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Harvard Partners with Ivy League in Pausing Athletics Activity on Election Day

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard Athletics is proud to partner with the Ivy League in suspending all mandatory team activities on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to allow all student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff to participate in Election Day activities.

Harvard and the Ivy League will actively promote non-partisan voter registration and information regarding absentee ballots, while designating Election Day as a day off from any countable athletically related activity (CARA). In addition, Harvard Athletics will establish a partnership with Harvard Votes and the Institute of Politics to help all student-athletes to register to vote.

The full statement from the Ivy League:

BLACK LIVES MATTER. 

A statement from Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris:

It is long overdue to speak up in support of the Black community, accept responsibility and take deliberate action to condemn all forms of systemic racism and social inequality. While the Ivy League stands on a storied history, we acknowledge there were unfortunate chapters that did not advance society towards racial equality. Moving forward, it is our pledge to examine and identify structural changes needed to promote a diverse and inclusive culture in all aspects of our operations. Simultaneously, we are committed to being a visible, vocal and meaningful voice throughout college athletics.

Initial Steps:

  • The Ivy League will actively promote non-partisan voter registration, including by designating Election Day (November 3, 2020) as a day off from any required athletics activity. 
  • The Ivy League office will be closed Friday, June 19, 2020 in recognition of Juneteenth and encourages support of the movement to make the day a national day of reflection.  
  • The Diversity and Inclusion representatives at each institution will be formed into a league-wide standing committee with monthly discussions supported through the league office.
  • Ivy League Executive Director Robin Harris will initiate opportunities to listen to student-athletes at each institution in the league to learn about their experiences, allow them to voice concerns and communicate recommendations through a series of discussions. These conversations will begin in July 2020.  
  • The League will collaborate with conference peers to influence and advocate for change including through national dialogue and committee appointments.  

Ongoing steps:

  • We will foster a culture of inclusion and showcase the many ways intercollegiate athletics can break down barriers of prejudice and discrimination. 
  • We can and will continue to do more.

These initial steps are designed to affect league-wide and widespread change while complementing the significant actions already taken by each of the league's member schools. 

The Ivy League office welcomes the perspective and recommendations from all to ensure sustained discussion and meaningful progress by emailing IdeasForChange@IvyLeague.com. 

BLACK LIVES MATTER.

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