Election season: Additional flex time and other opportunities

Dear DU faculty and staff, 

Election season is well under way, and we would like to share some resources and opportunities.  

Staff, Use Extra Flex Time 

As was offered during the previous election season in 2020, the University is offering an additional flex day to staff members to support your civic engagement. Work directly with your supervisor to arrange the day you wish to take in order to vote, volunteer, etc. Faculty may work directly with their chair if they need additional flexibility.  

Visit—and share—DU Votes 

At our online voting guide, DU Votes, we have provided easy-to-navigate overviews of how to register, local deadlines, who can vote in CO (including our out-of-state students) and information about where to drop off ballots on campus. Please visit and share this resource with peers, colleagues or students with questions about how to make their voice heard during election season. 

Learn more about voting initiatives on campus in the DU Newsroom. 

Take Part in our Academic Community 

It is a great privilege to be part of a bustling and diverse academic community; election season is no exception. Across campus, experts, scholars and professionals are hosting events and programming about salient and complex topics—from the role of media in an age of increased polarization, debates on specific ballot propositions, the challenges of technology and social media in elections, and more. And Crimson Connect is no longer just for students—all DU community members can use their single-sign-on to see myriad options for learning and engagement. 

Find programming related to the election and free expression on Crimson Connect. Year-round, you can also visit our Freedom of Expression site for programming on academic freedom, civil discourse, pluralism and free expression.  

Become Familiar with University Policies  

You can also visit the Freedom of Expression site for a comprehensive list of all our institutional policies related to freedom of expression on campus, demonstrations and protests, the student honor code, discrimination and harassment, and face coverings. 

As well, DU and its employees are subject to specific rules and regulations regarding officially affiliated political activity:  

• As a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity, the University of Denver cannot and will not attempt to steer anyone to support a particular candidate or political party, nor how to vote on a ballot question or measure; 

• An employee's participation in partisan political activities must be on their own behalf and must not conflict with their employment obligations to the University; 

• Employees are prohibited from using University resources or facilities, such as clerical assistance, office space, email accounts, computers, printers or telephones to campaign for a candidate or issue; and 
• Actions of any individual cannot create the appearance of being the official position of the University. 

National moments of social conflict and disagreement offer us opportunities to prepare our students to make an impact, participate in democracy, and make their voices heard—all while demonstrating respect, curiosity and intellectual humility. Whatever the next few weeks hold, I hope we hold these goals close.  

Thank you for your continued dedication to the public good.  

Sincerely,  

Jeremy Haefner 
Chancellor 

Mary Clark 
Provost Executive Vice Chancellor  

Jeff Banks 
Vice Chancellor for Human Resources