Newsletter Volume 11 Issue 15 - April 23, 2025 | | |
Updates to our EUEC Bylaws
On Monday, April 14 I sent an email to all members of the Emeritus College. If you haven’t submitted your vote regarding proposed changes to our bylaws, please respond before April 30. The ballot is very brief and will probably take you less than two minutes to complete. If you did not receive the link for the ballot, please click here for the link.
--Ann
| | Lunch Colloquium -- Pearl Dowe -- MONDAY-- April 28, 2025 | | |
Pearl Dowe
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and the Asa Griggs
Candler Professor of Political Science and African American Studies
MONDAY, April 28, 2025
11:30am-1:00pm
“Black Women and Politics in the Era of Trump, Part II”
The talk will discuss how Black women sought to impact the outcome of the 2024 Presidential election and how they will continue to engage in political work to advance their needs and communities concerns.
About Pearl Dowe:
Pearl K. Dowe is Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Emory University and the Asa Griggs
Candler Professor of Political Science and African American Studies. In her current role she is
responsible for developing a comprehensive approach to enhancing the entire faculty life cycle
of recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention by building interpersonal connections and mutual
support. Dr. Dowe is a nationally recognized scholar of African American Politics whose
leadership has extended to professional associations including the American Political Science
Association and the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. She is co-editor of the
National Review of Black Politics. Dr. Dowe earned a B.A. in political science from Savannah
State University, M.A. from Georgia Southern University, and her Ph.D. in political science
from Howard University.
| | Lunch Colloquium -- Tonja Jacobi -- MONDAY -- May 5, 2025 | | |
Tonja Jacobi
Professor of Law and Sam Nunn Chair in Ethics and Professionalism
MONDAY, May 5, 2025
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road -- Room 130
11:30am-1:00pm
"Supreme Court oral arguments: Patterns, predictions,
prejudices, and predilections"
In a series of studies empirically examining Supreme Court oral argument over 60 years, Professor Tonja Jacobi has demonstrated that there are distinct patterns that can be discerned in Supreme Court oral arguments. These patterns reveal the prejudices and predilections of the justices and can be used to predict ultimate case outcomes. Using text data mining techniques, Jacobi has shown: that Supreme Court oral argument has changed dramatically since the mid-1990s in response to increasing political polarization; how gender affects interactions between the justices and advocates at oral argument, with women disproportionately interrupted by men; that the justices are increasingly strategic in advocating for particular positions; that humor at oral argument is part of that advocacy strategy; and that alterations to the structure of oral arguments can change these patterns, but notably gender differences persist. Prof. Jacobi has also conducted similar research on the Australian High Court and demonstrated that many of the same behaviors can be identified in this fellow apex court, despite highly divergent institutional arrangements. This comparative research calls into question some of the orthodoxies about the Supreme Court.
About Tonja Jacobi:
Tonja Jacobi PhD is professor of law and Sam Nunn Chair in Ethics and Professionalism at Emory Law School. Prof. Jacobi specializes in Supreme Court judicial behavior and public law. Her areas of interest include judicial politics, Supreme Court oral arguments, criminal procedure, legislative process, and constitutional law. Combining doctrinal, empirical, and formal analysis, Prof. Jacobi examines how judges respond to institutional constraints.
In particular, she is a renowned expert in Supreme Court oral argument: in a series of empirical studies covering sixty years of arguments, she has identified patterns and prejudices in judicial and advocate behavior, and has shown that case outcomes can be predicted based on those behaviors. Supreme Court justices have commented on this work and said it changed the Court. Prof. Jacobi has published in over sixty peer review and law review journals and has multiple forthcoming law review articles on judicial behavior and criminal procedure that can be made available by the author.
Prof. Jacobi also regularly writes Op Eds in major periodicals such as the New York Times and the Washington Post, analyzing Supreme Court behavior and implications of the separation of powers system more generally. From 2023–2024, she authored a regular column in Bloomberg Law, Questions Presented, examining thorny issues facing the US Supreme Court and ethics in the legal profession, including Supreme Court reform, the Trump indictments and gag orders, and specific cases and issues before the Court.
Professor Jacobi received a B.A. and a law degree, both with first class honors, from the Australian National University, followed by a Masters from UC Berkeley and a PhD. in Political Science from Stanford.
| | University Faculty/Senate News | | |
Following are notes from the Emory Senate and Faculty Council meetings from January through March 2025.
