Celebrate history at Constitution Day

Register to vote, learn about constitutional issues and apply for an internship at UIC’s Constitution Day event today.

“Constitution Day for UIC starts as a kick-off for a year-round effort at civic engagement,” said political science professor Dick Simpson.

Students can explore ongoing constitutional issues at the event, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in 302 Student Center East.

“We’re not trying to cover things like the three branches of government and the kind of dull things that students might have learned in civics classes back in high school,” Simpson said. “We’re trying to get to the heart of controversial and important questions of the Constitution.”

Students and employees can register to vote before and after the main presentation, noon to 1 p.m. This year’s keynote speaker, DePaul University ombudsman Craig Mousin, will present “The Gift of the Immigrant: a Living Constitution.”

Mousin will discuss immigration rights, what the Constitution has to say about immigration and past constitutional crises on deportation, Simpson said.

Simpson said there are long-term benefits to students who actively participate in civic issues.

“We found from studies in political science that if students get involved early, it leads to a lifelong commitment to citizen participation and civic engagement,” he said. “If they don’t get involved in activities in their student years, they are much more likely to be civically passive the rest of their lives.”

Students who can’t attend can learn more about civic engagement opportunities and register to vote online.