Basic HTML Version
Campus Review
October 3, 2012
Page 8
ity, was also, as noted by Clayton State
Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Provost Dr. Micheal Crafton, an outstand-
ing educational experience.
The audience, largely students from Clayton
State history and political science classes,
received some valuable lessons, not just on
the Constitution and how and why it might be
changed, but on civility. While the record
indicates that Olens is a stalwart of the
Republican Party, and Barnes a former
Democratic governor, the two constitutional
experts engaged in an enlightening dialog
that included questions from the audience, all
without indulging in the rhetoric that both
men agreed was often a part of, “both sides of
the aisle.”
While Olens and Barnes certainly did not
agree on every aspect of changing the
Constitution – for example, the potential role
of the judiciary in same – they did concur on
some key points, notably the potentially high-
ly controversial subject of whether or not a
new Constitutional Convention needs to be
called for the U.S.
“The worst thing that could happen now
would be to call a Constitutional
Convention,” said Barnes.
“I’m not in favor of a Constitutional
Convention, either,” agreed Olens. “The
extremes on both sides would damage our
democracy.”
Nonetheless, a lot of the afternoon’s discus-
sion centered on the theme of change. For
example, Olens noted that, as part of the con-
stitutional processes, “mistakes happen.
What’s important is that mistakes are
changed peacefully.”
Barnes pointed out that changing times make
change a necessity, using the example of the
U.S.Air Force. If the Constitution, which nat-
urally just mentions establishing an army and
navy (this was 1787, after all), hadn’t been
changed, there would be no air force, since
there was no provision for same in the
Constitution, he noted.
In the end, both men agreed with colonial
patriot Patrick Henry, quoted by Olens,
who noted that the Constitution was a
means for the people to restrain the gov-
ernment, and not the other way around.
Clayton State to Hold
Presidential Debate Watch Party
The Clayton State University Student
Media Organizations, The BentTree,
CSTV and CSIR, in conjunction with
the Tau Epsilon, Pi Gamma Lambda,
and Rho Sigma Lambda Chapters of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., are
hosting a Presidential Debate Watch
Party on Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 8
p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at the Clayton State
Student Activities Center Ballroom.
This event is open to the public and
free of charge. Complimentary food
and drinks will be served to those in
attendance.
The event will start with a pre-debate
panel discussion that will feature rep-
resentatives from each sponsoring
organizations. The panel will discuss
topics such as voter registration laws,
the importance of being civically
engaged, and domestic policies, which
are the same topics that the presiden-
tial candidates will debate during the
first 2012 Presidential Debate.
For more information regarding this
event please contact Corenza Morris at
corenza1906@gmail.com or Jennifer
DeMond at jenniferdemond@clay-
ton.edu.
Scheduled for Thursday, November 15
Clayton State Women’s Forum
Announces Annual Auction,
Chili Cook-off and Quilt Raffle
The Clayton State Women’s Forum will
be holding its annual auction, chili cook-
off and quilt raffle on Thursday, Nov. 15.
The organization’s mission is to sustain a
Women’s Forum Scholarship Fund in sup-
port of assisting students with general and
emergency resources to aid in their suc-
cessful completion of academic studies.
Proceeds from all events go to the
Scholarship Fund.
There are several ways that faculty and
staff members can be involved:
Contribute to the Women’s Forum
Scholarship Fund through the
Faculty/Staff Fund Drive
Visit the Women’s Forum table at the
HR Benefits Fair on October 26 for
info on upcoming events
Donate items for the Auction
Shop the Auction – perfect for the
holiday season and year-round gift-
giving
Prepare a pot of chili for the Chili
Cook-Off
Join us at the Chili Cook-Off and
enjoy some delicious chili
Purchase Quilt Raffle tickets
Become a member of Women’s
Forum – the basic membership fee is
only $5
Online auction bidding will commence on
Nov. 12. Donated items will be displayed
in the University Center on Nov. 15.
Faculty, staff, students, retirees, and com-
munity members collaborate for this event
which has become an annual campus tra-
dition.
Constitution, cont’d. from p. 1