Students from NYU’s 14 global sites will debate the topic Resolved: Freedom of the press should extend to state secrets, as part of the university’s third annual Bickel and Brewer Global Debate Competition.

The first workshop for the debate will be held on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 239 Greene St. Registration for the debate began Sept. 9, and students can register in two-person teams until a maximum of 350 entries is reached.

Students studying at all of NYU’s global sites will be able to participate in the competition through a four-minute video submission, while students at the Washington Square campus, NYU Washington, D.C. and the Polytechnic Institute of NYU will participate in the preliminary on-campus debate in February.

Neural science professor Vik Keenan and Global Debate Program Director William Baker will lead the workshops to assist students, familiar and unfamiliar with debate, in preparing their arguments for the competition.

“Every year of the competition, students with no prior debate experience have been among the prize winners,” Baker said. “Just by entering, students have a one in 10 chance, or better, at earning money.”

Stern junior Nikhil Jayawickrama was not previously involved with NYU’s debate team, but had participated in debate in high school. Jayawickrama competed in the 2012-2013 competition from NYU London and was a finalist.

“I truly think that a couple of hours of really concentrated thought about what the topic means, and how it can be interpreted, can go a long way,” Jayawickrama said.

The first round of debate, along with the study away video submissions, will determine the Sweet Sixteen round contestants, who will be flown to New York City. Students who do not advance to the following rounds receive $500, and students who make it to this round and subsequent rounds are guaranteed a greater monetary prize.

Prize money is given to winners on a case-by-case basis — the most an individual can earn is $5,000 but generally, money is awarded in the form of tuition reimbursement.

Abhi Elisetty, a CAS junior and winner of the 2011-2012 Global Debate from NYU New York, said the competition is a great way for students not familiar with debate to be involved.

“The Bickel and Brewer Global Debate tournament is great,” Elisetty said. “Because of its layman-friendly format, [it gives] students without prior experience the opportunity to participate on an equal footing with some of the more seasoned debaters. I think it’s also important in that it brings together students from all of NYU’s global campuses.”

Elisetty, who participated in last year’s debate, also offered advice to new debaters.

“Prepare early and prepare often,” Elisetty said. “The sooner you start to work on the topic, the better prepared you’ll be come February and May.”

A version of this article appeared in the Wednesday, Oct. 30 print edition. Ann Schmidt is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].