Emory Loses Motion to Dismiss Retirement Lawsuit
EMORY — Emory lost a motion to dismiss a lawsuit May 10, filed by former and current Emory University and Emory Healthcare employees, that claims the University has breached its fiduciary responsibilities for its employees by offering poor retirement investment options, according to Bloomberg BNA. Emory is one of 12 universities sued for retirement plans and is the first to face a court ruling. U.S. District Court Judge Charles A. Pannell Jr. accepted the majority of the lawsuits’ claims but rejected the idea that offering too many options can “hurt” the plans’ participants. “Emory University is pleased that some claims in this case were dismissed; we anticipate continuing to vigorously represent our position as the legal process continues,” Associate Vice President of Media Relations Nancy Seideman wrote in a May 15 statement to the Wheel. “Through our retirement programs, we offer access to a range of investment options to provide flexibility in meeting individual needs and retirement goals. We … operate our retirement programs in accord with federal law.”
Emory to Match Undocumented Students’ Need
EMORY — Under a new financial aid program beginning Fall 2017, Emory will fully match all undocumented students’ demonstrated financial aid need with non-governmental loans or grants, according to the Office of Financial Aid website. “A select group of international students each year” receive need-based financial aid, according to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Emory is not providing free tuition to undocumented students and the University follows all financial aid laws, Associate Vice President of Media Relations Nancy Seideman wrote in a May 15 statement to the Wheel. She added that no state or federal funds are used for the program. Some conservative news outlets, including Breitbart, criticized the new program for not considering international students.
Winship Cancer Institute Receives ‘Comprehensive Cancer Center’ Status
EMORY — The Winship Cancer Institute earned the “comprehensive cancer center” status from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), according to a May 15 press release. There are more than 1,500 cancer centers in the United States — 47 have comprehensive cancer center status and Winship is the only one in Georgia. According to the NCI, “comprehensive cancer centers demonstrate an added depth and breadth of research, as well as substantial transdisciplinary research that bridges these scientific areas.”
Students Plant Tree in Memory of David Kim
University Landscape Architect James Johnson finishes planting a Korean dogwood tree at an April 24 ceremony./Richard Chess, Asst. News Editor/City
EMORY — Friends of David Kim (17C), an Emory student who died last October, worked with three student organizations, Associate Director of Academic Advising in the Office for Undergraduate Education Frank Gaertner and Campus Services to plant a Korean dogwood tree adjacent to Cannon Chapel to commemorate his life. Student organizations Korean Undergraduate Student Organization (KUSA), Chinese Undergraduate Student Association (CUSA) and Code Zero raised “a little over $1,000,” according to Henry Hong (17C). The tree planting ceremony was held April 24. Students spent $510 on the tree, and the rest of the money will go to Kim’s parents to help fund his younger sister’s college education, Hong said.
Oxford College Names Hossain-Kabir Room
OXFORD, Ga. — A room in Candler Hall on the Oxford College campus was named “Hossain-Kabir Room” in memory of Faraaz Hossain (15OX) and Abinta Kabir (17OX), who died in the Dhaka, Bangladesh, terrorist attack last July. A ceremony unveiling the 2017 sophomore class gift was held March 29 outside Candler Hall, according to the Oxford College website.
Trump Visits Atlanta
President Donald J. Trump speaks at the NRA Convention in Atlanta April 28./Julia Munslow, Editor-in-Chief
ATLANTA — President Donald J. Trump reaffirmed his alliance with the National Rifle Association (NRA) in a pro-Second Amendment, anti-media speech in Atlanta April 28. Trump, the first president to speak at an NRA convention since Ronald Reagan, also pitched Republican Georgia District 6 congressional candidate Karen Handel to the crowd and attacked her Democratic opponent, Jon Ossoff. “She’s totally for the NRA, and she’s totally for the Second Amendment,” he said. The president also revived his derogatory nickname for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) while speaking about potential Democratic presidential candidates in 2020. “It may be Pocahontas,” he said.
Clinton Speaks at Law Gala
EMORY — Former President Bill Clinton spoke April 29 at Emory’s School of Law’s Centennial Gala, which was relocated from the St. Regis in Atlanta to the Woodruff P.E. Center (WoodPEC). Clinton urged the audience to fight “alternative facts” and develop “alternative arguments” instead, saying that the United States must “recover [its] balance.” Although the event had originally been booked at the St. Regis about a year ago, Clinton did not confirm his attendance until April 3, 2017, according to Susan Clark, associate dean for marketing and communications at the School of Law. The St. Regis venue’s maximum capacity is around 600 people, so the event was moved to accommodate more attendees. Approximately 1,200 Emory community members attended the gala, Clark said. Former U.S. senator and alumnus Sam Nunn (62L) was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.
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