THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

In 2005 congress passed a law brought forward by Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), one of the Senate’s leading constitutional experts. This law requires all educational institutions receiving federal funds, as well as federal agencies, to hold programming on the Constitution every September 17. In addition, the federal government is required to provide new employees with educational material about the Constitution. Senator Byrd, who keeps a copy of the Constitution in his pocket, told his colleagues, “Some events define and shape history…moving the world onto a new path. On September 17, 1787, just such an event occurred when the Constitution of the United States was signed.”

This SCNM webpage is designed to provide SCNM students, faculty and staff with information and educational resources on the U.S. Constitution. Students are encouraged to engage in dialogue on the various SCNM intranet forums to discuss the Constitution and how this important document impact our lives even today.

The Continental Congress and the U.S. Constitution

Between 1774 and 1789, thirteen colonies became a nation - the United States of America. In 1774, Great Britain's North American colonies first came together to defend themselves against wrongs committed by Great Britain. By 1789, these colonies had become independent states, joined by a new federal constitution into a single nation.

The Continental Congress (1774-1789) began as a coordinated effort to resist the British. The Congress assembled representatives from every colony. With the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, the Congress became the central institution for managing the struggle for American independence.

Independence raised new issues. How could thirteen separate self-governed states unite? What form would that union take? The Articles of Confederation (1781-1789) were America's first attempt to govern itself as an independent nation. They united the states as a confederation - a loose league of states represented in a Congress.

In 1783, with the war formally drawing to a close, the Congress faced a wider range of issues: the disbanding of the Continental Army, the large debts owed by each state, foreign debts owed by the Confederation, the governing of territories won from the British, and the establishment of formal relationships with foreign countries.

Many Americans saw the need for a more powerful central authority; the Congress as defined by the Articles of Confederation was too weak to make the states obey congressional mandates. Despite the Congress's continued attempts to improve its effectiveness, Americans were anxious for change. In 1786, leading statesmen called for a special convention to revise the Articles -- the Constitutional Convention.

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 proposed a new constitution establishing a much stronger national government. Although this controversial new Constitution provoked a great deal of resistance, it was eventually ratified by the necessary number of states, replacing the Articles of Confederation as the framework of the United States government.

Debate and compromise, controversy and tedious detail, foreign affairs and domestic problems, are all included in the 267 documents of the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention Broadside Collections. Including public announcements of congressional actions, drafts of legislation, committee reports, and final versions of legislation or treaties, these broadsides illustrate the evolution of a government, from a legislative body called together in the crisis of war, to an intricate system of checks and balances. These documents show the birth of the American nation.

Taken from the National Archives website on the U.S. Constitution.

Read the U.S. Constitution: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_transcript.html

How does the U.S. Constitution Impact You as a Student?

The Constitution, forged by the founding fathers over two hundred years ago, still has an affect on our day to day lives. You may be amazed by the number of ways that the U.S. Constitution and the bill of rights impacts your rights as a student. Important rights such as due process, freedom of speech, freedom of association, to name a few are all protected under the U.S. Constitution.

Student life aspects that relate to the Constitution include freedom of association, free speech on campus, student fees, educational malpractice and contracts to name a few. Many rights enjoyed by college students can be trace back to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Right to assemble, for example, is protected by the first amendment of the Constitution. The first amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Right to assemble is what allows students at SCNM to organize and gain membership in the Student Government Association. The association represents the interests of the student body, acting as a liaison between administration, faculty and students.

Right to due process, for example, is protected by the fifth amendment of the constitution. The fifth amendment states, "...nor shall any person...be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law..." The Student Handbook outlines several processes for due process, including Review by College Hearing Board, Code of Conduct, and Student Rights.

Important Links to learn more about the U.S. Constitution

Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/

National Archives: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution.html

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is September 17. To ensure that students in our country have an increased knowledge and appreciation of this valuable and important document of freedom, attached is a Power Point Presentation.