Annual Security Report
Message to the GW Community
At The George Washington University, the health, safety, and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors are fundamental to our mission as an institution of higher education. Operating in the heart of the nation’s capital presents extraordinary opportunities, and it requires an unwavering commitment to maintaining a secure and welcoming environment. GW views campus safety not as an isolated administrative function, but as a core institutional value that directly supports our academic community’s growth, freedom, and daily life.
Achieving a truly safe campus relies on a proactive, collaborative university-and-community-wide network. Our preparedness and response efforts unite the capabilities of the GW Police Department, the Offices of Advocacy and Support, Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Management, Title IX, Division of Student Affairs, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Campus Operations. By sharing real-time information, aligning emergency protocols, and combining specialized resources, these offices work seamlessly together to prevent harm, respond swiftly to incidents, and offer comprehensive care to those in need.
Ultimately, campus safety is a shared responsibility that extends to every member of the GW community. Through transparent communication, active safety and prevention programming, and robust partnerships with local and federal public safety agencies, we empower our community to stay informed and engaged. This Annual Security and Fire Safety Report reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and the continuous enhancement of the measures that keep our urban campus safe.
Preparation of the Annual Security Report
This report is completed annually by George Washington University to inform members of the campus community of campus safety and security policies, harm prevention efforts, safe practices on and off campus and the occurrence of crime on campus. The 2025 report provides safety and security information for each of GW’s campuses. The report is prepared by GW’s Clery Compliance Team (CCT), chaired by the Clery Compliance Officer. The CCT collects reports from Campus Security Authorities to provide relevant data and reviews policies, procedures, and programming related to campus safety efforts.
- Who participates in developing this report?
Active participants in the process include but are not limited to: the George Washington University Campus Safety team, Title IX Office, and Conflict Education and Student Accountability. This report outlines policies and procedures for reporting crime; prevention and protection programs; fire safety; and other resources designed to assist in cultivating a safe GW community.
- When can I view the report and what is in it?
The university generates an email to every enrolled student and current employee on an annual basis notifying them that the report is available.
This report includes crime statistics from the past three years for incidents that took place in areas covered by Clery Act reporting requirements. It also outlines the University’s safety policies and programs, including those related to sexual assault, alcohol, and drug use.
To keep the Annual Security Report (ASR) accurate, the University will update it as needed to reflect any changes to relevant campus policies and procedures after its initial release.
For more details about Clery-reportable areas and campus safety efforts, visit: https://safety.gwu.edu/clery-incident-reporting.
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at safety.gwu.edu/annual-security-fire-safety-report. Copies of the report can also be obtained from the GW University Police Department at 2145 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037. You may request to have a copy mailed to you by calling 202-994-9139.
Organizations that Contribute to Preparedness and Response
Creating a safe and resilient campus environment takes a coordinated, community-wide network. Numerous offices actively contribute to GW’s emergency preparedness, threat response, and ongoing crime prevention efforts. By sharing real-time information, standardizing emergency protocols, and aligning their specialized resources, these offices work seamlessly together to maintain a secure, supportive environment where students, faculty, and staff can focus on learning and living safely.
- Access the complete list of participating organizations
The following list highlights many of the individual offices that contribute to this network.
- Campus Safety
The safety and security of the GW community is our top priority. Campus Safety collaborates with local law enforcement, campus security, and emergency management teams to implement comprehensive safety measures, educational programs, and resources. Our goal is to promote a safe and supportive campus culture where everyone feels valued, protected, and informed.
- Office of Advocacy and Support (OAS)
OAS provides confidential, trauma-informed, and healing-centered support to GW students impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, and/or stalking. OAS partners with campus offices and departments to cultivate a safer, healthier, and more informed campus community.
- Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
EHS leads prevention and response operations to comply with occupational and environmental health, biological and chemical safety, and fire safety regulations.
- Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
OEM develops and implements plans to promote the safety of students, faculty, and staff during emergencies, and it coordinates the response to these events when they occur.
- EMeRG
EMeRG provides basic life support (BLS) services on the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses.
- GWorld
The GWorld Office provides GW's official identification as well as access control and a closed loop payment system.
- GW Police Department (GWPD)
GWPD is a commissioned police force in the District of Columbia and a member of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Agencies (IACLEA). The Department is committed to professional law enforcement and community engagement through progressive policing and education. Additionally, GWPD police Supervisors are Armed Special Police Officers commissioned by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
GW has an Independent Review Committee, which is charged with reviewing any GWPD supervisory officer’s use of force involving a firearm while on duty to assess whether the use was consistent with the Use of Force Policy as well as producing a publicly available annual report summarizing the committee’s work and including any recommendations it may have for GWPD policy or procedure changes based on the committee’s review of any incidents involving use of force with a firearm.
