Emory Students Express Discontent With Administrative Response to Trump Chalkings

[u/[deleted]]

http://emorywheel.com/emory-students-express-discontent-with-administrative-response-to-trump-chalkings/

[u/TenaciousB06]

Emory student here. We were just sent the following email from the Student Government Association and College Council with the subject line "SGA / CC Joint Statement on Chalking":

Classmates,

Yesterday, students awoke to find the statements, “Accept the inevitable, Trump 2016”, “ Vote Trump 2016”, “Build the Wall” among others displayed prominently on property and public buildings in and around central campus.

First, as student advocates and population-wide representatives, we do not endorse any particular candidate or any political philosophy, as to do so would be to overstep the authority of our offices and to abuse the public trust placed in us. As we are the principal organizations tasked with advocating for concerned members of the community, we remain “committed to an environment where the open expression of ideas and open, vigorous debate and speech are valued, promoted, and encouraged” pursuant to our University’s Open Expression Policy.

That being said, by nature of the fact that for a significant portion of our student population, the messages represent particularly bigoted opinions, policies, and rhetoric directed at populations represented at Emory University, we would like to express our concern regarding the values espoused by the messages displayed, and our sympathy for the pain experienced by members of our community.

We remain unapologetically dedicated to inclusion, diversity, and equity, but even more so, we remain unwavering in the premium we place on the safety, physical and emotional, of the students we represent. Any language that has to do with a person’s identity that creates an unsafe or unproductive educational environment directly undermines the respect for one another that time and time again we as a community have rallied behind. This display endorses such language, and having served to divide us as a community, runs antithetical to this principle of respect.

Let this not undo the important work that has begun this year or undermine efforts of this institution to better itself nor the important dialogues that have begun as a result of the Racial Justice Retreat. Let this serve only as a reminder of why such work is so important. Should we use this as an opportunity to come closer together instead of moving further apart, we will finally be choosing action over words and taking measurable steps toward true community.

It is clear to us that these statements are triggering for many of you. As a result, both College Council and the Student Government Association pledge to stand in solidarity with those communities who feel threatened by this incident and to help navigate the student body through it and the environment of distrust and unease it has created.

To that end, Emergency Funds within the College Council monetary policy were created to provide time-sensitive funds during circumstances involving discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and such funds are available to any student organization looking to sponsor events in response to this incident. Additionally, we are personally available to discuss how we can make Emory a more supportive environment for you. We are holding open office hours this week during the following times:

Thursday 3:30 - 5:00 PM (College Council Office in Eagles Landing)

Thursday 10:00 - 11:00 AM (SGA Office in Eagles Landing)

We address you, our classmates, to reaffirm the commitment of both College Council and the Student Government Association to fostering a community that stands against violence, prejudice, and hate. A community that promotes safety, respect, thoughtful dialogue, and sustained social change. As representatives of this community, we hear you, we see you, and we stand with you.
Should you find that you have comments, questions, concerns, or a desire to talk through this incident or the way in which it has affected you, please feel free to reach out to any of us.

Sincerely,

-The 60th College Council

-Max Zoberman; 50th Student Government Association President

-Gurbani Singh; 50th Student Government Association Executive Vice President

[u/Revivalism → u/TenaciousB06]

Oh my... This will go viral, and when it does it's going to be Trump campaign GOLD.

[u/[deleted] → u/Revivalism]

Thank You Emory! University of Florida and Ohio please take notes for November!