Major items discussed include:
1. Revisions to the Open Expression Policy
2. Information about changes flowing from projected cuts in Federal funding.
3. Miscellaneous
1. Based on the principles of free speech and assembly established by the First Amendment, the new open expression policy establishes a content-neutral approach, noting that all members of the Emory community (i.e., faculty, staff and students), as well as visitors and guests, have the same rights and responsibilities. The new policy also provides examples of expression that is not protected, such as threats and speech that violate the law. It also outlines expression restrictions related to time, place and manner. The new policy clarifies the role of the University Senate Committee for Open Expression and its right to share opinions on matters related to open expression. The policy also details the important duties of Open Expression Observers — trained staff and faculty volunteers who attend demonstrations and other events to uphold the policy and protect the rights of community members. Community members may request observers to attend events, and Campus Life may appoint them to be present as well.
The new policy includes an appendix that outlines restrictions related to time, place and manner. Allowed activities and also restrictions include:
• The rights of individuals to share their viewpoints without substantial interruptions. Dissenters may express differing viewpoints, but they cannot disrupt or significantly interfere with someone else’s gathering or activity.
• Restrictions regarding where and how open expression events can take place on Emory property. Restricted areas include:
- Spaces where academic classes take place.
- Offices, museums, research laboratories and computer centers.
- Hospitals, clinics and other facilities or infrastructure that are essential to the university’s operations.
◦ Locations that present safety risks, including those related to traffic.
• Prohibition of protests and demonstrations from midnight-7 a.m., although other expression is allowed even after midnight in areas that are open, if the expression is not disruptive.
• Prohibition of building occupations and takeovers.
• Limitations on what types of temporary structures are permitted. Tents or similar structures are not permitted, but open sided canopies or similar temporary structures which allow for full view of activities occurring within the canopy, for the purpose of providing shade or protection from rain, may be permitted. In addition, while some expressive activity is permitted in residence halls, libraries and dining facilities, expression is more limited in those spaces because of the students’ fundamental need to eat, sleep, and study without disruption.
• Consequences for community members found violating the policy are detailed in the new policy. Depending on severity, community members may face warnings, educational sanctions, or termination of employment. The new policy states speech not protected includes obscenity, harassment, threats, and speech intended to cause “lawless action.”
2. Emory University is beginning an immediate staff hiring freeze, cutting operating expenditures, halting compensation adjustments and restricting new faculty hires. Peer institutions such as Columbia University and Northwestern University have implemented similar cuts. This follows recent federal directives and expected future funding cuts. Further guidance will be issued in the near future.
3. Miscellaneous:
*Undergraduate tuition will rise by 5.8% for the upcoming academic year, rising to $67,080.
*The Office for Civil Rights is investigating Emory and 44 other institutions for possible Title VI violations of the Civil Rights Act. The investigation involves Emory’s partnership with The PhD Project, a non-profit. This comes at a time that the current Administration in Washington is trying to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Universities.
*Emory is moving its commencement ceremony off-campus due to safety concerns (but there are no specific concerns). Commencement activities will take place at the Gas South District in Duluth, Ga., which includes an indoor arena and convention center.
Submitted by Jeffrey Lichtman, Emeritus College representative to the Emory Senate and Faculty Council (The above information is drawn from official minutes of the Senate and Faculty Council meetings, from my personal notes and from articles in the Emory Wheel by Spencer Friedland, Ellie Fivas, and Lauren Yee).
| | Athens Pizza Meet/Greet/Eat | | | | |
Please join us for this month's Athens Pizza Meet/Greet/Eat!
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Noon
Athens Pizza
1341 Clairmont Road
Decatur, GA 30033
As always, we will relax and enjoy talking and eating with old and new friends. This is an opportunity to get out of the house, buy yourself a nice lunch, meet other Emeritus members, and have a little fun. Significant others are welcome.
Please let us know if you are planning to attend by clicking this link.
| | Sheth Lecture - Follow-up and Photos | | |
21st Annual Sheth Lecture
Despite the last-minute change of venue for the Sheth Lecture, the presentation by John Witte Jr., Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Law and McDonald Distinguished Professor of Religion was well attended. Professor Witte delivered a fascinating presentation, detailing the evolution of the Law and Religion program from its inception in 1982 to its current international influence on legal education. Unlike earlier Sheth Lecturers, he chose to focus on the development of his field of study rather than his personal development as a scholar. However, in response to a question during the question-and-answer session, he shared that his early upbringing by immigrant parents sparked his interest in law, social justice, and religion.
--Ann
| | Upcoming MedShare Volunteer Opportunity | | |
If you’d like to join this group, we are doing this the second Thursday afternoon of each month. Upcoming sessions: May 8 and June 12. Registration on the MedShare web site is required.
To register:
Visit the MedShare event registration page at: https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0319&console_type=event&ht=1&res_code=EmoryEmeritus
Click the "Sign Up" button for your event and enter your email and first name. If you don't have a MedShare volunteer account, you'll be prompted to create one.
