To: Faculty and Staff

From: Kevin Kregel, interim executive vice president and provost
           Cheryl Reardon, chief human resources officer and associate vice president

Date: October 27, 2020

Subject: Policies and Guidelines related to Election

With the US election fast approaching, we recognize that some of our community members may have questions about campus operations as they relate to the election process.

The university encourages faculty and staff to exercise their right to vote during any election.  UI Voting Policy allows employees to have up to three hours of paid time away from work to vote on election day, if the employee does not have a three-hour period outside of work hours when the polls are open (OM III-22.6).  Supervisors are encouraged to provide flexibility in work schedules when possible to facilitate employees’ ability to vote.

The university will continue normal operations leading up to the election, on election day, and following the election.  Faculty and staff are expected to fulfill their regular work responsibilities and follow existing policies and procedures related to work hours, requesting time off, and work performance.

Elections have the potential to cause anxiety and stress.  Please know there are confidential campus resources available to help, including the Employee Assistance Program (for faculty and staff), University Counseling Services (for students), and the Campus Inclusion Team.  Additional resources are available at Election 2020: Stay Informed, Vote, Respect Others.

With regard to political activity and expression, please review the Guidelines Regarding Political Activity by Faculty and Political Expression Guidelines for Staff.  Pursuant to our core values, community members should be respectful and supportive of one another at all times (OM I-2.1).

We remain committed to providing an effective learning environment for our students. As noted above, classes will go on as usual.  Instructors may discuss the election as it relates to course content.  If instructors make comments regarding their personal views or choices, they should make it clear that those views are personal and that they do not speak for the institution.  It must also be clear that students’ personal political views, whether in agreement with or opposed to those of an instructor, will not impact their grades.

As an institution of higher education, the University of Iowa is committed to the principle of open dialogue and respect for differing viewpoints. We will not all agree when it comes to politics, but as a Hawkeye community, we share more in common than we have differences to divide us.