Emory University’s Student Government Association (SGA) will vote tomorrow to decide if they will send a referendum to students to vote on their confidence in University President Gregory Fenves, according to Ranking Member Sohan Bellam (26C). Earlier today, College Council voted on Resolution 69CC05, unanimously deciding that they have “no confidence” in Fenves. The resolution also called on SGA to hold a similar vote for all undergraduate students.
Bellam said that SGA will meet tomorrow at 9:30 p.m. to discuss and vote on the resolution, which is titled “A Resolution to Call for a No-Confidence Referendum.” Bellam said students should come to the meeting if they have an opinion on the matter.
“It's really important during this time that we hear from students,” Bellam said.
He added that if SGA approves the bill, students will vote using The Hub. SGA’s resolution states that the referendum would be held within two weeks of its potential approval.
These two resolutions come after both the Emory College of Arts and Sciences and Oxford College faculties voted to have referendums on if they have confidence in Fenves.
The detainment of 28 pro-Palestine protestors during an April 25 encampment on the Quadrangle sparked the Emory community’s discussion on Fenves’ ability to fulfill his role. College Council Executive Vice President Finn Johnston (25C) said that he believes Fenves violated section 8.14.7.3 of the University’s Respect for Open Expression Policy, which states termination of protests must be a “last resort.”
“College Council, we argue, believes that calling the [Atlanta Police Department] and terminating event violently using brutalisation and chemical irritants was not the option of last resort,” Johnston said.
Johnston added that he began writing the bill on April 28 due to a lack of communication from Campus Life about what happened on April 25 and a lack of support from University administration.
College Council President Jannat Khan (25C) called Fenves’ email statements about the situation “triggering” and said Emory administration has shown a pattern of negligence.
Students have said that they are not sure SGA will take action and therefore want College Council to take charge, Khan said. Khan and Johnston have attended protests since April 25, both in an official capacity as student government leaders as well as participants.
“My goal as a student leader was to support our students and be there for them in any capacity that we could be,” Johnston said.
College Council also unanimously passed Resolution 69CC06 during today’s meeting to request that Emory College of Arts and Sciences faculty offer students alternative methods to take their finals, such as by giving take-home and online tests and making exams optional.
Johnston said he hopes that the resolution could help improve “academic leniency.” Khan added that exam changes were a “feasible option” in light of the current situation.
“This initiative will also allow students to take their final exams in a format that best supports their own mental health, personal safety and academic needs,” the resolution states.
