In Support of Voting

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. In Support of Voting

Dear Petrels,

Our Oglethorpe community has a rich history of civic engagement. This election season, it is critically important for all of us to engage in dialogue and action in support of voting and civic participation. While we are exploring more permanent options to support voting, this year the President’s Cabinet encourages all eligible members of the university community to vote on or before November 3, 2020, and endorses the following guidelines.

For Students

  • Students are encouraged to attend all of your classes on 11/3/20.  If voting or supporting voting efforts (poll worker or other volunteer work) interferes with a course, students should inform faculty in advance and work with faculty to address any missed learning.
  • If students are late to class or miss a class due to a long voting line or delay, they should notify their instructor as soon as possible and work with faculty to address any missed learning.

For Faculty

  • Faculty are encouraged to take the time they need to vote or support voting on 11/3/20.
  • Students have been asked to share conflicts due to voting or voting support in advance with faculty and work to address any missed learning.
  • Given the long lines and delays with local polling places in recent elections, we encourage faculty to be flexible with students who may be late or miss class due to voting activities.

For Staff

  • Staff are encouraged to vote and are granted four hours for voting any day prior to or on 11/3/20. Staff who encounter long voting lines or delays are permitted to spend as much time as it takes to vote.
  • Staff who volunteer for voting on Election Day should discuss in advance with their supervisor.

Additionally, I invite each of you to attend the following events related to voting and civic engagement. Please note that election day and post-election programming is currently being planned and additional information will be sent shortly.

October 19-22 and 26-29
Daily Civic Engagement Voter Drop in Hours for students

October 21, 6 p.m.
What if I Am a Woman?” Maria W. Stewart and Black Feminist Activism
Sponsored by Dr. Rhana Gittens and Oglethorpe’s Year of Suffrage
 
October 28, 7 p.m.
“The 2020 Election, Voter Suppression & You!” 
Sponsored by Urban Leadership Program
 
Access anytime!
As a current Oglethorpe student, faculty and staff member, you have access to a curated collection of LinkedIn Learning courses on voting and civic engagement related topics.  More information is available here.

November 3
Student Involvement will celebrate members of the community voting and volunteering and host a virtual watch party that evening.
 
I hope you will join us at the events above. Your active engagement in your communities and in local, state, and national elections is invaluable on the path to create meaningful change. As John Lewis said, “The vote is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have.” Let us honor his words this election season.

Best,
President Ladany & Members of President’s Cabinet

Rene Alvarez
Dr. Marisa Atencio
Eli Arnold
Todd Brooks
Dr. Carrie Mata
Dr. Lynn Geiger
Dr. Lynn Guhde
Dr. Stephen Herschler
Dr. Robert Hornback
Michelle Hall
Dr. Katherine Keib
Whitney Lewis
Dr. Mariel Meier
Dr. Kendra Momon
Dr. John Nardo
Dr. Viviana Plotnik
Julia Rodriguez
Cecil Rose
Dr. Glenn Sharfman
Pete Stobie
Clara St. Urbain
Chris Summers
Dr. Sarah Terry
Dr. Matthew Wild
Jessica Winestock
Dr. Leah Zinner