Sign in Subscribe
Elections

Professors Accommodate Students to Exercise Voting Rights on Election Day

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the upcoming election approaches, some Miami University students face the challenge of balancing their busy class schedules with the responsibility of casting their votes. However, with the support of some professors, students can now exercise their right to vote without having to choose between the two. Professors such as Dr. Andrew Offenburger and Dr. Ian Yeboah have taken steps to accommodate their students' needs, either by canceling class or providing excused absences for them to vote.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Andrew Offenburger, an assistant professor of history, has decided to cancel his class on Election Day to allow students to exercise their right to vote.
  • Timothy D'Agostino, a junior history major, is working at the polls in his hometown of Springboro, Ohio, and is grateful that his synchronous class was canceled on Election Day.
  • Geography professor Dr. Ian Yeboah has decided not to cancel class, but will provide documentaries on Election Day, allowing students to make up the missed work and exercise their right to vote.
  • Professors are willing to rearrange their class schedules to accommodate students who need to vote, with some offering excused absences or adjusted coursework to ensure students can participate in the electoral process.
  • Some professors see voting as a fundamental right and duty, and are willing to take a personal day to allow students to exercise their civic duty.
  • Many students, especially first-time voters, face challenges in balancing their class schedules with the responsibility of voting, but with professorial support, they can now exercise their right to vote.

Statistics:

  • 32% of poll workers are over 60, putting them at significant risk for the spread of coronavirus (Source: "COVID-19 and the 2020 Elections" by The Pew Charitable Trusts).
  • Students have four excused absences, which they can use to vote on Election Day (Source: Miami University's academic policies).
  • 62% of voters reported feeling worried about the spread of coronavirus at the polls (Source: "Public's Views on COVID-19, the Election, and Mask-Wearing" by Gallup).

Sources:

  • "COVID-19 and the 2020 Elections" by The Pew Charitable Trusts
  • "Public's Views on COVID-19, the Election, and Mask-Wearing" by Gallup
  • Miami University's academic policies
  • The Miami Student

Read more