Dear Spartans,
Today, I would like to pause and thank all Spartans who participated in the election, whether that was casting your vote, volunteering at the polls or, for those ineligible to vote, learning about the democratic process. It was an often-contentious election season, but our community embraced its civic duty and modeled mutual respect and civility — and for that, I am grateful.
This election stirred strong feelings, and I recognize that many Spartans are still processing it and experiencing a range of emotions. For some, the election results are welcome. Others have reached out to me and shared how vulnerable they are feeling. Still others have expressed well-founded concerns about how the election will impact diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and Title IX processes. Please know that no matter what happens, we all belong here, and the university remains committed to inclusivity and will navigate any changes and challenges by uplifting our values.
As I shared in August, I am committed to fostering a safe campus community that welcomes and embraces individuals of all backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints. Spartans won’t always agree, and that’s ok. A big part of the MSU educational experience is grappling with the many ways to live and view the world. As we engage across our differences, however, it is critical that we demonstrate empathy and intellectual humility. That includes respecting the democratic process while living our values and recognizing our common humanity and the inherent dignity in each other. We will protect our community members’ safety and civil rights.
To help us navigate this moment, I would like to share some important resources available to our university community:
- Student support and reporting resources
- Understanding and reporting a hostile environment
- Counseling and Psychiatric Services
- Election Care Kit
- MSU Health Care Psychiatry
- Employee Assistance Program
- Information on civil discourse and freedom of speech
Elections are a moment in time, but our university stands on a strong foundation built over nearly 170 years. While emotions may be running high for many, we have an opportunity to continue to serve the common good by doing what we do best: teaching about issues of public concern, researching and communicating about them and modeling civil discourse so diverse viewpoints can be shared and better understood. We are built for this. Society is counting on us. And, working together as one team, we will do our part to advance democracy.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
(pronounced GUS-ka-wits)
President
Professor, Department of Kinesiology