Sept. 25, 2001

Open for Business

Residence Halls and Offices Open, Classes Remain Canceled Despite IMF/World Bank Decision to Cancel Meetings

By Thomas Kohout

The George Washington University announced that residence halls and University offices, originally scheduled to close from 4 pm Thursday, Sept. 27, through 8 am Tuesday, Oct. 2, will remain open. The decision comes in the wake of the World Bank/IMF announcement not to conduct its meetings Sept. 29–30. According to an E-mail circulated by the GW Crisis Committee, classes will still be postponed and rescheduled later in October and December maintaining the University’s original plan.

Students will be allowed to stay in the residence halls during the Sept. 27–Oct. 2 period, however, a no-guest policy is in effect through Oct. 5. During this time the University asks that students, faculty, and staff carry their GWorld cards with them at all times in order to enter any University building. University shuttle bus service will be available and students may obtain schedule information at the Marvin Center scheduling office (MC 204), the Student Activities Center (MC 427), or on the gwired Web site gwired.gwu.edu.

The Law School, Medical School, and K Street campus (continuing education) will issue separate statements regarding their class schedules. The University will continue to be open and operating on a normal schedule at all other campuses, satellite facilities, and administrative offices in Virginia and Maryland.

While classes will not be held on the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses, University offices will be open and employees are expected to report to work as regularly scheduled. According to the University‘s announcement, “Employees will be allowed to take leave during this period with the consent of their supervisors. Supervisors are encouraged to grant such leave to the extent that it does not disrupt normal operations.”

The University’s decision to go ahead with plans to cancel classes came in part due to a flurry of telephone calls from anxious parents and the number of students who have already made plans to return home.

“We have received a number of calls from concerned parents, some of whom initially criticized the decision to close, to ask the University to please not change its mind,” says Michael Freedman, vice president for communications, in light of the tragic terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Arlington, VA, Sept. 11. “As a result of what happened in Washington and New York parents have asked us to please not change course here even though the World Bank will not hold its meetings. They want to see their children and hug their children, and this is their opportunity to do it.”

The University’s original decision was based on the strongest possible recommendation from District of Columbia law enforcement authorities, in anticipation of massive crowds for the IMF/World Bank meetings. In a letter to President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, Mayor Anthony Williams stressed the importance of GW’s cooperation with the Metropolitan Police and the need for continued vigilance.

“In order to ensure the safety of your students, faculty, and staff and the Foggy Bottom community, I am writing to underscore the need for full cooperation and coordination between the University and District Officials, including Chief Ramsey and his staff,” wrote Mayor Williams.

By announcing the decision to shut down for the annual meetings Sept. 6, GW became the first major institution in the city to release its plans, opening the door to accusations that the University was over-reacting.

Metropolitan Police originally estimated potential crowds as large as 100,000, based on FBI intelligence gathering and the high police estimate of the most recent protests, in Genoa, Italy.

“Any time you make a decision of this kind, you’re going to face criticism,” adds Rodney Johnson, director of parent services. “You can criticize me about being inconvenienced, but you’re not going to call me because your son or daughter was hurt because GW failed to act. I think President Trachtenberg, the vice presidents, and the crisis committee made a great decision.”

The plan to reschedule affected classes will remain in place, with classes starting after 4 pm Thursday, rescheduled on Tuesday, Dec. 11, after 4 pm. Classes on Friday will not be rescheduled; classes originally scheduled for Oct. 1, will be held on Columbus Day, Oct. 8; and make-ups for classes scheduled on Oct. 2 before 4 pm will be held Dec. 11 before 4 pm.

Due to the unpredictable circumstances, the University may find it necessary to close or limit access to specific buildings. Faculty, staff, and students are urged to monitor the GW Web site, www.gwu.edu, or the recorded information line 994-5050 for further updates.

 

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu