Fall 2008 to Students (3)

End-of-Semster Fall 2008 Message to Students:

Dear Students,

College students across the county made a huge impact in our recent presidential election. Over the past months, I saw you educating yourselves about the issues and asking tough questions about the future of our county. For many of you, this marked your first opportunity to vote in a presidential election. For others of you, this election was a time to be an active spectator in this historic election. Either way, I congratulate you for participation in our country’s democratic process!

Clemson University is home to students from more than 80 different countries and all 50 states in the U.S. Even with this diverse student body (which leads to diversity of thoughts, opinions and beliefs), we all have one thing in common: Clemson. And part of being a Clemson student means showing respect for your fellow students. 

While we are proud of how students conducted themselves leading up to the election, several racially/culturally insensitive incidents have been reported following the election from supporters of both President-elect Barack Obama and Senator John McCain.  I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of Clemson's Core Values of Integrity, Honesty and Respect. I would encourage you to explore your opinions and the opinions of others and recognize that all opinions are valid. they just must be expressed respectfully and civilly, within the bounds of our student code of conduct.

As I write this letter, plans are underway for an event that will underscore the historic nature of this election and how the “youth vote” impacted it. As part of this event, there will be opportunities for you to express how the results of this election have impacted you personally.

I hope that we will be just as respectful in our celebrations of victory as we are in our expressions of disappointment. I trust that we will find ways to talk about our different views and learn from each other’s perspectives. I have confidence that Clemson students will be the model for other college students around the country.

Sincerely,

Gail A. DiSabatino
Vice President for Student Affairs