TOPEKA – Historians, constitutional law experts, public policy scholars and others interested in affirmative action will discuss its meaning and impact during the last 40 years and its future at the Affirmative Action: Requiem or Renaissance Conference, Sept. 22-23 at Washburn University. The event is free, but pre-registration is requested. For more information and to register, visit www.washburn.edu/ao/affirmative-action. Schedule of events: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 7-8:30 p.m., Washburn Room, Memorial Union “Affirmative Action: 40 Years On,” featuring Gerald Torres, co-author of “The Miner’s Canary: Enlisting Race, Resisting Power, and Transforming Democracy. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Washburn Room, Memorial Union Paper presentations relating to affirmative action and the humanities, media and economics, and law. Panel presentations: featuring Dean Kotlowski, author, “Nixon’s Civil Rights: Politics, Principle, and Policy;” Steve Ramirez, professor, law, Loyola University and J. Thomas Marten, U.S. district court judge.