The department provides 24/7 patrol services by car, bike, and foot on all GW-owned, leased, or otherwise controlled property on the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses. Officers can make arrests on these properties.
GWPD follows best practices for campus policing and completes training in criminal and civil law, public relations, de-escalation, mental health, communication, crisis response, and overall protection. Training is supported by experts from agencies like DC’s Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, and the U.S. Secret Service. All GWPD officers are certified in first aid and CPR.
- Campus Safety Advisory Committee
The Campus Safety Advisory Committee works to increase the GW community’s awareness of and engagement on campus safety. The Committee includes representation from students, faculty, staff, university leadership, and a neighborhood community member and they identify and highlight safety concerns and challenges on GW’s campuses as well as what is contributing to community safety.
- Office of Equal Opportunity
GW’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) oversees the university’s civil rights compliance responsibilities under federal and local laws, including Titles VI, VII, IX, the ADA/Section 504, and the DC Human Rights Act. OEO is responsible for managing the response to all discrimination, bias and harassment complaints, regardless of the roles in our community of the person making a complaint or responding to it.
OEO is designed to enhance GW’s response to complaints of discrimination, bias and harassment by centralizing the various streams for such complaints. By centralizing complaint management, OEO consistently and equitably applies GW policies regardless of the role of those involved, improves the handling of intersectional complaints, and streamlines case management. In addition, OEO focuses on supporting impacted parties and sponsors robust training and education programs.
- Title IX
The Title IX Office supports the university’s commitment by fairly and equitably responding to reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking. The Title IX Office also provides prevention and response educational programming for the GW community to educate the community on creating safe, respectful, and inclusive education and workplace environments.
- Student Affairs
The Division for Student Affairs cultivates an inclusive community that supports connection, growth, and wellbeing for every student throughout their GW journey.
Learn more about Student Affairs.
- Conflict Education and Student Accountability
Conflict Education & Student Accountability (CESA), within the Student Affairs scope, engages across GW to foster equitable and restorative accountability to community standards. We do this through promoting individual rights and communal responsibilities, supporting community members to identify and repair harm, and growing community capacity for conflict management.
Crime Policies and Procedures to Enhance Safety
The following sections outline University policies and procedures that enhance safety at GW. Federal law requires the Annual Security Report to detail clear, standardized policies for reporting crimes, issuing emergency communications, and securing campus facilities. It must explicitly outline protocols for issuing immediate GW Alerts during active threats, publishing Timely Warnings for ongoing risks, and maintaining missing student notification procedures. Additionally, the report must document institutional policies regarding sexual assault and interpersonal violence prevention, victim support services, disciplinary procedures, and safety awareness programming for the campus community.
Report a Crime
- Access general procedures for reporting a crime or emergency
- General Procedures for Reporting a Crime or Emergency to GWPD
We encourage GW community members to report all crime all crime and suspicious activity to GWPD, or other appropriate law enforcement agencies, accurately and promptly, when the victim of the crime elects to, or is able to make such a report. Members of the university community may report criminal activities or other emergencies in several different ways.
All GWPD incident reports involving students, with the exception of confidential reports of sexual violence (including sexual harassment), are shared with Division for Student Affairs (DSA) via Conflict Education and Student Accountability. All GWPD incident reports involving students alleging sexual violence (including sexual harassment) are shared with the Title IX Office and the Office of Advocacy and Support, who then coordinate outreach and next steps. GWPD does not investigate these reports unless the complainant(s) wishes to file criminal charges.
When GWPD receives a report, the responding officers conduct a preliminary investigation. The preliminary investigation is the initial, brief inquiry into a reported event, typically but not limited to a potential crime, to determine if enough evidence exists to justify a full investigation. During the preliminary investigation, officers gather information from the reporting party(s), complainant(s), witness(es), and the respondent(s) to establish whether a crime or university policy violation occurred. Based on that and the presence of solvability factors, the GWPD Criminal Investigative Division will initiate a full investigation.
George Washington University Hospital Security handles incidents, emergencies, or crimes that occur in the George Washington University Hospital and can be reached at (202) 715-5000.
