Aberdeen University Debater

The Aberdeen University Debater is the oldest student organisation in the University. Since the foundation of Aberdeen University in 1495 debates have been held, but in 1848 the society was reconstituted to act as a forum for university staff and students to discuss the issues of the day.

The Debater's motto is: "They haif said: Quhat say they: Let thame say," which is also the motto of George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal and the founder of Marischal College, and depicts accurately the desires of the organisation towards free speech on campus.

History

1848 saw new rules being put in place that opened up the debating society to all students at the university other than just magistrands (final year students).

Originally Debater, in keeping with contemporary ideas of study and self-improvement for young men debated literary and historical subjects in addition to political questions, though for much of the nineteenth century the Constitution banned the discussion of religious questions and those of church politics.

Early motions included the Maynooth Grant(opposed in 1853-4) a national education system (supported in 1848-9, 1849-50, 1853-4 and 1859-60), monarchy vs republicanism in France (monarchy won in 1848-9), Chartism (first three clauses were opposed, but the rest were approved, 1848-9), universal suffrage (opposed in 1849-50) and extension of the franchise (supported in 1853-4), on foreign affairs, the Crimean War was opposed in 1853. There were also frequent debates on historical figures such as Cromwell, and on the influence of certain institutions - in 1859-60 it was declared that the press was more beneficial than the pulpit.

The first successful university paper began under the auspices of the Debater. In 1883 "Alma Mater" began to meet the demand for student journalism and to meet the needs of representation of students. In 1884, the Debater also took the first steps towards the introduction of a Students' Representative Council under support from Alexander Bain the then Rector.

The creation of the Union in 1895 provided a new debating chamber in Marischal College and the first permanent home of the society. The chamber beneath Mitchell Hall in Marischal College is the oldest purpose built debating chamber in Scotland. For a time immediately after the turn of the century both the Union and the society were organising debates, which ultimately led to a merger in 1913 before being revived as separate institutions in 1920.

As secretary and then president of the Debating society into the 1920s, Eric Linklater moved away from the serious nature that had been the spirit throughout the nineteenth century. Apart from an annual formal political debate, current affairs were ignored in favour of light-hearted and humorous topics. Only the annual inter-universities debates started in 1902, and any touring teams from America and Canada would provide a more serious tone.

The 1930s saw the debating society struggle to draw up attractive programmes of events. In 1934, the Oxford "King and Country" debate was restaged, and Fenner Brockway and William Joyce participated in a debate on Fascism which resulted in the House supporting fascism. Although this was then condemned in a similar debate in 1938.

After the war, Debater struggled to find its role within the university. Attendance fell, and many students became disillusioned with what the society could offer them, particularly through the 1960s, when student activism was at a high.

Current society

The current Debater organises a series of events, with a remit to provide a forum for free speech on campus. Operating twice a week, Debater organises a public event or either a parliamentary debate or a forum on a current affairs topic, as well as a training night that consists of either a workshop or a training debate.

The society runs a series of internal competitions, and participates in wide variety of inter-varsity competitions, including at both World and European University Debating Championships.

The Debater is also taking an active part in extending debating and public speaking throughout Aberdeen with its schools outreach program and annual schools competition.

External links

* [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/debater Aberdeen University Debater website]

References

*Anderson, R.D "The Student Community at Aberdeen: 1860-1939" (AUP)

*McLaren, C.A. "Aberdeen Students 1600-1860" (AUP)

*Hargreaves, J.D. and Forbes, Angela "Aberdeen University 1945-1981: Regional Roles and National Needs" (AUP)