October 30, 2020
Dear colleagues and students,
The strength of our democracy depends on all of us. Our voices and our votes matter, now more than ever with the national election next Tuesday. Information and misinformation bombard us every day in the news, on social media, and over the phone, even, for those of us who still answer our phones. It's hard to keep up sometimes and hard not to feel overwhelmed, especially in the midst of a pandemic.
With all of this in mind, I'm proud to say that our campus has been preparing for this election for some time. Our goals are to ensure that—even with the added anxiety that many of us are feeling—our campus remains a safe place where we can exchange ideas freely with civility and respect. Our Election Response and Preparedness group led by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Eric Weldy has been gathering resources that can help all of us navigate this complex and stressful time. Below are a few links that might be helpful:
- IUPUI's Voting Guide website: Your Vote Counts with information on voting and election resources
- IUPUI Counseling and Psychological Services for students
- IUPUC Counseling Services
- Employee Assistance Program for faculty and staff
Our campus is known for being diverse and inclusive where we care about and take care of each other. If you find yourself hurting, others might be as well. Let's support each other.
Let's also continue the dialogue that will strengthen our democracy. To that end, IUPUI will be holding a Post-Election Town Hall to provide a forum for conversation and resource sharing.
Register for the Post-Election Town Hall
There's no way to predict the outcome of this election. Some of us will be elated and some, heartbroken. What I know for certain is that I will remain proud to be an American and to have the right to vote. I will also remain proud to work among faculty, staff, and students who are equally dedicated to the future of our country.
Now let's get out the vote and keep our democracy healthy.
Sincerely,
Nasser H. Paydar
Chancellor