Safety, Security, and Well-being Resources

The university continues to assess and enhance our safety, security, and well-being resources for our community. We understand that some have heightened awareness or concern about their safety due to ongoing global hostilities, and we have taken important steps to increase safety measures on our campuses as a result.

The steps outlined below have been initiated and the following resources are available to our community. We will continue to review and adjust our planning and communicate with you any important updates as needed. 

Enhancing Campus Safety

To strengthen safety and security, we have increased GW Police Department patrols around campus. We also have assigned security officers to all residence halls. We continue to work closely with District and federal partners to regularly assess our security and enhance safety measures on campus as needed. For students, the Administrator On Call program remains available 24/7 to respond to, and offer guidance for, emergencies.  The university also offers GW Safe Ride, which provides a free and safe ride to or from Foggy Bottom campus residence halls and academic buildings during late-night hours for students, faculty and staff who prefer not to walk alone.

Communicating Safety Guidance and Resources

The university uses various tools and channels to communicate safety guidance or resources with students and their families, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders.

Campus Advisories
GW issues Campus Advisories when an incident or event may have an impact on GW's campuses or surrounding area. Campus Advisories also are used to communicate general information for our community's awareness. Examples of situations where Campus Advisories may be issued include inclement weather that could alter the university's operating status or a large event (e.g., a demonstration) on or near campus that may warrant heightened safety action, awareness, or preparedness. 

Active Campus Advisories are always available on the Campus Advisories website. They also may also be shared by email with the university community depending on the level of impact to our campus and community. 

GW Alerts
The university issues GW Alerts during emergencies or when an incident or event requires timely notifications that impact our campus or community and require action, awareness, or preparedness. GW Alerts are sent to all GW email addresses automatically. Students, faculty, and staff can also sign up to receive GW Alerts by text.

Students may add a family member's mobile phone or email to their GW Alert user profile so the family member receives GW Alerts directly. Instructions are available here.

The university's Safety website and the GW Guardian app provide additional information on these and other safety resources.

Addressing Reports of Bias and Complaints of Discrimination

GW’s Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation Policy broadly prohibits discrimination based on legally protected characteristics including, among other things, national origin, ethnicity, and religious identity. Concerns about harassment or discrimination will be assessed and addressed in accordance with these policies.

Students who experience identity-based mistreatment can engage GW’s Bias Incident reporting service for support and informal resolution or GW’s Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) for a more formal process that could result in disciplinary action.  

Specific reporting options for faculty, staff, and students can be found in the Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation Policy. 

Enforcing the Code of Student Conduct

SRR will continue consistent enforcement of GW’s policies regarding postings on university property, discriminatory misconduct, disorderly conduct, and other behavioral expectations for students and student organizations. More information about those policies can be found in the Code of Student Conduct and harmful behavior that may violate policy can be reported online at any time. SRR reviews and responds as fully as possible to all reports received, while maintaining appropriate confidentiality of reports. Where harmed parties identify themselves, they may have options to participate in restorative processes or in conduct processes as a witness or a complainant. Harmed parties are never required to participate in processes. 

SRR is also available to meet with groups of students who have experienced harm or who have questions or concerns about how university policies address student behavior, speech and expression, or rights to protest.

Providing Mental Health Support

Licensed clinicians at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) continue to support the many students whose mental health has been impacted by world events. Same-day appointment hours are offered Monday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. CAPS also offers extended evening hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and has availability on both Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses. Recently, the university has also enhanced its support for students with various identities, including those who identify as Jewish, Israeli, Muslim, and Palestinian.

Students experiencing a mental health crisis outside of CAPS’ office hours have unlimited, 24/7 access to licensed mental health providers via our crisis line by calling 202-994-5300. 

Faculty and staff may avail themselves of mental health resources through the Employee Assistance Program.

Offering Affinity Spaces

CAPS has created a new “Community Comfort Zone: Post-Crisis Support Space” to provide support and psychological first aid to GW students following impactful, traumatic, or tragic events that occur on campus or community events that have greatly impacted students’ well-being.  Additionally, CAPS is collaborating with campus partners and students to create opportunities for new affinity spaces and support spaces for students, ensuring they are accessible and inclusive.

Conducting Community-Specific Outreach

The CARE Team continually reaches out to any student who has had a CARE Referral filed, which can be submitted by students, faculty, staff, and family members.

