Fairmont State University Debate Team to Highlight Workers’ Rights and Labor Policy During March 23 Public Debate

The Fairmont State University Debate Team will host a public debate, "Work, Rights, and Power: A Public Debate on Labor Policy," on March 23 at the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center. Students, faculty, and community members are invited to discuss key labor issues such as worker protections, collective bargaining, wages, and the role of government in the workplace.

Fairmont State participates in College Policy Debate through the Cross Examination Debate Association. This year's national topic focuses on labor and workers' rights, including workplace protections, economic inequality, and potential reforms to federal labor laws.

"At Fairmont State, we believe civil discourse is not just an ideal, but a discipline-one that is essential to the health of a democratic society," said University President Mike Davis. "The best debate does not silence disagreement; it teaches us how to engage it with rigor, evidence, and respect. Events like this public debate challenge our students and our community to listen carefully, think critically, and defend their ideas with clarity and integrity. At a moment when too much public conversation is driven by division rather than understanding, creating space for thoughtful, principled argument is one of the most important things a university can do."

Dr. Samantha Godbey, Director of Fairmont State's Civics Institute and Debate Team Coach, underscored the significance of this year's topic and its relevance to audiences beyond the debate community.

"Collective bargaining is not an abstract policy issue-it affects the daily lives of workers, families, and communities across the country, including right here on our own campus. Wages, workplace safety, job security, and benefits are shaped by the ability of workers to organize and negotiate together," said Godbey. "This debate gives our students the opportunity to examine one of the most important questions in modern labor policy while practicing the skills that define civic engagement: research, critical thinking, and respectful disagreement."

She also acknowledged the dedication of the debate team members throughout their preparation and encouraged students, faculty, staff, and community members to show their support.

"Our debaters have spent the entire school year studying the law, the economics of labor markets, and the real experiences of workers in the United States in order to present thoughtful and evidence-based arguments," said Godbey. "I hope members of our campus community will join us, not only to support the students who have worked so hard to prepare, but also to engage in an important conversation about the future of work and democracy in our society."

This event is free to attend and open to all. For more information on the event, visit https://engage.fairmontstate.edu/event/11988377.