Bridging the divides
Dear UNCSA Community,
As we reach the end of a highly charged and divisive election season, I want to encourage everyone to stop for a minute and breathe. Now is a good time to Take 5 to decompress and check in with yourself and each other.
It’s been a long road, and whatever ends up being the outcome of today’s election will be received in many different ways throughout our community. The divisions we’ve experienced will linger long after election day – and now more than ever our society needs to find ways to bridge these divides, find common ground, and create empathy and understanding.
Lately I've been thinking a lot about the power that the arts have in helping bring people together, and how UNCSA and the work we do has such an important role in this. That power is evident today and has been seen at so many points throughout history. For anyone who would like to read them, I’ve shared my thoughts on this in the first entry of a new blog that we’ve created. I encourage you to read it and stay tuned to be updated on future entries.
Regardless of the outcome of this, or any future, election, UNCSA’s values remain constant. We remain steadfast in our mission and our commitment to providing a welcoming, supportive and safe environment where you can study, work, play and live in peace, where civility prevails, and where people treat each other with dignity and respect.
As Vice Provosts B. Afeni McNeely Cobham and Laurel Donley wrote to you two weeks ago, look for opportunities to engage, connect, and recoup or celebrate with fellow community members in dialogue and camaraderie in coming days – from the upcoming Collaborative Day on Monday, Nov. 11, to National Pickle Day on Thursday, Nov. 14.
UNCSA is a place where all people can come together to connect, have shared experiences, and equally celebrate our commonalities and differences. We are a community of artists with such an important role in sharing art’s power to unite, heal and inspire.
Sincerely,
Brian Cole
Chancellor
November 05, 2024