The below message was sent to faculty, staff, and students on November 6, 2024.
Dear ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï Community,
We have come to the end of an election campaign that was a mixture of tumult and inspiration. Engaging in the democratic process often evokes strong emotions, and I anticipate seeing a range of emotions in many of you as we greet this day. I encourage all of us to be real with one another today, to offer grace, and to be kind as we begin, together, to process the election’s outcomes and unite as a community regardless of our individual political views.
Informal Gathering Spaces
You are invited to join others in the community in the Great Hall to begin to reflect, where breakfast (including muffins, frittata, coffee cake, iced coffee, hot apple cider, and hot chocolate) from our amazing catering team will be available starting at 10 a.m. Lunch and snacks will rotate in throughout the day. We also invite the community to consider allowing the third-floor atrium of Park to be a politics-free zone as we honor the many different ways people are responding to the election.
Academic Resources
Faculty with related expertise are invited to reach out to Provost Tim Harte, who will be organizing sessions for the community to help us put this election and its outcomes in a broader context. Additional resources for faculty, staff, and students are listed below, including an election-free space in Guild.
Other Resources Available Today
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Drop-in at the Student Life & Wellness Building (The Well)
Drop-in available in The Nest
Hang-out time in the Multicultural Living Room
Staff available for drop-in conversations
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Politics-free zone and snacks on the ground level of Guild
On-going Resources for Staff/Faculty
College campuses, like ours, are one of the best spaces to analyze and learn about the times we are living in and to reflect on our history and our futures as part of a global community. Like all elections, this one calls us to do what we do best here—listen, love, learn, and go forward acting on our beliefs about what kind of campus, what kind of country, and what kind of world we want to help create and live in. I continue to believe love is the strongest force in the universe and invite all of us to continue to honor and hold up the light.
Wendy
**
President
Professor of Sociology
±¬ÁϹÏ
±¬ÁϹÏ, PA
(Pronouns: she/her - )
Additional Resources/Events
October 28 - November 8:  Election-Free Study Zones
Undergraduate Deans' Office
Join peers for a study space free from election conversation.  Stress-reducing activities are available on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Guild Lower-Level Lounge
We also invite community members to consider the Park Science 3rd Floor Atrium as an Election-Free area.
November 8:  Pizza, Politics, Peaceful Political Conversations
Health & Wellness Center
Lunch, reflection, and developing communication skills
11 am - 1 pm, Wellness Room (The Nest)
November 11:  Post Election De-stressor
Impact Center
Decompress with music, crafts, and conversation
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Multicultural Living Room, The Well
