Maintaining Community During a Tense Week of National Politics

Sent: November 4, 2024

From: Vincent J. Del Casino, Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues,

As we enter the final phase of the 2024 election cycle, I want to acknowledge that this is an anxious time for many. Students and their families—as well as faculty and staff—may be experiencing high levels of stress. Please be mindful of this anxiety as you interact with students and colleagues over the coming weeks. Given how close this election is expected to be, we may not know the final outcome for some time. It is important to ensure that all votes are counted accurately, and this will take time and patience.

As faculty and staff, you should know that there are resources available for students. Please direct them to the post-election campus activities and resources SJSU has available for support. You can also note that Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will also be providing drop-in "Election Self-Care"on Election Day and the day after (November 5th and 6th).

At the classroom level, faculty may also decide they want to do a bit more. It could be as simple as pausing at the beginning of class to allow space for students to process what they are experiencing by inviting them to take a moment to reflect or write a "minute paper" to express/release what they are thinking or feeling before proceeding with class. Faculty might increase the latitude given to students if they miss an assignment or can’t attend class over the next week or two. Such small gestures can ensure that students feel seen and heard. But, of course, such conversations might not fit all classroom contexts, so, as discussed above, directing students to resources is always important.

If you as a faculty or staff member feel the need for additional support, University Personnel offers information on mental health resources for all university employees. Additionally, for anyone who feels like they have experienced discrimination or harassment, we encourage you to report your experiences to our Title IX and Equal Opportunity office, where university staff are available to meet with you to discuss your options, including assessing supportive measures.

As we navigate through this period together, let's be guided from our core values of respect and tolerance. Our campus community includes over 40,000 students, faculty, and staff, with diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and political views. Nevertheless, we are all Spartans and share a common commitment to our educational mission.

Sincerely,
Vin