Local colleges offer students lesson on constitution reform

Is the Deck stacked against truth? This fall a lawyer will teach college students about Alabama's constitutional reform. Will the students learn both sides of the controversity from lawyers? NO, Lawyers are the fox that watches the henhouse. By CRYSTAL Y. LEWIS Staff Reporter Mobile-area college students will get a chance to learn in-depth about the effort to reform Alabama's constitution, thanks to a partnership of three schools. The University of South Alabama, Spring Hill College and the University of Mobile will each offer a class on the 1901 constitution this fall. The course, "100 Years of Controversy: The Alabama Constitution," will examine the origin and birth of the constitution, said Robert M. Schaefer, associate professor of political science at the University of Mobile. "This is interesting because it's the first collaborative effort between the three schools," Schaefer said. Other schools across the state, including Auburn University, Samford University and University of Alabama will also offer similar courses. The purpose, said Schaefer, is to "help enlighten students about the history preceding the 1901 constitution." The classes will invite a number of guest speakers, including former Gov. Albert Brewer, to offer insights on the issue. Fairhope lawyer Catherine Golden, who will teach one of the classes at USA's Fairhope campus, says students need to learn how the constitution was created, and why it causes concern. Golden serves on the board of directors of the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, which organized in Tuscaloosa last year and now counts proponents in communities statewide. With more than 700 amendments and more than 315,000 words, Alabama's constitution is one of the longest such documents in the world. Critics of the constitution say it contains racist provisions, hamstrings local government, rewards special interests and was ratified in a fraudulent election. Reform opponents contend that the constitution is a godly document and that a rewrite effort could fall prey to liberal and pro-tax forces. "A lot of people are for reform, which I think is good," Schaefer said. "But reform how and why?" That, he added, is what he hopes the class will help people understand. For more information, contact: -- The University of Mobile at 675-5990 or [email protected] -- University of South Alabama main campus at 460-7161 or [email protected] -- University of South Alabama Baldwin campus at 928-8133 or [email protected] -- Spring Hill College at 380-3065. © Mobile Register

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