Constitution Day Dialogue Initiative

Constitution Day is Tuesday, September 17, 2020

According to the U.S. Senate, Constitution Day was established “to encourage all Americans to learn more about the Constitution.” All educational institutions that receive Federal funds are required to hold an educational program on or around Constitution Day about the U.S. Constitution for students.

Make it a Day for Dialogue

For the last several years, Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact have encouraged and supported member campuses in meeting this requirement through dialogue. Each year, we select a theme and offer dialogue resources specific to that theme to encourage a shared conversation across our network. Campuses can use the guide, get training, and submit their plans for recognition. We also provide templates for attracting media attention for this important day.

Constitution Day 2020

Constitution Day is coming up on Tuesday, September 17, 2020. Share your plans for participation in related dialogue initiatives, events, and programming on your campus. Please share your plans with us using this online form so that we may help to amplify your efforts in our communications about Constitution Day and related dialogue initiatives.

Opportunities for Constitution Day preparation and engagement hosted by Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact:

Monday, August 31 – Fulfilling the Promise of Full Citizenship dialogue guide released

Wednesday, September 2 from 11:30 – 1 p.m. – Zoom Event: Fulfilling the Promise of Full Citizenship Dialogue Guide Online Training and Q&A. Register here.

Friday, September 11 – Deadline to submit Constitution Day campus plans for promotion using this online form.

Thursday, September 17, Constitution Day, 7 – 9 pm – Zoom Event: Network-Wide Constitution Day Fulfilling the Promise of Full Citizenship Virtual Dialogue. Register here.

Constitution Day 2019

In 2019, we focused on dialogue related to the 2020 Census. Download last year’s dialogue guide “We all count. But will we all be counted.“

Why Dialogue?

In a context of polarization and distrust, conversations about shared values and our nation’s founding documents are deeply important for developing collaborative relationships, Constitutional knowledge, civic agency, and our democracy’s future. There is no shortage of evidence that our country has a lot of work to do in this area. Institutions of higher education can be part of the solution.

93% of the public agrees that the nation has a civility problem
Higher education institutions across the country are increasingly incorporating the theory and practice of dialogue across different dimensions of the curriculum, co-curriculum, pedagogy, and administration and governance
Dialogue equips students, faculty, and staff with the skills to build a shared understanding of challenges, to empathize with experiences very different from one’s own, and to create positive change from collaboration
Dialogue as pedagogy can enhance student learning, feelings of belonging, and skills for a globalized workforce
Dialogue in college can impact students’ post-college civic and community engagement