Constitution

The Constitution 

of the 

Philonomosian Society

 of 

Georgetown University

Washington, D.C.

Founded January 8, 1839 — Revived August 30, 2023

~~~Updated Spring 2025~~~

Preamble

Though anxious and resolved to reap all the benefits, which it is the peculiar property of Debating Societies to confer, yet our more immediate aim, will be to promote eloquence and acquire an accurate knowledge of history — these acquisitions we deem useful for all men, but believe them indispensable for us, considering the peculiar form of Government under which we live, and the independent character of the nation, to which it is our good fortune to belong.

Aware that youth, if not the only, is undoubtedly the fittest time, and College, the most proper place to plant that, the fruits of which we desire to reap hereafter, we have formed ourselves into a body for that purpose, hoping by the following regulations, to effect its accomplishment. (1839)

Article I: Name, Purpose, & Objectives

Section 1. This association shall be styled “The Philonomosian Society of Georgetown University.” The Society shall further identify itself as “founded 1839, revived 2023.” It shall translate its name as “Love of the Nomos” or “Love of Truth, Law, and Traditions.” (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 2. The Society’s motto shall be “Lex, Libertas, Salusque Gentis,” translated as “Law, Liberty and the People's Well-Being.” Its salutation shall be “Nomos!” Its guiding ethic shall be“Debate is the Servant of Truth.”  The Society shall preserve these ancient mottos in a logo or badge that members may purchase at their option. (1903, 2023)

Section 3. The Society’s purpose shall be to promote eloquence and acquire an accurate knowledge of history and the leading social and political questions of the day. To be held regularly, debates shall be decorous, thoughtful, and unfettered over any question in the humanities, business, history, philosophy, logic, ethics, law, policy, choices, and questions relevant to Georgetown’s ethos and particularity.  (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 4. The Society shall meet every Wednesday evening at a suitable location during the scholastic term. This meeting shall be subject to the restrictions defined in the By-Laws. (1903)

Section 5. There shall be a debate at every meeting, except at those meetings specifically called to transact business, and said debate shall be carried on by two regular debaters chosen in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws. After the regular debate and after the Society has voted on the merits of the debate, the question shall become the property of the Society for voluntary discussion. (1903)

Section 6. The Society shall not hinder or impede any voice from being heard on any question before the house. The Society shall not allow itself to be censored from debating any question, nor shall any Philonomosian participate in such activities directed against the Society or prevent or disturb any open debate of the Society, and if they do so, their membership shall be considered resigned and forfeit without more. (2023)

Section 7. The Society shall state rules of decorum. If anyone should suggest that a Philonomosian has violated a rule of decorum, the matter shall be put to the Censors, who shall determine if a reprimand or an apology is warranted. If an apology is deemed necessary, the Censors shall write a formal charge specifying the alleged violations of decorum, and the matter shall be scheduled for an open debate of the Society unless an apology is made and accepted. No further punishment may be imposed once the apology is accepted. (2023, 2025)

Section 8. Privacy concerning the proceedings of meetings or any business of the Society is enjoined on the members. (1903, 2023)

Article II: Membership 

Section 1.  This Society shall comprise undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members from Georgetown University and its affiliated institutions who have taken the Oath. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023, 2025, 2025) 

Section 2.  Membership shall not be denied based on race, ethnicity, creed, political affiliation, sexual or gender identity, age or physical ability, national origin or status, wealth, or course of study. (2023) 

Section 3. Upon achieving full membership, all Members shall also be part of the Philonomosian Alumni Association, whose members and honorary members shall be deemed Members of the Society with voice but without other membership rights. (2023) 

Section 4. Those seeking membership through Induction (the Petitioners) shall be in good academic standing with the University. Petitioners are responsible for paying an induction contribution in an amount determined by the Society. Petitioners shall sit with the Cohort in which they request membership. (2023)

