In case you missed it, here’s the best and worst news from around campus and the District this week.

Thumbs Up:
President Barack Obama was abroad in Asia the past few days, giving Vice President Joe Biden a week to shine in D.C.

He spoke to a crowded room of lottery-winning students in the Marvin Center on Monday as a kick-off to a White House campaign to push the Democratic economic agenda as the November midterm elections approach. After the rally cry, Biden insisted on “walking the line,” shaking hands and making small talk with earnest, politically active students in their pencil skirts and button downs.

Biden followed up his blockbuster speech at GW – televised on C-SPAN – with remarks at the White House on Tuesday detailing recommendations for how colleges can improve their sexual assault policies.

Given that sexual violence is one of the most underreported crimes – especially on university campuses, where one fifth of college-aged women are survivors of completed or attempted assault, according to national reports – it is reassuring to see the federal government taking a harder line on the issue.

Hopefully, the government’s checklist for drafting sexual assault policies and their new website listing available resources will be used by GW’s incoming Title IX coordinator to be hired this spring.

The University revamped its sexual assault policy last year and conducted a survey about the issue this month. Hopefully these results – coupled with assistance from the White House – will pave the way for some substantive improvements in responding to sexual assault on campus.

Thumbs Down:
Greek leaders rallied behind administrators earlier in the semester after they announced plans to create a website to report sanctions brought against student organizations.

This move makes sense: By increasing transparency about infractions made by fraternities, sororities and other organizations, students are less likely to break rules by, for example, hazing their new members.

But in the interim, as students wait for this website to launch, it is frustrating that the administration is remaining tight-lipped on which campus groups are out of line and how.

The bottom line: Students gossip and rumors spread. The University has a responsibility to alleviate concerns and give more details about which Greek chapters are under sanctions. The record should be set straight – even before the more comprehensive website is finally launched.

Keeping quiet doesn’t do anyone any good.

Justin Peligri, a junior majoring in political communication, is a Hatchet senior columnist and former opinions editor.