Gephardt News

Civic engagement at WashU this fall: We’re here when you’re ready

Dear students,

Like you, we have been anticipating plans for WashU’s fall semester for many months. Collectively, we now have far more information, and much more to digest. Your health, safety, and well-being are our greatest concerns, and we know that each of you will be making careful and challenging decisions about your fall plans. However you decide to proceed with the upcoming academic year, we hope that when you’re ready, you will also take careful stock of how you’ll engage with the profound challenges facing our region, nation, and world.

Whether it’s now or down the road, we’ll be here for you when you’re ready to discuss your community engagement plans. You might need to pause or scale back your intended plans, or transition to remote engagement. You may want to work with a community partner to review and modify your commitments to meet their current needs and adapt to new safety requirements. You could be seeking guidance on how to continue or deepen your engagement with the local community safely, effectively, and ethically. We’re here when you’re ready to take your next steps, even through remote community engagement.

We’ll also be here to support your political engagement during and beyond this important election season. You might have technical questions about voter registration, absentee ballots, or voting in Missouri or your home state. You may want to explore ways to engage in political processes and movement building whether for Black Lives or any number of intersecting issues we know you care about. You might want to explore strategies to mobilize voter engagement among your peers or within other communities, or learn and dialogue about candidates and issues.

When you’re ready, we encourage you to connect with us through our Virtual Open Hoursregister as a voter, subscribe to our email newsletter, and follow us on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter, to stay informed about resources and opportunities for engagement. All of us at WashU are invested in your continued health, safety, and well-being, and we hope you’ll also access support through your schools and the Division of Student Affairs, including the Habif Health and Wellness Center and Center for Diversity and Inclusion.

We know you have many decisions and plans to sort out in the weeks ahead. We’re here to support you whenever you’re ready to discuss your ideas, passions, or questions related to civic and community engagement. To help us know what’s on your mind and how we can best support you, please answer our one-question survey when you have a moment. If you choose to provide your name and email address, our promise is to follow up with you within 3 days.

With our warmest wishes for your health and safety,

The Gephardt Institute Team