Santa Fe College kicked off Constitution Week on Tuesday with the first of three discussions about the more than 200-year-old document's influence in today's political climate.
Tuesday's speech, titled "Is the Presidency Too Powerful?," drew an unexpected crowd of about 90 people, forcing a move from its scheduled classroom to the hallway of the SFC library.
The annual national celebration of the Constitution, which was signed Sept. 17, 1787, usually only lasts a day at SFC, said Doug Diekow, chairman of the social and behavioral sciences department.
Because of this year's presidential election, the event is being extended to three days, Diekow said.
"We tried to connect the Constitution to what's going on today," he said. "It's a great way to spotlight our faculty and for students to engage and participate in open discussion."
Donna Waller, a history and political science professor at SFC, hosted Tuesday's presentation on whether the office of the presidency has become too powerful.
It hasn't, Waller said in her speech, though many imagine it has.
In her presentation, she discussed the changes in the executive branch's power since the signing of the Constitution.
The country's focus on the presidency has made the American people cynical, she said.
"To get elected, presidential candidates promise you the moon, and if Congress doesn't let them do it, people say, 'Liar, liar, pants on fire,'" she said.
Waller said historians believe every great president has expanded and redefined the office from what the Constitution originally prescribed.
The speeches will continue today with a discussion on "Who Really Elects the President?" by David Price, a professor of history and political science.
Professor Alan Beck will host a presentation called "Barack and Sarah? Is Jefferson Turning Over in His Grave?" on Thursday.
The events are sponsored by SFC's Office of Student Activities and department of social and behavioral sciences.
Both will start at 2 p.m. at the SFC library.
