Student Affairs promoted Federal Constitution Day outside of the Bertolini Student Center in the quad Sept. 17 by handing out pocket-sized Constitution.

Among the usual whirlwind of jam-packed schedules, the patter of busy feet headed off to study or work and the chatter of classmates all around, Brian Phifer, assistant director of student affairs, manned the booth to remind students of what the Founders achieved that very day 226 years ago.

“The Federal Constitution is the single most important government document in our country. Our military service men and women swear an oath to defend it against foreign and domestic enemies. It provides structure for domestic and foreign policy and, most importantly, secure rights of all U.S. Citizens,” Phifer said.

Alongside a table of red, white and blue, an American flag waved proudly, calling to faculty, staff and students alike to recall our past. Student Affairs volunteers distributed a total of 80 copies on the Santa Rosa campus and 60 on the Petaluma campus.

Previously known as “Citizenship Day,” an amendment added to the Omnibus spending bill of 2004 renamed the holiday and stated that all publically-funded educational institutions will provide programming on the American Constitution.

“In the world of college student affairs, we deal quite often with controversial issues and free expression, and it really helps when students have a basic understanding of the Bill Of Rights, specifically amendment one; it just makes for a more informed discussion on civic engagement, social change and solicitation by outside groups,” said Robert Ethington, director of student affairs and student programs.