"The Christ College Debates enable freshman students to apply their emerging skills of academic research, critical analysis, and oral argument to significant, controversial public issues," says Christ College Dean Mel Piehl. "Participants and audiences alike enjoy the verbal sparring and contest of wit and logic that takes place between the two debate teams, while also learning a great deal in the process."

The Christ College Freshman Debates, held each spring as part of the CC Freshman Program, are the culmination of the honors college's first-year students' research, preparation, and practice of the arts of oral argumentation. At the conclusion of each debate, the moderator instructs audience members to "vote their minds" after hearing the arguments by leaving the assembly hall through a door marked "PRO" or through a door marked "CON."