Dr. Jonathan Andreas, professor of economics, and Dr. Perry Bush, professor of history, will debate for and against the repeal of the 14th amendment during Bluffton University’s annual Constitution Day Forum. The event will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 in Yoder Recital Hall. Forum is free and open to the public.

The friendly debate will provide a primer on the 14th amendment, while modeling respectful civic dialogue on an important issue in current U.S. politics. The critically important 14th amendment established the normative definition of U.S. citizenship and was ratified 150 years ago this past July. Some have recently called for its definition to be revised.

This Forum also acknowledges Bluffton University’s Civic Engagement theme for the year “When Talking is Tough: Respectful Conversations in a Divided Nation.” During the academic year, students, faculty and staff will explore the theme during classes, student life programming and campus events such as Forum. 

This presentation also serves as Bluffton’s Constitution Day Forum. All educational institutions that receive federal funds are required to offer an instructional program each year on or near Sept. 17, the day the U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787.