The Vern Votes | 2020 | Election | Students | Registration

University serves as a polling location for the Reading community

A note from President Loyack...

Dear Ã山ǿ¼é Community,

 

One week from today, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, the United States will hold a general election for federal state and local government officials. Let me start by saying, let’s get out and vote. By mail or in person, it is one of the most important actions you can take as a citizen.

 

We understand that the election climate, especially during these unprecedented circumstances, can cause additional stress and anxiety. At times like this, living our core values, especially collegiality, is the responsibility of each member of our Ã山ǿ¼é community. In response, the university has organized many events and resources to help collegial discourse and support our community with coping with the additional anxiety a contentious election cycle can bring. Our hope is to create constructive dialogue and to enhance the overall mental and emotional well-being of our campus. These events and resources can be found in the tabs below.

 

As an institution that is regularly recognized for our commitment to civic engagement and our efforts to engage the campus community in voter registration efforts, we are honored to offer the Upland Center and PLEX as polling locations for our local community to cast their ballots for federal, state and local officials. Making our campus available for the civic ritual of voting is a critical part of how Ã山ǿ¼é shows our commitment to democracy and civic duty.

While the university is committed to supporting the election process, we recognize this year will look a bit different. We are committed to our efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on our campus and in the Reading community. Some important notes about campus operations, COVID protection measures and new procedures on Tuesday, Nov. 3 are listed in the tabs below.

Finally, we want to remind everyone to continue to follow the health and safety guidelines (starting every day by completing CampusClear, wearing masks, social distancing, sanitation and utilizing our health center for testing and support should you have symptoms) as outlined in our Back to the Vern 2020 plan as you exercise your civic rights and vote in this year’s election.

 

Sincerely,

 

John R. Loyack

President

Nov. 3 Upland Center Operations
  • The Upland will be closed for students, faculty and staff. Students who regularly have Tuesday classes in Upland Center should follow their faculty member's instructions for remote learning on Tuesday. Employees who work in the Upland Center will be asked to work remotely on Tuesday. 
  • Public Safety will be on site throughout the day to help direct traffic. 
Nov. 3 PLEX Operations
  • The Plex will be closed for students, faculty and staff. Students who regularly have Tuesday classes in Plex should follow their faculty member's instructions for remote learning on Tuesday. Employees who work in the Plex will be asked to work remotely on Tuesday. 
  • The stairwell from the fieldhouse floor to the mezzanine will be closed 
  • The visitor spots in the PLEX parking lot will be dedicated for community use that day. Public safety will be on-site throughout the day to help direct traffic. 
  • Freshens will be closed all day.  
Nov. 3 Sanitation Measures

The areas utilized by the community during election day will be deep cleaned utilizing the university’s state of the art Halo and Curtis fogging units so that normal use of those spaces can resume on Wednesday, Nov. 4.  

Week of Events: Oct. 26-Nov. 1
  • Resident Assistant Training
    • Date/Time: Evenings during the week of Oct. 26.
    • Description: Training session on how to manage conflict in the community focusing specifically on the election; how to manage difficult conversations and remain respectful; how to be supportive, etc. 
    • Registration: Training is for Resident Assistants Only. 

       

  • Support Chat
    • Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 12-1pm and 6-7pm
    • Description: Ã山ǿ¼é Health and Wellness is hosting a support chat for Ã山ǿ¼é students to discuss the upcoming election, stress coping strategies, etc.
    • Registration: Please reference the Zoom link sent via university email. 

       

  • Managing Election Stress Education
    • Date/Time: Various outlets during the week of Oct. 26. 
    • Description: Ã山ǿ¼é Health and Wellness Center will be distributing flyers and sharing resources via social media. 
    • Registration: Please reference Ã山ǿ¼é Health and Wellness Center emails and social media accounts for important resources and additional events
Week of Events: Election Week and Beyond
  • Mission Monday Email
    • Date/Time: Monday, Nov. 2 | 8 a.m.
    • Description: The Ã山ǿ¼é Mission Monday email will provide resources on faithful citizenship and voting. 
    • Registration: Please reference the university email account.

       

  • Support Chat
    • Date/Time: Tuesday, Nov. 3 | 12-1pm and 6-7pm
    • Description: Ã山ǿ¼é Health and Wellness is hosting a support chat for Ã山ǿ¼é students to discuss the upcoming election, stress coping strategies, etc.
    • Registration: Please reference the Zoom link sent via university email. 

       

  • Managing Election Stress Education
    • Date/Time: Various outlets during the week of Nov. 2. 
    • Description: Ã山ǿ¼é Health and Wellness Center will be distributing flyers and sharing resources via social media. 
    • Registration: Please reference Ã山ǿ¼é Health and Wellness Center emails and social media accounts for important resources and additional events

       

  • A Virtual Ecumenical Service of Healing and Conversation for After an Election
    • Date/Time: Wednesday, Nov. 4 | 6 p.m.
    • Description: An evening prayer service with time for sharing and support for all Ã山ǿ¼é, Faculty, Staff and Students 
    • Registration: Please reference the Zoom link sent via university email.

       

  • Resident Hall Community Based Programs
    • Date/Time: Events throughout the week of Nov. 2-8
    • Description: Ã山ǿ¼é Residence Life will host small community based (floor/wing) programs on celebrating things our students have in common
    • Registration: Students should contact their Residence Assistant or Shannon Merkey for more information. 

       

  • "Let's Talk" An Open Forum for Students with Dr. Todd Mealy 
    • Date/Time: Tuesday, Nov. 10 | 6 p.m.
    • Description: This is the third open forum and Dr. Mealy, along with a panel of students, will focus on a post-election conversation.
    • Registration: Please reference the Zoom link sent via university email. 

       

  • World Kindness Week
    • Date/Time: All November
    • Description: The Franco Library will be encouraging and celebrating kindness for the entire month of November through our interactions with library patrons, our displays, and our social media platforms. The library will have a couple of physical displays and they will be up right after the election is over.  There is also have a virtual display which can be found
    • Registration: Please reference the Zoom link sent via university email. 

       

  • RISE Against Injustice, Be the Difference
    • Date/Time: Wednesday, Nov. 18 | 1-4 p.m.
    • Description: Come stand with fellow students from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in the Quad to join together in making an impact by acknowledging and standing up against unjust social and societal issues that are important to you. This event is to be an open and safe community to start conversations with each other to share viewpoints, stories, commonalities and differences with one other.
    • Registration: If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach contact O’Pake’s Graduate Assistant of Communications, Sarah Matarella at sarah.matarella@alvernia.edu

 

Resources

Ã山ǿ¼é Commitment to Civil Dialogue & Freedom of Expression