- Working Relationships
GWPD maintains a working relationship with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), DC’s municipal police force. GWPD occasionally works with other law enforcement agencies in the District of Columbia, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Police, U.S. Park Police, and the U.S. Secret Service. GWPD and MPD officers communicate regularly on incident scenes on and around campus. GWPD detectives work closely with the investigative staff at MPD when incidents arise that require joint investigative efforts, resources, crime-related reports, and exchanges of information. MPD maintains a General Order establishing policies and procedures for responding to incidents occurring on college campuses in the District of Columbia.
GWPD hires security guards to monitor some residence halls and academic buildings on the Foggy Bottom and the Mount Vernon Campuses. These guards are responsible for checking IDs and providing additional access control support. These guards do not have arrest authority. If a security officer working on Foggy Bottom or Mount Vernon campuses observes an incident or behavior and they believe an arrest should occur, their protocol is to call GWPD. In addition, a security guard service provides access control security for VSTC. For law enforcement at VSTC, GW works with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. When the support of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is requested or needed, security guards will make the notification directly to GWPD to facilitate Loudoun County Sheriff’s response.
Similarly, GWPD partners with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and other public safety partners around VSTC.
Similarly, Campus Safety has strong working relationships with other public safety and emergency management teams in the District, in particular, and is in close contact with local, regional, and federal emergency management and environmental health and safety organizations.
- Reporting to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
A person reporting a crime to GWPD has the right to also report the crime to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) by calling 911 or DC non-emergency at 311. GW students live throughout the DC area, including in privately owned houses occupied by recognized student organizations. Typically, if MPD is responding to off-campus incidents involving individuals they identify as GW students, MPD will notify and inform GWPD of the situation. Annually, GWPD requests crime data at noncampus property locations owned or controlled by student organizations. Annually, GW also sends a notice to all GW community members informing them of their reporting obligations for crimes that occur at noncampus locations.
Additionally, GWPD’s dispatchers monitor MPD radio communications for incidents occurring near campus. There is no official MPD policy requiring such notification involving private property. Students in these cases may be subject to arrest by MPD and, if determined appropriate, action through a university disciplinary office may occur.
- Phone Numbers for Reporting
Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon
Emergency 202-994-6111 Non-Emergency 202-994-6110 Non-Emergency Anonymous Reporting 202-994-TIPS (8477) Virginia Science and Technology Campus
Emergency 911 Exploration Hall Security Desk 571-553-8368 Innovation Hall Security Desk 571-553-8243 Enterprise Hall Security Desk 571-553-3511 Property Manager 571-553-8543 GW Police Department 202-994-6111 Non-Emergency Anonymous Reporting 202-994-TIPS (8477) Alexandria Education Center
Emergency 911 Non-Emergency 703-838-4444 Non-Emergency Anonymous Reporting 202-994-TIPS (8477) Arlington Education Center
Emergency 911 Non-Emergency 703-358-4610 Non-Emergency Anonymous Reporting 202-994-TIPS (8477) Hall of the States
Emergency 911 Non-Emergency 202-727-1010 - Anonymous Reporting
If you are the victim of a crime and do not want to take formal action through the university or the legal system, or if you witnessed a crime but want to stay anonymous, you can make an anonymous report to GWPD. While the university will do its best to respond to anonymous reports, there may be limitations due to the lack of identifying information.
The goal of anonymous reporting is to provide support while protecting your identity and helping GWPD maintain campus safety. These reports also help the university:
- Keep accurate records of incidents involving students, employees, and visitors
- Identify patterns in crime (such as location, method, or suspect)
- Warn the campus community about potential threats, when necessary
Anonymous reports are included in GW’s annual crime statistics. If a report involves sexual violence or harassment, it is also shared with the university’s Title IX Office.
To make an anonymous report, you can call GWPD and request anonymity, or use the tips line at 202-994-TIPS.
- TIPS Line
GWPD operates a tips line, monitored by GW command staff and the Chief of Police, to allow people to voluntarily and confidentially report security and safety related concerns and to provide GWPD with tips about criminal incidents or behavior on campus. Call 202-994-TIPS (8477) to reach this recorded line.
The tips line should NOT be used in emergency situations. For emergencies call 202-994-6111 or 911.
- Emergency Blue Light Phones
Emergency blue light phones are located on the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses. Once activated, a large blue light bulb flashes from the top of the phone tower and the emergency services dispatcher is notified immediately. If you need assistance, see something that is suspicious, or see someone else who needs assistance, you can activate a blue light phone. Uniformed GWPD officers are responsible for confirming that the blue light phones are operational during their regular patrols.
Members of the GW community can report any problems with blue lights by calling 202-994-6111.
