Emory University’s Student Government Association (SGA) and its subdivision, College Council, remain paused and under investigation after the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) suspended its activities on April 14 for actions “potentially constituting discriminatory harassment.” In an email to The Emory Wheel, Associate Director of University Communications Rachel Smith confirmed the continuation of the suspension and wrote that student government operations are pending review.
The investigation stems from allegations that some members of SGA and College Council “publicly levied unsubstantiated allegations rooted in discriminatory assumptions, bias, and stereotypes” affecting students’ reputations, well-being and leadership opportunities between April 7 and April 10.
The suspension prohibits both groups from holding meetings, events, elections or any other official activities. Former Associate Vice President for Belonging, Engagement and Community and Campus Life Dean of Students Kristina Odejimi first oversaw the investigation, according to SGA Executive Vice President Zoe Grotjan (24Ox, 26B). Following Odejimi’s departure from the University in July, Grotjan said that Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs Heather Mugg took over the investigation.
The pause will remain until the OSC determines whether SGA and College Council violated the University’s discrimination policies.
In the OSC notification to College Council on April 14, Director of Community Standards and Education Victor Lopez stated that SGA and College Council may have violated the Student Group Accountability Framework, a set of guidelines to ensure that student groups uphold the university’s values and policies.
Lopez also cited potential violations of the University’s Equal Opportunity and Discriminatory Harassment Policy, specifically regarding “making and permitting unfounded claims based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, and political views.”
As of Aug. 21, OSC has not provided a timeline for the investigation’s conclusion or when SGA and College Council may resume operations.
Emory’s Student Programming Council, an executive agency that functions under SGA, will still hold the annual First Day Fest on Aug 27.
Siya Kumar (she/her) (28C) is a news editor at The Emory Wheel. She is from New Orleans, La., majoring in Economics and Creative Writing on the pre-law track. Outside of the Wheel, Kumar is a market news analyst for the Emory Economics Investment Forum and a writer for the Emory Economics Review. She loves baking, reading, and drinking coffee.
