Constitutional debate spurs student interest

Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy and a University of Mississippi law professor will have an on-campus debate today about how the Constitution should be interpreted.

The debate between Mulroy, who is also a University of Memphis law professor, and Christopher Green will be in room 250 of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at noon. The Federalist Society, a conservative student organization, sponsored the event to mark the end of National Constitution Week. Free lunch will be provided to those who attend.

Mulroy will be arguing that the Constitution is a living, changing document, while Green will argue that the Constitution should only be interpreted based on the intent of the document's authors.

The debate will have a point/counterpoint structure. After the mediator reads pre-selected student questions, the professors will take turns answering. A suggestion box was placed outside of room 244 in the law building where students could submit their questions for the debate.

Green said he has never spoken at an event like this but was excited about the format.

"The conversation will be interesting to the students because it's their questions we will be answering," Green said.

Students should attend the debate because the controversy affects their lives, Mulroy said. People decide what to think about issues like an individual's rights and the limits of government power based on how they interpret the Constitution, he said.

"It's important for students to know both sides of the issue - pros and cons - because how we interpret the Constitution affects student's every day lives," Mulroy said.

Green said the debate is important because the Constitution is the governing document of our country.

"For 220 years the Constitution has governed us," Green said. "It's important to think carefully about what it entails and what that means."

In preparation for the debate, Green said he has been reviewing things he has previously written and has been practicing his introduction. Mulroy said he has been reviewing articles that have been written by other constitutional commentators.

"I'm trying to glean wisdom from people smarter than me," Mulroy said.

Third year law student Jaramiah Hruska said he liked the idea of having a philosophical debate on campus and would encourage other law students to attend.

"If you want a little mental exercise, it's not a bad way to spend your time," Hruska said.

First year law student and member of the Federalist Society Seth Guess said one of the purposes of the organization is to have open discussions and debates, mostly about the Constitution. Since Mulroy and Green are both professors of Constitutional law, they were perfect choices for this debate, he said.

"Sometimes we don't realize how important the Constitution is, but it affects all of us," Guess said. "The Supreme Court has grown in power over the past years and this event may give insight as to how Supreme Court justices decide future cases."

Jason Beard, previous president of the society, said the goal of the group is "not to indoctrinate, but to educate."

"The debate will give insight as to what the constitution is saying," Beard said. "Has the meaning of the Constitution changed? If so, why?"?