The results of this year’s election reflect the hopes and joys of many people across the Nation. Contrarily, these results also reflect the fears and anxieties of many people as well. These views are reflected on our campus just as much as they are reflected in the American public. But in these times of heightened emotions, I want to remind everyone of our common identity; I want to remind everyone of the shared community that exists on this campus.

On this campus exists a great variety of backgrounds and life experiences, informed from our socioeconomic classes, races and ethnicities, sexual orientations and gender identities and spiritual paths that make Central Oregon Community College a rich font of diverse perspectives and a place where we not only grow academically, but also gain insight about the aspirations and hopes of each other, and maybe even a better understanding of our own hopes and dreams. As we process this change in the Country’s direction, I encourage everybody on this campus to earnestly listen to each other’s hopes and fears for the future; we can only grow when we approach different views with humility, compassion and a willingness to find common ground.

Finally, I encourage everyone to keep this spirit of community and collaboration close to our hearts in the interest of facing our shared future with an attitude of constructive problem-solving, and not a zero sum-game where our victories are only won through the losses of another.
We’re all in this together.

Thank you,
Thomas Wrisley, COCC student and Student Body President