- “Panic” Buttons
Panic buttons are generally located in parking garage stairwells below ground level and on the parking deck support columns roughly equidistant from the stairwells and are visible by their bright orange signage. When a panic button is activated, the emergency services dispatcher is alerted of the location and immediately sends GWPD officers to the location to assist. Parking garage patrons should familiarize themselves with these buttons and their locations. Unlike the blue light phones, panic buttons will not flash a strobe light or connect you through a phone to emergency services. Panic buttons are most commonly located in garages and stairwells including the following garages: University Student Center, Funger Hall, Ross Hall, the Medical Faculty Associates, Academic Center, Duquès Hall G, Media and Public Affairs Building, 1957/1959 E Street, Lerner Health and Wellness Center, Dakota, Amsterdam Hall, South Hall, G Street, West Hall, SEH, Shenkman, and 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue.
For more information about emergency blue light phones and/ or panic buttons, please visit safety.gwu.edu/police.
- Classroom Emergency Lockdown Buttons
Most classrooms have been equipped with classroom emergency lockdown buttons. When the button is pushed and the doors are closed, GWorld Card access to the room is disabled, and GW emergency services is alerted. The door must be manually closed if it is not closed when the button is pushed. Anyone in the classroom will be able to exit, but only authorized emergency responders can enter.
- GW Guardian
GW Guardian is a free, personal safety app designed for members of the GW community. It offers an additional layer of security to the university’s emergency mass notification services, and enables users both on and off campus to receive targeted emergency notifications, alerts, and advisories; directly access contacts and resources for important safety and support services; set safety timers and assign virtual Guardians to monitor users’ safety late at night or while traveling; and connect directly with emergency services, such as GWPD, EMeRG, and 911. Visit safety.gwu.edu/gwguardian-app for information about this app.
- Voluntary Reporting Procedures for Pastoral and Professional Counselors
GW’s Center for Interfaith & Spiritual Life (CISL) supports and strengthens the university's religious and philosophical diversity by providing opportunities to engage with spiritual life on campus through interfaith engagement, education, service, worship, and meditation. Pastoral Counselors in CISL provide resources when a community member discloses information regarding a crime but do not have formal procedures for alerting community members of voluntary reporting options.
GW’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center has written procedures informing professional counselors that, if a community member reports being the victim of a crime, it is within the clinician’s scope of practice and is recommended as appropriate to provide psychoeducation on available resources and options, including voluntary confidential reporting.
Timely Warnings
Students, faculty, staff, community members, and visitors are encouraged to report all crimes and public safety-related incidents to GWPD in a timely manner to aid in providing accurate and timely warning notices to the community when appropriate, and for inclusion in the annual crime statistics.
- What emergency notification methods does GW use to communicate active incidents?
Campus emergency alerts and advisories are two types of emergency notification methods GW uses to inform the GW Community of any ongoing incident or event that may impact campus operations.
Campus alerts advise the GW Community to take action; this can include protective actions (e.g. lockdown and evacuate) or alerting the community to avoid an area. Campus advisories are informational and provide detailed information about an ongoing incident or provide information about an event happening on campus. OEM, GWPD, and the Security Operations Center (SOC) are the primary users responsible for issuing campus alerts and advisories.
- When is a timely warning issued?
A timely warning is issued when a Clery Act–defined crime occurs within the institution’s Clery geography and poses a serious and/or ongoing threat to the campus community. These warnings must be issued as soon as pertinent information is available and must reach the entire university community. Responsibility for timely warnings is shared across several units. The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is accountable for ensuring alerts and advisories are disseminated. The George Washington Police Department (GWPD) and the Security Operations Center (SOC) are primary operational units responsible for issuing alerts. In addition, specific authorized individuals (or their designees), including the Chief of GWPD, the Director of Emergency Management, and other designated safety leadership, are authorized to approve and send alerts.
- What are emergency notifications?
Emergency notifications are defined by GW as messages issued in response to a confirmed emergency or dangerous situation that poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees. These notifications are disseminated as alerts. GW categorizes incidents by threat level (immediate threat to life, potential threat to life, and non-life-threatening), which helps determine whether an alert or advisory is issued. GW primarily focuses on notifying the GW community. GW Alerts are distributed directly to community members via text message and/or email to rapidly share critical information. Campus Advisories are posted online, making them accessible to both the university community and the general public. In addition, GW Alerts are shared with DC HSEMA, the NCR Watch Desk, and other public safety partners. DC HSEMA will amplify this information to other public safety partners and the surrounding community when necessary.
- How are Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications disseminated?
