Eastern will observe Constitution Day today, created by U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., the U.S. Senate’s unofficial constitutional scholar who believes “American primary, secondary and post-secondary students lack significant knowledge regarding the United States Constitution.”

To celebrate Constitution Day this year, the Society of Collegiate Journalists will host an event called “Uncensored – Exercise Your First Amendment Right – Speak your Mind.”

The society will provide the means for an open-mic free speech forum. A microphone, speakers and podium will be set up in the Library Quad from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cathy Bayer, vice president of the chapter, said the society members hope students will take advantage of the opportunity.

“We do want it to get a little bit crazy, because it’s the First Amendment – free speech – and, well, that’s the beauty of it,” she said.

Bayer said SCJ is a national honorary journalism organization composed of students and faculty journalists. At Eastern, the society focuses on sponsoring events that help students learn about journalism outside of the classroom.

Bayer said the idea to have a free speech forum came during brainstorming in meetings.

“As journalists, the First Amendment is really important to us, so we wanted to do something to celebrate and get the whole campus involved as well,” Bayer said.

Bayer said the society liked the idea of a forum because it would affect more than just the journalism department.

SCJ is not the only group on campus that will try to involve campus in recognizing Constitution Day.

Each year, through a discussion panel, the political science department addresses issues regarding the U.S. Constitution. This year’s panel will focus on presidential and congressional war -making powers.

Richard Wandling, professor of political science, said Constitution Day is an opportunity for students and community members to consider the importance of the Constitution.

Wandling said understanding the nuances of the rights and responsibilities granted within the Constitution is part of being an informed citizen.

“The Constitution is critical to having a good democracy,” said Wandling. “We’re privileged to live in a democratic society, but that privilege involves the responsibility to be informed.”

The Constitution Day discussion panel will include representatives from the pre-law honorary society, Pi Sigma Alpha (the political science honorary society) and the Political Science Association and will take place Tuesday 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. in the Effingham Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

“Its important to hold the government accountable whether it’s Congress or the president, or for that matter, the court,” Wandling said. “The decision to go to war is always a difficult one, but it needs to be in accordance to the Constitution.”

Dustin Baker, political science graduate student, will be part of the discussion panel. He said there are many unresolved issues surrounding the Constitution, such as war-powers, the rights to privacy and freedom of speech.

For example, the right to privacy is not officially included in the Constitution, Baker said.

“People believe the right to privacy has always been part of the Constitution, however, that’s only been adopted through court rulings and the court’s interpretation of the documents,” said Baker.

Fact Box:

The First Amendment:

“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.”