Carnegie Mellon University

November 4, 2020

Dear Members of the CMU Community,

The national election that unfolded yesterday remains unresolved today, and I wanted to take this opportunity to express my hope that the CMU community will embrace patience and unity at this time.

While I know the lack of a clear winner may be unsettling, I have confidence in our democracy to come to an accurate resolution. And I have faith in our community’s ability to lean on one another and uphold our commitment to inclusion, empathy and respect for the opinions and experiences of others while we await the final outcome. No matter how we are personally feeling today, we must have the grace to listen to one another and lead with compassion in order to bridge the gaps in our society.

The reality is that this election has underscored the profound divisions in our nation. In the coming months and years, no matter the outcome, we must come together to embrace our shared humanity, heal these rifts, and address the significant challenges facing our country and the world. As a record number of votes continue to be counted today and in the coming days, the power of community will help us get through this uncertainty and sustain us as we collectively persevere through these challenges.

Thank you for your continued civic engagement, for your faith in a democratic outcome for our nation and for supporting one another, especially at this time.

Sincerely,

Farnam Jahanian
President
Henry L. Hillman President’s Chair