As turmoil and celebration followed the results of the 2016 presidential election, members of the University of Idaho community are offering events and resources to those in need of them.
“Making Sense of the Election” is an event that cycles every two years following election results. This year, the event will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the Whitewater Room of the Idaho Commons.
The event will gather UI political scientists to analyze and debate about the polling results in detail, along with the effects on foreign policy and economical outcomes.
The Department of Politics and Philosophy will present the event through its chair Brian Ellison, faculty secretary Don Crowley and assistant professor Juliet Carlisle.
Students had divided opinions after Tuesday night, as President-elect Donald Trump won the presidency by maintaining enough votes through the Electoral College, despite Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote.
James Foster, faculty for UI’s College of Science, said he has voted in every election since 1976 and has never seen an election like this year.
“If you look at the voter turnout for Republicans versus Democrats, Democrats didn’t show up,” Foster said.
UI President Chuck Staben made an official statement sent via email to the university community.
“The recent presidential election has heightened tensions along some very real fault lines in our society and spurred demonstrations in several cities and college campuses,” Staben said.
“The University of Idaho is proud to be a welcoming and safe environment for all students, staff and faculty. Regardless of political affiliation, it is important for us to remain focused, united and committed to working together and true to our core values.” he said.
There several resources UI offers others in the wake of the election, said Jodi Walker, director of communications.
“Find support, whether through attending (Making Sense of the Election) or whether in your spiritual centers, finding it with your friends or counseling to help,” she said.
The 2016 election resulted in a Republican winning the White House, along with a Republican majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate. This contradicted many polls and assumptions made in mass media.
Foster said the overwhelming number of predictions that Trump would lose the election was not inaccurate, but rather there is an overall lack of knowledge in probability and how statistics work. Democratic voters became over-confident, Foster said.
“I’ve seen a lot who are really upset,” Foster said. “Democrats decided not to vote.”
Walker said she encourages the community to work together and not be divided. She said Thursday people came together for the Capitol Christmas Tree Celebration, despite the rollercoaster ride election.
Foster said there are other events coming up for UI, especially for minorities or individuals distressed about the elections results.
Walker said despite the undesirable or favorable outcome, the UI community remains a family.
“It has been a dramatic week,” Walker said. “Even when it’s a life-changing thing … we’re not jut humans, we’re all Americans — coming together.”
Catherine Keenan can be reached at [email protected]