George Washington University's Athletics Department believes that Athletics foster a community that brings people together from all walks of life and all spectrums of diversity. GW Athletics is dedicated to welcoming, affirming and celebrating students, coaches, staff and spectators of all races and ethnicities, sexes, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions and disabilities. We truly believe that diversity, equity and inclusion lead to excellence. Below you will find policies that help uphold these values.
FAN CODE OF CONDUCT
The NCAA and Atlantic 10 Conference promote good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racial, homophobic, transphobic or sexist comments, or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or team representatives, as well as fans, will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site of competition.
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY
Prohibited Conduct
- Insulting a teammate’s or opponent’s performance in training or during practices or matches.
- Discriminatory, derogatory, demeaning, explicit, homophobic, transphobic or offensive language, whether communicated directly, indirectly, or through electronic communications, including but not limited to, text messages, emails, or social media platforms.
- Discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
- Sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, stalking, or being complicit in any of these forms of prohibited conduct.
- Retaliation against anyone for engaging in protected activity, including reporting any of the conduct listed in parts (d) and (e) or participating in an investigation into prohibited conduct.
- Conduct that violates the Student Code of Conduct.
- Criminal activity under the DC Code and other applicable federal and state laws.
Retaliation: The university also prohibits retaliation (which includes words or acts, as described below) against an individual or group of individuals involved in a protected activity. Protected activity includes participating, testifying, assisting, or refusing to participate in any manner in proceedings under the Title IX Sexual Harassment and Related Conduct Policy; making a good faith report under the policy; filing an external complaint; or opposing in a reasonable manner and consistent with university policy, an action reasonably believed to constitute a violation of the policy. Retaliation can take many forms, including, but not limited to, adverse action or violence, discrimination, threats, coercion, and intimidation that would discourage a reasonable person (under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the targeted individual or group) from engaging in protected activity. Reports of retaliation will be addressed by the university separate from the procedures provided in the Title IX Sexual Harassment and Related Conduct Policy, as appropriate.
Sexual Harassment is conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
- A university employee conditions the provision of an aid, benefit, or service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct;
- unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the university’s Programs or Activities;
- Sexual Assault: formally defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f)(6)(A)(v), means any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent (such as incapacitation, age, family relation to the other party, or intellectual or other disability). Sexual Assault can be committed by or against individuals of any sex or gender and can occur between individuals of the same sex/gender or different sexes/genders. The university will rely on the definition of sexual assault provided in the federal Uniform Crime Reporting system, which includes the following:
- sexual intercourse with another person, including oral or anal sexual intercourse, or the use of an object or instrument to unlawfully penetrate, however slightly, the genital or anal opening of the body of another person, without consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of their age or because of their temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity;
- touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, without the consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent because of their age or because of their temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity;
- sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law; or
- sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of consent.
- Dating Violence: formally defined in 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(1)), means any act of violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim and where the existence of such a relationship is determined based on a consideration of the length, type, and frequency of interactions between the persons involved in the relationship.
- Domestic Violence: formally defined in 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(8), means a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.
- Stalking: formally as defined in 34 U.S.C. 12291(a)(30), means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others or suffer substantial emotional distress
If you believe you have experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, or stalking; if someone has accused you of any form of prohibited conduct; or if you receive a report of prohibited conduct, you may contact the Title IX Office at (202) 994-7434 or titleix@gwu.edu.
You can also call the Sexual Assault and Intimate Violence (SAIV) Helpline at 202-994-7222 (24/7) or submit a report online through the Title IX Office's website. SAIV is a 24/7 confidential resource for any GW community member affected by sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, or stalking. The SAIV Helpline is staffed by clinically trained professionals. Please know that reporting an incident to the SAIV Helpline will not result in a report being made to the Title IX Office. If you wish to make a report to the Title IX Office, you will need to contact the Title IX Office during business hours or submit an online report form. It is important that you know that the Title IX Office is private, but not a confidential resource. This means that the Title IX Office will make every effort to keep your information private but will share information discreetly on a limited need-to-know basis with university employees or designees. For more information on GW’s policies and the services that the Title IX Office provides, please visit https://titleix.gwu.edu.