Section 5.  Petitioners shall give floor speeches at two separate debates and attend one Georgetown-sponsored lecture on the Main Campus or one of its satellite campuses. Each condition shall be recorded by the Clerk and noted with dates in the aspirant’s Petition. The lecture may be one that the President promotes. Once eligible, the Petition for Induction shall be presented in writing as a letter addressed to the President and contain the required information. The names of eligible candidates shall be brought to the Committee on Arrangements.  The Petitioner shall select a Sponsor or be assigned one by the President and will be allowed to enter their preferred Cohort upon submission of their Petition pending their Induction. (2023, 2025)

Section 7. Active Membership. Active membership shall consist of the following: (1) the right to vote at the Ekklesia and any other business meeting of the Society; (2) submitting and voting on constitutional amendments; and (3) the right to stand as a candidate for office in this Society. No full member of the Society shall retain their active membership in a given semester unless they attend three debates of the Society in whole or in part, and attend one event affiliated with the Society that is not a weekly debate or the Ekklesia. Either requirement may be waived, subject to a vote of the Committee on Arrangements. (2024, 2025)

Section 8. The Society may confer honorary membership to any individual, living or dead, who emulates the principles of “Lex, Libertas, Salusque Gentis” or who has greatly served the Philonomosian Society or Georgetown University. This honor shall be nominated and confirmed by a vote of two-thirds present and voting at the Eklessia. Living Honorary Members are entitled to Member debate privileges, membership in a Cohort of their choice, and may speak but may not vote in the Ekklesia. (2023)

Section 9. Alumni of the Society shall include all members of the Philonomosian Alumni Association.  Alumni members shall be considered Members for purposes of debates. (2023)

Section 10. At the beginning of each scholastic year, all returning  Members of the previous year must make a Membership financial contribution to advance the mission of the Society. These contributions may be waived for hardship reasons in consultation with the Treasurer. Members may be suspended from the Society for failure to make contributions or any act in violation of the Charter, Constitution, or By-Laws, that prejudices the existential welfare of the Society. (2023)

Section 11. Expulsion from the Society may occur in cases of egregious violation of the laws or ethos of the Society. Such expulsion must first be put to and recommended by a simple majority of the Committee on Arrangements. Upon submission to the Committee on Questions for the wording of the charge, a hearing allowing for a defense against the charge, which the charged Member or their advocate can make, a vote shall be put to the Committee on Questions. A member recommended for expulsion or their advocate shall be notified no less than seven (7) days prior to a hearing. Expulsion requires a supermajority vote of the Two Committees, who shall deliver notice of the decision no less than twenty-four (24) hours after a hearing. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023, 2024) 

Section 12.  Members who wish to withdraw from the Society shall present their resignation in writing to the President. (1839)

Article III: General Governance 

Section 1. A meeting may be called at any time by the President or by a quorum of the members. A quorum shall be formed by one quarter of the active members in the case of debates or a majority of active members in the case of Ekklesias and committees. The presiding officer shall assume a quorum is present for all official meetings of the society unless a single member shall call for a quorum call. A quorum call must be undertaken expeditiously in under twenty minutes. If a quorum is not found to be present, the meeting shall be immediately dissolved. A written Petition of Members affixed with one-third proportion of Member signatures calling for the annulment of actions taking place at a quorum-lacking and dissolved meeting will void actions taken at such a meeting. (1839, 2024, 2025)

Section 2. Section 2. The Society shall conduct a semi-annual meeting known as the Ekklesia for Society business. (2023, 2024, 2025)

Section 2I.  The Fall Ekklesia.  The Orders of the Day of the Fall Ekklesia shall be:

• Roll call and Adoption of Minutes.

• Report of Committees and Announcements.

• Old Business

• Constitutional or By-law amendments (if any)

• Membership Matters (if any)

• New Business

• Elections of Officers

Section 2II.  The Spring Ekklesia.  The Orders of the Day of the Spring Ekklesia shall be:

• Roll call and Adoption of Minutes.

• Report of Committees and Announcements.

• Old Business

• Constitutional or By-law amendments (if any).

