UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With Election Day approaching, Penn State will host a virtual Open Forum on the election from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, to provide information and answer questions from students, faculty and staff about a range of important topics surrounding voting logistics, the election, and safety and security.
The forum will be accessible via this Zoom link. While registration is not required, students, faculty and staff are asked to submit questions in advance using Google Forms.
To help alleviate concerns and share updates for students, faculty and staff, topics discussed will include:
- Voting logistics, including information about what to do if mail-in/absentee ballots do not arrive in time, and plans to support voting by students in quarantine and isolation
- Safety and security before and after the election, including the University’s plans around public safety and response, voter intimidation laws and resources, and intersectional concerns about safety
- Information for international students
- Mental health resources for students, faculty and staff
The virtual event will be hosted by Nick Jones, executive vice president and provost, and Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs. Joining Jones and Sims will be Penn State student and administrative leaders.
Student leaders include:
- Ama Agyapong, doctoral candidate in material sciences and engineering, and an at-large delegate for the Graduate and Professional Student Association
- Victoria Dorsett, vice president of the Penn State Student Black Caucus
- Jacob Klipstein, president of the College Democrats
- Matthew Soska, secretary of the College Republicans
Administrative leaders include:
- Tim Balliet, director of the Center for Character, Conscience, and Public Purpose
- Brian Bittner, director of emergency management in University Police and Public Safety
- Roger Brindley, vice provost for Global Programs
- Stephanie Delaney, deputy chief police commander at University Park
- Hari M. Osofsky, dean of Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs
- Katharine Staley, assistant director of community education and outreach in Counseling and Psychological Services
“Voting in local, state and national elections is one of the most important duties of an engaged citizen,” said Jones. “Our goal is to provide a forum for our community to ask questions and to hear updates to help students, faculty and staff feel prepared and empowered while voting and after Election Day.”
To give everyone an opportunity to watch before the election, a recording of the session will be made available and shared in Penn State News before Nov. 3.
This effort is part of ongoing efforts to educate and support members of the Penn State community by sharing information and key resources around voting and elections. Comprehensive information on voting is available at psuvotes.psu.edu.