Dear AU Community,

Election season is here! It is one of the most exciting and active periods at American University. I feel fortunate to have joined AU in an election year, and I’m already seeing many ways that these critical moments in the nation’s history come alive here. From our location in Washington, DC, and our world-class faculty expertise on elections to our student engagement and The Civic Life experience, we have an abundance of unique opportunities to be active and informed participants in our democracy. With Election Day 2024 just one week away, I want to highlight a few of the election-related activities on our campus and encourage you to cast your vote and engage in our most important and cherished civic responsibility. 

Since the beginning of the academic year, I have been heartened by the energy and commitment across the AU community to support voting. To give just one example, the AU Votes team, volunteers, and our Bender Library and Center for Leadership and Community Service teams helped more than 900 students request absentee ballots this fall. If you have already voted early in jurisdictions where that is available or submitted your absentee ballot, thank you. If you are voting on Election Day, make sure to have a plan so your voice can be heard. 

As a reminder, Election Day (November 5) is a university holiday, which means there are no classes, and offices are closed. I hope you will join me taking this time to participate in our democracy.

I also hope you will join some of the exciting election programming across campus next week and throughout November:

• Election Night Watch Parties––Join SPA and the school’s undergraduate and graduate student councils starting at 5 p.m. in Kerwin Hall; SIS, the Kennedy Political Union (KPU) and the Spirit & Traditions Board starting at 8 p.m. in the SIS Abramson Family Founders Room; or stop by both!
• Post-Election Day Wellness Moments will take place across CAS on November 6, featuring relaxation activities, cozy blankets, and painting activities, among other fun ways to engage in self-care.
• On November 6, we will host our next university Unity Meal: The Day After Election Day, to reflect on the importance of working together to strengthen our democracy and build bridges across our political divides.
• On November 12, the Sine Institute will host “What Just Happened? What Did We Learn from Election 2024?”
• Check Engage and school and college webpages and social media channels for additional upcoming election-related programming.

While it is possible we may not immediately know the outcome of a very close election, I do know there is no better place than American University to be part of this incredible experiment we call democracy.

 

And, because we can’t say it enough, don’t forget to vote!

Sincerely,

Jonathan R. Alger
President, American University