• Membership Matters (if any)

• New Business 

• Elections of Officers

Section 3. The Society shall be subject to the Charter, this Constitution, the Bylaws, and any Trust instrument that it may adopt. Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern all meetings of the Society so long as they do not conflict with the Constitution or Bylaws or any special rules the Society may adopt. Unless otherwise stated, the Ekklesia, regular membership meetings, and Committees shall decide all questions by a simple majority vote of those present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum prevails. (1921, 2023)

Section 4. The Election of Officers shall require a simple majority of Members present and voting.  If contested, such elections shall be effected by ranked-choice written ballot if there are multiple candidates or by written ballot if there are only two candidates.  Elections may be effected remotely via electronic devices. Elections shall require a candidate biography and a written statement, which may be communicated electronically, a brief one-minute speech, and answering up to three questions (if any) about the office’s duties. No discussion regarding the candidates can occur during the Ekklesia. The speech and questioning may be waived. Any impugnation on a member's integrity during an Election shall be out of order and punishable by a fine. (2023)

Section 5. No Cohort can possess a majority of the offices on the Committee on Arrangements in any given scholastic semester or elect such a majority at the Ekklesia. If a Cohort reaches the greatest number of officers below a majority, no further member in that Cohort may be nominated at Ekklesia or appointed thereafter. The Committee on Arrangements must further have at least one elected member representing a right-leaning Cohort and one member representing a left-leaning Cohort. (2023, 2024, 2025) 

Section 6. Any proposed amendments to an organizational document must be submitted to the Committees on Arrangements and the Committee of Advisors for vetting within a timeframe set by the President, provided that such timeframe allows for submission no fewer than three (3) calendar days prior to the date of the Spring Ekklesia. Proposals shall be distributed to Members, along with the notice of the meeting, in accordance with the same timeframe. Constitutional amendments shall require both a majority of the Committee on Arrangements present and voting and three-fourths of other Members present and voting.  Bylaw amendments shall require both two-thirds of the Committee of Arrangements present and voting and two-thirds of other Members present and voting. (2023, 2025)

Section 7. Honorary membership proposals, consisting of a biography and nominating statement,  shall be submitted to the Committee on Arrangements in writing before any Ekklesia and to the Members with the notice of the meeting, by the deadline set by the Committee on Arrangements. Such privilege is conferred by a majority of Members present and voting. Honorary Membership shall only be withdrawn if the member has been credibly convicted of a crime. (2023, 2025) 

Section 8. Following the nomination of candidates for board positions at Ekklesia and prior to the counting of the vote for said candidates, all nominees are allowed to select one (1) member of the Society to observe the counting of the ballots. (2025)

Article IV:  Officers and Governing Committees 

Section 1. Adjudication of the Society’s business shall be vested in two committees of jurisdiction, the “Committee on Arrangements” and the “Committee on Questions.” Each committee shall have separate responsibilities that do not overlap with the authority of the other.  In addition, there shall be a Committee of Advisors that the Moderator shall chair. The respective chair shall call regular meetings of the three committees.  Special meetings may be called jointly by the President and Moderator. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023) 

Section 2. The “Committee on Arrangements” shall comprise the President, serving as chairperson, Vice President, Treasurer, Clerk, Historian, Director of External Affairs, Social Chair, Director of Marketing, two Censors, and the Moderator or his Advisor designee. The Director of Education and the Emeriti may sit on the Committee as non-voting members. The Committee may create other special task committees of no more than three members to be appointed by the President. (2023, 2024, 2024, 2025) 

Section 3. Each student officer's term of office shall be for one (1) scholastic semester.  Only students of the upper classes may hold the positions of President. Only students who have held society membership for at least three semesters may hold the office of President and Vice-President. No member shall hold two offices at the same time. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023, 2024)

Section 4. The Moderator shall serve as the faculty advisor of the Society. They shall represent the Society before the Faculty and administration, may criticize the performances of the members, may restrain all breaches of order, and explain all rules of order. The Moderator shall chair the Committee of Advisors and shall be a member of every standing and special committee, except the “Committee on Questions.” The Moderator must preserve all the property of the Society, use all reasonable means to augment its resources, and cause its debates to be conducted with regularity. (2023, 2025) 

