May 6, 2009 

MEDIA CONTACT: Tracy Schario
(202) 994-3566; tschario@gwu.edu

GW ANNOUNCES SAFETY AND SECURITY PLANS

WASHINGTON--President Steven Knapp announced today a new organizational structure for safety and security at The George Washington University. The University had engaged James Lee Witt Associates to study the University's existing programs as well as the question of whether to arm the officers of the University Police Department (UPD).  After a thorough examination of the Witt Associates report, the University has accepted the firm's recommendation not to arm University police, as well as the firm's recommendation to consolidate the University's safety and security programs into one organization reporting to a single senior administrator. 

Under the new structure, all aspects of safety and security, including University Police, emergency management and the safety functions in risk management, will be brought together. These functions will report to a newly created position--Associate Vice President for Safety and Security, which in turn will report to the Senior Associate Vice President for Administration, currently Ed Schonfeld, in the Office of the Executive Vice President and Treasurer. 

"This step will enhance the University's comprehensive approach to safety and security," said Dr. Knapp. "The thoughtful input Witt Associates received from many different constituencies was an important component of the study.  We are moving quickly to implement this new structure and will immediately begin the process of recruiting an Associate Vice President for Safety and Security."

Witt Associates has well-established expertise in safety and security matters, and they received extensive input from the GW community, including senior administrators, UPD, faculty, students, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Foggy Bottom residential and business neighbors, and neighboring federal and non-governmental agencies. In addition to its main recommendations, Witt Associates offered additional suggestions, including ways of strengthening the relationship between UPD and MPD.  These recommendations will be explored by the new Associate Vice President for Safety and Security.

GW Chief of Police Dolores Stafford commented, "I greatly appreciate that President Knapp considered my recommendation to look into the question of arming the police force.  We had a candid discussion when he first came to campus about the issue.  I am pleased that he and senior leadership conducted a thorough review by engaging a well-respected safety and security firm.  I have read the report and will work to implement its recommendations for the safety and security of our community."

James Lee Witt Associates Vice President Charles Fisher said, "We want to congratulate President Knapp and the GW community for looking at arming in the context of the larger issue of safety and security programs on the GW campus. As we work with universities across the country, we find that each has a unique culture and circumstances. The solutions that GW is adopting are the right ones for GW at this time."

Located in the heart of the nation's capital, The George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the nation's capital. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business, and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 130 countries.

For more news about The George Washington University, visit the GW News Center at www.gwnewscenter.org.

-GW-