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.

WRGW Show Lets Students Speak With Administrators

WRGW District Radio's “Ask the Administrator” series provides an opportunity for dialogue among a variety of GW's administrators. In an effort to engage with the student population, GW students are encouraged to call or tweet in their questions or concerns for the guests.


Our first episode includes a conversation with the GW Dean of Students and “Ask the Administrator” co-host, Peter Konwerski, and Jorge Gadala-Maria, WRGW District Radio General Manager. Topics include an introduction about Konwerski's time at the school, an analysis regarding GW's US News & World Report rating and visible changes to the university throughout the summer. 


Associate Dean of Students Tim Miller and Student Association President John Richardson joined Gadala-Maria and Konwerski for the second episode to discuss housing issues and student org allocations and collaboration.


Both episodes covered an overarching theme of student outreach. In addressing the noise issue of the parking garage demolition at the future site of the Science and Engineering complex, Konwerski mentioned a little-known fact about the university.


“Every morning this week, there was a crew of staff and students out on the worksite monitoring the work that was happening, not only listening to what was the noise level, but advocating for 'think if this was happening and it was too loud, we're going to intercede,'” he said.


Moreover, Tim Miller continued to reassure students of the “power of their voices.” He went on to tell them that they “really do have the ability to make change not just here, but in the world...use that voice.”


This is a live and interactive talk show that will air every other Wednesday from 3:30pm-4:30pm (10/12, 10/26, 11/9, 11/30) . The easiest way to listen is at www.gwradio.com, and click the “Listen Live” icon for a pop-up player for your browser. Moreover, WRGW District Radio is also available in the iTunes Radio Directory under the “College” tab.


Click below to download the first two episodes:


Ask the Administrator - September 14th, 2011:
http://www.mediafire.com/?1agjompm3mrl36p


Ask the Administrator - September 21th, 2011
http://www.mediafire.com/?4iokawisfv9axi2


Some Twitter personalities for you to follow:
Hosts:
@porquejorge – Jorge Gadala-Maria & @GWPeterK – Peter Konwerski


Guests (so far):
@JRforGW – John Richardson, @GWTimMiller – Tim Miller




-- Jorge Gadala-Maria

SA Constitution reform bill fails in Senate

A bill designed to overhaul the Constitution and redefine a number of aspects within the Student Association failed to pass the Senate at a special meeting of the body on Tuesday night in the Marvin Center. In a thirty-minute meeting the Senate decided to table the bill, which effectively killed the legislation. Senate rules prohibit pending legislation from carrying over into the next administration.

A dark cloud hung over the meeting in response to swirling controversy surrounding the formulation of the bill. GW Law School Senators claim the bill was hastily written, poorly conceived and without proper public input. Senator and President-Elect Julie Bindleglass began the process intending to abstain, then supported the bill, and within the last two days decided to oppose the proposal for a new Constitution on the grounds that it can wait until next semester when she is President. The motive behind the shift remains unclear.

Bindleglass did not speak at the meeting.

Adding to the drama is the input of Tim Miler, the Executive Director of the Student Activities Center, who distributed an e-mail to the Senate prior to the meeting. The e-mail was critical of the bill calling it a “grave mistake.” Miller writes, “It appears that this is a last minute, rushed, clandestine and exclusive process to get something through without proper debate and discussion prior to the end of the year.”

President Vishal Aswani often alluded to actions by "the administration" that made running the student organization difficult. 

Miller was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

In an exclusive interview after what was likely the last SA meeting of his Presidency, Mr. Aswani vented his frustration against a body he called “apathetic” and “disgraceful.”

“You have people here who generally are not interested in the Constitution. People here are just extremely immature. Timing and lame duck status is irrelevant. If you don’t want to be in office, get out of here. The student’s don’t need students who check out in March,” Aswani said, “The lack of interest by this year’s Senate, minus the Student Life committee, to do something as fundamental as their job shows exactly why reform is needed.”

While he concedes that the timing around exams is "unfortunate," Mr. Aswani maintains that the Senate was properly notified and that he followed the proper by-laws in calling the meeting.

Had the measure passed the resolution would have gone before the student body in September. Students would have voted on whether or not to implement the new constitution.

Senator Julie Bindleglass takes office April 30. It is unclear if she will pursue changes to the Constitution.

For more background on the bill in question click here: "A Constitutional Controversy"

- Jesse Regis