent or guardian and only if you are accompanied by an adult or designated relative. For safety reasons, phone authorization for departure from campus cannot be accepted. Let us know in advance if you have plans to leave the campus.
Q: When do I find out if I have been accepted?
A: Enrollment is based on capacity of the dormitories. MSDI reserves the right to stop enrollment once the facilities have reached capacity. In general, unless you are notified otherwise, you can expect to be enrolled once your registration form and deposit are received. A secondary mailing with camp procedures, health forms, and waivers will be mailed upon acceptance. If you are enrolling close to the deadline, you might consider emailing your registration in addition to mailing it with your check. The LD and Extemp camps will have a minimum enrollment to "make". If the minimum enrollment is not met, then those camps may be cancelled and deposits refunded. Please do not buy plane tickets, etc., unless you have confirmed we have met our minimum enrollment.
Q: What should I bring?
A: Each room is furnished with two beds, mattress pads, study desks, bookshelves, closets, and desk chairs. Linens are also furnished. Because all students will be involved in researching and participating in a number of practice debates, it is important to bring the material and equipment you will need. For example, you may wish to bring paper, legal pads, scissors, tape, etc. You may also wish to bring your tub, file box, or whatever you normally file debate materials in. Some students bring computers to take advantage of the dorms' high speed internet capabilities. You may bring stereos, hair dryers, popcorn poppers, and similar devices for your rooms.
Q: How do I drive to Springfield/Missouri State ?
A: There are several transportation options, including driving and flying. If driving from the direction of Joplin / Oklahoma, come in on I-44 and exit on Kansas Expressway (Exit 77). Turn right (south) and continue several miles. Turn left at the stop light for Grand Ave. Continue to the stop light for John Q Hammons Parkway (you'll see the Missouri State Stadium), and turn left. Continue to Harrison Street and turn right. Hammons Hall is the first dorm on your left.
If driving from the direction of Kansas City, take Highway 71 south to I-44, then head east. (There is a shorter route, but it involves 2 lane roads. Contact the camp for directions if you prefer to use that route). Exit on Kansas Expressway (Exit 77). Turn right (south) and continue several miles. Turn left at the stop light for Grand Ave. Continue to the stop light for John Q Hammons Parkway (you'll see the Missouri State Stadium), and turn left. Continue to Harrison Street and turn right. Hammons Hall is the first dorm on your left. Two Week
If driving from the direction of St Louis, come in on I-44 and exit on Kansas Expressway (Exit 77). Turn left (south) and continue several miles. Turn left at the stop light for Grand Ave. Continue to the stop light for John Q Hammons Parkway (you'll see the Missouri State Stadium), and turn left. Continue to Harrison Street and turn right. Hammons Hall is the first dorm on your left.
If driving from the direction of Branson/Arkansas, come in on Highway 65 and exit on Sunshine. Turn left (west) and continue several miles. Turn right at the stop light for National Ave. Turn left at the stop light for Grand Ave. Continue to the stop light for John Q Hammons Parkway (you'll see the Missouri State Stadium), and turn right. Continue to Harrison Street and turn right. Hammons Hall is the first dorm on your left.
Q: Are there other transportation options?
A: Yes! If you fly into the Springfield-Branson regional airport on the camp's start and end days, we will give you free transportation. We need to know your flight numbers, arrival, and departure time at least 2 weeks in advance. We will give you cell phone contact information for our staff. If you fly in on other days, it may be necessary to take a cab to Missouri State. Please contact us in any case. There is a Trailways/Greyhound bus depot in Springfield, and we will pick up students for free, with the same provisos as with flying. We lament that we lack an AMTRAK station.
Q: How many students share a room?
A: Each sleeping room contains two beds and, at most, two students. The dorms use a suite style arrangement, so more than two students will share a suite, including the bathroom, but the sleeping rooms will never have more than 2 students. Students are never allowed in the suites or rooms of the opposite sex; a common work area in the dorm will be provided. .
Q: Why the name “MSDI” – what happened to the SMSDI?
A: The legislature passed and the governor signed legislation that allowed SMSU to become Missouri State Universityon August 28, 2005. The camp's name change reflects this.
Q: Do I need extra money?
A: You will need $50 for your key deposit (which will be returned to you at the end of camp if your room is clean and your key is returned). When doing library research you will need some money to copy original articles. If you check-out books from the library (the details of this policy are under negotiation) and those books are lost or over-due, you may accrue fines from the library system. Sometimes students wish to purchase snack food, soda, etc., or order pizza or other delivery items from local establishments. You should bring that amount of money you feel will be sufficient to cover these expenses. None of these purchases are required by the camp.
