Leading political and constitutional law experts will gather Monday, Sept. 17, at the University of Central Florida to discuss the Constitution’s meaning today and in the future, as well as the challenges posed by trying to balance governmental power with personal privacy.

“The U.S. Constitution Confronting the 21st Century,” the Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government’s fall symposium, will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Constitution Day, an annual celebration that commemorates the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787 – 225 years ago.

Nadine Strossen, a past president of the American Civil Liberties Union who now is a professor at the New York Law School, will give the first presentation on the relationship between governmental power and civil liberties, including privacy questions, during the War on Terror.

Other speakers include George Washington University law professors Jonathan Turley and Jeffrey Rosen and University of Florida law professor Sharon Rush.

Former U.S. Rep. Lou Frey, who represented Central Florida in Congress from 1969 to 1979, will join Turley and Rush on a 1:30 p.m. panel about “The Constitution and the Future: Seeking Shelter from Prying Eyes.”

The day will conclude with a 2:30 p.m. leadership forum involving three Student Government Association leaders: President Cortez Whatley, Chief Justice Dalya Bordman and Regional Campus Senator Grey Dodge.

Frey, the institute’s founder, has received the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress’ Distinguished Service Award for his efforts to improve civic education and encourage young people to be more actively involved in government.

The Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government is a nonpartisan organization affiliated with the UCF Department of Political Science. The institute promotes civic education and engagement, particularly among young people. Institute programs encourage informed discussion of issues from diverse viewpoints, stimulate participation in the political process and support research on politics and policy.

Sponsors for the symposium include the Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed law firm; UCF Department of Political Science; UCF College of Sciences; UCF Foundation; UCF Global Perspectives Office; United States Association of Former Members of Congress; UCF Student Government Association and UCF Office of Undergraduate Studies.

For more information and a full schedule for the symposium, visit www.loufrey.org.