November 3, 2020
Faculty Senate provides resources related to election conversations
We recognize that today’s election is weighing heavily on the minds of faculty, staff and students. The classroom is a valuable place for students during these times and it is important for faculty to create safe spaces for students to process the election, regardless of the outcome. Numerous helpful resources are available to aid faculty in engaging in these conversations.
The Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy at Kansas State University has resources for handling the post-election classroom and a guide for faculty to engage in difficult conversations.
Other universities have developed resources that you may also find useful. James Madison University has a guide for Facilitating Difficult Election Conversations. The University of Colorado, Boulder has resources for Preparing your Classroom for the 2020 National Election, including first amendment rights in the classroom, modeling nonpartisanship and structuring civil discourse. The University of Michigan has a three-part blog series, including Part 3: After Election 2020: Moving from Reaction to Action that provides ideas for faculty to help students recommit to civic engagement.
Please know that there are also spaces available for students to continue to process through the election, outside of the classroom. Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs is offering student support spaces, both virtually and in-person for students desiring to connect with a professional staff member. Students are also encouraged to seek assistance through Counseling Services. As you consider how to engage in these conversations, please refer to these resources as well as resources available through the Teaching and Learning Center.
Mindy Stafford Markham, Ph.D., CFLE
Faculty Senate President
Associate Professor
Associate Department Head for Academic Affairs
Department of Applied Human Sciences
Kansas State University
316 Justin Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
mmarkham@k-state.edu