Reviewing Policy and Procedures
Over the past few months, the tensions between a commitment to free speech and opposition to hate speech, and the relevant university policies and protocols governing these issues have been apparent on many university campuses. In an effort to harmonize, streamline, and clarify university guidelines, we have begun a review of university policies that pertain to speech, conduct, and reporting concerns.
Speech and Conduct
The university is committed to equal access, free inquiry, free expression, academic freedom and the vigorous discussion and debate on which the advancement of its educational mission depends. The GW Student Code of Conduct maintains a central tenet that the freedom to teach and the freedom to learn are dependent upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on campus, and in all learning experiences in all modes. The code recognizes it is appropriate to share responsibility among all members of our community to secure and respect the general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn.
The events of the last semester revealed areas where the university’s policies and procedures were unclear or inconsistent. To address these questions, GW will begin a process to review relevant policies, including the Student Code of Conduct. In the coming months, we also will review policies and protocols around demonstrations, the disruption of university functions, and reasonable time, place, and manner guidance with respect to free speech activities. These review processes will proceed in a manner consistent with the faculty code and principles of shared governance.
Safety and Reporting
In addition to the enhanced safety measures put in place last semester, the university maintains several key reporting mechanisms for members of the community to submit concerns regarding instances of bias, harassment, or discrimination.
These processes were designed to provide students and others with safe, secure avenues through which they can report and elevate their concerns. However, based on valuable community feedback, we understand that the lack of clarity around these processes and their purpose has contributed to concerns about the value and efficacy of reporting problems.
This semester, we will undertake a review of our reporting mechanisms to improve clarity, accessibility and usefulness for our students and others. In the interim, students, faculty and staff should continue utilizing the following mechanisms:
- GW’s Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation Policy, which broadly prohibits discrimination based on legally protected characteristics including, among other things, national origin, ethnicity, and religious identity.
- GW’s bias incident reporting service for students to seek informal resolution.
- GW’s Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) for a more formal process that could result in disciplinary action.
- Reporting options for faculty, staff, and students through the Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation Policy.