Past elections have impacted the landscape of UC campuses in significant ways. The toll on students processing what results mean for them and their families can overwhelm academic demands, producing the need for mental health intervention or academic accommodation. As students deal with the already isolating environment caused by the pandemic, they may be compelled to be in community with others to reflect, or even heal. Demonstrators, whether they be students and outside groups, have been known to disrupt instruction, and the police response to demonstrations can further affect the student community.
Every campus will respond to this reality differently. We hope this guide can be a resource for you to navigate your own campus if you find yourself struggling to deal with the aftermath of the 2020 election.
Know Your Rights
No matter what campus you are on, if you choose to protest, you have rights. Read the ACLU’s guide to protester’s rights and Teen Vogue’s guide on how to prepare. Don’t forget to memorize an emergency contact’s number and wear your mask.
UC Berkeley Resources
The ASUC has prepared this one-page guide filled with resources for students and staff at Berkeley. The Dean of Students Office curated a list of post-election programming and spaces.
UC Davis Resources
Visit Student Affairs’ Virtual UC Davis site to see a list of support resources available to students.
UC Irvine Resources
ASUCI’s External Office can be reached about the election via email at externalvp [at] asuci [dot] uci [dot] edu. The Counseling Center is hosting a series of events through November 17 aimed to help students cope with election stress. For mental health support, please call Counseling Services at (949) 824-6457.
UC Los Angeles Resources
The BruinsVote coalition is currently listing post-election support resources on their homepage.
UC Merced Resources
Don’t hesitate to reach out for personal and academic support from the following services: CARE, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS) tutoring, Guardian Scholars for foster youth, Degree Attainment for Returning and Transfer Scholars (DARTS), Services for Undocumented Students, veteran services, and student health services.
UC Riverside Resources
Download the UC Riverside AS Post-Election Resource Guide for information about events centered on processing the election, safe protesting, and the nonpartisan student-based civic engagement coalition.
UC San Diego Resources
A number of student community organizations are hosting Post-Election Community Spaces on November 4. There is also a faculty panel called “What Now? What Next?” happening on November 5.
UC Santa Barbara Resources
The Division of Student Affairs produced this comprehensive resource guide for the election, including information on opportunities to find community and process emotions, to support yourself and others during a period of uncertainty, and to navigate protests.
UC Santa Cruz Resources
Each of the resource centers/cultural resource centers are offering spaces to gather and heal virtually in the days following the election. Counseling and Psychological services is offering election-related survival anxiety/stress sessions. The Division of Student Affairs and success is going to be programming over the next 78 days to have spaces for students to heal and be in community starting with a guided meditation on November 12 and a virtual concert on December 4th by a woman of color r&b singer/songwriter.
