College co-sponsors Supreme Court of Texas campus sessions

The Texas A&M community had an opportunity to witness the workings of the [Supreme Court of Texas] (http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us) when it convened at Rudder Theatre Nov. 7, 2013 in a session sponsored by the College of Architecture and the Office of the Provost.

Justices heard oral arguments in cases from courts of appeal in El Paso and Houston, then answered questions from the audience.

“It was a historic day at Texas A&M,” said Debra Ellis, senior lecturer of construction science, who regularly takes her construction law classes to Austin to attend court sessions and worked with court representatives to arrange the Nov. 7 visit.

"The legislative process is an active physical process that you can be a part of, and so many people get so caught up in their daily lives and professions they don't think about what goes on in Austin affects their day-to-day lives," said Ellis. "By taking them over there and introducing them to the process ... they can see how they can affect their futures."

The court has convened in various locales across the state twice a year since voters allowed it to hear cases outside Austin by amending the state constitution in 1998.

“We consider these ‘road trips’ great opportunities for Texans to see the court’s work live and what oral argument is,” chief justice Nathan L. Hecht said. “But equally important, justices value the chance to visit with students to explain what we do – what the argument means, why it’s important.”