Welcome to the CCE’s Post Election Resource page, which we have carefully curated to be timely and useful for all members of our campus community.
We know that this Election is especially historic, even beyond its context within the COVID-19 pandemic. The lead-up to November 3rd has seen rampant misinformation, voter disenfranchisement and intimidation, rising public health and safety concerns, protests for Black Lives raising up the systemic issues of racial injustice and police brutality — all while our classes and jobs continue to carry on. Although there is excitement, most people are exhausted, frustrated, and tired.
The uncertainty of the future is difficult and hard to navigate. We encourage everyone to be gentle and patient with themselves and each other in the days ahead. Student feedback and examples from other colleges and universities were instrumental in our election resource selection and we hope you find them valuable in the next few weeks. These resources range broadly, from voter education to election discussion guides and community agreements to mental health support. If you have resources to share or are looking for specific tools, please reach out.
Special thanks to the Counseling Center, Intercultural Center, Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, and Arcus Center for your collaboration.
Sincerely,
Emily Kowey
Assistant Director of the Center for Civic Engagement
Questions? Need support or additional resources? Contact K Votes!
Call or Text the K Votes Hotlines: (269) 364 – 0855 or (269) 849 – 9421.
Email: Emily Kowey, ekowey@kzoo.edu
For Students
Counseling Center
Staff Contact Information: https://counseling.kzoo.edu/contact/staff/
Website: https://counseling.kzoo.edu/
Additional Mental Health Resources:
- Gryphon Place Help Line: Dial 2-1-1 or 269.381.HELP (4357)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.8255
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1.800.656.4673
- Steve Fund Crisis Text Line: Text STEVE to 741741
Intercultural Center
Email: ncarvalh@kzoo.edu
Available via Teams
Chat and Text Message: 231-679-7809, M-F 9:00am-4:30pm (evening and Saturday hours by appointment – please email)
Website: https://intercultural.kzoo.edu/intercultural-center-ic/
Religious and Spiritual Life/Chaplain
Email: Elizabeth.Candido@kzoo.edu
Website: https://orsl.kzoo.edu/
Health Center
Staff Contact Information: https://healthcenter.kzoo.edu/staff/
Website: https://healthcenter.kzoo.edu/
Arcus Center
Contact Information: https://arcuscenter.kzoo.edu/contact/
Website: https://arcuscenter.kzoo.edu/
Mental Health Resources
- K Election Stress Kit: Resources and Guide from Kalamazoo College Counseling Center
- MindSpa: A virtual space for relaxation, providing tools and resources for self-care.
- How the Health Are You?: Tools, resources and information on mental health for BIPOC.
- Managing Election Stress: JED Foundation
Discussion
- Facilitating Difficult Election Discussions: Guide and resources from James Madison University’s Civic Center.
- Civic Alliance: Election Day and Post Election Guide
- Political IdentiTree: Presentation on How Social Identities Provide a Lens and Impact Political Decisions.
- The Day After the Election: A Conversation: Interfaith Youth Core
- 10 Tools to Bridge Divides Around the Election: Interfaith Youth Core
Reflection
- Art as Civic Engagement: James Madison University Virtual Voting Rights Art Exhibit and Reflection
- “We Are Each Other’s”: A reflection on Interfaith Cooperation and Civil Rights from Interfaith Youth Core
- A Prayer for After the Election and More (Folder): Kalamazoo College Office of Religious and Spiritual Life
Active and Mindfulness Resources
From K Team
- 30 min Beginning Yoga with body-positive advocate Jessamyn Stanley: https://youtu.be/DkgJ82UaVQ7c
- 10 min Energy Movement with Dr.Lu to establish energy protection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ctHZEgO8lI&t=608s
- 10 min Meditation to help with anxiety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-6f5wQXSu8
- A step by step of how to do breathing exercises for relaxation: https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2255
- Beginner Mindfulness Exercises including guided meditations, everyday practices, and how to meditate: https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/
- 6 Anxiety Exercises to Aid in Relaxation: https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety-exercises#muscle-tension
For Faculty and Staff
Counseling Center
Staff Contact Information: https://counseling.kzoo.edu/contact/staff/
Website: https://counseling.kzoo.edu/
Additional Mental Health Resources:
- Gryphon Place Help Line: Dial 2-1-1 or 269.381.HELP (4357)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.8255
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1.800.656.4673
- Steve Fund Crisis Text Line: Text STEVE to 741741
Intercultural Center
Email: ncarvalh@kzoo.edu
Available via Teams
Chat and Text Message: 231-679-7809, M-F 9:00am-4:30pm (evening and Saturday hours by appointment – please email)
Website: https://intercultural.kzoo.edu/intercultural-center-ic/
Religious and Spiritual Life/Chaplain
Email: Elizabeth.Candido@kzoo.edu
Website: https://orsl.kzoo.edu/
Health Center
Staff Contact Information: https://healthcenter.kzoo.edu/staff/
Website: https://healthcenter.kzoo.edu/
Arcus Center
Contact Information: https://arcuscenter.kzoo.edu/contact/
Website: https://arcuscenter.kzoo.edu/
Discussion Guides
- Discussing Democracy in Supercharged Political Times: Guide from Institute for Democracy and Higher Education at Tufts University.
