Due to low registrations numbers, ACUI has made the decision to cancel the 2022 CUPSI.
We are saddened that we will not be gathering together this year. ACUI will be taking strategic steps to assess this program and work with the community to determine its future. Please fill out the comment card to let us know what your thoughts are on the future of this program.
Eligibility, Code of Conduct, and Official Rules
The following forms should be downloaded and submitted to ACUI prior to the competition per the Eligibility Guidelines.
- 2022 CUPSI Academic Eligibility Form (Registrar): This form is applicable all competing students. It must be completed by institution's registrar and include university's seal. This cannot be faxed; submit hard copies only.
- 2022 ACUI Student Programs Code of Conduct (Competing): This form is applicable for competing students; it should be downloaded, signed, and submitted.
- 2022 CUPSI Code of Conduct (Noncompeting): This form is applicable to noncompeting students; it should be downloaded, signed, and submitted.
Mail forms to: ACUI, One City Centre, Suite 200, 120 W. Seventh St., Bloomington, IN 47404.
What are the COVID-19 protocols and procedures?
For the protection of all attendees and others in their lives, and in alignment with CDC guidance, all attendees must be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative molecular or antigen COVID-19 test within 72 hours of your departure for the event. Any ACUI employee who interacts in-person with members will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Will there be a waiting list?
This year's competition will be smaller than others. We are accepting 40 teams, selected on a first come first serve basis. Any team after that will be placed on a waiting list.
What's the tournament structure going to be like?
From the 40 teams, eight will advance to the semi-finals. Four teams will then advance to the finals on Saturday.
- Adhere to ACUI’s Competitor Code of Conduct.
- Meet eligibility criteria established by school.
- Adhere to dress code (with applicable events).
- Limited to six years of eligibility (three years at a two-year institution).
- All undergraduate and graduate student participants must be in good academic standing with their institution in the academic term in which they qualified for the program.
- All participants must be enrolled as of the academic term in which they qualified for the program for at least nine credit hours (six credits for graduate students) and must complete six credit hours between all program appearances. Seniors who will be graduating at the end of the academic term, may be considered full-time if they are taking all hours needed to complete their degree.
- Must not accept financial assistance from a professional organization or commercial organization for use of his or her name or picture when this use clearly implies endorsement of a product.
- Must not accept awards or sponsorships that are not acceptable to the institution or other recognized association to which his or her institution belongs.
- Eligibility verification must be verified by advisor or authorized staff member of the school. Registrar seal and signature are required on academic eligibility documentation for championship-level events.
- All participants must still be currently enrolled at their institution during the on-site program.
Any student participating at an ACUI event must adhere to the code of conduct. Please download and submit the agreement form below. Students who do not submit proper documentation will not be allowed to compete.
- Students are expected to review all advanced mailings and material received regarding the program. Information should also be shared with their campus advisor.
- Access to mobile devices and electronic music devices is subject to the event coordinator’s discretion during the competition or program sessions; during the 2022 College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational, it is expected that all participants and audience members will turn off these devices during preliminary bouts, semi-finals, finals, awards ceremony, special performances, and workshops.
- The use of drugs or drinking alcohol is not allowed during programs. This applies to all participants regardless of their ability to legally use these substances unless prescribed by a medical professional.
- Come prepared with a positive attitude, a willingness to take risks, and a desire to have fun.
- Respect and uphold ACUI policies and philosophies of advancing campus community builders through unconditional human worth, joy, learning, caring community, innovation, communication and integrity.
- Participants agree to abide by any additional regulations laid-out by the host institution.
- Students are expected to follow the rules of all establishments and the hotel; students are responsible for themselves and will be liable for any behavioral issues.
- Community Code of Conduct: Negative posts, belittling accomplishments, bullying, posting of denigrating comments, or impersonating others in public or social media that create a hostile environment within our otherwise inclusive community are a violation of the ACUI code of conduct in place for all ACUI student programs which explicitly states that as a participant it is an obligation to abide by the code of conduct guidelines and violation of them may jeopardize my status as a participant in this program.
- Students are expected to adhere to the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational Honor Code listed here:
College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational Honor Code
As a participant in the College Union Poetry Slam Invitational (CUPSI), I agree:
- To revel in an environment in which freedom of speech, self-determination, and pursuit of creative excellence are inalienable rights.
- To participate in all ACUI events in a way that encourages, illuminates and supports established standards of good sportsmanship.
- To refuse to allow the competitive challenge of the game to lead me to violence, interference, or direct threats.
- To allow all participants to pursue their craft peacefully and without censure, regardless of present team associations or personal history.
- To comply with local, state and federal laws pertaining to individual civil rights and physical or sexual harassment.
- To abide by competition rules as defined by ACUI, knowing that the consequences for breaking the rules exist and are upheld. Penalties will be determined by the severity of the infraction, and the ruling of the ACUI College Unions Poetry Slam program coordinator and planning team.
- To be a fair poet – one who in competition is fair and generous, one who in any connection has recourse to nothing illegitimate; a poet who in defeat demonstrates grace and in victory magnanimity.
According to ACUI's agreement with Poetry Slam, Inc., only teams from certified campus venues will be eligible to participate in the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational. This guarantees that teams are familiar with the tournament rules and format and legitimizes teams as contenders against other certified teams who have previously endured the slam judging process. Certification is automatically processed when a team registers for CUPSI; no additional purchase is necessary.
- Teams must be selected through at least one well publicized open competition, and teams should not be hand-picked.
- Teams may have up to five members, but must have a minimum of 4 eligible members in order to participate. As per ACUI rules, you cannot repeat primary authorship in a bout.
- No more than five poets can be on stage to perform during a group piece. In the course of a bout, the fifth poet may appear in a group piece(s) and perform a solo piece as long as primary authorship is not violated.
- Teams are encouraged to bring one coach.
- Teams not meeting this expectation may be bumped out of the tournament and replaced by teams meeting all criteria from a wait list.
- Fifty percent of each team must be undergraduate students; 100 percent of all team members must be affiliated with the certified school. Affiliated membership includes current undergraduate or graduate student.
- Competitors may not be faculty members at their institution.
- Community members and alumni may not compete.
- Only one team may participate in the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational from a single campus. Ultimately, a city can be represented by multiple teams from different institutions, but a single school should send its best five poets.