10/25/2024

Dear Loggers,

Puget Sound has a long tradition of very strong voter engagement and robust political engagement both within and beyond the classroom. While we value this critical civic commitment, we also recognize that election season can be a very uncertain and stressful time for many in our community. As we approach the national election on Nov. 5, several departments within Student Affairs have collaborated with colleagues in Institutional Equity & Diversity to provide a range of opportunities for members of the campus community to engage in reflective and compassionate self and community care.

This collaborative group has created myriad opportunities from Monday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 7, with more programs being added as other issues or needs emerge. While we trust that there will be ample opportunities for debate and discussion in classrooms, with friends and family, and in other campus contexts, the programs this group has created are all meant to be spaces for reflecting, processing, creating, and connecting. The full (and evolving) schedule is available online at Election Season: Engaging in Self & Community Care | University of Puget Sound. Please watch for further specific publicity via posters, Instagram, and other campus communications, and join us for any of these drop-in programs and spaces that you might find valuable. If you would like more information about this effort, or if you would like a copy of the schedule to post within your area, please contact Danielle Bus (dbus@pugetsound.edu) or Dave Wright (dwright@pugetsound.edu).

As you navigate what can be a stressful time of uncertainty and political engagement, we would suggest the following:

  • Stay in touch and connect with your support people (friends, family, etc.)
  • Assess and communicate your needs (to friends, roommates, faculty, supervisors, family, etc.)
  • Do something creative or get involved with a cause you care about
  • Limit your non-productive screen time

In addition to these election-specific resources, please remember that supportive resources are available through various Student Affairs departments (for students), our Employee Assistance Program (for faculty and staff), and the University Chaplaincy (for students, faculty, and staff). Thank you for being part of a campus that values both the civic and intellectual importance of national elections as well as the need for self and community care during stressful and challenging times.

Sarah Rush Comstock | Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students