- How Faculty Can Prepare to Handle the Post Election Classroom: Guide from Institute for Democracy and Higher Education at Tufts University.
- Fostering Campus Climates for Student Political Learning and Engagement: Book Chapter by Nancy Thomas and Margaret Brower. Institute for Democracy and Higher Education at Tufts University.
- Talking About Elections in the Classroom: Faculty Resource from Campus Elections Engagement Project.
- Preparing to Teach About The 2020 Election (and After): Guide from Center for Research on Learning and Teaching at University of Michigan
- Facilitating Difficult Election Discussions: Guide and resources from James Madison University’s Civic Center.
- Civic Alliance: Election Day and Post Election Guide
- Political IdentiTree: Presentation on How Social Identities Provide a Lens and Impact Political Decisions.
- Virtually Navigating an Election Season on Campus: Interfaith Youth Core
- Post-Election Campus Resource and Response Guide: Students Learn Students Vote
Mental Health Resources
- K Election Stress Kit: Resources and Guide from Kalamazoo College Counseling Center
- MindSpa: A virtual space for relaxation, providing tools and resources for self-care.
- How the Health Are You?: Tools, resources and information on mental health for BIPOC.
- Managing Election Stress: JED Foundation
Reflection
- Art as Civic Engagement: James Madison University Virtual Voting Rights Art Exhibit and Reflection
- A Prayer for After the Election and More (Folder): Kalamazoo College Office of Religious and Spiritual Life
Events – Pre and Post Election
PRE ELECTION
Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 – Monday, November 2nd, 2020
Bike to the Polls Registration – OPEN
Need a ride to the polls on November 3rd? Outdoor Programs is pleased to partner with the Center for Civic Engagement and K Votes to provide our fleet of bicycles to be utilized for free by current Kalamazoo College students, staff, and faculty to ride to the polls. Book a two hour rental slot and pick up bikes in Red Square on Tuesday, November 3rd.
Reserve your ride ahead of time via this link: https://outdoor.kzoo.edu/k-votes-bikes/
Bikes will still be available on Tuesday, November 3rd without a registration at a first-come-first served basis.
Sunday, November 1st
12pm-5pm EST — Make a Voting Plan with PIRGIM Students
Link to Join the Event: https://meet.google.com/wzo-qydi-nzb
Event Description: Join PIRGIM Students and the interns of the New Voters Project to make one final push phone banking to help other college students make a plan to vote. Many people don’t have someone in their life that makes sure the individual has the resources and materials to turn out to vote. We are that person to not only walk them through the process of registering to vote but to also walk them through how to make a plan to vote. Join us to help make sure we can help as many college students as possible to be prepared to participate in our democracy.
