UP Constitution Day Talk Set for Wednesday, Sept. 17

Political Science

September 15, 2025

Dr. Bill Curtis, professor of political science, will lead a University of Portland talk discussing four cases from the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) 2024-25 Term in observance of U.S. Constitution Day and Citizenship Day—Wednesday, September 17.aerial view of the quad with the chapel in the foreground and the Franz building in the middle with the tree full of cherry blossoms.

The talk, sponsored by UP’s Department of Political Science and Global Affairs, takes place Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in Donald P. Shiley Hall, room 319.

Dr. Curtis will lead a discussion about the following SCOTUS cases:

  • Conflict over First Amendment rights and the curricular inclusion of LBGTQ+ materials at public elementary schools
  • The State of Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming medical treatment for minors
  • Age verification limits to websites featuring pornography
  • The Fourteenth Amendment Birthright Citizenship case

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend and participate in Wednesday’s discussion.

To commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, Congress in 2004 established Constitution Day and Citizenship Day—requiring educational institutions that receive Federal funds to hold an educational program about the U.S. Constitution for its students on September 17. 

National Archives resources:  Celebrating Constitution DayAmerica’s Founding Documents.