Select the listed event and click “Register."
For registration issues, questions or information about carpooling, please contact Marianne Skeen, marskeen@comcast.net.
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William Dillingham
Charles Howard Candler Professor Emeritus of American Literature
March 7, 1930 — March 27, 2025
To view his obituary, please click here.
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Theater Emory: The School of Memory
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 2:00pm EST
Theater Emory 2024-2025 Season
Free Event/No Tickets Required
Enter the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts from the North Lobby, facing Goizueta Business School
Content warning: Discussions of political violence, war, and occasional strong imagery
A participatory performance-lecture by Héctor Alvarez.
The School of Memory is now in session. But this is no ordinary classroom. Here, memory becomes both subject and teacher. Through storytelling and guided reflection, The School of Memory transforms personal genealogy into a collective exploration of how we carry—and sometimes bury—our inherited histories.
Drawing from his family’s complex relationship with Spanish Fascism and a propagandistic 1970s Franco-era television show, Alvarez weaves together intimate narrative and participatory exercises that invite audiences to excavate their own familial and national histories. Together, we’ll illuminate the shadows where untold stories reside, examining not just who we remember, but what we choose to forget—and why.
Héctor Alvarez is an experimental artist from Spain working in performance, theater, film, and opera. His work has been presented in Madrid, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Mexico City. He is a Princess Grace Award Winner, Drama League Directing Fellow, Watson Fellow, and was the Theodore U. Horger Artist-in-Residence in the Performing Arts at Lehigh University in 2023-2024. He now lives in Atlanta, where he is assistant professor of Theater Studies at Emory University.
The School of Memory has been awarded the 2024 Humanity in Action Democracy Fellowship. This program brings together remarkable thinkers and doers from across Europe and the United States. Fellows spend one year developing projects that reimagine democratic spaces while exploring the politics of memory.
Recommended parking for Schwartz Center events is the Fishburne Parking Deck (free for events after 6 p.m. and on weekends).
Additional Emory Visitor Parking Information Here
| |
Relaxed Morning
Saturday, May 3, 2025, 10:00am-12:00pm EST
Michael C. Carlos Museum
Relaxed Mornings are for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. Scheduled on the first Saturday of each month, Relaxed Mornings are primarily for, but not limited to, autistic young people and adults; adults living with mild cognitive impairment; and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, along with their families, friends, and care givers.
Sensory friendly bags are available for all guests at the Information Desk on Level One. These bags include an assortment of items to help visitors better enjoy our galleries. Three types of fidget toys and noise cancelling headphones are included for those who may need additional sensory support. There is also a KultureCity lanyard that guests can wear, which includes QR codes to helpful information. For those who may need assistance with sharing their needs or feelings, we provide an emotion/needs card that allows guests to communicate with staff.
Signs throughout the museum indicate a potentially louder space using the phrase “Headphone Zone.” Quiet spaces are located in the lobby on Level Two and the balcony on Level Three. A pre-visit social story can be found here.
Relaxed Mornings are scheduled during regular museum hours at times that generally experience less traffic and no other programs are scheduled.
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Details and other information, as well as additional campus events, can be found on the Emory Events Calendar.
If you'd like to share an event/program of interest before the next newsletter
please contact Dianne Becht Dianne.becht@emory.edu
| | Walking the Campus with Dianne | |
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The (not for cars) two-story bridge pictured on our last walk is the Brumley Bridge which stretches over Haygood Drive. Brumley Bridge, connects the Health Sciences Research Building to the Emory-Children’s Center. The bridge is named in memory of George W. Brumley Jr., founder of the Zeist Foundation, which gave $4 million toward the building. Brumley served as Chair of Emory’s Department of Pediatrics and as Children’s medical director. The bridge is an impressive structure and even looks quite pleasant at night as seen in the third photo below.
For more information on the Brumley family please click here (A New York Times article) or click here and on the structure, please click here. (special thanks to Marilyn McKay for the New York Times article)
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Did you know that the Emory campus has not one, but two, beautiful and fairly good-sized waterfalls? This one, in particular, has a very old and unusable bridge directly over it. It is the taller of the two waterfalls and I think a bit more dramatic. This spot is passed by many people every day but probably not noticed as much as the other waterfall.
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Where will you find this on the Emory campus?
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Emory University Emeritus College
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road NE Room 206
Atlanta, GA 30329
http://www.emory.edu/emeritus
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Inquiries should be directed to the Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Bldg, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
Should you need this document in an alternate format, or require a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at 404-727-9877 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
Please note that one week's advance notice is preferred.
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