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Election Day 2020 Message

My name is James Felton, Vice President for the Division of Inclusive Excellence. I bring you greetings from our quiet, yet beautiful campus here in Ewing NJ. On Tuesday, millions of Americans will participate in, and await the outcome of the presidential election. As we approach the eve of another Election Day, I want to take a moment to pause and reflect on the values that make this College special.

As critically acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay said, these are strange and important times. The stressors of a global pandemic as well as a number of political, cultural and social injustices have torn at the fabric of this nation. Undoubtedly, these experiences will likely influence your decisions at the polls, the ballot boxes, or however you choose to vote. Some of you will be voting to simply exercise your civic duty. Some of you will be voting for a particular party or candidate because you believe strongly that they will ensure our nation’s future. Some of you will be voting for the rights of all people. While some of you will be voting as if your life depended on it.

Whatever your reasons are for voting, one thing is certain. This will be one of the most consequential elections in modern U.S. history. TCNJ is a vibrant learning and working community composed of individuals with varying political, social, and cultural viewpoints. No matter your politics or personal beliefs, you are likely to work or take classes with, represent, report to, and share a community with someone who thinks very differently than you. The outcome of the election won’t change that. We know that many of you will process the outcome of the election in different ways. Some of you may rejoice, some of you may be disappointed, while others may be down-right fearful.

I want to encourage every member of the TCNJ community to think about the ways we not only treat each other, but care for each other after Election Day has come and gone. You see, in times of uncertainty, it is our values that must guide us. It is important that we uphold TCNJ’s values of excellence, engagement, inclusivity, integrity, and self-reflection today, and every day. Let us be mindful to treat each other with civility and respect—whether we are engaging in academic discourse in the classroom, participating in debates over a meal, or engaging in casual conversations amongst our colleagues, acquaintances and friends. Let us demonstrate respect to those with whom we agree as well as disagree. As an institution of higher education, TCNJ remains committed to high quality learning, critical thinking, intellectual curiosity and to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our values are strengthened by the diversity of thought and experience that every member brings to this community. We may not always agree with one another, but we can treat each other with dignity and respect.

Over the next couple of weeks, there will be a number of post-election programs sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, the Division of Inclusive Excellence and the TCNJ Votes initiative. These programs will provide an opportunity to process, reflect, and model the public civility that our nation will need as we move forward in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Finally, I want to encourage you to take advantage of a number of resources available to all employees and students at the College. Whether you need additional support, or whether you witness or experience acts of bias, please know that we remain steadfast in our commitment to foster a welcoming and accepting environment for all members of the TCNJ community. It is my hope that whoever gets elected into office, that we will continue as a College community to focus on the things that can unite, rather than divide us.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay Lion Strong

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