Dear Emory Students,

Welcome back to campus and another semester of growth and opportunity for us all. I have highlighted below a number of developments that may be of interest. Student ideas and insights, along with those of other stakeholders, have been and continue to be essential in the conception, development, and implementation of these initiatives. We encourage you to learn more, using the provided links.


Emory Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: The E3 living lab, launching this spring, will help like-minded students to network and enjoy mentorship opportunities while developing and implementing their own ideas. Join them from 6 to 9 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in the Few Multimedia Den. On Tuesdays, the program offers weekly presentations covering subjects such as idea generation and developing a business plan. Learn more.

Sexual Violence Prevention: Spring will see continuing implementation of recommendations made last fall in the final report of the SVP Task Force, which include establishing a university-wide Sexual Violence Prevention Advisory Board and five related sub-committees, as well as allocating additional resources to ensure prevention programming reaches all members of the Emory community. Learn more. As an added note, Emory will host the Association of Title IX Administrators training certification program, February 11-12. 

Assistant Vice President for Community: This is a new position in Campus Life, which has launched a nationwide search for candidates. The AVPC portfolio spans a number of areas. They include the planned Center for Diversity and Inclusion, which will encompass: Center for Women; International Student Life; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Life; and Multicultural Programs and Services. The AVPC is also responsible for the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement, which consists of Community Partnerships, Student Leadership, Student Organization Advising, and Volunteer Emory. Also reporting to the new position are the offices of Health Promotion, Residence Life, Student Conduct, and Sorority and Fraternity Life, as well as the Barkley Forum. (Additional information, including a position description, will be posted online.)

CDI Advisory Council: A council of approximately 20 students, staff, faculty, and alumni is being established this spring to provide advice on development of the new Center for Diversity and Inclusion and manage the Campus Life Compact for Building an Inclusive Community at Emory. Students have played a leading role in conceiving the council. CDI will include: the Center for Women; International Student Life; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Life; and Multicultural Programs and Services.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV: PrEP is now available through Student Health Services. PrEP may be appropriate for some students at higher risk for contracting HIV. Interested individuals will be referred for their first two visits to Emory’s Infectious Diseases Clinic and then, if doing well, transition their care back to Student Health. Learn more.

Dining Vendor Selection Process: The process – which began last fall with a focus on high-quality, fresh, local, seasonal, non-processed foods – is well underway. Campus Diningmet with FACE, SGA, and RHA and formed a committee of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff members, who are reviewing proposals. The larger Emory community can attend presentations by finalists from 5 to 7 PM on Monday and Tuesday, February 16-17, and, if needed, Wednesday, February 19. Watch The Emory Wheel for announcements.

New Campus Life Center: This project to replace the DUC is picking up momentum. Five architectural firms, semi-finalists for the design contract, will submit final proposals. After spring break, the Emory community can view the proposals on display in the DUC and meet the semi-finalists in a town hall style format. If you’re interested in participating on the project’s student advisory board or you want more information, visit the CLC webpageor email DUC director Dr. Ben Perlman.

Strategic Planning Process: After reviewing its strategic planning process, Campus Life has added critical inquiry as a sixth goal and revised others, based on input from hundreds of students, staff, faculty, alumni, university trustees, and others. Learn more

Emory Bubble: The Bubble saw substantial growth after its fall rerelease, with 2,500 monthly active users and over 300 bubbles created by semester’s end. New features continue to rollout, including a redesigned mobile experience, improved calendar, and in-app messaging. With exciting partnerships on the horizon, spring is shaping up to be an even stronger semester for the platform. Learn more.

UAA Championships: Emory will host UAA Championship Swimming and Diving, February 11-14, and Outdoor Track and Field, April 25-26. According to Athletics and Recreation, the events will be open to the public, with an admission charge for swimming and diving but none for track and field. 

Search for New Athletic Director: The search process will begin this spring, following the recent resignation of Tim Downes, effective June 30. Read more about Mr. Downes’ resignation and his extraordinary contributions to the Emory community.


We hope you find this information useful. I look forward to seeing you on campus, and I wish you a happy new year and a productive and rewarding spring semester at Emory. 


Best regards, 

Ajay Nair
Senior Vice President and Dean of Campus Life