August 08, 2018
Campuses Need to Plan for Constitution Day 2018
Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787 by the 39 Founding Fathers representing the 13 original colonies.
More than a decade ago, at the behest of the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), Congress passed legislation mandating the annual commemoration by colleges and universities receiving federal funds. Campuses are required to conduct an “educational program” related to the Constitution.
Since the federal provision does not define “educational program,” campuses have significant latitude in planning how to observe the occasion. The regulations do not indicate any penalties for failure to comply with the mandate, nor do they indicate that specific activities need to be reported.
NAICU encourages all of our members to embrace this opportunity to advance civic education. The Library of Congress website and the Constitution Center website both list a number of resources for recognizing Constitution Day.
More than a decade ago, at the behest of the late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), Congress passed legislation mandating the annual commemoration by colleges and universities receiving federal funds. Campuses are required to conduct an “educational program” related to the Constitution.
Since the federal provision does not define “educational program,” campuses have significant latitude in planning how to observe the occasion. The regulations do not indicate any penalties for failure to comply with the mandate, nor do they indicate that specific activities need to be reported.
NAICU encourages all of our members to embrace this opportunity to advance civic education. The Library of Congress website and the Constitution Center website both list a number of resources for recognizing Constitution Day.
For more information, please contact:
Robert "Bo" Newsome