INDEX
Emory Events Calendar, Page 2
Crossword Puzzle, Page 8
Staff Editorial, Page 6
Police Record, Page 2
Arts & Entertainment, Page 9
On Fire, Page 11
THE EMORY WHEEL Since 1919
The Independent Student Newspaper of Emory University
Volume 95, Issue 29
Visit the all-new www.emorywheel.com
Tuesday, February 4, 2014 LEGAL
Every Tuesday and Friday
CAMPUS LIFE
Emory Responds to Erik Butler Lawsuit University to File Motion to Bring Discrimination Case Before Judge By Jordan Friedman Executive Editor
THE ERIK BUTLER LAWSUIT
Emory plans to file a motion for summary judgment in the Erik Butler discrimination case later this month, meaning a judge will determine whether sufficient evidence exists for the case to move to a jury trial, the University said in a statement to the Wheel. Meanwhile, a court document reveals Emory’s denials of many claims presented in Butler’s complaint. In Butler’s 21-page lawsuit, filed in December 2012, he alleges that administrators denied him tenure in 2010 on the basis of his Jewish religion and his American national origin. The University, however, maintains that Butler was not granted tenure because of “legitimate concerns over his disruptive and antagonistic behavior,” according to an April 2013 complaint response obtained by the Wheel. All of the case’s depositions and the “discovery” phase — which is when one party obtains evidence from the opposing party or a third party — have been completed, the University said via its communications office. Emory will be permitted to file a brief of up to 35 pages in support of its motion for summary judgment, after which Butler will be able to submit a response of the same length, according to a court document. Butler, an American Jewish male, was a German Studies assistant professor starting during the 2004-2005 academic year. He took an unpaid leave in fall 2007 and a paid leave in 2009. Prior to filing his lawsuit, Butler filed discrimination charges with the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), both of which have criticized the University’s actions and supported Butler’s allega-
DECEMBER 2012
Erik Butler sues Emory, claiming that administrators discriminated against him when denying him tenure.
Khang Huynh/Staff
APRIL 2013
Emory issues a response to Butler’s claims, stating that Butler was denied tenure due to a lack of ‘collegaility.’
february 2014
Emory expects to file a motion for summary judgment at the end of this month, after which Butler is permitted to submit a response.
tions in letters to administrators, the Wheel reported last January. In the response, Emory also denies that the EEOC conducted a “fair, thorough or impartial” investigation of Butler’s claims.
SNOW DAZE
Discrimination vs. Lack of ‘Collegiality’ Before administrators reviewed Butler’s file, the Tenure and Promotion Committee of the College found “a record of service that is solid at departmental, university and professional levels,” and voted unanimously to recommend Butler for tenure, according to Butler’s lawsuit. However, Butler’s lawsuit alleges that former Provost Earl Lewis and University President James W. Wagner ultimately denied Butler tenure because of German Studies Department Chair and Associate Professor Peter Höyng’s “bias” against Butler. Butler’s lawsuit says Höyng “framed” his criticisms of Butler as a lack of “collegiality.” In August 2009, Butler informed Emory through a letter from his attorney that Höyng was using collegiality concerns as a “subterfuge for engaging in ethnic
Mark Spicer/Staff
Emory Community Steps Up During Shutdown By Stephen Fowler Asst. News Editor and Naomi Maisel Campus Life Beat Writer While some students sled on lunch trays and cardboard boxes down a steep Lullwater Park slope, Campus Services staff shoveled snow in front of Dobbs University Center (DUC), doctors remained on call for emergencies and cafeteria employees kept the doors open for the sudden flood of students searching for something to eat.
The Timeline Emory officially shut down the University last Tuesday during the
See EMORY, Page 5
ADMISSIONS
snowstorm, which affected the schedules of students, staff and faculty. Vice President and Deputy to the President Gary Hauk emailed the Emory community on Tuesday at noon, writing that the University would officially close at 1 p.m. due to “severe weather conditions.” The shut down included all libraries and Cox Hall. The DUC closed for part of the day. Hauk also notified students on Tuesday evening that the University would be closed again on Wednesday. While students found several ways to enjoy the day off in the two inches of snow — such as making snowmen on the quad and sledding in Lullwater — Tuesday marked one of the worst traffic jams in Atlanta’s recent history. The snow caused massive traffic
gridlock, stranded students at Atlanta schools and left thousands of people to sleep in supermarkets, cars and hotels, according to a Jan. 29 POLITICO article. Ultimately, the snow storm led to two deaths, more than 1,200 car accidents and 130 injuries, according to a Jan. 30 New York Times article. In an email to the University on Wednesday, University President James W. Wagner extended the closure to Thursday, adding that he is thankful for the commitment of Emory Healthcare employees and others working to keep operations running. “I am grateful for the extraordinary dedication of the many employees who have worked throughout
STUDENT LIFE
the weather emergency to keep our buildings warm, our campus roads as clear as possible, our food services operating to the extent necessary, our emergency information up to date and our students safe,” Wagner wrote.
