New law requires federally funded entities to observe Constitution Day

In September, schools across the country will pay homage to the United States Constitution -- or at least that's what a West Virginia senator hopes.

Last month, President Bush signed Sen. Robert Byrd's (D-W. Va.) Celebrate the United States Constitution Day Act into law.

Schools that decide not to hold the required programs will be in jeopardy of losing their federal funding.

University President Amy Gutmann said that the University has not yet developed clear plans for a Constitution Day celebration.

"This is very recent and we have no plans," Gutmann said.

However, Gutmann said that the University already incorporates the Constitution into its teachings in a variety of ways.

"Penn is ahead of the ball here in that we really do so much with our students that centers around our Constitution," she said, referencing the University's curriculum and range of extracurricular activities.

Political Science Department Chairman Rogers Smith agreed with Gutmann that the University already devotes "a significant amount of time to the Constitution." Over the past 25 years, Smith has taught at least three courses on the Constitution every year.

But he added, "I don't think it's desirable for the federal government to get into the business of dictating any particular kind of curriculum."

Professors at Yale have made more of an issue out of the law.

"Certainly, I believe every American ought to have a good knowledge of the Constitution," Yale History professor Gaddis Smith said in an e-mail interview.

"But for the federal government to prescribe what should be taught to whom and when is an intrusion and a step on a slippery slope where Washington dictates the curriculum."

Byrd proposed Constitution Day because he thought the current educational system needed to better stress the value of the Constitution.

"While our educational system is good at ingraining feelings of respect and reverence for our Constitution, that same system is in need of great improvements in teaching what is actually in the Constitution and just why it is so important," Byrd said in a written statement.

Byrd, who carries a copy of the Constitution in his pocket, proposed Sept. 17 as Constitution and Citizenship Day in his 3,000-page federal spending bill.

Students said they regard the Constitution as an important American document as well but are also concerned about the government possibly dictating what they should be taught.

"I think the Constitution is an educational document in itself," College junior Thomas Bispham said.

"I think it'd be a good read for any student. Be they American or not, the Constitution has value," the political science major said, adding that it would be more desirable if the programs were optional, not required.

Other students expressed skepticism about the value of Constitution and Citizenship Day.

"The Constitution is an interpretable document. It's difficult to impose a certain view [to be] taught on Constitution Day -- I don't think it's possible," College junior Matt Berns said.

"I hope the University will make a point to teach the openness [of the Constitution] instead of the interpretation dictated by Congress," he added.

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