{"id":2102,"date":"2020-11-02T13:52:10","date_gmt":"2020-11-02T21:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ltc\/?p=2102"},"modified":"2020-11-02T13:52:23","modified_gmt":"2020-11-02T21:52:23","slug":"recast-navigating-stress-around-the-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.evergreen.edu\/ltc\/2020\/11\/recast-navigating-stress-around-the-election\/","title":{"rendered":"RECAST | Navigating Stress Around the Election"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
October 28, 2020\u00a0

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Congratulations on a successful launch of this academic year. Our academic programs, classes, and student and residential life events are successfully underway. And, thus far, all students living on campus have tested negative for the virus.Your commitment to our shared vision and work got us here. You play a critical role in making Evergreen a welcoming, inclusive college dedicated to student success.\u00a0Thank you.At the same time, we must acknowledge the pandemic\u2019s continuing impact on our work and lives. Meeting competing needs is daunting and difficult. Ongoing tension over racial injustice, divisive political rhetoric and the possibility of an uncertain election outcome compounds and aggravates the stress many feel.In the run-up to the election, how do we navigate these times? How do we serve and support our students, one another, our families and the larger community during this difficult and uncertain period?\u00a0\u00a0

Coping with Stress\u00a0<\/strong>
Our team in Human Resources offers exceptional suggestions and resources from which to draw personal support and relief.\u00a0

For all Evergreen employees, they recommend\u00a0Eight Questions That Can Help You Survive Election Stress<\/a>. One they offer is \u201cHow can I connect with other people?\u201d For those feeling inordinate stress, the authors encourage a shift from a primary focus on self-care to community-care and serving others in need.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For the college\u2019s managers and supervisors, they recommend\u00a0Don\u2019t Let Election Passions Roil Your Workplace<\/a>\u00a0from the Harvard Business Review. This piece offers concrete steps leaders can take for constructive conversations about the election before and after the election with your co-workers.\u00a0\u00a0The state’s Employee Assistance Program offers\u00a0additional materials<\/a>\u00a0that can help with election stress, managing disagreement and voting resources. \u00a0Let\u2019s take time to review, reflect and consider how to use these tools in our professional and personal lives.\u00a0

Our Responsibilities as Greeners<\/strong>
Among the values we hold dear at Evergreen are:\u00a0Honoring and respecting the rights of individuals and groups to express ideas and opinions, no matter how unpopular those ideas and opinions may be.\u00a0Supporting and\u00a0protecting each other, visitors, and the college from harm.\u00a0Expressing our personal opinions and making statements in our own names, not as representatives of or on behalf of Evergreen.\u00a0Not tolerating discrimination, harassment or abuse of others in any form.\u00a0As we navigate this challenging period, these values and the many resources assembled by Jeannette Smith and Elizabeth Williamson in\u00a0Elections 2020<\/a>\u00a0should serve as critical guides for our campus in the weeks and months ahead.\u00a0

Planning for the Weeks Ahead<\/strong>
Your personal safety and the protection of the campus are our priorities.\u00a0

We have convened the Evergreen\u2019s Administrative Response Team (ART) to plan responses to potential conflict and unrest surrounding the election.\u00a0Their purpose is to interact with any community members who have concerns, issues or fears. If unrest occurs, they will observe and be present solely to protect students, employees and the campus from harm.\u00a0

The Teaching and Learning Commons is offering our community a chance to participate in a post-election listening circle, to share thoughts and feelings, on November 4 from noon to 1:00 p.m. You can\u00a0RSVP<\/a>\u00a0to find out more.\u00a0

In the past, members of our community have been targeted by trolls on social media. If you are concerned about online threats to your personal safety or privacy, please look at the materials and recommendations provided by Evergreen faculty and staff in our\u00a0Online Privacy and Security Workshop<\/a>. If you experience online threats, including doxxing, please report them to Evergreen Police Services at 360-867-6832.

While this is an extraordinary period, even in normal times stress and uncertainty are part of all of our lives. Please take the time to use some of these resources, care for yourself and maintain connection to community. We are always stronger together.\u00a0\u00a0
Take care and stay healthy,

George
George S. BridgesPresidentThe Evergreen State College\u00a0
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