The name of this organization shall be The Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensic Association.

The purpose of this association is to:

• Create, maintain, and administer a program of intercollegiate forensics in the Pacific Southwest area.
• Develop the field of speech communication through cooperation between member colleges and universities.
• Constantly evaluate and improve forensic events and their educational goals.
• Provide all students with an orientation in speech communication to better order their own affairs.
• Extend forensics to all participants regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, and/or disability.
• Provide means of education for directors of forensics through discussion of common professional interests.
• Maintain and advance the ideals and standards of the speech communication profession.

PSCFA endorses the American Forensic Association’s mission and ethics statements:

“This organization believes that forensics programs and tournaments ought to provide environments where students can become effective, competent, and responsible advocates and communicators. This organization believes in equality, integrity, honesty, mutual respect, diversity, cooperation, and fair play in all forensics competition.”

We value and encourage all forms of debate through:

1. Public and professional communication delivery style
2. Critical thinking and impromptu argumentation skills
3. Educational goals and assessment
4. Presented in a diverse, creative, and ethical environment

Colleges and universities, or natural clusters thereof, within the Pacific Southwest and related areas shall be eligible for membership. Forensics shall include those events listed in the PSCFA Rules and Procedures Handbook.

Section 1 — Authority

The authority of this organization shall be administered by the PSCFA Executive Committee.

Section 2 — Executive Committee

• The executive committee shall be comprised of: President, Vice-President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and the immediate Past President.
• The President and Vice President shall be elected at the Spring Meeting for a term of 2 years, assuming office on July 1.
• Staggered elections: Vice President elected in even-numbered years; President elected in odd-numbered years.
• The Executive Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected for three-year terms.

Section 3 — Nomination

Interested parties will contact the President, who will compile and present an objective list of candidates. Nominations from the floor are permitted prior to the election. Newly elected officers assume office July 1 and hold office until June 30 of the following year.

Section 4 — Vacancy

• A position is vacant if an officer resigns, is recalled, or becomes permanently incapacitated.
• An officer may resign by providing written notice to the other executive committee officers.
• Recall requires a majority vote of members present at a Fall, Spring, or special meeting. The officer subject to recall shall have an opportunity to provide a defense.
• In the event of indefinite incapacitation (e.g., death or catastrophic medical event), the executive committee shall declare the position vacant and notify the membership as early as practicable.
• In the event of a vacancy, the executive committee shall convene an election as early as practicable. If an officer is recalled, a replacement election shall be held at the same meeting. An elected replacement serves the remainder of the vacated term.

• A standing research committee shall be appointed by the President. Responsibilities may include maintaining an archive of forensics research, suggesting possible research areas, and identifying research funding opportunities.
• Additional committees shall be appointed by the President as needed.

This association recognizes and supports organizations dedicated to the scholarly, creative, and competitive aspects of forensics and the field of speech communication.

This association publishes the following documents on pscfa.org:

• FRED Certification Handbook
• Rules and Procedures Handbook
• Constitution and Bylaws of the Pacific Southwest Collegiate Forensic Association

This handbook is the official book of rules and regulations of the PSCFA and shall be revised from time to time by a vote of the members present at the Fall and Spring meetings.

This Constitution shall become effective by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular meeting, provided that copies of this Constitution shall have been emailed to all members at least 30 days prior to the date of such meeting.

This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any meeting, provided that copies of the proposed amendment shall have been mailed to all members at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting, or from the floor.

Annual dues shall be paid at the Fall Champs Tournament. Schools not participating in Fall Champs shall pay dues at either Spring Champs or the Cool-Off, whichever they attend first.

Annual dues entitle member schools to attend all PSCFA tournaments and obtain the PSCFA membership roster.

A member school assumes the responsibility of faculty representation at the Fall and Spring meetings of the association.

• Each member institution is entitled to one vote on all matters of business or policy.
• It is the responsibility of the member institution to determine who shall exercise that vote.
• If no designation is made, the institution shall be deemed without representation.
• Each member institution may vote by proxy. A letter or email designating the proxy should be delivered to the Executive Secretary before the scheduled meeting.

These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote at any annual meeting.

It shall be the responsibility of the association to determine tentatively at the Spring meeting and finally at the Fall meeting the schedule of tournaments.

The handbook shall be the authority for the administration of all PSCFA tournaments.

The Fall and Spring meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.

PSCFA shall discourage the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and weapons at PSCFA events. This policy shall be consistent with university, state, and federal laws.