Confidential Resources:
If you would prefer to speak with a confidential resource, you may access medical and/or counseling services from the GW Health Center by calling 202-994-5300 (24/7). Licensed counselors are available to speak with you. Additionally, you can speak with a member of the Office of Advocacy and Support by calling 202-994-0443 or emailing oas@gwu.edu.
Title IX Office
The Title IX Office, under the Vice Provost of Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement, offers resources for students related to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating, or domestic violence and stalking.
GW Counseling and Psychological Services
CAPS serves GW students and engages the entire GW community, working to build a culture of support and connection with student well-being. They support mental health and personal development by collaborating directly with students to overcome challenges and difficulties that may interfere with academic, emotional and personal success. Their counselors provide a safe, non-judgmental and confidential environment for students to discuss concerns.
GW Multicultural Student Services Center
The GW MSSC is an integral part of the Office for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE) in the Office of the Provost. Their vision and mission reflect the dedication to building a welcoming, enriching and inclusive environment at GW. They support numerous services and programs throughout the year that promotes cultural competency, inclusion and social justice.
GW Global Women’s Institute
GWI collaborates with leaders in the field from right here in Washington, D.C., across the country and around the world to build a network of people committed to improving the lives of women and girls.
GW LGBTQIA Resource Center
The GW Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Resource Center celebrates and supports sexual and gender diversity and inclusion by providing comprehensive educational, support and advocacy services.
LGBTQIA Community Support Page
The GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) Office of Diversity and Inclusion welcomes and supports LGBTQIA students, faculty and staff.This resource shares points of contact for support at GW.
Office for Diversity, Equity, & Community Engagement
ODECE at GW offers numerous resources, educational programs and learning opportunities for all members of the GW community.
GW'S INTERNATIONAL SERVICES OFFICE
The International Services Office is the first stop for the GW international community and will help eliminate administrative challenges when studying in the US. ISO Advisors host a variety of special events that highlight our diverse international student population.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
The DC Center for the LGBTQ Community
The DC Center for the LGBTQ Community educates, empowers, celebrates and connects the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. To fulfill this mission, they focus on four core areas: health and wellness, arts & culture, social & peer support and advocacy and community building.
DC's Coalition to End Sexual Violence
The DCCESV is a community of service providers and professionals that seeks to enhance the capacity of organizations and agencies to strategically partner and effectively address the needs of sexual violence victim-survivors in the District through education, training and technical assistance, advocacy and policy.
The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs Resource List
The Mayor’s Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs (MOGLBTA) was created through the Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs Act of 2005. This Office has compiled this comprehensive list of DMV resources for those interested.
GW Athletics strives to be a leader in providing equal and equitable opportunities to all segments of our department. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion because we believe in the benefits of having a variety of backgrounds, thoughts and life experiences. We believe that our competitive advantage is how we treat one another.
If you are a GW Athletics community member, we encourage you to contact us with any comments or concerns regarding diversity, equity and inclusion, Title IX, or other pertinent topics. The only way we can continue to grow is to actively listen to our constituents, to make a stronger community.
To report any allegation of Discrimination and Harassment, please click here. To report any potential sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, and stalking to the GW Title IX Office, click here.
To contact us with a comment or a concern, please visit this site. This form will be submitted to Rashard Fant, Assistant Athletics Director for Inclusive Excellence & Student-Athlete Development.INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE TASK FORCE MEMBERS
- Rashard Fant, Assistant Athletics Director, Student-Athlete Development & Inclusive Excellence
- Danya Ellman, Senior Associate Athletics Director/SWA
- Andrew Lundt, Associate Athletics Director for Operations, Events and Facilities
- Brian Sereno, Associate Athletics Director for Communications
- Natalie Ellard, Academic Advisor
- Jordan Sheppard, Assistant Athletic Trainer
- Yeiwah Brewah, Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Sports Medicine
- Colleen McCaffery, Head Coach - Women's Lacrosse
- Lamont Franklin, Assistant Coach, Men's Basketball
The mission of the Inclusive Excellence Task Force is to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive GW community, and engage with our university and D.C. community to participate in the national dialogue and create concentrated change in the fight for social justice.
GOALS- The goal of the Inclusive Excellence Task Force is to engage with people from all walks of life through the following:
- Actively listen to our community members, amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities
- Educate community members about diverse, equitable and inclusive practices
- Empower our community members to be their true, authentic selves