In July of 1776, our Founding Fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence and birthed the United States of America. The Declaration asserts that there are eternal truths written into this world by, the Laws of Nature, and Nature's God. That we are all created equal, because our Creator made us that way. Eleven years later the Constitution was drafted, and our country has been governed by that
document ever since. For over two hundred and twenty-six years the Constitution has been the supreme law of the land in America. We are the longest running Constitutional republic in the history of the world. We have been such a great country, not because of our bloodline or race, but because of the values we believe. If we are to continue to be the greatest country in the world, it is essential that we pass on this heritage. South Carolina state law requires that all public universities teach our founding documents. Specifically SC code 59-29-120 (A) requires that:
“All high schools, colleges, and universities in this State that are sustained or in any manner supported by public funds shall give instruction in the essentials of the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers, including the study of and devotion to American institutions and ideals, and no student in any such school, college, or university may receive a certificate of graduation without previously passing a satisfactory examination upon the provisions and principles of the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers, and, if a citizen of the United States, satisfying the examining power of his loyalty thereto.”
Unfortunately, USC's undergraduate requirements don't fall into sync with state law. In the college of Arts and Sciences, American Government is not required. In addition, while one American history course is required, a student can opt to take history 112 (history of Reconstruction to the Modern Era) and completely bypass the founding era of the United States. All of us at USC are going to pursue different careers when we graduate, whether it be business, medicine, or law. But no matter what we do, we are all Americans, and it is essential for the future of our country for the next generation to understand the founding values and principles that have made this country great. That is why I am running for student body president. To push for a change in USC's undergraduate requirements, so that they fall in sync with state law, and that we remain true to our founding ideals. Ideals so important that our Founding Fathers were willing to pledge: “for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
