Hey Lutes,
As we come up on winter break and the end of a semester that has felt years long (though in my book it also went by in the space of a chapel break), I want to extend my gratitude toward this entire campus community. So many schools have faced countless challenges this year, but I have always felt supported by PLU and am so proud of all our resilience in the face of this year. You all inspire me.
In ASPLU, we have been focused on internal groundwork and how we can make ASPLU even better — more transparent and student-serving — for the spring and for years to come. At the start of October, ASPLU elected our new Senate, composed of students from each year and various majors and communities across (and off) campus. Just this week, we appointed three new Senators, to complete the ASPLU Senate. It has been a joy to get to know each of our Senators, most of whom have never been involved in ASPLU before. Their tenacity and passion have really inspired me, Carlos, and our Director team to match their energy, and we have already passed ten great resolutions related to ASPLU infrastructure and support for affinity groups. These passed through our Senate in record time, without sparing any vibrant, active discussion. Our Senators have taken their roles as student representatives very seriously, and there are exciting changes and pieces of legislation on the horizon.
One final thing I wanted to share with you all, is to reiterate the individual obligations that we will have to protect ourselves, our fellow students, and our community with COVID precautionary measures. While some promising vaccine-related news has begun to circulate (and that’s so exciting!), please remember that holiday travel this year could literally be an issue of life or death for someone you know — or someone you don’t know. If you must travel, please observe quarantine guidelines (including isolating for 14 days before interacting with a new pod or community), get tested before and after your trip, and share your results with your contract tracing network.
It is a big accomplishment that you made it through this semester — whether that meant withdrawing from a class or two, or changing majors, or committing to a PLUS Year. I certainly don’t have everything all figured out — none of us do — and we must get comfortable with that feeling in order to grow and learn from the events that are happening around us in this weird time. We can choose to embrace our instinct towards empathy, care, connection, and progress, all while giving ourselves grace in a world in which we are encouraged to take ourselves too seriously. Most importantly, for your own sake, find levity in the chaos.
Til next issue,
Gracie Anderson
ASPLU President
asplupres@plu.edu