Section 5. The President shall preside at all the meetings of the Society, except on such occasions when the President surrenders the chair to another as an honor, such as to an alumnus, honorary member, or member of the Faculty.  They are a member of every standing and special committee except the “Committee on Questions” and have the right to give the casting vote only should a debate end in a tie. They shall sign all orders, acts, and other proceedings of the Society and act as its public representative. The President is required to vacate their Cohort affiliation for the duration of their service. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 6. The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President.  The Vice President also acts as the chair of the “Committee on Questions” and has the right to give the casting vote only should a procedural motion end in a tie. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 7. The Treasurer shall keep the financial accounts of the Society, receiving all money and making all disbursements. They shall be ready to state the financial condition of the Society on the demand of the President or majority of the Committee on Arrangements and shall present a written report every semester on the finances of the society. The Treasurer shall carry the sword of the Philonomosian Society. (1839, 2025) 

Section 8. The Clerk shall maintain an accurate roster of members and Alumni of the society, record attendees at debates, read messages or proclamations to the Society, keep time during debates, record the minutes of all business meetings, remind debaters of the date set for their debates and manage the Society’s internal communications, including but not limited to email and electronic communications. The Clerk shall also act as the Society’s Delegate to the American Association of Collegiate Literary Societies (“AACLS”) and shall be responsible for communicating all AACLS business to the Committee on Arrangements. (1839, 1903. 1921, 2023, 2024)

The Clerk shall call the roll, read messages or proclamations to the Society, keep time during debates, record the minutes of all business meetings, note the absentees, and remind debaters of the date set for their debates. The Clerk shall vacate their Cohort affiliation for the duration of their service. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023)

Section 9. The Historian shall be responsible for composing and updating an accurate history of the Philonomosian. The Historian shall also be responsible for curating the Charter, Constitution, and By-Laws, creating and printing the weekly debate program and flyers, and filing a copy with the University Archivist after the scholastic semester.  During the Revival, the Historian shall ensure the execution of the Charter. (2023)

Section 10. The Director of External Affairs shall be responsible for relations with the Philonomosian Alumni Association, the Critic, new members, faculty, and guest speakers. This position shall invite guest keynoters and Critics from the community at large, engage alumni of the Society, and coordinate member projects and speaker compensation funding requests from the Trust. (2024, 2025) 

Section 11. The Magister shall be responsible for planning and implementing social events for the Society, to promote merriment and strong fellowship. These social events shall include any Society dinners and special events, such as the St. Cecilia’s, Chaucer, Washington Cup, and McGuigan debates. The Magister shall henceforth chair all committees and working groups related to the promulgation of the aforementioned events. The title “Magistra” can be used in the case of a woman being elected to the position, if preferred. (2024, 2024)

Section 12. The President shall appoint two Censors who shall preserve order in the Society and be responsible for publicizing all business of the Society. The First Censor shall be from the junior or senior class. They shall fine members for disorder and deliver them to the Treasurer. The First Censor shall present a report to the Society on instances of extreme disturbance or vulgarity. The Second Censor shall be from the freshman or sophomore class. They shall be responsible for maintaining the Society’s digital presence and may record segments of debates or business meetings for public viewing and archival purposes, with permission of the speaker. Each Censor must be from a separate Cohort. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023, 2024)

Section 13. The Director of Marketing shall oversee the society’s public presence and advertising through methods including but not limited to market research, segmentation, targeting, positioning, and instituting metrics for implementation and control. They shall be responsible for developing a proactive marketing strategy for the society to determine the messaging for public-facing creative content, including but not limited to the LinkedIn, Instagram, Website, and Twitter. They shall work in conjunction with the Clerk and oversee the marketing activities of the Second Censor, Director of External Affairs, and Social Chair. (2024, 2025) 

Section 14. The Director of Education shall be appointed by the President and responsible for fostering the rhetorical development of members of the society. Their duties shall include organizing speech writing and delivery workshops, curating resources for asynchronous development, and assisting cohort leaders in organizing cohort-scale activities and events. They shall serve on the Committee on Arrangements as a non voting member. (2025)

Section 15. The Moderator shall appoint a Critic who shall criticize the arguments, style, cadence, rhetorical techniques, and other aspects of the oratory of Members, Guests, and Inductees at each meeting after voting has concluded and shall be provided a period of time at the discretion of the President. This position is reserved for a graduate student, member of the faculty, or guest. Should the Critic be a full member, they must vacate their Cohort affiliation for the duration of their service. (2023, 2025)

Section 16. The Emeritus. Upon the end of their term of office, the President shall become an Emeritus of the Society. The Emeritus shall serve as an advisor responsible for the Society's general wellbeing. They may sit, at the discretion of the President, as a non-voting member of the Committee on Arrangements and of the Committee on Questions. Should an Emeritus obtain an elected position on the Two Committees following their term as President, their status as an Emeritus shall be declared null for the duration of their term of service. The "Emeriti" shall refer to all former Presidents of the Society. (2024, 2025)

