Election Impact Resources for the Academic Environment
Dear Colleague,
The general election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, is set amid a divided and emotionally charged atmosphere. Regardless of the outcomes of the presidential, state and local elections, it’s important that you, as a campus leader, are prepared with knowledge of resources, policies and information that can guide pre- and post-election decisions and actions and, when needed, provide support.
Policies
First, eligible registered voters in the KU community are encouraged to participate in elections. KU employees are allowed up to two hours of paid time if travel or long lines will affect their ability to vote.
The free expression of ideas is essential to the functioning of our university, and the university fully supports the academic freedom of our faculty and academic staff as they engage in classroom instruction. Earlier this semester, Public Affairs created a new online resource, Free Speech, which provides a broad range of information and downloadable handouts covering topics of free speech, public assembly, social media and more.
As a reminder, it is inappropriate to use departmental, university branded social media accounts and communications channels (such as KU department email accounts or websites) to share political commentary or personal views, because they can be misinterpreted as representing the viewpoint of the university. Personal views should be disseminated only through personal accounts. The Kansas Board of Regents policy provides additional context.
Support
We know there are members of our community, including students with diverse opinions, who are anxious and passionate about issues at play in these elections. As educators who foster critical thinking, our goal should be to encourage expression in the classroom while also ensuring discussion doesn’t impede learning. The Center for Teaching Excellence provides online resources to prepare instructors to manage classroom conversations and address potential conflicts, including:
If polls and news reports are to be taken at face value, we may not know the outcome of the presidential election for some time. This waiting may add to an already stressful set of circumstances. Please encourage your faculty and staff to be mindful of their colleagues and students who may be struggling with election outcomes or the lack of a timely decision, and offer to connect them with campus resources.
Our start-of-the-semester message highlights several relevant campus programs to help our student community members, such as the Support and Care Referral Team, Counseling and Psychological Services and Watkins Health Services. Our LinkedIn Learning account available in MyTalent also provides employees with access to programming such as Managing Stress, Thriving Amid Stress and Irritation, and Navigating the Mental Toll of Stress and Leadership. Additional employee resources are available on the Human Resources Wellbeing webpage.
Our office of International Affairs is monitoring the evolving circumstances and is ready to engage with your unit should members of our international community have questions or concerns. The office can be reached at intlaffairs@ku.edu, or by calling 785-864-6161.
Please have conversations with your graduate teaching assistants, faculty, academic staff and others about these guidelines and programs.
Regardless of the election results, it is a certainty that some in our community will be disappointed, while others will be pleased. Political differences have always been a part of our complex university experience. Let us hope and work together to ensure these differences do not lead to further divisions, and that our resources and policies will guide you and your team in the days and weeks ahead.
Thank you for all you do for KU.
Respectfully,
Barb
Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor