New Digital Publication Offers Colleges and Universities Guidance on Managing “The Morning After”—the Days and Weeks Following Election Day

Posted by American Association of Colleges and Universities on November 26, 2024

When the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education joined the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in 2023, it brought a decade of research and resources focused on higher education’s role in democracy and “all things political” on US college and university campuses. The research included more than two-dozen qualitative campus climate studies to explore norms, attributes, and behaviors, of highly politically engaged colleges and universities. The campuses were diverse in their missions, types, sizes, locations, and student populations served. Findings from those studies have been vetted in 100+ workshops, sustained conversations, and conference presentations with educators nationwide. Publications on this research are available on the AAC&U website under the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education (IDHE) focus areas Politics 365 and Elections as Teachable Moments.

This resource provides ideas for preparing for and managing “the morning after” on college campuses—the days and weeks following Election Day. We present seven topics for consideration, each followed by links to relevant examples and resources. This document also clarifies who should act. Combined, the ideas call for compassion, courage, and commitment from the entire campus community.

Access the guide.