Kate Santini ‘27
Chief News Editor
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions for students and faculty members alike. In anticipation of the presidential election, organizations and clubs on campus including the Democratic Futures Forum, the McFarland Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture, Campus Activities Board (CAB) and the Benedict Joseph Fenwick Debate Society (B.J.F.) hosted events advising students on the importance of making an informed decision when casting their ballots. On Election Night, clubs organized events that provided students the opportunity to relax and enjoy time with friends in the midst of what might otherwise have been a stressful environment. CAB hosted an Election “Watch Party” at Crossroads where patriotic snacks and trinkets were provided. Student Wellness & Education organized an “Election Night De-Stress Zone” in Ciampi-Caldron Hall where students enjoyed massage chairs, board games, and complimentary tea & hot chocolate.
In an attempt to address lingering stress students may feel in the wake of the 2024 election, College president, Vincent Rougeau, issued a campus-wide statement on November 9th titled “Moving Forward, Together.” In this email, he reiterated the College’s commitment to the “ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge” which is an initiative that 1,078 college campuses across the nation take part in. ALL IN is a “national, nonpartisan initiative” that “inspires, supports and celebrates colleges and universities working to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation.” Beyond promoting voting registration among college students, the ALL IN program calls for institutions of higher education to foster continued interest in the democratic process among students to ensure their lifelong civic engagement.
In support of the ALL IN initiative, Rougeau stated, “our mission [as a school] calls us to build a community marked by freedom, mutual respect and civility. While our nation remains deeply divided on many issues, at Holy Cross there are principles on which we all agree.” He goes on to list these principles which call upon students to honor their peers’ dignity and political freedoms in accordance with the College’s policy on inclusivity.
He expresses a profound gratitude for the “many ways [students] have participated in constructive dialogue” throughout the past few weeks which directly contrasts with the deep division of the country. Even now that the election results have been announced, Rougeau urges the Holy Cross community to continue treating others with the utmost respect in spite of political differences, stating that “each one of us needs to continue this work and be ever mindful of how our individual actions contribute to one another’s sense of belonging at Holy Cross.” He encourages any students “seeking conversation and support” to contact the Offices of the College Chaplains, the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), or the Office of Justice, Equity, Belonging, and Identity where they are ensured a safe space to unpack election-related anxieties.
Looking ahead, Rougeau will be attending the Student Government Association Joint Session on November 17th where he, alongside other faculty members, will have the opportunity to engage in productive dialogue with students regarding the nation’s current political state and its implications on the Holy Cross community. Rougeau concludes his email full of hope, expressing an earnest confidence “in our ability to move forward together and live our mission.”
Featured image courtesy of Eventbrite
Copy Edited by Annamaria DeCamp ‘27
Web Edited by Zexuan Qu ’28
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