After the election, 'we are all Monarchs'

I've had the opportunity to talk with many of you on campus over the last few days about Tuesday's election.

No matter which candidate you supported, we are all Monarchs. Our diversity makes us stronger. Our unwavering commitment is to provide a learning and living atmosphere where all people feel welcome, safe and respected.

What, perhaps, best distinguishes the Old Dominion University community is our dedication to meaningful and respectful discussions and - more important - actions to become a model for inclusivity.

We will keep getting better only if we continue an honest dialogue on local, national and global issues. Our student-led initiative, 1-ODU, along with the President's Task Force for Inclusive Excellence, are just two of numerous efforts where our conversations are frank and our expectations high.

So it's appropriate that in the next few weeks our Student Engagement & Enrollment Services division and our faculty will schedule opportunities for students to share their feelings and questions about the election. I see this as another way that we can learn from one another to broaden our perspectives.

As we approach Thanksgiving, I encourage all of us to use our time before and after the break to demonstrate our personal commitment to ensuring that everyone - regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, culture or political persuasion - knows we all stand together as Monarchs.

Let us return more determined than ever to make our campus a symbol for this country of how people from diverse backgrounds can learn from one another by communicating and listening.