A Message About the Upcoming Election
A Message from Joel Towers, President and University Professor
To The New School community,
As we head into the final days before the U.S. presidential election, I want to take a moment to share some of the things that have been on my mind during this campaign season.
Democracy relies on an informed and engaged electorate. That’s in part what makes universities engines of democracy. For generations, the members of The New School community have sought to lead and create change that betters our society, and one of the most important places for that leadership to take place is at the ballot box. Our commitment to the role of education in advancing more just social, economic, and ecological systems is foundational to a strong democracy.
All those eligible to vote have a civic responsibility to do so, and I hope that every single one of you who can vote will. Many in our community may have already participated in this year’s election, whether through voting early at the polls or submitting a mail-in ballot. In fact, more than 46 million votes have already been cast. Despite these high numbers, we know from past elections that every single vote matters. For faculty and staff, The New School provides paid time off for voting on November 5, recognizing that polling lines and therefore the time it takes to cast a vote may be longer than in the past. For students, please work directly with your faculty and/or deans if you need accommodations to vote. And of course, The New School will continue our long tradition of serving as a polling place for our community in the neighborhood.
Decisions made during this, or any, election have long-lasting policy impacts at the local, state, and national levels. If you are unsure about the issues or candidates, take time to do your own research, engage in conversations with friends and colleagues, or join any number of events scheduled on our campus. The Democracy Seminar and NSSR Transregional Center for Democratic Studies and NSSR Economics Department are each hosting events featuring faculty, policymakers, and other expert voices discussing a number of timely and topical issues. These and other election-related lectures, webinars, and activities can be found on the university’s events calendar.
No matter what happens next week, we have much work to do. Progress is an ever-evolving project. As an academic institution, we can leverage our commitment to deep learning and critique by creating opportunities to speak with—and really listen to—each other in an environment of mutual respect. In conversations across the university, I’ve heard a shared desire to move away from a divisiveness that seems to dominate so much of the public discourse. Informed and passionate expression of ideas, critique, and dissent are part of who we are and are fundamental to learning and democracy. So too are respect, compassion, and true listening, which are the foundation that supports dialogue, learning, and the university’s mission.