Intercom

Dear Ithaca College Students,

As we approach Election Day on Tuesday, November 5, I want to share this message to highlight the various resources available to support our community and some important reminders during this pivotal moment. First, I would like to begin by encouraging our IC student community to get out to vote this election day and take an active role in this important civic opportunity! Participating in an election is a tangible way you can exercise your power and make your voice heard to help shape the future of our national, regional, and local communities.

If you registered to vote using your Ithaca College campus address, your polling location to vote is at Longview located near the Ithaca College main campus on South Hill. Ithaca College is sponsoring free round-trip transportation from campus to the polling location throughout the day, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending with the closure of the polls at 9:00 p.m. Vans will make continuous loops from the Textor Flagpole to Longview throughout the day.

Whether this your first time participating in an election, or you have done so before, the coming days will bring excitement but can also bring about stress and anxiety for many. I would like to remind you that Ithaca College prides itself as a community of care. First and foremost, I urge our IC community members to treat one another with empathy and mutual respect, regardless of what political viewpoints they may hold. Our shared commitment to treating each other with dignity and understanding will strengthen us as a community no matter how varied our individual views may be.

I also want to encourage students to utilize the many resources we have on campus to help support you during this time of heightened stress and anxiety. The offices in Student Affairs and Campus Life are supporting a variety of election-related programming over the coming days titled the Election Connection. Much of the programming is geared towards supporting you in managing your self-care and wellness.

For a full schedule of events over the coming days, I encourage you to save this Instagram post and visit our Election Connection website for additional information. Some highlighted events happening on Election Day are listed below:

9:00 AM – 9:00 PM: Free Van Ride to the Polls
(Location: Textor Flagpole, providing round-trip transportation to and from Longview polling location)

12:00-2:00 PM: Let’s Talk Drop-In Hours
(Location: Center for LGBTQ Education, Outreach, and Services)

12:00-4:00 PM: Election Day Unwind
(Location: Center for LGBTQ Education, Outreach, and Services)

2:00-3:00 PM: Unity Hour
(Location: BIPOC Unity Center)

7:00-11:00 PM: Breathe and Reflect: Election Night Self-Care Space
(Location: Towers Marketplace)

8:00 PM – Late: Election Watch Party
(Location: Muller Chapel)

If you find yourself needing additional mental health support, I encourage you to utilize the resources offered through our Center for Counseling and Psychological Support (CAPS). In conjunction with its weekly schedule, CAPS offers Let’s Talk sessions Tuesday-Friday, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Participation in Let’s Talk can be virtual and in-person and offers informal and confidential individual consultation with a licensed counselor. If you find yourself in need of support after traditional business hours or are experiencing a crisis, I encourage our students to visit our after-hours and crisis care webpage for information so we can provide you with immediate support.

I also encourage you to utilize the ICare Referral Form, managed by our Office for ICare and Student Support, if you or a classmate show signs of distress and may benefit from additional support.

Thank you for your active participation and respectful engagement during this election season. Let’s remain committed to supporting one another over the coming days.

Warm regards,

Dr. B
Stanley A. Bazile, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Life