Student Life

As the capital of the most influential nation in the world, Washington, D.C., is one of the most exciting cities in which to live. With 12 colleges and universities and almost 175,000 students, student life is a major aspect of the metropolitan capital scene. The George Washington University campus is situated perfectly to make the most of all that Washington has to offer.
While there are real boundaries to the 18-block GW grounds, the University prides itself on the nearly seamless fit between campus and city and the proximity to all that is best about D.C., from the White House, to the shores of the Potomac, to Rock Creek Park, to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

GW makes its home in Foggy Bottom, a historic district in the northwest section of the city. Foggy Bottom is an exciting place filled with friendly neighborhood restaurants and cafes. Eating, shopping, and socializing are favorite on-and-off campus pastimes.

The Marvin Center serves as the student center at GW. It not only serves as headquarters for most student organizations, but also includes the GW bookstore, lounge areas, a theater, newsstand, travel agency, game rooms, bowling alley, word-processing center, TicketMaster, and art gallery.

The Gelman Library is GW's main library and houses over 1,600,000 volumes. Students also have access to the libraries of other Washington area universities through the Consortium. In addition, Washington, D.C., is home to the Library of Congress.

The Charles E. Smith Center serves as home to The George Washington Colonials. You will find many of GW's varsity teams in the NCAA spotlight. In addition to the Smith Center's main arena, there are three auxiliary gymnasiums that provide space for basketball, badminton, and gymnastics and an indoor batting cage for baseball. There is an AAU-sized pool, universal and free weights rooms, a jogging area, and courts for handball, racquetball, and squash, all exhibiting the University's commitment to lifetime sports education.

Bike paths and jogging trails wind through Potomac and Rock Creek Parks. Sailboats, rowing shells, and canoes can be rented at Fletcher's Boathouse along the Potomac River. Outdoor ice-skating rinks dot the city, including one at the Reflecting Pool, adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial, only minutes from campus. The Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum collection, is located only minutes away. Most of the city's national monuments are located within walking distance. Sports fans can follow professional teams such as the NBA Washington Wizards, the WBNA Washington Mystics, the NHL Washington Capitals, the NFL Washington Redskins, and baseball's Baltimore Orioles.

As one of the nation's leading universities, GW provides its students with a broad range of services and experiences. In the hub of the nation's capital, the GW campus offers a wide range of activities, including cultural events, speeches by world leaders, free movies, and other social events. There are more than 100 student organizations ranging from denominational religious ministries to intramural sports to cultural organizations. GW also provides students with outstanding health and counseling support services. Student newspapers as well as on-campus informational computers provide students with up-to-date information on campus activities.

The GSPM is located in an the New School of Media and Public Affairs.

With a classic brick and glass exterior, the new building's interior features modern tiered classrooms, a 258-seat auditorium designed for broadcast events, including town hall meetings, and an 1,800-square-foot television production studio. A flash studio will also be available to news outlets for remote broadcasts and interviews with GW experts. In addition, the building will include GW Television's 80-seat multimedia teleconference facility.