Today, November 7, 2020, is an historic day for the United States and for the democratic principles we hold dear.
In addition to electing the nation’s 46th president, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., we will now have – for the very first time – a woman holding the second highest office in the land. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, is, of course, a Californian and Bay Area native, and her Jamaican and Asian Indian ancestry symbolizes the rich diversity and possibilities of our nation.
Category Archives: Government
Post-election reflections
The current election cycle, which has not yet quite concluded as of this writing, has generated a mixed array of emotions for many of us. With more than 100 million votes cast even before Nov. 3, the overall turnout for these elections will likely equal or surpass any others in our nation’s history. Even more impressive, perhaps, is the number of first-time and young voters who cast a vote or were active at the local level. Adjusting so well in the midst of a global pandemic demonstrates the power of our democracy.
“What the Eyes Don’t See” a compelling, though sobering, campus reading selection for our times
It was a real treat for me to join a recent Zoom webinar to discuss this semester’s campus reading program selection, What the Eyes Don’t See, by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha. Dr. Mona is a pediatrician, public health advocate and immigrant who practices in Flint, Michigan. Her book brilliantly shines a spotlight on the water crisis there, revealing how children were exposed to dangerous levels of lead.
SJSU ramps up efforts to engage students in the democratic process
Today is National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan initiative designed to celebrate our democracy. San José State, of course, is a highly-engaged university when it comes to issues related to our democracy and civic responsibility. It is one of the characteristics that defines us.
SJSU’s participation in City of San José 2020 Resident Satisfaction survey
The City of San José has launched its annual Resident Satisfaction Survey, an effort led by the City Auditor’s Office. For the second year in a row, the San José State campus community is invited to take part in this important initiative, with support from the Knight Foundation. I hope you will join me in doing so.