Holy Cross Witnesses Discussions on Age Limit for Presidency, Firearm Regulations, and Legacy Admission Preferences by BJF Society
The Benedict Joseph Fenwick Debating Society (B.J.F. Society) made a triumphant return to Holy Cross College's campus in 2023, after a hiatus of nearly two decades. Established in 1846, the society has a rich history of fostering intellectual discourse and critical thinking among students.
On February 10, the B.J.F. Society kicked off its first practice session of the semester in the Levis Browsing Room of Dinand Library. The event saw the participation of numerous students, who engaged in thought-provoking debates on various topics, including the clash between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Biden over immigration, standardized testing in college admissions, and whether Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in education should be prioritized.
The debates continued on February 24, with the society hosting an event that covered topics such as an age cap for the U.S. presidency, gun policy, and legacy admissions preferences at Holy Cross. The debates were between pairs of students, with Shanil Perez Lantigua '24 and Aidan Traverse '26 (affirmative) vs Ashwin Prabaharan '26 and Habiba Mohamed '27 (negative) discussing gun policy, and Lucas Giarrusso '25 (affirmative) and Emmeline Lignowski '24 (negative) debating the elimination of legacy preferences in admissions.
Attorney Neil Cawley '91 and History professor Cynthia V. Hooper served as guest judges, while co-chair Owen Whaley '24 moderated the event. Cawley and Professor Hooper offered extensive feedback to the debaters after their individual performances, enabling the students to improve their speaking and argumentation skills.
As an audience member, listening to the judge's comments was both informative and enlightening, providing valuable insights into the art of debating. The winner of each debate was determined via an anonymous audience poll, adding an element of excitement to the proceedings.
The B.J.F. Society's debates have been well-received by students, with attendance growing with each event. The society is currently under consideration for the end of legacy admissions due to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn race-based affirmative action in college admissions.
Interested individuals can find information about future debates by following the B.J.F. Society on Instagram (@thebjfsociety) or by contacting [email protected]. The society's return to campus has revitalized the academic and social landscape of Holy Cross, offering students a platform to engage in meaningful discussions on contemporary issues.
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