About 120 students and faculty gathered in the Chemistry Building Wednesday night to attend a second teach-in hosted by faculty across the University of Michigan covering recent executive actions under President Donald Trump. The event was the second in a series at the University, with the first teach-in on Feb. 12 attracting more than 300 attendees.
Focused on questions about upholding American democracy, the event featured leading experts across the fields of public policy, law, international relations, communications and other social sciences at the University. It included multiple panels with opportunities for the audience to ask questions.
Panelist Barbara Koremenos, professor of political science, told the audience during the event the purpose of the teach-in was to share knowledge to interested students on recent events without discussing policy and picking sides.
“We represent folks who have knowledge to share with you on events that are happening, folks in science, folks in law school,” Koremenos said. “And we want to make sure we can share our knowledge and answer your questions. So that’s the main goal.”
At the beginning of the teach-in, Koremenos said the panelists aimed to explore current events beyond the specific actions of the current administration.
“We have no particular things to say about the policy goals of the administration,” Koremenos said. “That is not what we’re talking about today, but we have a lot to say about the process. The other reason is that the implications of what this administration is doing actually extends really far beyond you guys. I’m French and my country is affected. So we want to make sure you’re aware of all the consequences.”
Teach-in coordinator Pauline Jones, professor of political science, told The Daily in an interview the event was intended to update students on new executive actions that have been signed since last month.
“It’s putting what’s happening in the United States in more of a comparative and global context, so trying to help undergrads understand the reversal or the erosion of democracy,” Jones said. “The United States is part of a global trend, and some of the tactics that are being used in the United States, like these executive actions — many of which are illegal and unconstitutional — are very similar to what’s happening in (other) parts of the world.”
Jones also said many students are not aware of the gravity of these executive actions and their impact on American democracy, citing judges who have declared the orders unconstitutional.
“I think that many people, not just students but especially students, don’t understand how serious the situation is,” Jones said. “What we’re seeing is a deliberate erosion of democratic institutions. There’s been many judges (that have) cited many of the executive orders and actions as either illegal or unconstitutional.”
Jones said she hopes students will continue to have the opportunity to learn about how present conditions will affect the future of the United States.
“Students should be encouraged to reach out to faculty to learn more about what’s going on,” Jones said. “This is their future. What’s happening in their country affects their future.”
In an interview with The Daily, LSA sophomore Adriana Rochier said she has been struggling to balance keeping up with current events and studying.
“There’s been a lot going on the past few months just in the world, and it’s kind of hard to keep up with my studies and trying to keep up with what’s going on in the world,” Rochier said. “So I thought this was a good way especially to hear from professors who are so experienced in their field. So I just felt really lucky to have the opportunity.”
LSA freshman Sawyer Knapp told The Daily in an interview his interest in the event stemmed from not feeling educated enough about the current government.
“I think it’s a disservice that I am still uneducated about what is happening with the government right now,” Knapp said. “So I’m going to be very interested to see what a lot of people in academia are thinking.”
Christian Fong, professor of political science and speaker on the first panel, said the people of the United States have focused their attention on the president more than Congress. He said this disinterest will make it harder for Congress to impose checks and balances onto the executive branch when it oversteps its authority.
“I think as long as we remain fixated on the president and uninterested in what’s going on in Congress, Congress is going to stay in a really difficult stop where it’s hard to impose (limitations on) even egregious overreaches of presidential authority,” Fong said.
Event coordinator Josh Pasek, professor of political science and communication and media, told The Daily that although elected officials claim they have a mandate from voters, they often do not follow their voter’s interests.Pasek said that this is normal for elected officials but calls into question the success of democracy in the government and the actions people should take to preserve it.
“Sometimes they’ll do exactly what the voters want, sometimes what they’re doing is sort of unrelated to what the voters voted for,” Pasek said. “The question of how well a democracy works is whether there is enough information from elsewhere that people in power are responsive to (so) that the desires and preferences of the public end up ruling the day.”
Daily Staff Reporter Vincent Siquig can be reached at siquig@umich.edu.
