Dear GW Neighbors:
As the calendar has moved to September, you probably have noticed an uptick in activity around campus as we begin the new academic year. We are looking forward to another successful year guiding our students in their academic, cultural and social pursuits.
Here at GW, we spent our summer sprucing up some residence halls and planning to welcome our first-year and transfer students for a new student orientation. This redesigned program focused on building a sense of community and supported students as they adjust to their new home here in Foggy Bottom.
Speaking of building a sense of community, this is my first welcome letter to you—our neighbors. I’m Cissy Petty, vice president of student affairs and dean of students. I arrived at GW one year ago in August from Loyola University New Orleans. It was a whirlwind two semesters, and I enjoyed getting to know our students and why they chose to attend GW. I’m impressed by their dedication and passion to making this world a better place.
Also, as you may have heard, the university recently updated for the first time in more than 22 years the Code of Student Conduct. We updated language specifying that GW can hold students accountable for their behavior off-campus, including at internships and during study abroad, and we have clarified our continued practice of holding students accountable for reported violations in the Foggy Bottom/West End community.
The revision of the Code of Student Conduct will occur annually, and we invite neighbors to submit feedback at any time by emailing [email protected].
As I enter my second academic year, I am looking forward to working with GW’s Community Relations team encouraging our students to be good neighbors and building a renewed sense of community in the Foggy Bottom and West End neighborhoods. Please feel free to reach out to me ([email protected]) or any member of my team, Colette Coleman, associate dean of students ([email protected]), and Christy Anthony, director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities ([email protected]).
We look forward to seeing you around the neighborhood!
Sincerely,
M.L. “Cissy” Petty, Ph.D.
VP of Student Affairs and
Dean of the Students