FAQs

We are abiding by university directives regarding COVID-19.  Their current visitor policies can be found here.

COVID-19 vaccination and testing is no longer required for individuals visiting the campus, but we recommend that all visitors on campus are vaccinated and boosted. In addition, we strongly recommend that participants test for COVID-19 prior to coming to campus.

Masking is optional indoors on Emory’s campuses with select exceptions.

Residential students will be staying in a double room with one roommate and using a communal bathroom.

Should the university decide to cancel in-person activities for the summer, we will move the institute online.  Students who choose to go to the online institute will receive a partial refund (for food and housing costs), and students wishing to cancel their registration will be issued a full refund. 

For the 2-week policy debate institute, a laptop is critical.  Specifically, the laptop should have

• the full version (not online version) of Microsoft Word
• the ability to install a program; students will need to download and install Verbatim
• a student email address that can send and receive messages to email addresses outside of the student’s school

A jump or flash drive is always nice to have for transferring evidence between the debaters and judges.  Other than that, the laptop should take care of most of your needs for debating.

It is really important for 2-week students to have access to a laptop (see laptop question above for specifications).

A lot less than you think. In fact, given that the registration fees cover all expenses, you should not need a lot of cash for anything else. There is a CVS in the Emory Village where you can purchase things you might need during your stay. There are also on campus food options that you may want to visit occasionally just to eat somewhere different.

Residential students will need to bring cash, check, or money orders to cover the key deposit. The key deposit is $75.00 (for residential students only).  We seal the deposits in an envelope when you check in and return the sealed envelopes to you if you do not lose your key.

The registration covers all meals, housing (for residential students), and registration.  It is conceivable that you would need no additional cash.  However, most students bring some spending money to buy drinks, snacks, and souvenirs while on campus. 

Yes! There are multiple religious services that exist on or near Emory's campus. Feel free to communicate with the ENDI staff about helping to find the religious services you need.

No. There are a set of places that it is okay to visit on campus anytime that you aren't checked into your dorm. Those include the quad, library, dining hall, and the classrooms to which we have access. In addition, there are places in the Emory Village (shops adjacent to Emory's front gates) that you can visit during specified hours in the schedule (lunch & dinner breaks). Just keep in mind that a member of the ENDI staff needs to know where you are at all times.

You can also be checked out by a parent/guardian or someone approved by the parents and guardians. Participants need to be checked out and checked back in by the Residence Hall staff members.

The Woodruff P.E. Center (a.k.a. WoodPEC) is the gym on Emory's campus and is located next to the dining hall, and ENDI students will have access to the facility. The schedule allows for either early morning through evening work-outs.  We will NOT have access to the pool. 

Thankfully, Emory has multiple hospitals on campus. Students that need professional medical attention are taken to the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Emergency Room (it's on Emory's campus). If any medical issues arise during the ENDI, a staff member will call guardians or emergency contacts listed on the medical form.

The ENDI has hired several Residence Hall professionals and vetted Emory students to serve as Residence Hall staff. All staff (both residential and teaching faculty) go through training and have a background check prior to being hired.