Section 17. The "Committee on Questions" shall comprise the Vice President, serving as chairperson, the Critic, and Cohort Leaders. Its responsibilities are to approve debate resolutions, formulate key tenets, and organize keynoters. The proposal of debate resolutions shall alternate among Cohort Leaders, though a majority of the Committee must approve the final language. The Committee shall meet at least once per month to set subsequent debates. A debate resolution and framework may only be edited by a 2/3rds vote of the Committee on Arrangements at least three days before the intended date with the approval of the vice president, to entirely reject a resolution additionally requires a majority vote of cohort leaders. A majority of cohort leaders may vote 3 days before said debate resolution to reject any edits made by arrangements. (1903, 2023, 2025)

Section 18. The “Committee of Advisors” shall comprise the Moderator and at least two other members but no more than five. The Committee shall determine its membership, but any Member may recommend advisors. (2023)

Section 19. The President may, during their term, propose temporary subcommittees within the Committee on Arrangements; these subcommittees shall consist of members of the Society and aim to aid with the responsibilities of board members or fill special or undelegated tasks until the next Ekklessia. Subcommittees may be approved by a two thirds majority vote of the Committee on Arrangements. Members within subcommittees may be approved or expelled with a two thirds majority of the Committee on Arrangements. Only the President or a member on the Committee on Arrangements governing a subcommittee may propose new members for their subcommittee. Subcommittee members do not hold any voting role and all existing subcommittees and their memberships are terminated following each and every semesterly Ekklessia. (2025)

Article V:  Cohorts 

Section 1.  Striving to thrive as a traditional debating society in modern times, to ensure balance in the selection of debate topics, and to prevent self-censorship or bias in the selection of resolutions raised for debate, as befitting our University, the Society’s membership shall form into Cohorts solely for this purpose. (2023, 2025) 

Section 2.  Each Cohort shall be led by a Cohort Leader responsible for organizing a Cohort platform, ensuring participation and attendance, and canvassing, selecting, and coordinating debate topic proposals to the Committee on Questions. Cohort Leaders may create auxiliary officers if the need arises. Cohorts may develop their laws and traditions provided they do not contradict the laws and ethos of the Philonomosian Society. (2023)

Section 3. Cohorts may organize solely on socio-political principles and not on identities of sex, gender, race, religion, or course of study. (2023, 2025) 

Section 4. No Cohort shall comprise more than 30% of Members. The sum of members of all right-leaning or left-leaning cohorts shall not exceed two-thirds of the membership. If the induction of a Petitioner would violate the aforementioned requirement, the Cohort Leader is not permitted to sign the Petitioner’s letter nor place them as a candidate for membership. New Cohorts shall be formed by at least 15% of Members upon notice to and with the approval of the President. A Cohort shall be dormant and its members dispersed if its membership falls below 10% of Members. (2023, 2024, 2025)

Section 5. Cohort leaders shall present new members for induction at the end of each debate and assign them a Sponsor for their first semester. (2023)

Section 6. Members who wish to switch their Cohort membership shall submit a letter of resignation to their Cohort leader and give a speech on the floor renouncing their previous Cohort, upon the completion of this speech, they shall relocate to their desired Cohort. (2023)

Article VI: Articles of Removal

Section 1. All Officers who sit on the Committee on Questions, Committee of Advisors, and the Committee on Arrangements, should they fail to uphold their oath or betray the ethos of the Society, are subject to Removal from their office. The same procedure applies to Removal of general Members from the Society except in cases where forfeiture of membership is automatic. 

Section 2. To consider the Removal of any Officer, the President (or the Vice President should the President be under consideration) shall call a special joint meeting of the Committees on Arrangements and Questions for the sole purpose of Removal. A Complainant (or Complainants) must submit a letter in writing to the President detailing one or more Articles of Impeachment. The President shall call the special meeting only after receiving the letter. 

Section 3. At the special meeting, the letter shall be read by all Officers. Officers shall be polled aloud as to whether they have read the indicting letter. If the Defendant wishes to contest the Articles, Defendant will then have 5 minutes to respond (this time may be lengthened at the president's discretion), unless they have chosen to do so in writing. The President will then moderate a 10-minute questioning period if they are present. Questions may be addressed to the Complainant(s) and Defendant. Following the questioning, the Defendant will leave the room. The President will moderate a 10-minute deliberation period and without exception then call the question. 

Section 4.  All Officers of the Committees on Arrangements and Questions, except the Defendant, shall vote on Removal by secret ballot. Removal requires a two-thirds majority of all Officers, including those not present, but not including the Officer under consideration, to be successful. The Defendant may be let in after the counting of votes to hear the result.

