Portland State President Wim Wiewel released a statement on the morning of Nov. 10 in response to the recent presidential election.
The statement is as follows:
“Dear PSU students, staff and faculty,
Tuesday’s presidential election results have led to protests and in some cases tense exchanges on college campuses across the nation. I understand the shock, pain and unrest that this vitriolic campaign and election have caused many of us, and I understand why we need to express our feelings and opinions about it. I hope we can do so in a respectful and peaceful manner.
As many have noted, the election exposed some deep rifts throughout our nation and in our own communities. We cannot ignore this divide, and we must do all we can to reach out to and support those who feel threatened or disenfranchised. But this is also a time to reflect on the democratic institutions and beliefs that hold us together as a nation, as a community and as a campus.
For those of you who want a safe space to discuss the outcome of the election, or to simply read or study, I recommend any of our student cultural centers (http://www.pdx.edu/cultural-resource-centers/) or our Center for Student Health and Counseling (https://www.pdx.edu/shac/center-for-student-health-and-counseling).
Together, we can move forward in a spirit of trust, respect and goodwill as we continue to work for the values and changes in which we believe.”
Last night, thousands of protesters marched through downtown and shut down Portland’s highways for several hours.
Visit psuvanguard.com for ongoing coverage of the PSU community’s response to the election results.