Officials said they have temporarily suspended and removed a student from campus after they allegedly tore down more than a dozen posters depicting Israeli hostages inside the GW Hillel building Friday.
Officials placed the unnamed student on interim suspension, pending the completion of GW’s “student conduct process,” according to a Thursday statement shared with The Hatchet. Officials said they also barred a different person from campus for one year after they “engaged in harmful, verbal misconduct” toward a Muslim student Oct. 7, the day Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.
Officials said the individual barred from campus is not an employee of GW.
Officials said Students for Justice in Palestine at GW’s Oct. 24 projection of messages criticizing Israel, GW and University President Ellen Granberg onto Gelman Library is “under review” in the student conduct process.
“The university takes seriously its commitment to addressing all forms of harassment, discrimination, bias, and violations of university policy,” the statement reads.
A pair of GW Hillel leaders told Hillel community members Monday that the organization rehung the posters of Israeli hostages and said the GW Police Department would increase patrols and “visible security presence” following the incident. Adena Kirstein, the executive director of GW Hillel, and Robert Snyder, the chair of its Board of Directors, said Hillel is continuing to review its security protocols with GWPD, the Board of Directors, Hillel International and Secure Community Network.
University spokesperson Julia Metjian said last week that GWPD was working with the Metropolitan Police Department to investigate the posters being torn down at the Hillel building.
The leaders said GW Hillel has “at times” chosen to limit access to the building to individuals “who have a GWorld card but who nonetheless we believe should not be allowed to enter.” They did not specify why they believed these individuals should not enter the building or when these access restrictions took place.
“There is nothing more important at this moment than the safety and security of our students; we know that President Granberg and her leadership team have also made this their top priority and we look forward to their continued partnership on this issue,” GW Hillel’s Monday statement reads.
Further details about the incident of misconduct toward a Muslim student were not provided. Officials did not specify if or how they are investigating other reported instances of Islamophobia or antisemitism on campus.
Last month, four students from SJP projected anti-Israel and anti-GW messages onto the facade of Gelman Library before officials told the group to take down the demonstration. Granberg called the messages antisemitic and a violation of GW policy in a message to the University a day later, and officials said the review into the demonstration is continuing.
Muslim and Palestinian students said last week that they know of at least four instances of individuals ripping hijabs off students on campus. Muslim and Palestinian students said they have reported incidents of being spat on and confronted to the Office for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement.
Officials said they encourage GW community members to use the online bias incident report form and to report incidents to the Student Rights and Responsibilities under the Division for Student Affairs, EthicsPoint, Human Resources or Faculty Affairs.
“GW will continue to prioritize the safety and care of all members of its community,” the statement reads.
