The Upcoming Presidential Election
Dear Boston University Community Members,
Next Tuesday, our nation will go to the polls to elect our next president and legislative leaders. Voting is a tremendous privilege, and I encourage all those who are eligible to vote to participate in the electoral process. BU Votes, which is offered through the Community Service Center, provides information on voter registration, election-related events taking place at Boston University, and other nonpartisan voting resources.
The campaigns leading up to November 5 have been contentious and have underscored—and perhaps served to further—divisions within the United States. Many people, and certainly many of us here at BU, are feeling concerned and anxious about the election and its aftermath. Over the coming days and weeks, I encourage all of us to uphold BU’s commitments to free speech, to academic freedom, and to creating a space that allows for civil discourse and differing perspectives. I recognize these standards may be difficult to uphold and are not always on display within greater society. Nevertheless, BU has always been open to all people from all backgrounds and perspectives; this history distinguishes us as an institution and compels us to do better and be better.
If you are in need of support, please talk with someone, such as a friend, family member, colleague or teacher you trust. You may also access resources that are in place here at BU. Counseling services are available to students, faculty, and staff through Student Health Services and Behavioral Medicine, the Faculty & Staff Assistance Office, and our spiritual leaders based at Marsh Chapel.
Let us be there for one another during the coming weeks. Know that BU will remain committed to our traditions of freedom of expression, diversity, learning, and finding common ground. We will continue to foster spaces where our community members can engage in difficult topics while acknowledging our common humanity.
Sincerely,
Melissa Gilliam
President
*10/30/24 This message was sent to students, faculty, and staff.