Campus Safety Advisory Committee

The George Washington University’s Campus Safety Advisory Committee works to increase the GW community’s awareness of and engagement on campus safety.

The committee, chaired by the Vice President for Safety and Operations, includes members representing the on-campus populations of students, faculty, and staff as well as university leadership and a neighborhood community member. Members serve an important role in identifying and highlighting positive safety practices as well as concerns and challenges on GW’s campuses.

Members

Chair

Baxter Goodly, Vice President for Safety and Operations

Faculty

Fran Buntman, Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies for Sociology (Columbian College of Arts and Sciences)

Eli McCarthy, Professorial Lecturer (Columbian College of Arts and Sciences)

Priyanka Shrestha, Assistant Professor (School of Nursing)

Richard F. Southby, Dean and Distinguished Professor of Global Health Emeritus (Milken Institute School of Public Health)

Dwayne Kwaysee Wright, Assistant Professor, Higher Education Administration (Graduate School of Education and Human Development)

Staff

Tyler Gilkey, Community Coordinator

Natasha Kazeem, Executive Associate Dean of Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Milken Institute School of Public Health

Vanessa Fontana Keszler, Senior Director of Academic Operations, College of Professional Studies

Tara Olson, Senior Project Manager, Construction Management

Kimberly Shaw, Employee Relations Manager

Students

Kathryn Fleisher, Graduate (Milken Institute School of Public Health)

Tara Khurana, Undergraduate (Columbian College of Arts and Sciences)

Andrew Levin, Undergraduate (Columbian College of Arts and Sciences)

Michael Pissos, Graduate (Graduate School of Political Management) 

Salmoncain Smith-Shomade, Undergraduate (School of Media and Public Affairs)

Community Member

Sara Maddux

Ex Officio Members

Colette Coleman, Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Laura Finkelstein, Director, Counseling and Psychological Services

Kathleen McDonald, Assistant Vice President, University Resilience

Ian Greenlee, Interim Chief of Police

Jordan Shelby West, Associate Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement

Background

Envisioned during the university’s efforts to enhance public safety, the new Campus Safety Advisory Committee will meet regularly to collaboratively develop, define, and share their concept of campus safety. Committee members will include a broad array of on-campus and neighborhood stakeholders who serve for varying terms and produce a brief annual report summarizing initiatives and progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

About

What is the Campus Safety Advisory Committee?

The Campus Safety Advisory Committee works to increase the GW community’s awareness of and engagement on campus safety. Envisioned during the university’s efforts to enhance public safety, the committee will meet regularly to collaboratively develop, define, and share their concept of campus safety. Members serve an important role in identifying and highlighting positive safety practices as well as concerns and challenges on GW’s campuses.

Does the committee have a formal charge?

The committee brings together a broad array of the university’s campus and neighborhood stakeholders to identify and highlight safety concerns and challenges on GW’s campuses as well as what is contributing to community safety. We are currently viewing the concept of safety in a broad way, and the committee will have a role in defining its scope and efforts.

Application Process

Who is eligible to serve on the committee?

The committee has students, faculty, staff, and a community member.

How do I apply to serve on the Campus Safety Advisory Committee?

The application period for the inaugural Campus Safety Advisory Committee is now closed and inaugural members have been selected. The university will provide updates when recruiting for additional members of the committee in the future. 

Membership and Requirements

How long are the terms for committee members?

Faculty, staff, and the community member will serve two-year terms, and students will serve one-year terms with the option to serve a second term. 

What is the time commitment and meeting requirements and agendas?

The committee plans to meet two times per semester—in September, November, February, and April. Meetings may last up to two hours and will likely take place in the evening, with a virtual option, to accommodate schedules. The committee will determine the objectives, structure, and meeting agendas. Members will raise topics of importance and develop plans to engage the GW community. Recommendations will be consensus-based. 

Who are the committee’s constituents?

The committee’s constituents are the entire GW community.

How does the committee provide updates to the broader university community? 

The committee’s goal is to produce a brief, annual report with recommendations. Other goals may be developed when the committee is established.