Timely warnings and Emergency Notifications are disseminated through various channels to reach a broad audience, including:
- GW Alert: This is the primary system for emergency notifications and timely warnings, delivered via email and text messages to registered students, faculty, and staff. Individuals can manage their contact preferences and add additional contact information through the GW Alert portal. Community members’ university emails cannot be unsubscribed from the system.
- Campus Advisories Website: This website serves as a central hub for communicating incident-related and non-incident-related safety information, including active timely warnings.
- GW Guardian App: This personal safety app can also deliver timely warning notifications to users.
- Social Media: GW Safety and related university accounts may also share timely warning information.
- GW Info Line: During some emergencies, recorded messages may be available on the GW Info Line at (202) 994-5050.
- Notification Determination Process to the GW Community about an Immediate Threat
If Campus Safety confirms that there is an emergency or dangerous situation that poses an immediate threat to the health or safety of some or all members of the GW community, the university will activate emergency notification procedures to provide immediate notification of the threat to the GW community unless issuing a notification will, in the judgment of the first responders (including, but not limited to GWPD, MPD, DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services, or other emergency agencies), compromise the efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency. The university will, without delay and considering the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification. This will be based on the nature of the situation as well as the instructions recipients should follow.
Campus Safety serves as the primary message creators, approvers, and senders of emergency notifications.
The Office of Communications and Marketing supports this responsibility and serves as a secondary message creator, approver and sender of emergency notifications as needed. If, through their confirmation of the threat, the university determines that the threat is limited in scope, the notification may be segmented to a specific group of recipients (e.g. those residing in a particular residence hall).
The university uses a procedure to send segmented alerts to individual residence halls when the impacts are confined to that space only. Threats may be confirmed by a number of processes including but not limited to, GWPD officer investigation, or notice from government officials.
In the event of a serious incident that poses an immediate threat to members of the GW community, the university uses multiple mass notification systems branded as “GW Alert.” A GW Alert is sent primarily via email to all current student, faculty, and staff university email addresses and as a text message for everyone with a registered mobile phone number. Follow up communication methods are used on a case-by-case basis following the same process and include:
- Push Notification (GW Guardian)
- Social Media (Twitter/X)
- Website Posting—for communication to the larger community (campusadvisories.gwu.edu)
- GW Information Line (1-855-GWU-INFO or 1-855-498-4636)
Students, faculty, and staff are automatically signed up for email alerts through their official GW email address. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors can learn more about how to receive emergency notifications via the different communication methods at safety.gwu.edu/emergency-communications.
GW community members are encouraged to notify GWPD of any situation or incident on campus that involves a significant emergency or dangerous situation that may involve an immediate or ongoing threat to the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, or visitors on campus. GWPD has the responsibility of responding to, and summoning the necessary resources, to mitigate, investigate, and document any situation that may cause a significant emergency or dangerous situation. In addition, GWPD has a responsibility to respond to such incidents to determine if the situation does, in fact, pose a threat to the community.
Campus Access
- Foggy Bottom
The Foggy Bottom Campus sits in the heart of the nation’s capital, in a vibrant neighborhood bordered by the Potomac River, the Watergate complex, the White House, and the State Department. The campus is home to the majority of GW’s schools and administrative offices, as well as classrooms, libraries, and residence halls. Most academic and administrative buildings are open to the members of the GW community, at a minimum, during normal business hours through doors accessible via a GWorld reader. Most facilities have individual hours, and the hours may vary at different times of the year. All of these buildings have varied levels of access. Many doors are electronically locked and are controlled remotely by the university’s GWorld office. GWPD is located at 2145 G Street NW. GWPD officers patrol the academic and administrative buildings. For information about the access protocol for a specific building, contact the building manager or department head.
- GW Hospital
The George Washington University Hospital is considered an on-campus location but is owned by a private entity and has a separate security team. The GWUH security team patrols the hospital and manages access control. They are located on the hospital’s first floor and report to the Chief Medical Officer. GWPD is not involved in Hospital security.
- Corcoran Flagg Building
Located at 500 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design bridges GW’s academically robust programs in the arts with the Corcoran’s creative and inspired scholarship. Part of GW’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the school functions as an incubator for artists and practitioners in arts-related fields and serves to enrich students who are taking classes in other areas of the university. As such, it provides a platform for engagement that bridges creative expression and practical application with the breadth and depth of the larger liberal arts education.
Access to the Facility
The Corcoran Flagg Building is accessible via a GWorld reader. The main entrance to the building is located on 17th street. The main offices for the Corcoran School and the Interior Architecture, Design and Studio Arts degrees are located in “Administrative Offices” to the left of the South Atrium.
