Information About Crime Statistics
Education of Members of the University Community
Responsibilities of the University Community
Alcohol and Drug Policies
Off-Campus Services
Emergency Medical Response Procedures
Sexual Assault

Crime Statistics

The procedures for preparing the annual disclosure of crime statistics include reporting statistics to the University community obtained from the following sources: the GW University Police Department (UPD), the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the GW Hospital Security Department, and non-police officials (as defined below). For statistical purposes, crime statistics reported to any of these sources are recorded in the calendar year the crime was reported.

A written request for statistical information is made on an annual basis to all University Deans, Directors, and Department Heads. Statistical information is requested and provided to UPD by the employees at the University Counseling Center, even though they are not required by law to provide statistics for the compliance document. Members of the Sexual Assault Crisis Consultation (SACC) Team also provide statistics to UPD about cases they have dealt with where the victim chose not to report the incident to UPD or MPD.

All of the statistics are gathered, compiled, and reported to the
University community via the "Pride in Protection & Service" brochure (referred to as the "Pride" brochure) which is published by the University Police Department.

The University Police Department submits the annual crime statistics published in this brochure to the Department of Education (ED).  The statistical information gathered by the Department of Education is available to the public through the ED website.

A postcard is sent to every enrolled student and current employee on an annual basis. The postcard includes a brief summary of the contents of the "Pride" brochure. The postcard also includes the address for this Web site where the "Pride" brochure can be found on-line, and information about how to request a hard copy of the brochure.

Specific Information about Classifying Crime Statistics

The statistics contained on this website are published in accordance with the standards and guidelines used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting Handbook and the federal law (the Clery Act).

The number of victims involved in a particular incident is indicated in the statistics column for the following crime classifications: Murder/Non-Negligent Manslaughter, Negligent Manslaughter, Forcible and Non-Forcible Sex Offenses, Aggravated Assault. For example, if an aggravated assault occurs and there are three victims, this would be counted as three aggravated assaults in the crime statistics chart.

The number reflected in the statistics for the following crime categories includes one offense per distinct operation: Robbery, Burglary, Larceny, and Arson. For example, if five students are walking across campus together and they are robbed, this would count as one instance of robbery in the crime statistics chart.

In cases of motor vehicle theft, each vehicle stolen is counted as a statistic.

In cases involving Liquor Law, Drug Law, and Illegal Weapons violations, each person who was arrested is indicated in the arrest statistics.

The statistics captured under the "Referred for Disciplinary Action" section for Liquor Law, Drug Law, and Illegal Weapons violations indicates the number of people the Office of Student Judicial Services referred for disciplinary action for violating those specific laws. Being found responsible includes a referral that resulted in the student being charged by Student Judicial Services and a record of the action being kept on file.

The statistics in the Hate Crime chart are separated by category of
prejudice, but the numbers for each specific crime category are part of the overall statistics reported for each year. The only exception to this is the addition of Simple Assault to the Hate Crime chart. If a hate crime occurs where there is bodily injury, the law requires that the statistic be reported as a hate crime even though there is no requirement to report the crime classification in any other area of the compliance document.

Specific Information about the Crime Statistics Reported by GW

"Reported to UPD" includes crime statistics from incidents that were reported to UPD. If an incident was reported to UPD and MPD, the statistics would be counted under the "reported to UPD" column. Incidents reported to the GW Hospital Security Department are also included in this column.

"Reported to MPD" includes crime statistics from incidents that were reported MPD and were NOT reported to UPD. These incidents could have occurred in on-campus property, in non-campus property or on public property, as defined in the appendix. The crime statistics provided by MPD are provided based on the crime definitions in the DC Crimes Code, not based on the UCR definitions, as required by the federal law.

"Reported to Non-Police" includes crime statistics from incidents reported to the Sexual Assault Crisis Consultation (SACC) Team members or from officials in the institution who have significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, House Staff, Community Directors, and Student Judicial Services staff.

Statistics for "Residential Facilities" are also counted in the "On Campus" crime category. The law requires institutions to break out the number of "on campus" crimes that occur in residential facilities. 

Statistics for the category of larceny and vandalism are not required by law, but are provided in the interest of acquainting students with the GW environment.

Statistics under the heading of "Referred for Disciplinary Action" include individuals referred for discplinary action by the Office of Student Judicial Services (SJS). The numbers include incidents that are reported via UPD Police reports and reports provided directly to the Office of Student Judicial Services from other members of the GW community.  Referrals include the number of people referred for disciplinary action by SJS and found responsible for violating those specific laws.  Being found responsible is defined under the previous section of this website: Specific information about classifying crime statistics.

The crime statistics for residence halls that are outside the campus boundaries are reasonably contiguous to the campus and are therefore captured in the on-campus column, i.e. HOVA, and the Aston.

Sex Offender Registry

Incarceration may remove a sex offender from the streets but it does nothing to prevent the offender from committing another crime when released.

The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, enacted on October 28, 2000, went into effect October 28, 2002. The law requires institutions of higher education to issue a statement advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information provided by a State concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained. It also requires sex offenders already required to register in a State to provide notice, as required under State law, of each institution of higher education in that State at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, volunteers services or is a student.

