STUDENT SERVICES
Office of the Dean of Students
The Office of the Dean of Students provides consultation and information for students, administers the nonacademic student disciplinary system and student grievance procedures, assists students in resolving complex issues, and supports nonacademic program development. Staff members are well informed on University policies and the various student services provided on campus, enabling them to provide referrals and answers to many questions concerning general student life.
Office of the Dean of Freshmen
The Office of the Dean of Freshmen is a source of advocacy and coordination, serving GW freshmen and their families as they make the transition to higher education. The office also coordinates student life programs and services on the Mount Vernon Campus, where the Dean of Freshmen resides.
GW Housing Programs
Complete information concerning the University's housing is available from GW Housing Programs at gwired.gwu.edu/gwhousing. A range of community living environments and co-curricular initiatives are designed to promote student growth and development.
Admission to the University does not include a room reservation. The student will receive, with the notification of acceptance, University housing information, directions for completing a housing application and a declaration of intent to attend the University.
Rooms and apartments are available for the academic year, with assignments made by admission status and preference. Students must be registered full time in a degree program for at least 12 credit hours of academic course work during each of the fall and spring semesters. Seniors need not be enrolled for more credits than needed to graduate in their last semester.
Pursuant to an order of the District of Columbia Board of Zoning Adjustment, all freshman and sophomore students are required to reside in University housing. Exemptions are available for students who are married or have children, have disabilities or religious beliefs inconsistent with residence hall living environments, commute from outside of the Foggy Bottom/West End area, or have established permanent residency within the Foggy Bottom Campus/West End area. Guidelines on applying for an exemption from the University housing requirement are available at the GW Housing Programs website at gwired.gwu.edu/gwhousing. A map identifying the boundaries of the Foggy Bottom/West End neighborhood is also linked at gwired.gwu.edu/gwhousing.
Early in the spring semester, eligible returning students submit an application to GW Housing Programs to reserve space in a residence hall for the next academic year. The application must be submitted by the date indicated in correspondence to students and on the website. Students under 18 years of age must receive the permission of their parent or guardian in writing before submitting the application. Housing charges appear on the student's Schedule and Invoice for each semester.
Charges for residence hall space are determined by hall, room size, and amenities. Exact costs for the 2008—09 academic year will be available on the GW Housing Programs website.
The Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs
The Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs aims to educate GW students living in off-campus housing about their rights and responsibilities in the Foggy Bottom, West End, Foxhall, and greater metropolitan Washington communities. OCSA provides students with resources that address transitioning to off-campus living, living options in the District of Columbia/greater metropolitan area, and related information to help students make good decisions when they are off campus. The office works with neighbors in the local community to respond to concerns about student behavior in the local neighborhoods. OCSA strives to improve the Foggy Bottom/West End community by encouraging personal responsibility, neighborhood courtesy, and civic involvement.
GW Dining
All undergraduate students residing in on-campus housing are required to participate in Colonial Cash, a non-refundable declining balance dining program, according to class standing (amounts listed are for the 2008—09 academic year): freshmen: $3,400 ($1,400 required to be spent at Marvin Center, Mount Vernon, and Duques Hall venues); sophomores, $2,500 ($500 required to be spent at Marvin Center, Mount Vernon, and Duques Hall venues); juniors, $2,000; seniors, $1,000. The Colonial Cash program is designed to maximize convenience and flexibility in spending at a variety of dining and retail locations on-campus and in the city. Current information regarding the Colonial Cash dining program is available at www.gworld.gwu.edu.
Student Health Service
The Student Health Service is an outpatient clinic staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Students can be evaluated and treated for most medical problems. Psychiatrists are on staff to provide evaluation and short-term therapy as well as crisis intervention. Visits should be arranged by appointment; urgent problems may be seen on a walk-in basis if necessary. Charges for visits, labwork, and medication apply. Health education and outreach programs on a variety of topics are provided throughout the year.
For serious emergencies occurring during hours when the Student Health Service is closed, students may go to the Emergency Room of the University Hospital for treatment. All fees are the responsibility of the student.
Students must be currently enrolled on campus in the University to receive treatment at the Student Health Service. Students enrolled in off-campus programs and continuing education programs are not eligible. Bills incurred both in and outside of the Student Health Service (for example, x-ray work, laboratory work, and office visits to private physicians) are the responsibility of the student. Additional information about the Student Health Service can be found at gwired.gwu.edu/shs.
