Approaching the Presidential Election
October 26, 2020
Dear Friends,
We are fast approaching a presidential election that is, I believe, the most consequential in a century. I know many of you are deeply immersed in the issues and concerned about the challenges we face as a nation. And you see deep divisions, driven by inequities in our society, and fueled by vitriolic and hateful rhetoric. The people will vote and decide the nation’s course.
As we at Boston University navigate through this tumultuous election, it is vital that we hold fast to our core values of the dignity of every individual, the importance of truth and fact, and our respect for the precious American right to hold and express opinions freely and without fear. Because of the divisions among us and the strong emotions people feel—understandably—there is significant potential for uneasy conversations and confrontation. I hope that you will approach these conversations with civility and empathy, especially with people with whom you disagree, so that our campus can be a model for how people can and should discuss these difficult issues.
I understand how stressful the coming weeks may be and the enormous anxieties you may feel as you assess the personal consequences of the election result. There are resources available to help you. Counseling services are available to students, faculty, and staff through Student Health Services and Behavioral Medicine, the Faculty & Staff Assistance Office, and through our spiritual leaders based at Marsh Chapel. In addition, the Dean of Students is offering a range of programs intended to foster thoughtful conversations and provide support, as needed; these can be accessed at BU Votes and Election Well-Being.
No matter the outcome of the election, Boston University will remain an open, welcoming community for all. We all must hold tightly to our institutional values and continue to reject the types of hatred, distortions, and antipathy toward knowledge and truth that have made their way into the public discourse. I ask that we all work to nurture our Boston University community as we navigate through the coming weeks and meet the challenges that lie ahead.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Brown
President