Section 5.  For any appointed position, those responsible must appoint a new officer within two weeks of Removal. If there is less than one month remaining in the semester or the prior Officer’s term, the President may leave the position vacant until the next term or regular election. However, positions required for normal debate procedures may not be left vacant.

Section 6.  For any elected positions, if there is more than half of the prior Officer’s term remaining, there will be a special election called within one month of Removal. This may be extended to the next semester if there is less than one month in the current semester. If there is less than half of the prior Officer’s term remaining, the President may appoint a Member to serve out the remainder of the term within two weeks of removal. If the President is Removed, with less than one-half of the term remaining, the Vice President may ascend to the office of President for the remainder of the term and appoint a new Vice President.

Article VII: Debates 

Section 1.  The Society shall meet every Wednesday evening during the scholastic term at a suitable time in an agreed-upon location, and this meeting shall be subject to the restrictions laid down in the By-Laws. The two regularly appointed censors must be present. In the absence of one or both, a censor must be temporarily appointed. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2025) 

Section 2. Any subject is debatable, but no irreverence to any religion’s creed or debasing distinctions of identity shall be in order. Speech during a debate may also be restricted by the doctrine of “imminent lawless action” adopted in Brandenburg v. Ohio., or the Society's standards of decorum,   Members and Petitioners are enjoined from boycotting any debate due to the nature of the resolution or keynoters or otherwise assisting a disturbance. Unless otherwise stated in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Philonomosian Society, or in the Georgetown University Speech and Expression Policy, this Society shall make no effort to limit or persecute the speech of its members.

 (2023, 2025)

Section 3.  Debate resolutions shall be styled with affirmative and negative sides and shared with the Society at least three (3) days before a debate. (2023)

Section 4. The weekly debate shall be organized into two main portions: the Common Debate and the Ex tempore Debate. Weekly debates of the Society shall not exceed two-and-a-half (2.5) hours except in special circumstances. (2023) 

Section 5. The Common Debate shall consist of two Keynoters selected by the Committee on Questions, who may be Members, Petitioners, or guests of the Society. One Keynoter will speak in the affirmative, the other in the negative. Each opening Keynoter is provided five (5) minutes for their oration. Following the opening keynotes, each Cohort will be provided two (2) questions to ask of one or both of the Common debaters. The debate shall then move to the Ex tempore Debate, which is elaborated upon in the following section, and shall return to the Common debate once it concludes. At the end of the debate, each Keynoter shall offer a  ninety (90) second Declamation to reply and rally support. After the Division, the Critic may offer remarks on the quality of the debate of a duration determined by the president. (2023, 2024, 2025)

Section 6. The Ex tempore Debate shall be characterized by unscripted floor speeches irrespective of argument or seniority of Induction. A Member from the quarters of each Cohort shall be recognized to speak should they raise their hand. A Cohort leader may present the President with a list of expected Cohort participants in their order of speech or other status. Each speaker will have two (2) minutes for their remarks.  (2023, 2024, 2025)

Section 7. In special circumstances, the Committee on Questions shall endow a debate with the “Grand Debate” format. The Grand Debate shall consist of four or six Keynoters selected by the Committee on Questions, who may be Members,  Petitioners, or guests of the Society.  If four, two Keynoters shall affirm and negate the resolution for five minutes each, and two Keynoters shall offer Replies in turn of three minutes each.  If six, two additional Senior members shall end the debate with Declamations of no more than ninety (90) seconds to reply and rally support.  After the Division, the Critic may offer five-minute remarks on the quality of the debate. (2023)

Section 8. At each debate, the President may call on Alumni, Petitioners, or guests to speak on the floor at any time but shall do so before the last round of floor speeches. If a Petitioner shall have raised their hand in three separate debates but fails to be recognized by the President, on the fourth try and thereafter, they shall stand until all those standing are recognized to speak by the President. (2023, 2024)

Section 9. Voting on a resolution shall occur as follows: by affirmative and negative voters walking out of different doors, by dividing into two sides of the room, or by standing in turn at their seats to be counted. The Censors and Keynoters shall count the number of individuals voting. Abstaining voters will remain in their seats. The winning side constitutes a majority of voting participants. (2023)

Section 10.

