Discussing the First Student-Led Mock Constitutional Convention

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Session Description

In Summer 2024, the Center for Constitutional Design at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law of Arizona State University hosted the first nationwide, student-led model constitutional convention in U.S. history. More than 100 undergraduate, masters, and law students participated—with the guidance of twenty faculty mentors—by representing states and territories. Delegates debated twenty proposed amendments to the United States Constitution, and ultimately approved four: on equal rights, tribal sovereignty, gerrymandering, and eminent domain. This roundtable will feature several of the faculty mentors that advised delegates, and include a discussion of the design of the simulation, key observational takeaways, suggestions for future model constitutional conventions, and lessons for similar types of simulations.

Sub Unit

• Roundtables

Discussants

• Alex P. Smith University of Iowa

• Stephen C. Phillips Clemson University

• Laura J. Hatcher Southeast Missouri State University

• Michael Lyons Utah State University