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Mideast-related tensions flare, upping pressure on Emory University leaders

Cassidy Alexander, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on

Published in News & Features

For Emory students without direct connections to the war, the anxiety on campus is still noticeable.

“You can obviously feel the tension when there’s (protests) happening outside a dorm room,” said John Coppolino, a 20-year-old student at Emory. “I haven’t really had any moments where I’ve felt unsafe personally ... but I could see why someone would feel uncomfortable.”

This being an election year isn’t helping things, Green said. There’s a sense of time running out as November draws closer — that people have to make others see their side of the issue by a certain deadline.

Emory leaders, including its president, Gregory Fenves, have tried to address the differing viewpoints on the war several times this school year to mixed student reviews.

In a message after the protest this month, Provost Ravi Bellamkonda and Dean of Campus Life Enku Gelaye said the school is looking into recent claims of harassment, discrimination and assault.

 

“We know these are challenging times on our campus,” they wrote. “As we debate serious issues, we want to be clear that no member of our community should ever fear for their physical safety, and no member of our community should face discrimination in any form.”

Rabbi Zalman Lispkier, who leads Chabad at Emory and has been at the school for more than 20 years, said he’s met with university leaders and believes they are taking the problems on campus very seriously.

“They’re not taking it lightly. That doesn’t change the fact that when you’re walking through campus and someone’s yelling ugly things, that doesn’t make students feel safe,” he said in an interview. “I don’t know if they have the magic wand.”

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©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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