Dear GW Students,
The fall 2025 semester has arrived and I am looking forward to seeing our community come alive as our campuses fill up with students making new connections and reuniting with friends. There is excitement in the air today as undergraduate upperclassmen and transfer students start moving into their residence halls, first-year law students begin classes, and faculty and staff make final preparations for the semester ahead. At the start of every academic year, I feel hope and anticipation as I envision the great potential our GW community has to come together through success and challenges.
Many of you are already aware of the evolving situations facing both the District of Columbia and our university. Recently, the federal government took actions to put the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under federal control and deploy the National Guard in the District. While we do not anticipate direct impacts to our operations at this time, you may notice increased law enforcement presence in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood, as well as across the District. We continue to work closely with local and federal agencies and provide updates to the community. The safety of our community members remains GW’s highest priority. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with our comprehensive safety resources and download the Guardian app as you acclimate to campus life.
In other news, last week, GW received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) informing the university that it has reached a conclusion regarding its stated investigation of allegations of antisemitism on our campus. University leadership is working to determine next steps, but I want to be extremely clear that GW condemns antisemitism in our communities and in our civil society. GW has worked hard to prevent antisemitism, hold individuals and organizations accountable for their actions related to the encampment, and continues efforts to hear and respond to the concerns of members of GW’s Jewish community. Every student has the right to equal educational opportunities and we must ensure that all members of our academic community can thrive at GW without fear of harassment or abuse.
I know that our community has an incredible capacity to come together when it matters most. There is room for every student to find their place at GW. You belong here. As you start your next chapter at GW, I want to take this opportunity to remind you that despite issues, disagreements, and change, we are all members of a shared community with a responsibility to uphold a respectful and safe environment for each other. I look forward to a semester guided by collaboration, kindness, and growth.
Sincerely,
Colette Coleman
Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students