NEWS

PHOENIX — Dr. Dennis Lambries, associate professor of political science and chair of social and behavioral sciences at Newberry College, served as a mentor at the first-ever nationwide student-led Model Constitutional Convention. The model convention was held recently at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Undergraduate and law students from across the country gathered for three days as state delegates to propose, debate and adopt amendments to the United States Constitution. Lambries was invited to serve as a mentor to the student participants, drawing on his extensive background in constitutional law and state and local government.

“Our job as mentors was to offer guidance and make sure the discussions stayed on track, rather than influence the substance of the discussion. It was entirely student-led,” said Lambries. “It was a fascinating experience, seeing how the students interacted with our history, our founding documents, the challenges of the day, and with each other.”

Article V of the Constitution provides two methods for adopting amendments. The first method, and the only one used so far in United States history, requires a two-thirds majority vote in Congress, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states. The Constitution has been amended 27 times since it took effect in 1789, most recently in 1992.

The model convention simulated the second method, which involves two-thirds of the states applying to Congress for an amending convention. This method would also include ratification by three-fourths of the states. The model event provided two delegates for each state. Each state voted as a block, as during the 1787 Constitutional Convention.

The event began with five amendments drafted by scholars in the National Constitution Center’s Constitution Drafting Project for the students to research and debate. These included:

• Removing the natural-born requirement for presidential eligibility

• Providing the legislative branch with a veto of executive actions

• Amending the process for impeaching federal officials

• Changing the process of presidential appointments and limiting Supreme Court terms to 18 years

• Providing new methods by which future constitutional amendments may be adopted

The delegates proposed amendments of their own, relating to mandatory voting, congressional representation, redistricting, compulsory military and civil service, eminent domain and more. In the end, four passed the hurdles to win approval by the model convention: the Equal Rights Amendment, an amendment for tribal sovereignty, an anti-gerrymandering amendment, and an amendment limiting the use of eminent domain.

Lambries said the experience was educational and enjoyable for student delegates and mentors alike, and he hopes more students and more institutions will be able to participate in next year’s event.

Before then, however, Newberry College will celebrate Constitution Day with a special keynote presentation by South Carolina Secretary of State and Newberry College Hall-of-Famer Mark Hammond '86. The event is set for Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Gnann Room at the Center for Teacher Education, 1121 Speers St.

Photo credit: Tabbs Mosier / Arizona State University