The PSCFA Coaches Conference (held each Fall) is a gathering of forensics professionals designed to facilitate professional growth, conduct the business of the PSCFA, and provide forums for social interaction, training, and the exchange of ideas.

📅 Conference Schedule

Friday

• 4:00 – 5:15 PM — Panels/Workshops
• 5:30 – 6:45 PM — Panels/Workshops
• 7:00 PM — Dinner

Saturday

• 9:00 – 10:15 AM — Panels/Workshops
• 10:30 – 11:45 AM — Panels/Workshops (Open Forum for New Ideas; New Coach Orientation)
• 12:15 – 1:45 PM — Lunch
• 1:45 – 3:45 PM — Business Discussion Groups I
• 3:45 – 5:45 PM — Business Discussion Groups II / Committee Meetings
• 7:00 PM — Social Gathering

Sunday

• 9:00 AM — Voting Business Meeting

💰 Registration Fees

• Mandatory registration fee: $50 per school
• Meeting room, AV, and hospitality fees will be assessed for each bid and split among attending schools.
• Example: If meeting room fees total $4,000 and 25 schools attend, the per-school facilities fee would be $160 ($4,000 ÷ 25 = $160), for a total per-school cost of $210 ($50 mandatory + $160 facilities).

📌 Additional Notes

• PSCFA shall invite the AFA, NCFA, and NPDA Southern California student representative to attend. Students shall have voting rights at the business meeting.
• Student representatives may apply for financial assistance (up to 2 nights lodging) by August 1.
• The PSCFA executive committee will attempt to send a representative to the NCFA Coaches Conference and, budget permitting, provide a stipend not to exceed $200.
• The host school/body will livestream the business meeting if it requires no additional cost and appropriate equipment is available.

A. Introduction

The PSCFA promotes intercollegiate forensics as a series of events that cultivates critical discourse, conducted in a setting of civility and mutual respect. All eligible, qualified competitors, judges, coaches, and guests should have access to forensic activities without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, use of a service animal, or any other characteristic or trait protected by state or federal law.

All guests to the PSCFA Coaches Conference, Seminar, and tournaments are required to abide by this code of conduct. This policy supplements, but does not replace, the institutional policies of each participant’s school and applicable federal and state laws.

B. Reporting Violations

• The PSCFA code of conduct applies to discrimination and harassment complaints arising during PSCFA-sponsored events, or from actions taken by officials or employees of the PSCFA acting in their official capacities.
• Participants affiliated with an academic institution are also subject to that institution’s policies and procedures.
• Individuals who believe they are being discriminated against or harassed should promptly report the complaint to the tournament ombudsperson.
• Under no circumstances will an officer of the Association be allowed to threaten or retaliate against anyone who in good faith alleges unlawful harassment or discrimination.
• Performances and narratives utilized in debate and individual event rounds are exempt from the Code of Conduct. Potential Title IX concerns should be reported to the competitor’s director of forensics and appropriate Title IX or Human Resources officer.

C. Ombudsperson’s Role

• The ombudsperson shall, in consultation with the Tournament Director, determine what remedial action should be taken.
• In the event of a Title IX violation, the ombudsperson will send an email to the Directors of Forensics of the corresponding institutions. If the student or judge has a complaint against their coach, or declines to personally report to their coach, the ombudsperson will send an email and certified letter to the Title IX office.
• Under regulations set forth by the Clery Act, in the event that any violation occurs at a PSCFA-sponsored event, the ombudsperson will email and send a letter to the director of forensics and appropriate Title IX or Human Resources officer of the host institution.

This award was inaugurated to honor the memory of Carl Bovero, former President of the PSCFA and Director of Forensics at Pasadena City College. Mr. Bovero, recently elected National President of Phi Rho Pi, died in a freeway accident while returning from working with his forensics students. These awards are presented annually in his memory, keeping students as the central focus of forensics.

• The Vice-President shall conduct the procedures to select the Bovero Award winners.
• First and Second Place awards for both 2-year and 4-year schools will be presented. Honorable Mention Certificates will be awarded to other nominated students.
• Cash awards: $300 for First Place and $200 for Second Place.
• Eligible students: Seniors at 4-year schools and Sophomores at 2-year schools.
• Students should be considered based on contributions to their forensic squad and to forensics in general. Of greater importance than tournament success is the individual’s interest in promoting high standards in forensic activities.
• By January 1, all member institutions shall be invited by email from the Vice-President to submit nominations. Each school may nominate a maximum of two students from their school and two students from other colleges/universities. Nominations are due by January 31.
• By February 1, the Vice-President shall appoint a committee of coaches from community colleges and 4-year colleges. Any coach representing a school with a nominee is ineligible for the committee. Award winners shall be determined by February 8.
• The Bovero Awards shall be presented at the Spring Championship Tournament.

