11/05/2024
The following message was sent to the SUNY Cortland campus community on behalf of President Erik J. Bitterbaum
Dear campus community members,
Today is Election Day, and I wanted to share some reminders about voting on campus and remind you of SUNY Cortland’s commitment to civic engagement, free expression and maintaining an inclusive environment that encourages civility and mutual respect.
The university’s Park Center, specifically its northeast lobby, will serve as one of four voting locations in the city of Cortland open to any city resident who is registered to vote. If you are a student and you registered to vote at your campus address, you may vote there.
Please remember that you can look up your voter registration information online through the New York State Board of Elections website.
Regardless of where you vote, I ask that you are respectful of all election officials and follow any rules associated with polling places, including restrictions on campaigning within 100 feet of a polling place, wearing items with specific candidate names on them or taking photographs or videos in areas where they are not permitted.
I also would ask that you are mindful of the university’s guidelines on free speech. As a public institution, SUNY Cortland must protect the First Amendment rights of all campus community members and visitors. Please also be aware that we are deeply committed to ensuring that SUNY Cortland is a place where all community members can pursue their educational goals safely. Violence, discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
Earlier this year, I was incredibly proud that SUNY Cortland was one of only 190 campuses in the nation recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for an action plan promoting student participation in elections and civic decision-making. I encourage you to follow through on this plan — not only through voting on Election Day, but by committing to civil discourse and actively participating in our democracy moving forward.
Sincerely,
Erik J. Bitterbaum
President