Health and Accident Insurance
The University recommends that all students be covered by health and accident insurance. For information on health insurance offered through the University, contact United Healthcare at 1-800-767-0700 or www.uhcsr.com.
Immunization Requirements
It is the law in the District of Columbia that all students under the age of 26 have a record on file with the Student Health Service documenting immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (two immunizations with the initial dose given after the first birthday or positive titers), Varicella (chickenpox—by immunization, documented history of disease or positive titers) and a current Tetanus/Diphtheria booster (within 10 years prior to the beginning of the semester). This requirement applies to all students regardless of their program of study or degree status. Students registering for the first time will be able to do so without complete records on file, but any subsequent registration will be blocked if this requirement has not been fulfilled. Immunization forms are sent out by the GW admitting office. Forms can be downloaded from gwired.gwu.edu/shs. In addition to the required immunizations, the Hepatitis B and Meningitis vaccines are recommended. The Student Health Service can give all inoculations on a fee for service basis. Further information is available at (202)994-6827.
University Counseling Center
University Counseling Center services help students address personal, social, career, and study problems that can interfere with their academic progress and success. Services include brief individual counseling, crisis intervention, group counseling, and workshops on topics such as time management, study skills, family and relationship issues, choosing a career, anxiety and stress management, self-esteem/personal growth, eating disorders, and adjustment to GW. The Center offers consultation and training programs for student, faculty, and staff groups. Further information about all services and links to psychoeducational materials can be obtained at gwired.gwu.edu/counsel. Information and referrals during business hours and after-hours emergency services are available at 202-994-5300.
Career Center
The Career Center promotes effective career planning, teaches job search strategies, and facilitates contacts between GW students, alumni, and prospective employers through its many services. Services include full- and part-time job listings; internship listings; career consulting; workshops (including job search strategies, cover letters and resumes, and effective interviewing); the career resource room; on-campus recruiting; resume critiques; facilitating the federal work—study program; cooperative education programs. Further information on the Career Center is at gwired.gwu.edu/career.
International Services Office
The International Services Office provides services to GW's international students, scholars, faculty, and staff. The office provides advising on a variety of personal issues, including cultural adjustment, living conditions, academic concerns, and finances; provides immigration assistance and information on U.S. government requirements and regulations specific to the international community; conducts orientation programs to assist in living, studying, and working in the United States; and serves as a resource center for the University community on issues of cross-cultural understanding.
Disability Support Services
Disability Support Services (DSS) provides and coordinates accommodations and other services for students with a wide variety of disabilities, as well as those temporarily disabled by injury or illness. Accommodations are available through DSS to facilitate academic access for students with disabilities. To be eligible, a student must provide to DSS documentation that substantiates the need for such services in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA. Services provided without charge to the student may include registration assistance, readers, interpreters, scribes, learning specialist services, adaptive materials and equipment, assistance with note taking, laboratory assistance, test accommodations, and referrals. DSS does not provide content tutoring, although it is available on a fee basis from other campus resources. The University does not pay for personal attendant care. DSS is located on the 2nd floor of the Marvin Center and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Additional information is available at www.gwu.edu/~dss.
Multicultural Student Services Center
The Multicultural Student Services Center is a University-wide resource for multicultural information, communication, programs, and services. MSSC supports the academic, professional, personal, and spiritual growth of students in the multicultural community, while providing cultural education experiences and cross-cultural immersion and exposure for the entire campus community.
The Multicultural Student Services Center partners with student support service providers to help ensure that students of color are represented in every aspect of University life; integrated into the fabric of University life; engaged in utilizing the services of the University; graduating at a rate comparable to their peers; and connected with the University family for life. MSSC is a critical player in maintaining a campus community that fosters the understanding and appreciation of cultural difference to ensure that GW students are prepared for an increasingly diverse world of work.
Significant resources on multicultural speakers, internships, scholarships, and job opportunities, as well as periodicals, are maintained by MSSC.
High School/College Internship Program—The Multicultural Student Services Center oversees the High School/College Internship Program (HI/SCIP), which enrolls highly motivated District of Columbia high school seniors. Participants enroll at GW as nondegree students, taking a maximum of 6 credit hours per semester in addition to their high school curriculum. Application to the HI/SCIP program is made through the student's high school guidance office, and decisions are made by the GW Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Student Activities Center
The Student Activities Center furthers the educational mission of the University by offering programs, services, and facilities that foster the social and cultural development of students to help build a sense of community within the entire University population. Staff members assist individual students and campus organizations with event planning, program coordination, and participation in special projects.
