A message from the chancellor: Vote on Election Day

Dear Carolina Community,

It’s Election Day on Tuesday, and I hope those of you who haven’t yet voted will take the opportunity to cast a ballot. This University’s identity and mission are closely bound up with America’s great democratic experiment and participating in elections is one of the simplest things you can do to strengthen our civic life.

National elections tend to get the most attention, but I encourage all of you to dig into the state and local contests that help set the direction of our communities. For some of our students, this may be your first opportunity to vote and I hope that you make the most of it. Getting involved in local institutions is also one of the best ways to contribute your time and energy to solve meaningful challenges. There’s excellent work happening across Carolina to encourage voter participation and broader civic engagement, and we have more information on what you need.

Democracy takes work, and those of us fortunate enough to live and learn at a place like Carolina have a special obligation to the civic life of our country. This University couldn’t exist without the freedom to read, to speak, and to study, and those freedoms come with a responsibility to participate in public service and strengthen the institutions of American democracy. Throughout our history, as both a university and a country, many people have fought for this crucial right and we honor them by participating in the democratic process.

Whatever your political beliefs, I hope you’ll join me in learning about the people and issues on the ballot, speaking up for the causes that matter to you, and casting your vote.

Sincerely,

Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Chancellor