Constitution Week at UNO

Constitution Week is observed across the country annually as an opportunity for citizens to acknowledge, reflect, and examine one of the founding documents of the United States.

Beginning with Constitution Day on Saturday, Sept. 17, units across the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) will host a series of events designed to put a spotlight on the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified on June 21, 1788, and has since grown and adapted along with the country.

Included below are opportunities for our campus community to engage in conversations about the Constitution's; history, impact, and future.

Constitution Week Events and Opportunities

Enjoy these events and opportunities as part of Constitution Week.

Watch the UNO Concert Choir perform "Lead With Love"

Voter Registration Table

Tuesday, Sept. 20 | Noon – 2 P.M. | Near the Henningson Memorial Campanile

Food, music, and voter registration materials wil be available for students. This event is co-sponsored by UNO Student Government and Nebraska Civic Engagement Table.

Voting Rights are Human Rights

Wednesday, Sept. 21 | 11:30 A.M. – 1 P.M. | Weitz CEC

Human rights are central to debates around voting rights in the U.S. While the U.S. Constitution has been amended over time to protect voting rights, challenges to voting rights are ongoing and pose threats to human rights, particularly for disenfranchised voters. The Leonard and SHirley Goldstein Center for Human Rights is hosting a panel of voting rights experts to discuss these threats to voting rights and what we can do to take action. The panel will be moderated by Jodi Benenson, associate professor of public administration.

RSVP

Panelists:

• Heather Engdahl, voting rights director, Civic Nebraska

• Liliana Falcon, community organizer and UNO student, Elevate Omaha

• Jasmine Harris, director of public policy and advocacy, RISE

• Jane Seu, immigration fellow, ACLU of Nebraska

Information Science, Technology, and the Constitution

Wednesday, Sept. 21 | 2 – 4 P.M. | 158 PKI

An open house showcasing research and innovation projects.

Public Lecture: “The State of the Supreme Court Today”

Thursday, Sept. 22 | 10 A.M. | Milo Bail Student Center

Featuring Derek Webb, a senior managing associate from Sidley Austin, LLP in the organization’s Supreme Court and Appellate Practice Group, this event will examine recent decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, the constitutional arguments for those decisions, and what the future may hold for the Court.

Constitution Day Display at Criss Library

Through Sept. 30

Visit the Constitution Day display on the main floor of the Criss Library cases to browse a thematic collection of books from the library’s collection. Books in the display are available for checkout by UNO students, faculty, and staff. Free pocket constitutions are available to all.

Voter Registration Display at Criss Library

Through Sept. 30

Visit the display on the main floor of the library to get more information about voting in federal elections, what you have to do to register to vote, and scan the QR code to register to vote online.

U.S. Senate 101 Exhibit at the UNO Archives and Special Collections

Through Dec. 23

Featuring documents from the U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel Archives “Senate 101” provides a basic primer on the U.S. Senate. The exhibit introduces visitors to the main responsibilities of the U.S. Senate as a legislative body and the activities that fill the days of the 100 senators who call it home. Sections of the exhibit cover legislation, committee service, nominations, treaties, impeachment, as well as oversight and investigations.

Additional Events or Ways to Participate

National Voter Registration Day: Tuesday, Sept. 20

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy. First observed in 2012, it has quickly gained momentum ever since. Nearly 3 million voters have registered to vote on the holiday. For more information visit: https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org.

TurboVote

Have questions about when the next election will be held, or just want to stay civically engaged? Join the UNO-dedicated TurboVote portal to keep in the know.

The UNO Concert Choir Performs "Lead With Love"

"Lead With Love" was written by Melanie DeMore.