In the District of Columbia, convicted sex offenders must register with the Metropolitan Police Department.  You can obtain the most accurate link to this information, which appears on MPD's Web site, by clicking on the applicable link under the 'Compliance' heading of this Web site.

Members of UPD conduct crime prevention presentations when requested by various community groups, including students and employees of the University. During these presentations the following information is typically provided: crime prevention tips; statistics on crime at GW; information regarding campus security procedures and practices, including encouraging participants to be responsible for their own security, and the security for others on campus.

In addition, UPD organizes and sets up a crime prevention display table which is staffed by an officer(s) at various locations throughout the year. This activity provides an opportunity for UPD staff to hand out safety related information, as well as to answer individual questions. New employee orientation includes the distribution of crime prevention materials to all new employees of the institution. During the 2006-2007 academic year, UPD conducted 94 events and presentations; set up and staffed crime prevention display tables 20 times, and the Dean of Students Division conducted 242 programs regarding personal safety, alcohol education, and crime prevention for the GW community. These programs included general crime prevention forums, programs and discussions about topics such as alcohol abuse, domestic violence, self defense, fire safety, sexual assault prevention, and theft prevention.

In an effort to provide timely notice to the community, and in the event of a serious incident which may pose a threat to members of the GW community, orange "Crime Alerts" are posted at approximately 130 locations on both campuses and a blast email is sent to all students and employees on campus. Representatives of The GW Hatchet, a student newspaper, meet on a weekly basis with the GW Chief of Police to discuss crime on campus, and they
then report to the University community.

On the Foggy Bottom campus, UPD provides an escort service using vans which are available from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., seven days a week to students, staff, faculty, and visitors who request it by calling 994-RIDE (7433). Escorts are provided to and from campus within a three-block radius of the campus boundary.

In addition to the Escort Service, UPD provides an on-campus shuttle service-the Colonial Express-with various stops throughout the GW campus community. The Colonial Express operates from 7 p.m .- 3 a.m. daily, throughout the academic year.

On the Mount Vernon campus, UPD provides walking escorts around the campus from dusk to dawn to students, faculty, and visitors who request it by calling 2-6110.

UPD also offers a self-defense program to all members of the GW community. The Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) program teaches basic self-defense skills and techniques capitalizing on women's lower center of gravity and greater lower body strength. The program assists women in gaining confidence in their own abilities, as well as making them more aware of their surroundings.

The Operation Identification program, engraving serial numbers or owner's recognized numbers (e.g. driver's license number) on items of value, is promoted; and engravers are made available upon request free of charge by UPD.

On the Foggy Bottom campus, a state-of-the-art computerized monitoring system, located in Woodhull House, monitors a comprehensive network of intrusion, panic, and fire alarm systems.

 Victim Assistance Services

In the case that a GW community member is the victim of a crime, UPD offers information for that individual via our victim assistance services.  Victims of crime can obtain information from UPD on topics such as local social services offices, suggestions for witnesses, getting to court, emergency phone numbers, and definitions of terms related to victim assistance.  This information can be obtained at UPD (Woodhull House, 2033 G Street) or on our Web site.

• The misuse and/or abuse of alcoholic beverages and related behavior, such as disorderly conduct, illness due to excessive consumption of alcohol, and destruction of property, pose a danger to individual members of the University community and to the community at large.
• The promotion of alcoholic beverage consumption as the primary focus of on- and off-campus activities is inappropriate because it invites members of the University community to violate University regulations and District of Columbia law.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages should only be by persons of legal age and by personal choice.
• Those who choose to consume alcoholic beverages should do so responsibly and in moderation.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages should not be the main focus of an event or the only means of refreshment at an event.
• The responsibility for proper consumption of alcoholic beverages and for compliance with laws of the District of Columbia rests with each individual member of the University community.
• The University will contact -- by phone and/or letter -- parents of underage students who violate the Alcohol Policy and parents of any students who violate the Drug Policy.

The entire text of the Alcoholic Beverage Consumption and Distribution Policy and Procedures, as well as the University's penalties for possession or distribution of controlled substances by students on University premises or at institutionally-sponsored activities off campus, are contained at policy.gwu.edu. The Code of Student Conduct also specifies the prohibitions and the penalties for violations of these prohibitions and is part of the Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities, which is published under separate cover and is available through the GW Housing Programs Office at Foggy Bottom and at the Mount Vernon Office of Campus Life. In addition, GW is in compliance with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989. Each year GW renews its commitment to the letter and spirit of that law with an informational letter to students and employees.

The University does not condone violations of those laws proscribing possession, use, or sale of alcoholic beverages and possession, use, sale, manufacture, or distribution of illegal drugs. Members of the GW community should know that administrative action, which may include eviction from the residence halls, revocation of other privileges, or suspension or expulsion from the University, may be taken in order to protect the interests of the University and the rights and safety of others.

Abuse of alcohol and drugs can have a dramatic impact on professional, academic, and family life. The University, therefore, encourages members of the community who may be experiencing difficulty with drugs or alcohol to contact one of the following resources available on campus:

Resources

* Faculty/Employee Assistance Program, 676-2002
* Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 741-2900
* Student Health Service, 994-6827
* University Counseling Center, 994-5300
* Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education (CADE), 994-2599

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Main Campuses Part 1

Main Campuses Part 3

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