Last night, we witnessed the culmination of what has been a truly historic—and deeply contentious—U.S. election. Prior to election day, some 100 million Americans had cast their ballots by early voting and mail-in ballots. Despite the pandemic, many more took to the polls in person yesterday.
While the results of the election are still unclear, the vast majority of citizens have reaffirmed their commitment to the democratic process. An increase in voter participation is a win for representative democracy, and we should be especially proud of the college-age voters who made their voices heard.
While we are hopeful that we will soon have the final results, I recognize that this period of uncertainty creates stress amidst what is already a challenging year. In addition, over the past week, members of our community have become the targets of hateful rhetoric both online and in person. While we encourage the expression of opinion and diversity of thought, any behavior rooted in hate or discrimination has no place at the University of Miami.
I have heard from many of you who have felt excluded, unheard, and even unsafe, and I want you to know that I support you, and the whole University leadership supports you. We are all in this together—and our goal is for us ALL to feel safe, valued, and included. To assist our campus community, there are resources available, including the Counseling Center, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, and avenues for
’Canes to report their concerns.
As we await the ultimate outcome of the election, it is neither too late nor too early to engage earnestly in conversations about how we move forward together. I encourage you to reach out to a classmate or colleague you admire whose views may differ from your own. Reach across divides in ways that feel right for you.
I am more convinced than ever that the University of Miami must model the behavior we wish to see in the world. It is up to all of us—individually and collectively—to demonstrate that our diversity is our strength. No matter our background or experience, civility and courage are never beyond us.
We are one U. |
