Strengthening Partnership and Support
Our university is strengthened by its many partnerships, which are grounded in a shared commitment to encouraging understanding and mutual respect. In difficult times, supporting and engaging with our stakeholders becomes even more important. Over the course of the spring semester, the university will continue to grow these productive relationships with students and their families, faculty, staff, external groups, and others.
Enhanced Religious Programming, Renewed Interfaith Programming
The university values the importance of religious life on campus and the ways in which our students, in particular, find meaning, community, and purpose in their faith. The coexistence of different faiths contributes to a vibrant campus, fosters greater understanding, and helps our students thrive in their academic and personal pursuits. To these aims, the university is redoubling its support of religion-focused initiatives. This semester, the Division for Student Affairs (DSA) will enhance this area of student life through collaboration with student organizations, campus partners, and external organizations.
This effort has included a Passover celebration, Eid celebration, and Iftars during Ramadan. We also will partner with the Washington National Cathedral on local programming that takes students from campus to the Cathedral.
In addition, this semester featured the post-pandemic return of GW’s annual Interfaith Dinner, part of Interfaith Week, co-sponsored by the President and the Office for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE), which celebrates religious diversity and brings students together to reflect on their experiences. Throughout the spring, DSA will expand on its initiative to create unity and community, strengthen social bonds, and provide a forum for diverse students to connect and share perspectives by hosting additional community dinners and conversations. More information about the dinners is forthcoming and will be shared with our students.
ODECE will also continue its tradition of hosting Community Dinners in the Multicultural Student Services Center. As always, these dinners will be open to all students.
Enhanced Counseling Support
Recognizing the burden an ongoing conflict can place on our affected community members, the university has recently enhanced its support for students who identify as Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, and Palestinian. Counseling and Psychological Services will continue to offer individual and group therapy options throughout the spring semester.
Affinity Spaces
ODECE will also offer a variety of affinity spaces for members of the university community who have been impacted by the Israel-Hamas war, especially those with Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, and Israeli identities. Students, faculty, or staff may contact [email protected] for more information on the spaces or to offer suggestions for additional spaces.
Support for Individuals Experiencing Doxing
Acknowledging the impact that doxing has had on members of the university community in recent months, the university has made clear it finds such attempts to intimidate or threaten our students, faculty, and staff reprehensible. The university has shared guidance and third-party resources that may assist those who have been targeted by doxing.
Partnering with Student Government Association Special Councils
Recently, the GW Student Government Association established two councils: the Council of Jewish and Israeli Student Experience and the Council of Palestinian and Muslim Student Experience. These councils will provide a student-centered, student-led voice to inform institutional initiatives and programs going forward. The university looks forward to our continued partnership with SGA President Arielle Geismar and other students in this important work.