Campus to celebrate the Constitution on Sept. 19

Sacramento State will observe Constitution Day with a student forum on campus issues from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19 in the University Union Hinde Auditorium.

The forum will allow students to ask questions and voice opinions on issues such as campus parking plans, construction of the proposed Recreation, Wellness and Events Center and the role of student government on campus. Representatives from student organizations will be on hand to answer questions from students about getting involved in campus life. Former Associated Students President Eric Guerra will serve as moderator of the forum.

Constitution Day was established last year by Congress to celebrate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787 by delegates to the Constitutional Convention. The day is being observed on Sept. 19 this year because Sept. 17 falls on Saturday.

“The great thing about celebrating Constitution Day is that it helps us remind students about the fundamental importance of the freedom of speech while also giving them real opportunities for getting involved now,” said Mary Kirlin, assistant professor of public policy and administration, and coordinator of the American Democracy Project effort on campus. The project is an effort by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities to promote civic engagement among undergraduates.

In addition to the student forum, video programs on the Constitution and constitutional issues will be available for use by faculty and students. The video Justice Talking features Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Stephen Breyer discussing the importance of the Constitution and its underlying principle of federalism. A second video presentation, Free Speech in the Digital Age, consists of the broadcast of a town hall meeting on censorship and libraries, textbooks and the Internet hosted by National Public Radio’s Margo Adler.

Download the videos. For more information about the videos, teaching materials or other Constitution Day programs, contact Kirlin at kirlinm@csus.edu.