Constitution Day 2025

What Can You Say on Campus at a Public University or College?

Free Speech, The Constitution, and College Life Please join us on September 17th, 2025 from 2:00pm - 3:30pm Constitution Day discussion on Zoom to register for the Zoom link.

Panelists

• Dr. Johann N. Neem, Editor, Journal of the Early Republic; Professor of History, Western Washington University. Professor Neem will describe the broader civic role of higher education historically, as well as some challenges that role has faced recently.
• Dr. Joseph Anthony, Assistant Professor of Political Science, SUNY Cortland. Professor Anthony will describe importance of building civic discourse skills for learning, career readiness, and civic readiness.
• Heidi Getchell-Bastien, J.D., Professor, Legal Studies and Government; Civic Engagement Coordinator, MassBay Community College, Wellesley, MA. Professor Getchell-Bastien will explain the value of civic discourse skills and how to engage students in conversations about current events.
• Kapil Longani, J.D., SUNY General Counsel. Attorney Logani will discuss legal compliance issues related to free speech on college campuses.

Moderator

Daniel Lake, Associate Professor, Political Science, SUNY Plattsburgh

Breakout Facilitators

• John Suarez, SUNY Cortland Director of Civic Engagement, Service-Learning Coordinator
• Daniel Lake, Associate Professor, Political Science, SUNY Plattsburgh
• John Reiff, Director of Civic Learning and Engagement, Academic Affairs and Student Success, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

Intended Audience

Faculty and staff of SUNY campuses and the Massachusetts public higher education system, but students are welcome!