Q: Do I need to buy evidence?
A: All of the evidence produced by your labs and generic working groups will be copied for you at no charge. We will also create a CD with the camp evidence for each camper. All of these costs are included in your camp fee.
Q: Can arrangements be made to meet with campus officials while if I'm interested in attending Missouri State ?
A: Yes. We are always interested in recruiting new students from our camps. Depending on availability, we can arrange for you to meet an admissions officer, department chairperson, or professor. Please speak to us in advance if you are interested.
Q: Can I receive mail while at camp?
A: Yes. Mail from home can be sent to the camper, care of the Missouri State Debate Institute, at the camp address (see home page). Also, it can be send directly to the dorms. We will add the dorm addresses once arrangements are finalized as the camp draws near.
Every year we get dozens of phone calls and e-mail messages from students and parents with questions about MSDI policy. We want to do everything possible to familiarize you our policies and procedures. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail the camp at EricMorris@MissouriState.edu.
In the interim, we hope that the following FAQ sheet will help you get to know us a little better.
Q: How do I contact my child while they are at camp?
A: The dorm has active phone lines, but does not have physical phones. Students may bring phones, but should bring a calling card for any long distance calls. Many students instead bring cell phones, which are an excellent choice. Parents can also leave messages with the camp office phone or the dorm. At registration, we will provide students the cell phone numbers of the directors, which parents may freely use in an emergency or if their students are not responding quickly enough.
Q: Do you offer financial aid?
A: As MSDI is part of the State of Missouri, our budget is maintained through state channels and operated according to state policy. The camp is not designed to earn a profit - in fact, it is subsidized in many ways by Missouri State. If any profit were earned, it would be recycled into the camp budget to offset losses from past and future years and ensure its continuity from year to year. Thus, we set our fees just high enough to cover the expenses of hosting students and covering our operating expenses. This does not enable us to offer financial aid. If you compare our camp's price to other camps, you notice that we are considerably less expensive - in many cases, even less expensive than other camps after a scholarship award. Also, students are sometimes able to obtain financial aid through other sources, including scholarship programs sponsored by state activities and coaches' associations, school scholarship funds, and private foundations.
Q: Are there restrictions for leaving campus and the dorms?
A: Springfield and the Missouri State campus are very safe places. However, we think it's important to know where debaters are at all times. Consequently, campers are restricted to the Missouri State Campus during their stay at MSDI. The only exceptions will be for any official supervised camp activity or if a student has officially checked out to a parent or an adult appointed in writing by a parent. Students are also not allowed to leave the dormitory after 10pm. Everything needed for entertainment, research, and food can be found within the boundaries of Missouri State. Our recently renovated campus union has several fast food options, an arcade, a bowling alley, and other recreation options.
Q: I've heard about the camp being housed in a hotel. Is that correct?
A: No. Once (in 2003), we used a hotel since the camp's dates extended into August past the dorm cutoff day. We've since re-scheduled the camp to early, and are able to remain in the dorms for the entire period.
Q: What happens if I get sick or hurt?
A: Students are encouraged to drink lots of fluids and take proper care of themselves during camp as it can become quite hot in Missouri during the summer. If you become ill during the camp a MSDI staff member will accompany you to the appropriate medical facility. After we have received your camp registration you and your parents will be asked to fill out two medical forms. One authorizes the Taylor Health Center on the Missouri State campus to treat you for illness and minor injuries. The second form allows you to be treated for more serious conditions, as well as after hours, at St Johns Memorial Hospital.
Q: Can I go to church?
A: There are no church services on campus proper. For Catholic and Presbyterian students there are churches on the immediate perimeter of campus that you may walk to after informing the camp staff. If you wish to attend services for another denomination, please let us know. We will make every effort to see that you get to a church in Springfield.
Q: Can I leave campus on weekends?
A: Only with written permission from your parent or guardian and only if you are accompanied by an adult or designated relative. For safety reasons, phone authorization for departure from campus cannot be accepted. Let us know in advance if you have plans to leave the campus.
Q: When do I find out if I have been accepted?
A: Enrollment is based on capacity of the dormitories. MSDI reserves the right to stop enrollment once the facilities have reached capacity. In general, unless you are notified otherwise, you can expect to be enrolled once your registration form and deposit are received. A secondary mailing with camp procedures, health forms, and waivers will be mailed upon acceptance. If you are enrolling close to the deadline, you might consider emailing your registration in addition to mailing it with your check. The LD and Extemp camps will have a minimum enrollment to "make". If the minimum enrollment is not met, then those camps may be cancelled and deposits refunded. Please do not buy plane tickets, etc., unless you have confirmed we have met our minimum enrollment.
