GW's Response to Antisemitism on Campus

What GW is doing to ensure members of its Jewish community feel a sense of belonging and can live, learn, and grow without fear. 

President Ellen M. Granberg, the GW Board, and the university administration are directly and visibly engaged in efforts to protect our Jewish community and reject antisemitic actions.

• GW quickly publicly deplored the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel and has repeatedly condemned that attack and antisemitic statements made on campus.
• President Granberg convened a group of university officials and outside advisors to address the rise in antisemitism and launched the “Strengthening Our Community in Challenging Times” plan. This multi-pronged program was designed to enhance support for the Jewish community and outlined clear, actionable ways GW is working to foster dialogue and understanding, strengthen our commitment to our partners, and provide resources around our safety and free speech policies on campus.
• GW has publicly rejected the BDS movement on several occasions, and we have maintained exchange programs and collaborations with Israeli universities for decades.

GW has held accountable those who violate university policy.

• Since Oct. 7^th, 9 student organizations or groups have been suspended or put on probation for violations of university policies for reports of antisemitic or anti-Israeli or related behavior.
• GW prohibited Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) from holding events on campus multiple times since Oct. 7^th.  
• Most recently, GW has also revoked SJP’s Organization Status, and placed Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP) on suspension.
• Two dozen students have been disciplined for university violations since October 7, 2023, with sanctions ranging from censure, disciplinary probation, to suspension.

GW has strengthened long-standing anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies that help protect our Jewish community.

• We have clarified and communicated our policies and established clear community standards for engaging in expressive activities. This includes centralizing the reporting and oversight of Title VI discrimination claims and professionalizing the process of review and investigation of these claims. Specific prohibited activities include:
  • Harassment based on a protected characteristic, which includes shared ancestry, ethnicity/national origin, and religion.
  • Threats to the health and safety of any members of the university or community
  • Blocking building entrances or exits, or pedestrian/vehicular traffic.
  • Occupying university premises after being directed by university officials to disperse.
• GW complies with all applicable federal and DC laws, which are some of the most robust anti-discrimination policies in the country.

GW security and student affairs teams ensure safety in areas where Jewish students gather, including campus events and organizations.

• We have regularized several of the safety measures implemented shortly after Oct. 7, 2023.
  • Built permanent fencing around the University Yard.
  • Increased GW Police Department patrols around campus and assigned security officers to all residence halls and increased security presence around Hillel and Jewish campus events. We are also using camera surveillance to identify potential unpermitted gatherings on university property.
  • Formalized a rapid-response team of administrators ready to take action against activities on campus that disrupt or create fear among the Jewish community.
  • Increased direct coordination and collaboration with DC Metropolitan Police to share information and respond to incidents on public property where GW Police do not have jurisdiction.
  • Strengthened policies on barring individuals, demonstrations, postering, and disruption of activities, including compliance with directives for identification and removal of masks.
  • Hired as Chief of GW Police a seasoned law enforcement officer who previously served as police chief in several jurisdictions.

GW has reinforced training and expanded initiatives to foster understanding and respect for the Jewish community, its traditions, and the historic challenges of antisemitism.

• The university created a Center for Interfaith and Spiritual Life with full-time staff responsible for supporting engagement, education and worship in various faiths. The center provides resources for Jewish students and funding for Jewish community events and recently partnered with the Jewish Community Relations Council on programming aimed at creating dialogue.
• Since the Fall of 2023, every incoming class of students has participated in a mandatory online training module about antisemitic bias, discrimination, and harassment, and an intercultural dialogue that addresses antisemitism has been included in the in-person orientation for all new students. This dialogue was strengthened this year through a collaboration with the Constructive Dialogue Institute resulting in more than 40 new small group dialogue sessions.
• Since 2023, the entire Division of Student Affairs staff has participated in antisemitism training with the American Jewish Committee. Since the spring semester of 2024, the university has offered a variety of antisemitism training and learning opportunities for all faculty and staff.
• The Division for Student Affairs regularly offers facilitated Community Listening Circles to foster open dialogue among GW community members in a safe and structured environment.

GW regularly solicits feedback and collaborates with the GW and DMV Jewish community.

• GW leaders meet regularly with Jewish student and faculty/staff organizations on campus, and have conferred with ADL, the Jewish Federation of Washington, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, the American Jewish Committee, and Hillel International.
• Vice Provost for Student Life Colette Coleman has been a featured speaker at ADL and AJC events about confronting antisemitism on campus and partnered with the Academic Engagement Network and American Jewish Committee to train staff in the GW Office of Student Affairs. She also partnered with the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism to host unity dinners on campus.

GW fosters significant viewpoint diversity across our campus and is committed to free expression and academic freedom within the bounds of the law.

• GW is proud to be the home of the Loeb Institute for Religious Freedom and Democracy, the Program on Extremism, and the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership; offers degree programs in Judaic Studies and Israel Education; and regularly hosts a variety of classes and guest speakers across the University that examine Israel, Judaism, and the Middle East from many perspectives.
• The university’s Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Code of Student Conduct encourages students “to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth,” but establishes “clear standards for civil interaction among community members.” The website “Free Expression at GW” emphasizes the university’s commitment to academic freedom and free expression on campus, while identifying areas where the limitation of speech is permitted and may in some cases be required.