EUSHCS’ Response Student Health Services were also affected by the weather, causing a shift in scheduling and appointments. Although the University officially closed at 1 p.m., staff addressed current appointments before leaving, according to Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Emory University Student Health
See CAFETERIA, Page 5
HOSPITAL
Early Applications Increase by 22 Percent Priyanka Krishnamurthy Hospital Elected Editor-in-Chief Emergency 22% 35% 39% Department Expands By Dustin Slade News Editor
BY THE NUMBERS: 2013 T0 2014
Early Decision 1 (ED1) applications to both Emory’s main and Oxford campuses were up this year from last year while overall applications were down by 323 from last year, according to a Jan. 30 University press release. ED1 applications to Emory College increased 22 percent from last year, and ED1 applications to Oxford College rose 35 percent from last year, according to the press release. The press release adds that as of Jan. 24, Emory College received a total of 17,358 applications, down 323 from last year’s 17,681. While that decrease would mark the first year in at least the last five that Emory has seen a decline in applications, the report noted that the admissions office expects the final application number that will be available later this semester and will be closer to last year’s number. “At this point, final application numbers are still being calculated,” Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Enrollment and Emory College Dean of Admission John Latting wrote in an email to the Wheel. “We expect that the final application number that will be available later this semester will be very close to last year’s number. Although our preliminary overall application
INCREASE IN ED1 APPS FOR EMORY COLLEGE
By Stephen Fowler Asst. News Editor
INCREASE IN ED1 APPS INCREASE IN APPS FOR FOR OXFORD COLLEGE EMORY SCHOLARS
applications received at emory college 15,549
2010
17,027
2011 2012
17,489
2013
17,681
2014 0
5,000
As of Jan. 24:
17,358*
10,000
15,000
20,000
*Emory expects that the final number, which will be released later this semester, will be very close to last year’s number, according to a Jan. 30 University press release. Graphic by Jordan Friedman / Executive Editor
numbers are essentially flat, we are very pleased with the significant increase in early decision applicants.” Latting added that the last time there was a decrease in applicants was for fall 2010 entry, when there was a slight drop from the fall 2009 number. According to unofficial preliminary data from the release, overall applications to Oxford College were up 165 to 7,042 from 6,877. The report says 511 students were admitted ED1 to the Emory College
class of 2018, and 177 ED1 applicants were admitted into the Oxford College class of 2018. Among the Emory College ED1 admits, the top home states include Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Florida and California, the report said. Of the class, 17 percent are international students. Latting said in the press release that he believes Emory is attractive to prospective students because the
See LATTING, Page 5
Emory Wheel editors and staff members elected College junior Priyanka Krishnamurthy to be the next editor-in-chief of The Emory Wheel on Saturday. She will assume her new role after spring break. She ran unopposed and received 25 votes. Krishnamurthy began writing for the Student Life section in the fall of her sophomore year before writing editorials. She was named assistant Editorials editor later that fall and was named Editorials editor the following spring. Current Editor-in-Chief and College senior Arianna Skibell, who has worked with Krishnamurthy since she first joined the Wheel, said she has long been impressed by Krishnamurthy’s intellect and ability to learn quickly. She said she looks forward to see what Krishnamurthy will accomplish leading the Wheel. “[Krishnamurthy] has proven herself as a capable leader both at the Wheel and outside the Wheel,” Skibell said. “I have full confidence in her ability to govern this incredible organization with grace, competence and gusto.” As editor-in-chief, Krishnamurthy
Priyanka Krishnamurthy, current Wheel Editorial editor, will take up the position of editor-in-chief after spring break.
said, she wants to address a papersaving initiative and the expansion of topics in staff editorials, along with the efficiency of the editorial board. Skibell and her executive board worked to increase the presence and regard of the Wheel on campus, including launching an app and an improved website, Skibell said. Skibell said she spent a great deal of time and energy meeting and networking with administrators to increase the visibility of the Wheel and feels that Krishnamurthy will continue to expand the on-campus presence of the newspaper. Skibell said she is excited to see how Krishnamurthy will execute her own goals and ideas in the next year. “Every editor is different and has something amazing and new to offer the Wheel,” Skibell said. “I know her
See FUTURE, Page 5
NEWS WORKERS ACROSS
OP-EDS THE MILITARY
A&E LUNAR BANQUET
SPORTS BASKETBALL
CAMPUS STAY IN DURING
DRAFT IMPROVES SOCIAL
FEATURES PERFORMANCES AND
SPLITS GAMES AGAINST
SNOWSTORM
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PAGE 5
INVOLVEMENT
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PAGE 7
FOOD
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PAGE 9
TEAMS
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UAA BACK PAGE
By Harmeet Kaur Health Sciences Beat Writer Asst. Copy Chief The Emory University Hospital Emergency Department nearly doubled in size in December to simplify treatment processes and cut down wait times for patients. The department expanded from 9,900 to 18,300 square feet, according to a Dec. 20 University press release. In addition, the number of patient rooms increased from 19 to 34. The renovation process took approximately two years. The National Center for Health Statistics reported that in 2010, 13.3 percent of emergency department visits around the country resulted in hospital admissions. In contrast, the Emory School of Medicine website indicates that the department has an admission rate of 38 percent, almost three times the national average.
See ER, Page 5
NEXT ISSUE KAI RYSSDAL SPEAKS TO CAMPUS, JOURNALISM CLASS ... FRIDAY