Q: What should I bring?
A: Each room is furnished with two beds, mattress pads, study desks, bookshelves, closets, and desk chairs. Linens are also furnished. Because all students will be involved in researching and participating in a number of practice debates, it is important to bring the material and equipment you will need. For example, you may wish to bring paper, legal pads, scissors, tape, etc. You may also wish to bring your tub, file box, or whatever you normally file debate materials in. Some students bring computers to take advantage of the dorms' high speed internet capabilities. You may bring stereos, hair dryers, popcorn poppers, and similar devices for your rooms.
Q: How do I drive to Springfield/Missouri State ?
A: There are several transportation options, including driving and flying. If driving from the direction of Joplin / Oklahoma, come in on I-44 and exit on Kansas Expressway (Exit 77). Turn right (south) and continue several miles. Turn left at the stop light for Grand Ave. Continue to the stop light for John Q Hammons Parkway (you'll see the Missouri State Stadium), and turn left. Continue to Harrison Street and turn right. Hammons Hall is the first dorm on your left.
If driving from the direction of Kansas City, take Highway 71 south to I-44, then head east. (There is a shorter route, but it involves 2 lane roads. Contact the camp for directions if you prefer to use that route). Exit on Kansas Expressway (Exit 77). Turn right (south) and continue several miles. Turn left at the stop light for Grand Ave. Continue to the stop light for John Q Hammons Parkway (you'll see the Missouri State Stadium), and turn left. Continue to Harrison Street and turn right. Hammons Hall is the first dorm on your left. Two Week
If driving from the direction of St Louis, come in on I-44 and exit on Kansas Expressway (Exit 77). Turn left (south) and continue several miles. Turn left at the stop light for Grand Ave. Continue to the stop light for John Q Hammons Parkway (you'll see the Missouri State Stadium), and turn left. Continue to Harrison Street and turn right. Hammons Hall is the first dorm on your left.
If driving from the direction of Branson/Arkansas, come in on Highway 65 and exit on Sunshine. Turn left (west) and continue several miles. Turn right at the stop light for National Ave. Turn left at the stop light for Grand Ave. Continue to the stop light for John Q Hammons Parkway (you'll see the Missouri State Stadium), and turn right. Continue to Harrison Street and turn right. Hammons Hall is the first dorm on your left.
Q: Are there other transportation options?
A: Yes! If you fly into the Springfield-Branson regional airport on the camp's start and end days, we will give you free transportation. We need to know your flight numbers, arrival, and departure time at least 2 weeks in advance. We will give you cell phone contact information for our staff. If you fly in on other days, it may be necessary to take a cab to Missouri State. Please contact us in any case. There is a Trailways/Greyhound bus depot in Springfield, and we will pick up students for free, with the same provisos as with flying. We lament that we lack an AMTRAK station.
Q: How many students share a room?
A: Each sleeping room contains two beds and, at most, two students. The dorms use a suite style arrangement, so more than two students will share a suite, including the bathroom, but the sleeping rooms will never have more than 2 students. Students are never allowed in the suites or rooms of the opposite sex; a common work area in the dorm will be provided. .
Q: Why the name “MSDI” – what happened to the SMSDI?
A: The legislature passed and the governor signed legislation that allowed SMSU to become Missouri State Universityon August 28, 2005. The camp's name change reflects this.
Q: Do I need extra money?
A: You will need $50 for your key deposit (which will be returned to you at the end of camp if your room is clean and your key is returned). When doing library research you will need some money to copy original articles. If you check-out books from the library (the details of this policy are under negotiation) and those books are lost or over-due, you may accrue fines from the library system. Sometimes students wish to purchase snack food, soda, etc., or order pizza or other delivery items from local establishments. You should bring that amount of money you feel will be sufficient to cover these expenses. None of these purchases are required by the camp.
Q: Do I need to buy evidence?
A: All of the evidence produced by your labs and generic working groups will be copied for you at no charge. We will also create a CD with the camp evidence for each camper. All of these costs are included in your camp fee.
Q: Can arrangements be made to meet with campus officials while if I'm interested in attending Missouri State ?
A: Yes. We are always interested in recruiting new students from our camps. Depending on availability, we can arrange for you to meet an admissions officer, department chairperson, or professor. Please speak to us in advance if you are interested.
Q: Can I receive mail while at camp?
A: Yes. Mail from home can be sent to the camper, care of the Missouri State Debate Institute, at the camp address (see home page). Also, it can be send directly to the dorms. We will add the dorm addresses once arrangements are finalized as the camp draws near.