Monday, November 2nd, 2020
11am-12pm EST – K Votes Office Hours
Zoom Details: https://zoom.us/j/97546239729?pwd=YTNNcDY3SFNGMEp4UExuZlJJdnZpZz09
Meeting ID: 975 4623 9729
Passcode: KVotes2020
12pm-3pm EST – K Votes Information Table
K Votes will have a table set-up in Red Square to answer questions on early voting and registration options in Michigan, distribute Voting Go-Bags, voting guides, maps to local polling places, etc.. All those who stop by for information will be required to wear a face mask, socially distance, and complete the Student COVID-19 Health Screening before coming to campus: https://healthcenter.kzoo.edu/mychart-daily-screening-tool-symptom-checker/
8pm – Bike to the Polls Reservations Close
Reserve your ride ahead of time via this link: https://outdoor.kzoo.edu/k-votes-bikes/
ELECTION DAY
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020
All Day: General Election – Last Day to Vote
9am-5pm EST – K Votes Information Table and Bike to the Polls Pick-Up
K Votes will have a tent set-up in Red Square to answer questions same day registration options in Michigan, distribute Voting Go-Bags, voting guides, maps to local polling places, etc.. All those who stop by for information will be required to wear a face mask, socially distance, and complete the Student COVID-19 Health Screening before coming to campus: https://healthcenter.kzoo.edu/mychart-daily-screening-tool-symptom-checker/
Bike Rental Pick-up will also be in Red Square from 9AM-5PM.
Those who reserved a head of time should arrive with face masks on to pick up their bike, helmet, and lock.
Reserve your ride ahead of time via this link: https://outdoor.kzoo.edu/k-votes-bikes/
10am-11am AND 2pm-3pm – Guided Walk to Kalamazoo City Clerk’s Office
Need to register to vote on November 3rd? K Votes Student Interns are offering a guided socially distant walk to Kalamazoo City’s Hall/Clerk’s Office to assist students who still need to register day of. All participants will be required to wear a face mask, socially distance, and complete the Student COVID-19 Health Screening before coming to campus: https://healthcenter.kzoo.edu/mychart-daily-screening-tool-symptom-checker/
6pm-7pm EST – Election Talking Circle with the Kalamazoo College Counseling Center
Join the Counseling Center in a safe, virtual space for students to talk about their thoughts and feelings related to the election. Join on Teams, search for Election Talking Circle channel. Passcode: oa3kuvc
7pm-8pm EST – The State of the Race: Election Night Discussion with Professor Justin Berry
Join Dr. Berry, Professor of Political Science at Kalamazoo College for a discussion on the Election and what to look for when watching the returns.
This event will be held on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95201969514?pwd=YWx4UFZ6K1I5cmp0YXhtQUMwZ2RTZz09
Meeting ID: 952 0196 9514
Passcode: KVotes2020
8pm EST – Virtual Election Returns Watch Party with Professor Justin Berry
Watch the returns as they come in! Join the event on the K College Microsoft Teams Site: 2020 Presidential Election Forum, Password: 549JKJ6
POST ELECTION EVENTS
Wednesday, November 4th, 2020
6pm-7pm EST – Election Talking Circle with the Kalamazoo College Counseling Center
Join the Counseling Center in a safe, virtual space for students to talk about their thoughts and feelings related to the election.
Join on Teams: Election Talking Circle. Passcode: oa3kuvc
8pm-9:30pm EST – Lessons from Interfaith Leaders Around the World
Join the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Interfaith Student leaders for a look at how change-makers from around the world have remained resilient, held onto hope, and pushed for a better world. This will also be a space for bringing our own hope, joys, and anxieties about the American election. Everyone is welcome.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/91671243757
Passcode: Academy
Thursday, November 5th, 2020
6pm-7pm EST – Election Talking Circle with the Kalamazoo College Counseling Center
Join the Counseling Center in a safe, virtual space for students to talk about their thoughts and feelings related to the election.
Join on Teams: Election Talking Circle. Passcode: oa3kuvc
Monday, November 9th, 2020
6pm-7PM EST – “So….Now What”: Post Election Conversation for BIPOC Students
This event welcomes all students but will center Students of Color, and provide exclusive space to BIPOC lived experiences and concerns about the future. Those who do not respect this will be removed from the event.
Hosted by the Intercultural Center and will be facilitated by Natalia Carvalho-Pinto and Dr. Kenlana Ferguson.
For Teams details to attend, please RSVP to ncarvalh@kzoo.edu.