Community Engagement
Safety is not just the responsibility of the George Washington University’s (GW) security personnel—it's a shared effort by all members of our community. We encourage you to actively engage with our safety initiatives and contribute to creating a safer campus environment. While there are many ways to be involved in safety at GW, there are two formal groups that inform safety initiatives at GW.
Campus Safety Advisory Committee
GW’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, Interim Associate Vice President, Campus Safety
- 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
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.
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.
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.
Student Advisory Board
The University Resilience Safety & Security Student Advisory Board (SAB) aims to create greater transparency and partnership between GW's student body and university administrators regarding campus safety. The SAB identifies campus safety concerns, generates initiatives, and provides feedback to GW leadership that is then actioned into enhancing safety at the university. The SAB meets monthly to discuss a wide array of safety and security topics, including emergency communications, mental and behavioral health, and physical safety.
If you have questions about the SAB, please contact the Office of Emergency Management at [email protected].
- 2023-2024 Student Advisory Board Organizations
The following organizations and student groups are currently represented on the SAB:
- Arab Student Association
- Disabled Students Collective
- Emergency Medical Response Group
- First Gen United
- GW Athletics
- Multicultural Greek Council
- Muslim Students' Association
- National Panhellenic Association
- Organization for Latino American Students
- Office of Health Promotion & Education
- Panhellenic Association
- Residence Hall Association
- Student Association
- Students Against Sexual Assault
- Students for Indigenous and Native American Rights
- Previous Accomplishments and Reports
Some key accomplishments of the SAB include:
- Participated in the after-action reporting process for the September 6, 2023 shelter in place incident.
- Piloted and provided feedback on the launch of the GW Guardian App
- Conducted a safety walk on Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses.
- Reformed part of the room inspection process in collaboration with the Environmental Health & Safety team.
- Advised EMeRG on how to improve communication with the student body.
- Contributed to the Return to Campus operational planning effort