This award honors the memory of Dan Miller, Director of Forensics at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. A perpetual award is given annually to the member school that achieves excellence in competition.

• The award is given to the member institution that accumulates the largest number of school sweepstakes points at PSCFA tournaments.
• Points from certificates at the Warm-Up tournament do not count. All points from certificates, semi-finalists, finalists, and trophy awards at the Fall Championship, Spring Championship, and the Cool-Off shall count.
• All member schools participate in a single division for this award.
• A school’s total points accumulate from year to year until the school wins the award. At that time, its point total is reduced to zero and it begins accumulating again.
• The award is presented annually at the Fall Championship Tournament.

This award honors Dr. Jack Howe, former Director of Forensics at California State University Long Beach (founder of CEDA and former PSCFA President), and Jim Wyman, former Director of Forensics at Moorpark College (former PSCFA President, Vice-President, and Executive Secretary). One coach is honored each year.

Nomination Criteria

Three areas should be considered when making nominations:

1. Contributions: Provided growth and/or expansion of PSCFA in a coaching and/or administrative way.
2. Service: Held office, tabroom experience, committee work, and/or mentoring peers.
3. Commitment to the organization and to students.

Process

• Each college or university may nominate up to two coaches. Nominations are due to the Wyman/Howe Award Committee by the Warm-up Tournament.
• The Executive Secretary shall distribute a list of all current coaches with space for write-in candidates to each school.
• Results of nominations shall be forwarded to the Wyman/Howe Award Committee (selected by the President).
• The award shall be given each year at the Fall Championship Tournament.
• The Wyman-Howe Committee may award the honor to a deserving coach not nominated through the standard process, via a letter from a member of the body.

Spring Champs shall be named after a nominated and elected past member of PSCFA each year.

• Each year, each school may submit one nominee to the Vice President at the Fall Champs Tournament (first year) or the Coaches Retreat (subsequent years), no later than January 1.
• The Vice President will panel a committee to decide on the recipient, striving to balance between four-year and two-year colleges.
• Each year, Spring Champs will be named after the selected nominee.
• The Sweepstakes trophies will bear the recipient’s name.
• The recipient will receive a plaque of recognition and, if living, will be invited to: speak at the Award ceremony, hand out trophies, and judge final rounds.

PSCFA is committed to promoting the academic excellence of its students.

• By January 1, the President will send out an email accepting applications for the Scholar Award.
• Eligible students must have participated in at least three tournaments during the academic year prior to February 1 and have a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better.
• The Director of Forensics shall submit an online form with eligible student names, the three or more tournaments attended, and a copy of each student’s transcript by February 1. The form shall be sent to the PSCFA Treasurer.
• Awards will be presented at Spring Championships. The cost of the plaque ($30) shall be included in the school’s fees. If the school does not attend Spring Championships, a check made payable to “PSCFA” shall be sent to the PSCFA Treasurer.
• The PSCFA President will send a letter of commendation to each institution’s President and school newspaper within 30 days.

• A call for papers will be included in all PSCFA invitations and posted on the website. Papers are due June 1 each year.
• There will be an undergraduate and a post-graduate division. Any undergraduate paper co-authored by a post-graduate will be entered in the post-graduate division.
• Up to five submissions from each division will be invited to present at the Coaches Conference.
• Papers will be adjudicated by a committee appointed by the PSCFA President. Undergraduate students will be offered up to a $100 stipend to offset conference costs. The top undergraduate will receive a $250 scholarship and will be invited to present their paper before awards at the PSCFA Fall Championships.
• PSCFA welcomes submissions related to the instruction, practices, development, critique, and research regarding speech activities. The goal is to facilitate scholarly discussion among forensic educators, administrators, and students.
• PSCFA uses a blind peer review policy. The President and appointed committee of invited reviewers will review manuscripts.

📝 Manuscript Formatting Guidelines

• Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced throughout, including block quotations, notes, and references.
• Manuscripts should follow any established style guide: APA, MLA, Chicago, or Harvard.
• To ensure blind review, avoid self-references in the manuscript.
• Include a separate title page with: author name(s), academic titles, institutional affiliations, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, any manuscript history, and whether it is an undergraduate or post-graduate submission.
• The second page should contain an abstract of no more than 100 words.
• The text should begin on the third page and include a title at the top.
• Authors are expected to follow the review guidelines established by their institution’s research review board for studies involving human subjects.