September 23, 2011
Last week, the Queens and Staten Island campuses observed Constitution
Day, which commemorates both the adoption of the
United States Constitution and all those who have become citizens
of the United States.
On the Queens campus, the Office of
the Provost set up a table in the D’Angelo
Center on September 19. During common hour, over 250
students visited the table, picking up leaflets about the
Constitution and filling out New York State voter registration
forms. Many students took part in an online challenge which tested
their knowledge of the Constitution.
Associate Provost for Technology and Communications Sister
Ellen Smith observed that students who visited the table
throughout the day were upbeat, curious and grateful for the
opportunity to learn more about the Constitution. Sister Ellen
coordinated the Queens event with Assistant Vice President of
Government Relations Brian Browne.
She added that, in preparation for the day, students and faculty
responded to a question about what they felt were the most crucial
elements of the Constitution. In overwhelming numbers, respondents
answered that the most important elements found in the Constitution
were freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Throughout the day,
responses were posted on E-boards found in common areas throughout
the campus.
Photo Gallery
The University’s School
of Law celebrated Constitution Day by hosting an
interactive panel discussion featuring members of the New York State
Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics. On the
Staten Island campus, St. John’s co-sponsored a symposium with the
Turkish
Cultural Center of New York entitled,
“Constitutionalism in Turkey and the United States: Comparative
Perspective on Building Democracy.” The discussion was moderated by
Azzedine Layachi, Ph.D., Professor of
Government and Politics.
Student Tara Cuskley (’14G) observed, “Freedom of
speech and freedom of the press are fundamental to my view of being
American. I could not imagine living in a country without the right
to freely speak my mind, protest injustice or question
authority.”
“I feel as though freedom of the press is one of the most
overlooked,” said Daniel Cahill (‘11SJC). “We rely
on it to stay abreast of current events. It holds our leaders
accountable. I would not want to live in a country without freedom
of the press.”
Mr. Browne stressed, “I do not think that I could live without the
rights guaranteed in the First Amendment that protect freedom of
religion, speech, press, assembly and the right to petition our
government.”
He added, “I believe that our most important rights as citizens are
found in this Amendment. The idea that citizens may freely
gather together, or express themselves using the spoken and written
word seems so fundamental to who we are, not only as Americans, but
as human beings. The First Amendment is also one of the first known
guarantees of religious freedom, and that right is crucial now and
always.”