- Mount Vernon Campus
The Mount Vernon Campus (MVC) is located in Washington, DC’s Foxhall neighborhood on the former site of Mount Vernon College, a women’s institution with a long heritage of its own. Institutional and commercial venues, as well as homes, embassies, and diplomatic residences surround the campus. The Mount Vernon Campus is accessible on foot or with a vehicle through Whitehaven Street. Most buildings are accessible to members of the GW community through their GWorld IDs.
An inter-campus shuttle with stops at Tompkins Hall on the Foggy Bottom Campus and between Acheson Science Center and Academic Building on the Mount Vernon Campus, transports faculty, staff, and students to and from the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon Campuses. For more information on transportation to the MVC, visit transportation.gwu.edu/mount-vernon-shuttle-vern-express.
The Whitehaven entrance is accessible 24 hours a day and should be used in accordance with the procedures established by the Mount Vernon Campus staff. GWPD is located in Ames Hall on the Whitehaven entrance. The majority of building entrance doors are secured during the evening hours and controlled remotely by the university’s GWorld office. The schedules for these buildings vary and are available online at mountvernon.gwu.edu/academic-administrative-and-eventfacilities. Eckles Library hours vary throughout the year, so it is best to check the library schedule to determine the operating hours. The Library’s 24-hour computer lab is located in the front foyer of the library. While students have access to the lab at all times, the remainder of the library is not accessible after the posted business hours.
- Virginia Science and Technology Campus
The GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus (VSTC), established in 1991, is strategically located in the Northern Virginia technology corridor near Dulles International Airport in Ashburn, VA. The campus focuses on interdisciplinary STEM-H research, including biological and health sciences, big data and analytics, high-performance computing, and energy science and technology. Degree and certificate programs are offered by many of GW’s schools and colleges. Numerous programs are designed to meet the needs of professional students with evening, weekend, and online courses.
There are no residence halls on the VSTC; many doors are electronically locked and controlled remotely by the university’s GWorld office. There are security guards on campus as well.
Requests for GWorld access can be processed by the Facilities Department at the VSTC by appointment only. For more information, please visit gworld.gwu.edu/locations-hours. Hours of operation for all buildings are available online at virginia.gwu.edu/buildings. The facilities and landscaping are maintained to minimize conditions that might pose a danger. Requests can be made through the fixit system located at https://living.gwu.edu/maintenance-access.
For more information, please visit: virginia.gwu.edu.
- Alexandria Education Center
Located at 3413 John Carlyle Street, Suite 250, Alexandria, VA 22314, the Alexandria Education Center is a George Washington University off-campus graduate education center, serving working professionals. The Center is located in Alexandria, Virginia, four blocks from the King Street Metro Station, served by the blue and yellow lines. This center features a community counseling center, 11 classrooms, an art gallery, and studio space.
Panic buttons are in place at the reception desk, and every classroom has an intercom that calls reception.
Access to the Facility
The Alexandria Education Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am-9:00pm, on Fridays from 8:30am-5:00pm (until 9:00pm if evening courses are scheduled), and on Saturdays from 8:00am-6:00pm. The Center is closed on all university holidays and Sundays.
This facility is designated as a commuter center and has no residence halls.
- Arlington Education Center
Located at 950 N. Glebe Road, Suites 120 and 600, Arlington, VA 22203, the Arlington Education Center is a George Washington University off-campus graduate education center, serving working professionals and offering an assortment of master’s degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and graduate certificates.
The Arlington Education Center is located in the heart of Ballston at the intersection of N. Glebe Road and Fairfax Drive, three blocks from the Ballston Metro Station (Orange/Silver Lines).
The center features 24,000 square feet of learning space with computer labs, a homework lab, student and faculty lounges, and fully equipped meeting rooms and classrooms. The classrooms, offices, and computer labs are locked at all times when not in use.
Panic buttons are in place at each reception desk, and every classroom has an intercom that calls reception.
Access to the Facility
The Arlington Education Center is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00am-9:00pm, on Fridays from 9:00am-5:00pm (until 9:00pm if evening courses are scheduled), and on Saturdays from 8:00am-6:00pm. The Center is closed on all university holidays and Sundays.
This facility is designated as a commuter center and has no residence halls.
- Hall of the States Building
Located at 400 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC 2000, the Hall of the States Building is the off-campus location for the GW Master of Professional Studies in the Legislative Affairs program.
