Forensics Community Speaks at UO Trustees Meeting

At the September Board of Trustees meetings in Portland, students, alums, and supporters of Oregon Forensics came together to share their experiences and advocate for the program’s future. Their testimony highlighted the program’s rich 149-year legacy and the transformative opportunities it continues to provide for students in speech, debate, and mock trial.

Alumni emphasized the program’s life-changing impact. “The forensic team is why I decided to go to the UO … I still keep in contact with many of my teammates and I still look around and see what a wildly successful group of individuals we are. Forensics is a gateway to further ed and successful careers,” said Shelby Malstrom, a UO alumna (Daily Emerald). Her words reflected what many echoed — that Oregon Forensics has produced generations of leaders whose careers were shaped by the program.

Others stressed how Forensics strengthens the university’s broader mission. Alumni and supporters noted that the program “strengthens the educational experience of Ducks and enhances the university’s reputation” (KLCC), pointing to its long tradition of hosting tournaments, mentoring high school students, and connecting Ducks with national networks.

Current students also spoke powerfully about their experiences. One student explained that Oregon Forensics offers “a chance to be heard and to grow in ways that extend far beyond the classroom” (Daily Emerald). For them, the program provides competitive opportunities and a supportive community of peers and mentors.

Although the trustees approved the 2025–26 university budget, the voices raised at the meeting underscored the broad support for Oregon Forensics and the community’s commitment to securing a permanent home for the program. That commitment reflects the enduring value of Forensics at Oregon: cultivating leaders, building community, and preparing students for lives of purpose.