Emory Students Demand the Protection of Student, Staff, and Faculty Human Rights and Welfare

Emory University

Emory students rely on the University for far more than just healthcare. University-provided housing, food, employment, social support, and mental health services are all indispensable aspects of our lives. Emory’s decision to evict all students and thus deny these basic provisions places first generation, low income, undocumented, and LGBTQIA+ students at increased risk for food insecurity and homelessness.


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Overland Park, Kansas

To: Emory University
From: [Your Name]

On Wednesday March 11th, 2020, Emory University suspended all face-to-face instruction indefinitely, requiring all students to vacate by Sunday, March, 22nd, 2020. Following Emory’s initial statement, Elaine Turner, the Senior Director of Housing Operations and Scott Rausch, the Senior Director of Residence Life announced that the university “will consider limited exceptions to allow certain students to remain on campus and provide support for those students who are unable to pack their belongings,” informing us that those not granted exceptions are required to leave immediately.

We commend this administration's consideration of the health of the entire community. We understand the necessity for online classes in limiting exposure rates and containing the virus.Regardless, Emory’s actions have adversely affected the entire student body. The administration’s limited and sporadic communication has left many students in the dark, facing dislocation and food insecurity. The administration’s decision to evict students is in stark contradiction with other institutions’ policies, like those of Georgia Tech which has maintained a moratorium on student evictions. Furthermore, it is in violation of Section 3 of the 2019-2020 On-Campus Housing agreement, in which Emory stipulates that “The housing agreement is binding for the entire academic year, or the remainder of the academic year thereof.”

All of us are gravely concerned about healthcare access and affordability during this pandemic. However, despite leading the charge against Ebola and HIV/AIDS, Emory will fail to grant students, faculty, and staff access to some of the best health infrastructure and resources in the nation. Nearly half of Emory’s residential housing provides apartment-style living with private bathrooms and kitchens, which offer far lower risk of transmission than crowded family homes and apartments. Additionally, students will be forced to move in with their parents, grandparents, family members, and friends, many of whom are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality if exposed to Covid-19.

Emory students rely on the University for far more than just healthcare. University-provided housing, food, employment, social support, and mental health services are all indispensable aspects of our lives. Emory’s decision to evict all students and thus deny these basic provisions places first generation, low income, undocumented, and LGBTQIA+ students at increased risk for food insecurity and homelessness.

Therefore we demand,

1. An immediate moratorium on all student evictions.

2. A prorated refund for the cost of housing, tuition, student activities, and dining as liquid funds deposited directly into student accounts.

3. Expanded online access to CAPS for all students, especially those experiencing loss, housing and food insecurity, and difficult family situations.

4. Guaranteed “as-yet-earned” funds for Federal Work Study students as directed by the Department of Education.

5. Guaranteed paid leave at current wages for all Emory employees regardless of classification.

6. The ability to withdraw from any class without penalty (including W/WF on transcripts or removal of full-time status), and the expansion of a “pass-fail” option able to be applied to GERs and major/minor required courses.

In this time of crisis and uncertainty, we stand together as a community with Emory, but we also need to know Emory is standing with us. We urge you to sign this petition to protect the welfare and human rights of Emory students, staff, and faculty.

In solidarity,

Students of Emory