Sept. 7, 2005
Contact: Gordon
Ovenshine: 724-738-4854; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu
STUDENTS TO VIEW
WEBCAST FEATURING U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
DURING SLIPPERY ROCK
UNIVERSITY’S FIRST ‘CONSTITUTION
DAY’
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The U.S. Supreme
Court makes news often. On Sept. 16, Slippery Rock University
students will tap into a national Webcast featuring Justices Sandra
Day O’Connor and Stephen Breyer talking about the importance
of the U.S. Constitution.
The
simulcast is part of SRU’s first Constitution Day of
educational programming, which Congress mandated for all
institutions receiving federal funding. Congress set aside Sept. 17
for Constitution Day, because the Constitution was signed on Sept.
17, 1787. SRU will mark the day Sept. 16, a
Friday.
The
Webcast will be viewed from noon to 3 p.m. in the University
Union’s Multi-Purpose Room. Open to the public, O'Connor and
Breyer will talk about the Constitution with high school students
at the Supreme Court. The classroom-ready video will feature the
justices taking questions and discussing the purpose of
Constitution, federalism, civil rights and the separation of powers
between branches of government.
SRU
will also host a free-speech debate from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the
union, as well as discussions on the Webcast.
Roundtable
discussion
SRU’s
department of political science will sponsor a Constitution and
Citizen Day Roundtable from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 20, in room
204 of the union. Participants will discuss civic engagement,
pressure on the Constitution amid the treat of terrorism, selecting
Supreme Court justices and issues of contemporary civil rights,
including gay marriage.
SRU’s
Dr. Mark Daniels, professor of political science, will moderate.
The public is welcome. Refreshments will be
available.
“In light of vacancies on the Supreme
Court, there are not only issues of nomination and confirmation of
the justices, but subsequent decisions regarding civil liberties to
discuss,” Daniels said.
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