Constitution Week: GCSU hosts Georgia Court of Appeals and political discussions

General Institution     Monday September 16, 2024
Produced by University Communications

G eorgia College & State University’s annual Constitution Week is back with political topics for students and the public Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 17-19, at locations around campus.

Events include a session by the Georgia Court of Appeals 10:15 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 18, in Magnolia Ballroom.

“In light of polarizing social media posts and opinion commentary masquerading as fact-checked news, Georgia College’s Constitution Week is an opportunity to strip away the noise and provide information about the foundational underpinnings of our nation's government,” said Jehan El-Jourbagy, a main organizer of the event and associate professor of business law and ethics at Georgia College.

“
Constitution Week creates a space, where students and public citizens can consider how the Constitution and rule of law apply to current events.
– Jehan El-Jourbagy
”

The Court of Appeals acts as the state’s intermediate appellate court. There are 15 judges altogether, but oral arguments are heard before panels of three. The court makes its judges more accessible to the public by hearing some cases offsite.

At Georgia College, the court’s presence is an opportunity for students to see the justice system in action and interact with judges for mentorship and career advice. Presiding judges that day are Stephen Dillard, Trenton Brown and Wade Padgett.

A welcome address by GCSU President Cathy Cox at 10:15 a.m. will precede oral arguments. After cases are heard at 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m., there will be a question-and-answer session at 12:15 p.m. giving students from GCSU’s Leadership Program, Student Government Association, Mock Trial and business-law classes a chance to mingle with judges.

“
Students will benefit from seeing how two parties appeal a case and present differing perspectives to the three-judge panel. This is not only the essence of the judicial process in general, but it furthers an understanding among our students that there is a civil way to disagree. Here at the state’s public liberal arts university, that is an important concept for our students to learn.
– Cathy Cox
”
“We are delighted the Georgia Court of Appeals has chosen to hold oral arguments on our campus this fall,” said GCSU President Cathy Cox. “Many of our undergraduate students are interested in legal careers, and many others want to understand how our judicial system works.”

 

“Students will benefit from seeing how two parties appeal a case and present differing perspectives to the three-judge panel,” Cox said. “This is not only the essence of the judicial process in general, but it furthers an understanding among our students that there is a civil way to disagree. Here at the state’s public liberal arts university, that is an important concept for our students to learn.”

Other highlights:

Tuesday, Sept. 17 Welcome address at 12:30 p.m. by GCSU President Cathy Cox in the Pat Peterson Museum Education room at Ina Dillard Library. Followed by a public forum debate.

Wednesday, Sept. 18 Georgia Court of Appeals 10:15 a.m. to noon p.m. in Magnolia Ballroom, followed by questions and answers.

  • Times Talk on “Gender and the 2024 Election” noon to 1 p.m. in Ina Dillard Library.
  • Panel discussion 6 to 7:15 p.m. on “Who has the power? Our three branches of government and their evolving powers” in Peabody Auditorium.
     

Thursday, Sept. 19 Lunch discussion noon to 1 p.m. on “Separation of Church and State” in Atkinson Hall, room 202.

  • Supreme Court Review 6 to 7:15 p.m. in Arts & Sciences Auditorium. Legal experts will discuss cases from the court’s recent term.
     

“
With a Presidential election around the corner. Constitution Week provides students—many of them voting in a presidential election for the first time—information about substantive issues, like the impact of Supreme Court appointments, giving attendees the opportunity to think more critically and ask questions of experts in the field
– El-Jourbagy
”

 

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