Town Hall Between GW Students, Administrators, and Foggy Bottom Neighbors Discusses Off Campus Issues

By Michael Scarborough

Five ANC (Advisory Neighborhood Commission) Commissioners, roughly twenty local residents, and a handful of students gathered Tuesday night at The School Without Walls to discuss university-neighborhood relations and the potential of UPD having some jurisdiction at off-campus student residences.

The implementation of the controversial proposal, which would allow University Police Department officers to respond to off-campus disturbances and issue citations, has been postponed until at least January 2014, according to recent statements by Dean of Student Affairs Peter Konwerski.

The plan has received criticism from students who see the expansion of UPD power as overbearing and unnecessary, but GW officials maintain that friendly relations with neighbors are a top priority.

 Within minutes of starting the meeting, local ANC Commissioner Jackson Carnes alleged that Greek life presidents had received an email from GWU Greek life director Christina Witkowicki “strongly advising” them to stay away from the meeting.

 Carnes said he was not comfortable revealing the initial source which forwarded him the email, and announced to the gathering that he had indeed confirmed from “multiple sources” that GW Greek life presidents had received the email.

Carnes said in Witkowicki’s email no reasoning was given as to why members of Greek life were discouraged from attending.

 GW Associate Dean of Students Tim Miller told the gathering he was not aware of such an email.

Neighbors said they were disappointed Greek Life leaders did not attend because they wanted to have a constructive dialogue with them.

Witokowicki could not be reached for comment.

 During the meeting, ANC commissioners and attendees peppered Miller and Assistant Vice President of Government and Community Relations Renee McPhatter with questions regarding the new UPD guidelines and the relationship between the University and Foggy Bottom residents.

 Miller reported to the meeting that steps would be taken to implement a community awareness orientation program similar to the alcohol and sexual assault orientations which already exist. Students would have to complete an online course with content related to DC laws and neighborly conduct. 

When WRGW asked Miller about enforcing the completion of the course, he mentioned that registration holds were possibly on the table.

 McPhatter responded to questions about the range of UPD’s jurisdiction under the new policy proposals but did not have many definitive answers. She promised that when the policy is crafted, the specifics would be ironed out.

 Numerous Foggy Bottom residents voiced their concerns about persistent late-night noise, rowdy behavior, and cases of public urination. They allege that GW students are to blame for most of these disturbances.  One resident held up a poster board with pictures of trash strewn about local streets, alleging that GW students, both Greek and non-Greek, were to blame.

 Student Association president Julia Susuni assured residents that the GW student body would work to improve their reputation.

“I am proud to represent such a great group of students and I assure you that we will be better neighbors,” Susuni told the group.