Muhlenberg Community To Engage In Discussion Of Patriot Act
The Muhlenberg College community invites the public to a plenary session aimed at generating understanding of the USA PATRIOT Act, Monday, March 1, 4-5:30 p.m., Miller Forum, Moyer Hall. The discussion has been organized by the Muhlenberg College Center for Ethics.Friday, February 27, 2004 10:30 AM
The Muhlenberg College community invites the public to a plenary session aimed at generating understanding of the USA PATRIOT Act, Monday, March 1, 4-5:30 p.m., Miller Forum, Moyer Hall. The discussion has been organized by the Muhlenberg College Center for Ethics.
“The USA PATRIOT Act: Balancing Homeland Security and Civil Liberties” will present some basic information about what the USA PATRIOT Act is and why it was introduced, and will focus on several key provisions of the act that have led to debate, including those related to the definition of "domestic terrorism," surveillance of individual records, and the monitoring of political and religious activities. Some attention will be given to other legislation that, while not part of the Patriot Act, is related to government efforts to increase homeland security.
Panelists include Malia Brink, attorney for the Philadelphia office of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union); Gerry Turkel, professor of sociology and legal studies at the University of Delaware, chair of the AAUP (American Association of University Professors) Government Relations Committee and member of the Special Committee on Academic Freedom and National Security in a Time of Crisis; and Barbara Comstock, former director of the Office of Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice under Attorney General John Ashcroft and currently an attorney at Blank Rome Government Relations LLC. Ms. Comstock will participate via video-conference from her office in Washington, D.C. Interim Provost Marjorie Hass will introduce the panel.
An evening student forum from 8-9:30 p.m. in the Red Door, Seegers Union, will be moderated by Christopher Borick, assistant professor of political science. Participants will include student leaders from the College Democrats and College Republican organizations, among other students. Topics of debate will include the responsibility/appropriateness of response of the college community to the Patriot Act; domestic terrorism; student records/ library/ internet surveillance; and the rights of the criminally accused.