Access to the Facility
The Hall of the States Building is located directly across the street from the United States Capitol Complex and is accessible from Metro’s Union Station Red Line station and several Metrobus stops. GW rents several conference rooms Monday through Thursday on the second floor of the building and holds class in the early evening, generally from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Metered parking is usually available. Building garage parking is also available, for an hourly fee.
The Hall of the States Building has a guard posted at the entrance to the building 24 hours a day. All students must be issued a temporary identification card (valid for same day only) each time they attend class. In addition, contract security guards hired by the Hall of the States building management are posted at strategic locations throughout the building, 24 hours per day. A private security firm is responsible for the security of the building.
This facility is designated as a commuter center and has no residence halls.
- Residence Halls
Access to residence halls is restricted to residents, their approved guests, and other approved members of the university community. All residence hall buildings have a tap system for entry, which requires that all who enter the building must use their GWorld ID to tap into an access control point prior to entering a residential space. All residential doors are electronically locked and controlled remotely by the university’s GWorld office. Guests must be accompanied at all times by the resident they are visiting. Residents are cautioned against permitting strangers to enter the buildings and are urged to require individuals seeking entry to use their own GWorld access cards.
GWPD officers respond to calls for service from residence halls on a regular basis and work with Campus Living and Residential Education (CLRE) staff members to enforce security measures.
- Security Maintenance
Facilities and landscaping are maintained in a manner that minimizes hazardous conditions. GWPD regularly patrols both campuses and reports malfunctioning lights and other unsafe physical conditions to Facilities Management for repair. Other members of the university community should promptly report equipment problems to GWPD or to Facilities Management. Requests can be made through the fixit system located at https://living.gwu.edu/maintenance-access.
Procedures for Reporting Crime Statistics
The statistics in this report are published in accordance with the standards and guidelines used by the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook and relevant federal law. GW’s Clery Compliance Officer submits the annual crime statistics published in this report to the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
- Where can I access crime statistics?
The statistical information gathered by the Department of Education is available to the public through the ED website. In addition, a daily crime log is available for review 24 hours a day on the GWPD website, at safety.gwu.edu/reportsand-records. The procedures for preparing the annual disclosure of crime statistics include reporting statistics to the university community obtained from the GW Police Department (GWPD), and non-police Campus Security Authorities (CSAs), as well as those requested from the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). For statistical purposes, crime statistics reported to any of these sources are recorded in the report for the calendar year the crime was reported. The only employees exempt from reporting under the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act are professional and pastoral counselors while operating under the scope of their license.
A designated campus security authority includes, but is not limited to, university deans, directors, department heads, and residence life staff. Statistical information is requested and provided to GWPD and the Clery Compliance Officer by clinicians at the Student Health Center, even though they are not required by law to provide statistics for the compliance document.
Members of the Conflict Education and Student Accountability, the Office of Equal Opportunity, the Title IX Office, and the Office of Advocacy and Support also provide statistics to GWPD about incidents that have been reported to these offices where the survivor or victim chose not to report the incident to GWPD or MPD.
Definitions of Crime Categories
The following definitions come from a variety of sources, including the Department of Education’s Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting, the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Appendix for FSA Handbook, and definitions of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are adapted from the amendments made to the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019.
- A-D
Aggravated Assault: An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm. It is not necessary that injury result from an aggravated assault when a gun, knife, or other weapon is used which could or probably would result in a serious potential injury if the crime were successfully completed.
Arson: Any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling, house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property, etc. Note that only fires determined through investigation to have been willfully or maliciously set are classified as arson. Arson is therefore the only Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act offense that must be investigated before it can be disclosed. If other Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act offenses were committed during the arson incident, the most serious is counted in addition to the arson.
Burglary: The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft. For reporting purposes this definition includes: unlawful entry with intent to commit a larceny or a felony; breaking and entering with intent to commit a larceny; housebreaking; safecracking; and all attempts to commit any of the aforementioned.
Dating Violence: An act of violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. For this purpose, the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the reporting party’s statement and with consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. Dating violence includes without limitation sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse, but excludes acts covered under the definition of domestic violence.
Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property: To willfully or maliciously destroy, damage, deface, or otherwise injure real or personal property without the consent of the owner or the person having custody or control of it.
Disciplinary Referrals: Individuals referred to the Office of Conflict Education and Student Accountability (CESA) for liquor law, drug law, and illegal weapons violations. The numbers include incidents that are reported via GWPD incident reports and reports provided directly to CESA from other members of the GW community.
Domestic Violence: A felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by: (1) a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the reporting party; (2) a person with whom the reporting party shares a child in common; (3) a person who is cohabitating with, or has cohabitated with, the reporting party as a spouse or intimate partner; (4) a person similarly situated to a spouse of the reporting party under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred; or (5) any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred, which under District of Columbia law includes roommates.
