KU News Release

Dole Institute to host Supreme Court discussion, Constitution Day events

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas will host a panel discussion in which legal experts will assess the current U.S. Supreme Court at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18. The forum is in advance of Chief Justice John Roberts’ visit to campus next April.

The event, titled The Roberts Court, will feature Judge Steve Leben of the Kansas Court of Appeals; Pat Colloton, state representative and attorney; and Burdett Loomis, KU professor of political science. Steve McAllister, a lawyer, professor of law and former dean of the KU School of Law, will moderate the forum. Topics include “swing” votes on the current court, changes in the court with the addition of Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, and recent hot-button cases involving affirmative action, campaign finance and freedom of speech.

The Roberts Court is co-sponsored by the School of Law and is free and open to the public.

“We are particularly excited to bring The Roberts Court this year in preparation for Chief Justice Roberts’ visit this spring,” said Barbara Ballard, associate director of the Dole Institute. “It’s also a great time to examine his first year on the bench, his leadership style and the importance of the judicial branch.”

KU and the Dole Institute will sponsor three other events in celebration of Constitution Day, which is Sept. 17. This year marks the 220th anniversary of the document.

On Saturday, Sept. 15, Chancellor Robert Hemenway will lead football fans in reciting the Preamble to the Constitution before the Jayhawks face Toledo at 6 p.m. in Memorial Stadium.

On Monday, Sept. 17, the Dole Institute will host the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, which will perform a naturalization ceremony for about 100 new American citizens. The ceremony is invitation only. The Dole Institute will be closed to the public all day.

At 1 p.m. on Constitution Day, Student Body President Hannah Love and Vice President Ray Wittlinger will lead students and faculty in reciting the Preamble to the Constitution on Wescoe Beach. The campanile bells will ring immediately following the event.

Constitution Day events at KU correspond with requirements of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005. The law mandates federally funded institutions to host educational events and provide information about the Constitution annually on Sept. 17.

The Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting public service, civic engagement and politics. It is located on KU’s west campus next to the Lied Center.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.