Moira Fiscus, an assistant professor and social sciences librarian with Morris Library, reads a pocket Constitution that will be available during a Sept. 17 panel discussion celebrating Constitution Day. (Photo provided)
September 08, 2025
SIU’s Constitution Day includes panel discussion on federal vs. state education issues
CARBONDALE, Ill. — A discussion on the effect that recent federal mandates involving education and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have on state-level efforts highlight Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s observation of Constitution Day on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
“Education and DEI Initiatives: State vs. Federal,” is from noon to 1 p.m. in Morris Library’s John C. Guyon Auditorium. The panel discussion is free and open to the public.
The panelists are:
- Benjamin Bricker, associate dean for student and curricular affairs in the College of Liberal Arts and associate professor of political science.
- Cindy Buys, professor of law, SIU Simmons Law School.
- Tobin Grant, professor of political science.
- Sheila Simon, associate professor of law, SIU Simmons Law School, who will serve as moderator.
The discussion points will include the U.S. Department of Justice assertions that the use of federal funding for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause — connecting it to a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court case involving admissions at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. Buys noted that Illinois is involved in several multistate lawsuits relating to education, including opposing the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education and those relating to federal funds provided to the state for education.
Highlights faculty expertise
Moira Fiscus, an assistant professor and social sciences librarian with Morris Library, said she wanted to highlight members of the campus faculty by having a panel discussion, and she is pleased with the topic ideas the panelists selected.
“I wanted it to be relevant to what’s going on nationally and relevant to our students,” she said, noting that the topic “connects to many ideas I think are important as a librarian.”
Not “just one takeaway”
Fiscus added she believes the topic and panel discussion will reflect that “there is not just one takeaway.”
“My main goal for any event about the Constitution is that people walk away feeling more empowered to engage with the Constitution,” she said. “I think at times it can be a very intimidating document, and I would want people to feel comfortable discussing and engaging in it.”
The library will also be handing out free pocket Constitutions donated by the Friends of Morris Library, and the law school will have Constitution trivia questions on monitors in the law library and hand out free pocket copies of the Constitution as supplies last.
Constitution Day marks the anniversary of delegates to the Philadelphia Convention completing and signing the U.S. Constitution in 1787. All educational institutions that receive federal funding must annually deliver programs on the U.S. Constitution.
(Editor’s note: Moira Fiscus’ first name is pronounced Moy-rah)