The University will celebrate Constitution Week beginning Sept. 16 with the help of Student Programming Association, Student Government Association and the Department of History and Geography.

From Sept. 16 to Sept. 22, SGA will be handing out free copies of the United States Constitution in the Student Union from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Sept. 20, the Department of History and Geography is sponsoring a Constitution Day program on the life and legacy of Edward Douglass White. Paul Baier of the Louisiana State University Law Center will present “Father Chief Justice: Notes for a Play” at 10:30 a.m. in Le Bijou Theater. Baier is an E.D. White scholar and author of a play about the former senator and Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

On Sept. 22, SPA is hosting a program entitled “Pictures with the Founding Fathers” in the Student Union from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. People will have the opportunity to take pictures with students and staff members dressed as different founding fathers.

Mike Matherne, director of campus recreation, said that he has been involved with the Constitution Week committee for the past three years. Eugene Dial, vice president of student affairs, is in charge of putting together a committee which includes people involved in student activities and academics.

“We come together a few times a year to brainstorm ideas of what kind of Constitution Week activities students might like. From those meetings, we come up with our activities,” Matherne said. “Some are very fun, but some are also scholarly.”

Matherne said that since most college students have not taken a government or civics-related class since high school, people tend to forget what the Constitution means and how the amendments affect everyday life.

“We take them for granted and now is the opportunity to refresh and spark interest,” Matherne said. “We were taught what was in the Constitution as a young kid. Now you’re starting to form your own opinions about government and how it affects you.”

Matherne said he believes that this week could be a great way to rekindle the curiosity that people have about Constitution Week and the basic values our country was formed upon.

“I think this will be a great experience for people to do some hands on learning,” Matherne said.