Drug Abuse Violations: The violation of laws prohibiting the production, distribution, and/or use of certain controlled substances and the equipment or devices utilized in their preparation and/or use. The unlawful cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, use, possession, transportation, or importation of any controlled drug or narcotic substance. Arrests for violations of state and local laws, specifically those relating to the unlawful possession, sale, use, growing, manufacturing, and making of narcotic drugs.
- F-L
Fondling: The touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of his/her age or because of his/her temporary or permanent mental incapacity.
Hate Crime: A hate-related crime is the commission of a criminal offense which was motivated by the offender’s bias. For example, a subject assaults a victim, which is a crime. If the facts of the case indicate that the offender was motivated to commit the offense because of his/her bias against the victim’s race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, or disability, the assault is then also classified as a hate crime. NOTE: A hate-related crime is not a separate, distinct crime. For the purposes of the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the following crimes would be classified as Hate Crimes if the offender was motivated by their own bias:
- Murder/Non-negligent Manslaughter
- Sex Offenses (rape, fondling, incest, statutory rape)
- Robbery
- Aggravated Assault
- Burglary
- Motor Vehicle Theft
- Arson
- Larceny-theft
- Simple Assault
- Intimidation
- Destruction, Damage, or Vandalism of Property
Hazing: any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that—(a) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization; and (b) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury.
Incest: Sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law.
Intimidation: To unlawfully place another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words and/or other conduct, but without displaying a weapon or subjecting the victim to actual physical attack.
Larceny/Theft: The unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another. Attempted larcenies are included. Embezzlement, confidence games, forgery, worthless checks, etc., are excluded.
Liquor Law Violations: The violation of state or local laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, or use of alcoholic beverages, not including driving under the influence and drunkenness.
- M-W
Manslaughter by Negligence: The killing of another person through gross negligence.
Motor Vehicle Theft: The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle, including cases where automobiles are taken by persons not having lawful access even though the vehicles are later abandoned, including ‘joyriding.’
Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter: The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.
Rape: The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.
Robbery: The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force, violence, and/or causing the victim fear.
Simple Assault: An unlawful physical attack by one person upon another where neither the offender displays a weapon, nor the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal1 injury, severe laceration, or loss of consciousness.
Stalking: Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person, including without limitation by means of following, monitoring, observing, surveilling, threatening, or communicating to or about a person or interfering with a person’s property, that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others or suffer significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily require, medical or other professional treatment or counseling.
Statutory Rape: Sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.
Weapons Law Violations: The violation of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting instruments, explosives, incendiary devices, or other deadly weapons.
Definitions of Geography
- On-Campus
Any building or property owned or controlled by an institution within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area and used by the institution in direct support of or in a manner related to the institution’s educational purposes, including residence halls; any building or property that is within or reasonably contiguous to this area; and any building or property that is owned by the institution but controlled by another person, is frequently used by students, and supports institutional purposes.
Note: Statistics for university housing facilities are recorded and included in both the all on-campus category and the on-campus residential only category.
- Non-Campus Building or Property
Any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution; or any building or property owned or controlled by an institution that is used in direct support of or in relation to the institution’s educational purposes, is frequently used by students, and is not within the same reasonably contiguous geographic area of the institution. Residence halls that are located outside the campus boundaries are captured in the Non-Campus category.
- Public Property
All public property, including thoroughfares, streets, sidewalks, and parking facilities, that is within the campus or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The GW crime statistics do not include crimes that occur in privately owned homes or businesses within or adjacent to the campus boundaries.
Definitions of Reporting Methods
Unfounded: When reported to campus security authorities, but omitted from the crime statistics because they were later determined through investigation by sworn or commissioned law enforcement personnel to have been false or baseless when made.
Previous Annual Security & Fire Safety Reports
- Reports from 2022-2024 are available here
The 2024 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains information and crime statistics for 2022, 2023, and 2024 calendar years for crimes that occurred:
- on campus;
- in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by GW; and
- on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible to the campus.
The report also contains information regarding campus security and personal safety topics such as crime prevention, fire safety, university police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures and other information related to safety and security on campus.
This information is provided by the Division of Safety and Operations and in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, 1990.
Paper copies of this report are available upon request. Requests can be made in person at 2145 G Street, NW or by calling (202) 994-2344.
2024 Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (PDF)
Revised reports from previous years are listed below:
2023 Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (PDF)
2022 Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (PDF)
2021 Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (PDF)
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