Constitution Week to promote democracy awareness


Inside NAU Home \| NAU in the News \| Search Archives \| Submit a News Tip	Vol. 3 No. 37 \| Sept. 13, 2006

Constitution Week Events at NAU
Sept. 18-22

Monday, Sept. 18

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Trumpet fanfare provided by the School of Music. Flagstaff Vice Mayor Scott Overton kicks off Constitution Week. NAU Theater students and faculty perform readings from the Constitution. Chris Griffin, an assistant professor in philosophy, discusses the history and philosophical elements of the Constitution. Pocket-size Constitutions distributed. du Bois Center, Peaks dining area.
7 p.m.: Reception on First Amendment Plaza followed by Judge Cathleen Nichols of the Flagstaff Juvenile Court System and Sara Presler-Hoffle, a Flagstaff public defender discussing "The Constitutional Rights of Children in the American Criminal Justice System and the Goals of the American Juvenile Justice System." Hosted by Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Professional Association.

Tuesday, Sept. 19

5 - 7 p.m.: NAU Forensics Team immigration debate, "Resolved: Migration Ought to be
Protected as a Fundamental Human Right." Liberal Arts building, room 135

Wednesday, Sept. 20

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Student Organizational Fair with a voter registration and Constitution information table. North campus pedway

Weeklong Activities

Channel 46 will air the following videos:

A More Perfect Union: A feature film dramatization of the events of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. 2 and 5 p.m.
Our Constitution: A Conversation with Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Stephen Breyer: Featuring U.S. justices answering questions from Philadelphia high school students. 4 and 7 p.m.

Constitution Week to promote
democracy awareness

We the people of NAU will get a chance to become better acquainted with our country's foundation during Constitution Week, Sept. 18-22.

"Constitution Week is an opportunity to think about what it means to be citizens living in a democracy," said Marty Lee, a professor in the school of forestry and Coordinator of the American Democracy Project at NAU

NAU plans to bring the Constitution to life through readings of its text by NAU theater students, speakers on children's rights, debates about immigration, topical film screenings, a voter registration drive and by distributing pocket-sized Constitutions to students.

"We hope to enlist our faculty and colleagues in renewing a willingness in our students to take seriously the essential function of political engagement and develop a commitment to it alongside their more broadly civic goals," said Chris Griffin, an assistant professor in philosophy and American Democracy Project Steering Committee member.

The Constitution was first signed on Sept.17, 1787. Beginning in 2005, higher education institutions receiving federal funds from the Department of Education were required to implement an educational program on Sept. 17 relating to the U.S. Constitution.

Since Constitution Day falls on a Sunday, NAU will kick off activities Monday and continue for the week. "We are taking the time to commemorate and commit to the principles of law that bind us together," Lee said. "And we are encouraging faculty to incorporate topics and issues related to the Constitution in their classes."

To support faculty in featuring the Constitution, and students wanting to learn more, Cline Library will provide ready-access to Constitution-related information and films.

Members of the American Democracy Steering Committee include Marsha Yowell, chair, Faculty Senate; Marcus Ford, professor, Humanities Arts and Letters; Blase Scarnati, associate professor, School of Music; Jeff Berglund, assistant professor, English; Sarah Bickel, associate vice president for Student Affairs; Eric Norgard, ASNAU president; Cindy Anderson, associate director of Residence Life; Chris Griffin, assistant professor, philosophy; Tom Sisk, professor, environmental sciences; Guy Senese, professor, educational leadership; Molly Munger, director, NAU Community Relations; Bruce Fox, director, Honors Program; Margo Conley, marketing specialist, University Marketing; and Susan Cooper, assistant director, Future Workforce Development.

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