1. The Society, namely the Committees on Questions and Arrangements as well as the leadership within individual Cohorts, shall arrange intercohort debates between any two Cohorts on topics of interest to and forms acceptable to said Cohorts.

   1. These debates may or may not abide by all rules of decorum applicable to regular debate as expressed within Article VI of the Philonomosian Constitution and Article II of the Philonomosian Bylaws, with the exception of Article II, Sections 3, 4, 12, 13, and 14 as well as Article III, Sections 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10, which must always apply.

2. The number of these debates per semester shall be variable and decided by the Committees on Questions and Arrangements, but must allow all active Cohorts an opportunity for participation in at least one intercohort debate. 

3. These intercohort debates will be chaired by the highest ranking available member on the Committee on Arrangements who does not belong to either Cohort debating.

4. Cohort leadership will be involved in selecting debate topics, and will be invited to sit on the Committee on Questions for meetings pertaining to these events. Cohort leadership will also be involved in agreeing to the format of debate, with either (i) the Chair of a Cohort or (ii) a simple majority of a Cohort’s leadership positions being sufficient to approve the topic and format of debate. (2025)

Article VIII: Special Events

Section 1. The Washington Cup Debate. On the Wednesday in February closest to February 22, the Society shall organize a debate honoring the life and legacy of President George Washington. The Washington Cup shall be awarded to the speaker who best encapsulates President Washington’s moral authority, sincerity, humility, and decorum. (2023, 2025) 

Section 2. The McGuigan Debate. On a day in April, as agreed to by the Society, there shall be an annual debate in honor of Rev. John A. McGuigan, S.J., the first President of the Philonomosian Society. Said debate is to be keynoted by one member representing each cohort of the Society, who shall be decided upon by a manner of each cohort’s choosing. If the number of Cohorts is odd, an additional keynoter from the senior class shall be selected, and who shall debate the question chosen by the Society according to the prescriptions laid down in the bylaws. The McGuigan Medal shall be awarded to the best keynote debater in the judgment of three judges appointed by the Committee on Arrangements selected from the Faculty or who is accomplished in the professions. All winners of the McGuigan Medal earn the privilege to wear it during their respective Commencement Exercises. (1839, 1903, 1921, 2023, 2024)

Part 2. The McGuigan Committee. The Committee on the McGuigan Debate will consist of the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer, the Magister, and the Director of External Affairs. (2025) 

Section 3. The Capitol Debate Series. At the discretion of the Committee on Arrangements,  particular debates may be commissioned, and the format selected.  In said debates, a speaker may be asked to keynote the debate topic. Said keynoter shall be an expert in the question at hand or a prominent member of Georgetown’s alumni community. Capitol Debates shall not interfere with the regular debates. Capitol Debates may be held in an off-campus setting should a willing host present itself. (2023)

Section 4. The Chaucer Debate. The Society shall conduct a debate, at least annually, on a great work of literature. The Committee on Questions (in consultation with the Committee of Advisors) shall announce the scholastic material for such debate a month preceding the debate. The debate may be conducted in place of a regularly scheduled Wednesday meeting or can be scheduled for an alternative date. Such debates, however, may not coincide with the Capitol Debate Series. (2023)

Section 5.  St. Cecilia’s Day Celebration.  Whether through a debate on or nearest to November 22 of each year or otherwise, the Society shall commemorate the traditional Georgetown day of celebration. The commemoration events shall be the special charge of the Committee on Arrangements. The commemoration must include music. (2023)

Section 6. The Challenge. In its solicitude for college debating, unless forestalled, the Society shall challenge the Philodemic Society to a joint debate, suggesting the President of the University choose the question. The challenge shall be issued before the end of the fall scholastic semester. (1921, 2023)  

Section 7. Future Events. The Society shall consider and may accept donations that would serve to endow debates on topics of specific interest or fund single special debates. (2023)

Article IX: Dissolution

Section 1. Should this Society and its Alumni Association be dissolved or suspended, be it enacted: That the Charter, Constitution, logo and all items be entrusted to the custody of the Archivist of the University with the following entrustment: “That they are to be bestowed upon any Association in the University which will assume the name of ‘The Philonomosian Society of Georgetown University’ and abide by the same Constitution, By-laws, and customs of the Society, and not on any other conditions whatsoever.” (1921, 2023)  

Ratified July 15, 2023 

Last Amended December 10, 2025