The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania chapters of the Federalist Society hosted the 2021 Third Circuit Chapters Conference on Friday, October 1 at the Pyramid Club in Philadelphia.
The theme of the conference was Education and included panels on Racial Preferences in Higher Education, School Choice and Education Reforms During COVID-19, and Critical Race Theory in Schools. The conference featured panels, plated lunch, keynote address, and a closing reception.
Keynote Address: "What Causes, and What Might Cure, Campus Illiberalism?"
Prof. Robert P. George
McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University
CLE: Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey CLE credit are being applied for.
Registration for this event has now closed.
Registration Details:
- Members - $50
- Government Employees and Judges - $50
- Students - $25
- Non-Members - $100
Please Note: No refunds will be available after 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 29.
As a result of Philadelphia's mask mandate, masks will be required unless eating or drinking.
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Registration
Outside William Penn/Franklin Ballroom
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Panel One: Racial Preferences in Higher Education: What are the Consequences and What Will the Supreme Court Do?
2021 Third Circuit Chapters Conference
| Topics: | Civil Rights • Education Policy |
|---|
William Penn/Franklin Ballroom
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Event Video
Description
Despite the fact that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits racial discrimination by schools that receive federal funding, racial preferences are being applied in admissions at many colleges and universities for the purpose of enhancing diversity. More recently, in light of this renewed emphasis on and interest in student diversity, the application of racial preferences in student admissions in higher education is having a trickle-down effect in admissions at prestigious magnet, charter and private secondary schools as well, many of which are discarding merit and test-based admissions policies in the name of diversity. However, the United States Supreme Court is currently considering whether to hear a case relating to Harvard University’s affirmative action policies which require the consideration of race in student admissions.
This panel discussed the effects of racial preferences in higher education and also considered whether the Supreme Court will review the legal challenge to Harvard University’s admission policies, analyzed the merits of various legal arguments in the Harvard case, and predicted how the conservative leaning Supreme Court may potentially rule.
Featuring:
- Cory Liu, Partner, Ashcroft Law Firm, and former assistant general counsel to Texas Governor Greg Abbott
- Theodore Shaw, Julius L. Chambers Distinguished Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Civil Rights, UNC School of Law
- Patrick Strawbridge, Partner, Consovoy McCarthy Park PLLC, and adjunct professor for the Supreme Court Clinic at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University
- Moderator: Judge Paul Matey, United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
* * * * *
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.
Speakers
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch and Keynote Address: What Causes, and What Might Cure, Campus Illiberalism?
2021 Third Circuit Chapters Conference
| Topics: | Education Policy • First Amendment • Philosophy • Politics • Free Speech & Election Law |
|---|
William Penn/Franklin Ballroom
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Event Video
Description
Featuring:
- Prof. Robert P. George, Princeton University
- Introduction: Lisa Ezell, Vice President & Director, Lawyers Chapters, The Federalist Society
* * * * *
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.
Speakers
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Panel Two: School Choice and Education Reforms During COVID-19
2021 Third Circuit Chapters Conference
| Topics: | Education Policy |
|---|
William Penn/Franklin Ballroom
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Event Video
Description
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in over a year of virtual public schooling in some parts of the country, which caused a surge of interest in school choice options as parents sought in-person instruction for their children. About 500,000 students nationally left traditional public schools during the pandemic to move into private schools, charters, and full-time home-schooling. State legislatures across the country thus responded by considering legislation to increase the number of charter schools, offer additional scholarship and tax credit programs, and create education savings account options to increase choice in education.
This panel surveyed proposed education reforms to expand school choice and discussed the responses of unions, school boards, and parents to these proposals. Panelists considered changes the Biden Administration may make in education special emphasis on any proposed reforms in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.
Featuring:
- Robert S. Eitel, President, Defense of Freedom Institute
- Benjamin A. Field, Attorney, Institute for Justice
- Moderator: Judge Joshua Wolson, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
* * * * *
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.
Speakers
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Panel Three: Critical Race Theory in Schools
2021 Third Circuit Chapters Conference
| Topics: | Civil Rights • Education Policy |
|---|
William Penn/Franklin Ballroom
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Event Video
Description
Schools across the country have introduced elements of critical race theory into their curriculums. The Biden Administration has produced a federal rule that would prioritize funding for history and civics programs shaped by CRT. Meanwhile, lawmakers in 16 states have introduced or passed legislation this year seeking to limit the teaching of critical race theory within public institutions. And parents across the country have pushed back against school boards adopting CRT and filed litigation to that effect. What is critical race theory? Is the Biden Administration able to encourage its teaching through funding? Are states and localities within their rights in designing and limiting curricula and what can and cannot be taught in public schools or do laws that do so potentially violate First Amendment rights or other applicable law?
Featuring:
- Prof. Christopher Brooks, Professor of History, East Stroudsburg University
- Joe Cohn, Legislative and Policy Director, FIRE
- Taylor Meehan, Counsel, Consovoy McCarthy PLLC
- Moderator: Alison Somin, Legal Fellow, Center for the Separation of Powers at the Pacific Legal Foundation
* * * * *
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.
Speakers
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Closing Reception
Fairmount Room
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
The Pyramid Club
1735 Market St., 52nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103