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Is California Governable?

Constitution Week Sept. 14-17 Explores State, National Issues

What:

In observance of the Sept. 17 anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, Cal State Fullerton hosts a Sept. 14-17 series of public lectures and discussions on whether California is governable. Elected officials, political scientists and journalists across the political spectrum will be participating in the week’s events, which also explore national issues.

When:

Sept. 14-17

Schedule/Locations:

Monday, Sept. 14

10 a.m., Titan Theatre, Titan Student Union
“Is Government the Problem?”

Robert Alt, senior legal fellow and deputy director of the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at the Heritage Foundation, on government’s role in creating today’s problems, moderated by Keith Boyum, emeritus professor of political science.

3 p.m., Titan Theatre, Titan Student Union
“The Roberts Court, Sonia Sotomayor and the Future of Constitutional Law”

Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the Donald Bren School of Law at UC Irvine and a scholar in constitutional law and federal civil procedure.

Tuesday, Sept. 15

10 a.m., Room 130, Pollak Library
“The View From City Hall”

A discussion about governing challenges at the local level with municipal leaders from throughout the Southland, moderated by Keith Boyum, emeritus professor of political science.

Wednesday, Sept. 16

10 a.m., Portola Pavilion, Titan Student Union
“Is the Initiative Process Broken?”

Featuring political scientists Shaun Bowler of UC Riverside and Mat McCubbins of UC San Diego, plus strategists/bloggers Jon Fleischman of Fleischman Group and Flashreport.org and Jeff Flint of Schubert/Flint and Red County in a debate on the initiative process.

1 p.m., Portola Pavilion, Titan Student Union
“Can Our Budget Politics Work?”

Dick Ackerman, former California Senate Republican leader, joins Robert Turnage, California State University assistant vice chancellor for budget; and political scientists Rod Kiewiet of Caltech, Max Neiman of the Public Policy Institute of California, and Sarah Hill, CSUF assistant professor of political science.

Thursday, Sept. 17

10 a.m., Titan Theatre, Titan Student Union
“Is Government the Solution?”

A conversation with Harold Meyerson, political columnist and editor of the American Prospect, and Raphael J. Sonenshein, professor of political science and chair of the CSUF Division of Politics, Administration and Justice, on the role of government today and the importance of effective governance in the 21st century.

5 p.m., Ruby Gerontology Center
“Is California Governable?”

Political scientist Bruce Cain of UC Berkeley tackles the question with Steven Hill of the Bay Area Council and Zabrae Valentine of California Forward. Moderator is Kenneth Miller of Claremont-McKenna, editor of the “New Political Geography of California.”

Sponsors:

Cal State Fullerton’s Division of Politics, Administration and Justice; Government Relations and Public Affairs; and Associated Students

Cost:

Lectures are free. On-campus parking is $8 per vehicle for the day. Short-term parking also is available. Parking lot and permit machine locations are posted online.

More Info:

CSUF Constitution Day website

RSVP:

To reserve a seat for any of the programs, call Heather Morales at 657-278-5876 or send an e-mail to hmorales@fullerton.edu.

Media Contacts:
Christopher J. Reese, Community Relations, 657-278-4854 or creese@fullerton.edu
Christopher Bugbee, Public Affairs, 657-278-8487 or cbugbee@fullerton.edu
Mimi Ko Cruz, Public Affairs, 657-278-7586 or mkocruz@fullerton.edu