Programs and activities include registration, oversight, and advising of student organizations; planning and coordination of special events; Greek Life; and community service and leadership development programs. Additional information about the services offered by the Student Activities Center can be obtained at gwired.gwu.edu/sac.
Program Board—The Program Board has the primary responsibility of allocating resources for student programming on campus. In addition, the Program Board provides funding and services for activities presented by various campus organizations and encourages student participation in program planning through involvement in committees on the arts, concerts, festivals, films, parties, political affairs, and public relations.
Student Government—The GW Student Association is made up of all full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students who are registered for academic credit on campus. A body of elected and appointed individuals is responsible for representing the interests of students at the University. The Student Association provides various services for students, such as academic evaluations, test and syllabus files, and student advocacy.
Student involvement in the governance of the University is also possible through participation in various administrative and Faculty Senate committees, advisory councils of the schools and college, selected committees of the Board of Trustees, and specialized bodies, such as the Residence Hall Association, the Joint Food Services Board, and the Marvin Center Governing Board. This involvement has helped develop policies and programs beneficial to students and to the University community as a whole.
Student Organizations—Students are encouraged to become involved with existing student organizations or to initiate their own. There are over 350 registered organizations on campus, covering a broad spectrum of interests, including academic, professional, international, cultural, political, service, sports, hobbies, recreational, religious, and meditative groups as well as social fraternities and sororities.
The Cloyd Heck Marvin Center
The Marvin Center is used by the GW community for conferences, celebrations, and special events, functioning as the center of student life on campus and hosting over 15,000 events and activities annually. The Center offers a wide range of retail services, including a variety of food and dining options, a travel office, a copy center, and the GW Bookstore. Additionally, the Marvin Center is home to Colonial Central, a hub for student financial services, and to some 50 student organization offices, including the Marvin Center Governing Board, the Student Association, the Program Board, and the Cherry Tree.
Religious Life
The University recognizes the contribution that religion makes to the life of its students and encourages them to participate in the religious organizations of their own choice. Several religious bodies sponsor various groups and form a link between the University and the religious community. The advisors of the religious organizations are available for counseling to enhance religious life on campus. Religious services and special observances are also provided for the University community as announced.
Major Program Events
Art Exhibits—The work of locally, nationally, and internationally known artists is shown in exhibitions in the Luther W. Brady Art Gallery in the Media and Public Affairs Building. Student art exhibits are presented each semester in the Dimock Gallery in Lisner Auditorium.
Concert Series—The Department of Music presents a series of concerts featuring faculty, guest, and student artists throughout each year. Other concerts are held regularly on campus.
Dance—The Department of Theatre and Dance presents major dance concerts, informal studio performances, experimental events, television appearances, and lecture—demonstrations. Students may audition to participate and have the opportunity to choreograph, perform, and gain experience in the technical aspects of dance productions.
Glee Club, Jazz Band, and Orchestra—The University Singers, University Band, Jazz Band, and Orchestra are available to students as credit courses or as cocurricular activities; major performances are presented to the University community several times a year, including regular winter and spring concerts. Chamber groups and jazz combos are regularly available for participation by all students.
Program Board—The University Program Board, through its various committees and in cooperation with other campus groups, regularly sponsors films, lectures, concerts, social activities, and special events.
Theatre—The Department of Theatre and Dance produces four major plays and musicals during the year on the proscenium/thrust stage in the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre. Additional works, including original and experimental plays, are produced in a more intimate studio theatre. Students can participate in all aspects of theatre and may receive credit toward their B.A. or M.F.A. degrees for some of their production work.
Athletics, Recreation, and Intramurals
The Lerner Family Health and Wellness Center offers students many options for physical activities, including courts for basketball and volleyball; courts for racquetball and squash; a jogging track; a swimming pool; and a cardio and free weight room. A broad program of intramural and recreational activities is held in the Lerner Family Health and Wellness Center designed to accommodate various levels of skill, experience, and interest. The Mount Vernon campus is home to an artificial-turf soccer/lacrosse/field hockey facility, a softball field, and 11 tennis courts.
The University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), and the Atlantic 10 Conference. Its intercollegiate varsity teams compete against major universities throughout the region and nation in such sports as basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, cross-country, crew, swimming and diving, water polo, volleyball, and gymnastics. The Charles E. Smith Center is home to these intercollegiate varsity teams, which use the facility for practices as well as intercollegiate games, matches, and meets.
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