About one in every five students voted on two resolutions put forward by Emory University’s Student Government Association (SGA). In total, 1,428 (17.6%) of Emory’s 8,102 eligible undergraduate students voted on each resolution. For both resolutions, 1,275 students (89.3% of votes cast) voted in support. The first, Resolution 59s101, called on Emory to reinstate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and the second, Resolution 59s102, asked the University to adopt a policy that would prevent Emory employees from sharing personal information with federal agencies.
These referendums are part of two resolutions that SGA passed on Oct. 3. Voting for these resolutions opened on Oct. 20 at 12 p.m. and closed on Oct. 23 at 12 p.m.
The last time SGA sent a referendum to students was to ask undergraduates if they had confidence in then President Gregory Fenves, after police arrested 28 people on the University Quadrangle after a pro-Palestine protest in April 2024.
For the resolution on DEI, 135 (9.5% of votes cast) students voted against, while 16 (1.1% of votes cast) students abstained from voting.
This resolution comes after Interim University President Leah Ward Sears (80L) announced in September that Emory would “discontinue” current DEI offices and programs in response to new federal policies put in place by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
The resolution further states that removing DEI programs undermines academic integrity, student trust and Emory’s reputation, highlighting that institutions such as Princeton University (N.J) and Georgetown University (D.C.) have pursued alternatives, such as restructuring of DEI programs, which contrast Emory’s elimination.
Resolution 59sl02 calls upon the University to reject voluntary cooperation with federal agencies seeking information about community members’ immigration status, gender identity or participation in protected speech or protest, arguing that such actions would violate academic freedom, the Open Expression Policy, and the University’s obligation under federal law to protect students from discrimination, harassment, threats, and violence. For this resolution, 110 (7.7% of votes cast) students voted against, while 40 (2.8% of votes cast) students abstained from voting.
The resolution urges Emory administration to codify these protections into official policy, asserting that the University has a responsibility to protect the civil and human rights of its community amid new federal actions targeting marginalized groups.
Campus security and the Emory Police Department are not required under federal law to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement with any immigration enforcement unless the agency presents a lawful warrant.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia and Georgia National Association for the Advancement of Colored People endorsed both resolutions.
Kimble Schiller (she/her) (26Ox,28C) is from Houston, Texas and is majoring in economics and philosophy, politics and law. Outside of the Wheel, she can be found studying, hiking, writing for fun, or spending time with friends.
