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Federal Updates
The George Washington University continues to monitor the evolving federal landscape. Many members of our community have raised valid questions and concerns about recent government actions and their impacts on GW and higher education broadly. While we continue to follow all applicable federal and state laws, we are committed to doing everything possible to protect our community. This website serves as a centralized hub for sharing timely information, resources, and support for our students, faculty, researchers and staff.
Key Information and Resources
Federal Update Newsletters
The latest updates about federal actions and GW’s response to issues impacting us.
Resources
One-stop page for information and services GW is providing to the university community.
FAQs
Responses to common questions the university has received about federal actions.
Safety
Tips for staying safe and how to receive timely safety alerts from GW.
International Services Office
Dedicated support and guidance specifically for international community members.
Office of Sponsored Projects
Researchers’ primary source of information related to federal actions impacting research.
Additional Federal Personnel on Campus
Latest GW Update: We are aware that National Guard members have been more visible on campus, and we recognize the concerns some members of our community have raised about their sense of personal safety. GW has not requested the Guard’s presence on campus. It also is important to keep in mind that the public streets and sidewalks that run through GW’s campus fall under local and federal authority, but only authorized university community members are allowed to access campus buildings that require GWorld access. The university maintains communication with National Guard leadership and has discussed the distinction between public and private property. In instances where National Guard members have entered campus private property, they have left immediately upon the direction of university officials. Recently, the university installed signage indicating restricted access in many areas of the University Student Center, which aims to provide students with a greater sense of safety and security as we have heard concerns about the recent increase in federal personnel near campus.
- Broader Context
A lawsuit challenging the National Guard’s presence in Washington, D.C., is ongoing. Recently, a federal judge heard arguments on whether to order the withdrawal of more than 2,000 National Guard troops currently stationed in the District but made no ruling. The hearing stems from a lawsuit filed by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who argues that the Guard’s continued deployment—authorized under a presidential emergency declaration issued in August—violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits military involvement in civilian law enforcement. Although the emergency period formally ended in September, more than 2,200 members of the Guard remain, with court filings suggesting preparations for an extended deployment into next summer.
- Resources
GW community members with concerns or questions about safety are encouraged to review our resources page or federal [dot] update
gwu [dot] edu (contact us) for additional guidance. The university also recently answered questions from the Student Government Association about federal personnel and campus access; the Q & A is available here.
Status of GW Discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice
Latest GW Update (Jan. 15): Last week, the university received correspondence from the U.S. Department of Justice notifying the university that it has opened a Title VI compliance review related to DEI in student admissions at GW and related matters. The university plans to cooperate with the review and demonstrate that its admissions practices are compliant with Title VI. GW is one of more than 50 universities that is the subject of a DOJ review of the use of DEI in admissions.
President Ellen M. Granberg shared earlier this month that on Jan. 6, GW and U.S. Department of Justice officials met, affording GW an opportunity to present the full array of measures the university has undertaken to prevent antisemitism. Prior to the meeting, we notified members of the Board of Trustees, as well as the leaders of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, the Student Government Association, and the Staff Council, that it was occurring. We will provide updates to the community as we are able to do so; however, as we have said in the past, sometimes there are legal or business reasons why certain information may not be shared. We will, however, share what we can, as soon as we can.
- Broader Context
On August 12, 2025, GW received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning its investigation of antisemitism at GW. In its response, GW sought a meeting with DOJ to present information demonstrating our commitment to preventing antisemitism.
- Resources
GW does not tolerate antisemitism and continues efforts to support our Jewish community. Resources are available on the Jewish Life at GW website and any member of the community may report discrimination, harassment and retaliation to the centralized Office of Access and Opportunity.
State of Inclusion Efforts on Campus
Latest GW Update: GW’s Office of General Counsel is working with outside counsel to understand applicable law, particularly civil rights and anti-discrimination laws in the higher education context, and to validate that our current programs meet these standards. Those legal assessments will be shared with a group of senior administrators, including leadership from the Office for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE) and representatives from the campus community, who will be charged with evaluating them and offering advice to leadership as to how we best maintain our commitment to full inclusion and equal opportunity within the bounds of the law. We will share updates with the community as this process unfolds.
- Broader Context
Various laws, executive orders, or other federal actions aim to alter or roll back diversity, equity or inclusion efforts and could impact whether organizations such as GW or other higher education institutions are eligible for federal funding.
- Resources
GW is working to maintain our commitment to a campus that is fully inclusive and welcoming to all. ODECE offers resources and bias incident support services and the university promptly reviews reports of discrimination and harassment via the centralized Office of Access and Opportunity.
State of Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech on Campus
Latest GW Update: The university continues to defend and protect academic freedom and freedom of expression, which are foundational to GW’s mission. GW is committed to creating spaces where members of our community can bring rigor, evidence, and respect as they confront ideas that may challenge or discomfort them while following GW’s policies.
- Broader Context
In today’s deeply polarized climate, academic freedom and freedom of expression have been tested on campuses across the country as students and other university community members grapple with challenging issues. The Trump Administration has threatened to restrict free speech in some cases, e.g., in taking actions against noncitizens with certain points of view or revoking federal funding due to the content taught within an academic department.
- Resources
GW’s guidelines for exercising and defending academic freedom are clearly defined, and the university also offers a website with FAQs addressing the importance of freedom of expression as well as its limits, including time, place and manner guidelines and likely permitted and prohibited activities.
Can’t find the information or resource you need? federal [dot] updategwu [dot] edu (Contact) the Federal Update team.