Student-run competitive debate team that travels to tournaments in American and British parliamentary styles and welcomes members of any experience level.
Also known as / formerly HSPDS, Harvard Speech and Parliamentary Debate Society
- Joining
- Application, comp, tryoutFirst-years eligible · No experience needed
- When
- Fall 2026 round closed Sep 12Next comp: Spring 2027, no cuts
- Meets
- Weekly general meetings
About
Established in the fall of 1981, the Harvard College Debating Union (HCDU) is a student-run organization at Harvard College and is Harvard's only internationally competitive debate association. The HCDU consistently ranks as one of the top three debate teams in the country. We were formerly known as the Harvard Speech and Parliamentary Debate Society (HSPDS).
How to join
- Application — A written application, often followed by interviews.
- Comp — Doing the club's work for a while to show you can, then you join.
- Tryout — You try out in practice or a skills session.
Fall 2026 recruiting
Closed Sep 12- Deadline
- Sep 12, 5:00 PM EDT
1 other round: Spring 2027Hide
Spring 2027 recruiting
- Process
- Comp (no cuts)
The one stage the club lists
- Information Session
Details
- Status
- Recognized
- Dues
- No dues required
What they do
- Running Harvard's three yearly debate tournaments
- Debate bootcamp for new members
- Weekly general meetings, practice rounds, and casing sessions
- Regular socials, team dinners, and a yearly off-campus retreat
- Competing in American and British Parliamentary debate tournaments
- Traveling to tournaments domestically and internationally
- Domestic and international travel to tournaments
- Hosting the Harvard College Debating Union Season Opener high school tournament
Mission, in their words
To be a community of equal access, free of discrimination, prejudice, or bias.
In the news
- Standing up to the StigmaThe Harvard IndependentApr 27, 2023
More links
Sources
- Link supplied by the index editorhclubs editor · seen Oct 13, 2026
- Join Us — Harvard College Debating UnionClub website · seen Oct 29, 2026
- Harvard College Debating UnionClub website · seen Oct 29, 2026
- Harvard College Debating Union ApplicationClub recruiting page · seen Oct 29, 2026
- Standing up to the Stigma | Harvard IndependentHarvard-related site · seen Sep 30, 2026
- Join Us — Harvard College Debating UnionOther website · seen Oct 29, 2026
- Harvard College Debating UnionOther website · seen Oct 29, 2026
- Tournaments — Harvard College Debating UnionOther website · seen Sep 30, 2026
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