 

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Below are a few of the many programs, services, and resources available to all GW students, staff, and faculty who need support and assistance.

GW Police Department

Emergency: 911

GW Emergency Services
Emergency: (202) 994-6111

GW Police Department & EMeRG
Non-Emergency: (202) 994-6110
 

GW Information Line

Phone: 1-855-GWU-Info
 

GW Safe Ride

GW Safe Ride provides a free and safe ride to/from Foggy Bottom Campus residence halls and academic buildings during late-night hours for students, faculty and staff who prefer not to walk alone. This safe ride service operates seven days a week (Sunday - Saturday) from 7 pm until 4 am. GW Safe Ride operates during the academic year except on designated university holidays.

Phone: 202-994-RIDE (7433) between 7 pm - 4 am

Download the “GW Safe Ride” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Log into the app using GW’s Single Sign On (SSO) and request a ride.
 

Environmental Health & Safety

Mitigates, prepares for, responds to, and recovers from all hazards; and complies with occupational and environmental health, biological and chemical safety, and fire safety regulations.

Phone: 202-994-4347
Email: [email protected]
 

Office of Emergency Management 

The Office of Emergency Management prepares for, responds to and recovers from all hazards; and complies with occupational and environmental health.

Phone: 202-994-4936
Email: [email protected]
 

Title IX Office

The Title IX Office supports the university’s commitment by fairly and equitably responding to reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking. The Title IX Office also provides prevention and response educational programming for the GW community aiming to educate the community on how to create safe, respectful, and inclusive education and workplace environments.

Phone: 202-994-7434
Email [email protected]

Sexual Assault & Intimate Violence (SAIV) Helpline: 202-994-7222
 

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) team serves students and engages the entire GW community, working to build a culture of support and connection with student well-being.  

To connect with a clinician, visit the SHC during our daily 12 - 4 pm walk-in hours to request an in-person session, or call (202) 994-5300 during these hours for a virtual session.

If you are in crisis, or concerned about a GW student in crisis, please call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (202) 994-5300 (option 3) to speak with a counselor.
 

Student Health Center

The Student Health Center (SHC) is a multidisciplinary, integrated, student healthcare service that provides outpatient confidential, student centered care in an accessible, safe, culturally sensitive, and supportive environment.

Phone: 202-994-5300 (during business hours to schedule an appointment or to speak to a provider)

Academic Care Live: A separate service connecting students to counseling services, urgent medical care, therapy, and psychiatry care during those times when the SHC might not be immediately available.

 

GW Well-being Hotline

Services are confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Phone: 866-522-8509
Well-being hotline website
 

Office of Advocacy & Support

The Office of Advocacy and Support provides trauma-informed and healing-centered confidential support to GW students impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, and/or stalking.

Phone: 202-994-0443
Email: [email protected]
 

Office for Diversity, Equity, & Community Engagement

The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement (ODECE) provides leadership, resources, and support to advance and sustain inclusive environments for our faculty, staff, and students across the university.

Phone: 202-994-7434
Email: [email protected]

Bias Incident Report
 

Disability Support Services

Disability Support Services (DSS) is the university’s central resource for academic support for students with disabilities.

Phone: 202-994-8250
Email: [email protected]
 

Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC)

The MSSC enhances the GW experience by preparing students for success in an increasingly diverse and global society. In support of the university value of diversity, the MSSC leads university student diversity initiatives to ensure the same high quality university experience for all students, while contributing to an environment that promotes cultural competency, inclusion and social justice.
 

LGBTQIA+ Resource Center

The George Washington University (GW) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Lounge Center celebrates and supports sexual and gender diversity, equity and inclusion by providing comprehensive educational, support and advocacy services.
 

GW Equal Employment Opportunity and Access

The Equal Employment Opportunity and Access office (EEOA) provides consultative services to assist staff with situations that involve allegations of unfair treatment, discrimination and affirmative action, as well as disability and religious accommodations.
 

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Other Resources

National Sexual Assault Hotline

Available 24/7
Phone: 1-800-656-4673
 

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Available 24/7
Phone: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
 

Poison Control Center

Available 24/7
Phone: 1-800-222-1222
 

DC Rape Crisis Center

A 24 hour crisis hotline.
Phone: 202-333-RAPE