GW will continue normal operations during the government shutdown, though some services may be affected, officials declared Monday.
Officials said in an email to community members they have been “closely following” debates on a federal spending bill, which failed to pass Tuesday night, triggering the first government shutdown since 2019. The email states the University will continue to operate as normal and financial aid will not be affected, but disruptions may impact military benefits and research funding.
“We recognize that the prospect of a shutdown may cause concern and uncertainty for members of the GW community and their families,” the email signed by Interim Provost John Lach, Dean of Students Colette Coleman and Vice President and Chief People Officer Sabrina Minor states.
The failure to pass a continuing resolution Tuesday night — the final day of the government’s fiscal year — to fund the government until Nov. 21 triggered the shutdown. During government shutdowns, employees deemed essential stay employed but do not get paid while others will get furloughed as their respective department or division runs out of funds.
The email states students might experience a delay in receiving GI Bill education benefits, offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Office of Military and Veteran Services is in contact with student veterans and other military community members and will provide emergency funding options if benefits are delayed, per the email.
Federal research agencies will cease reviewing proposals during the shutdown, potentially delaying future funding opportunities. The Office of the Vice Provost for Research will send out an email about potential disruptions and recommendations for coordinating with funding agencies, according to the email.
The email states the disruptions to other University functions will vary based on the shutdown’s length but officials will monitor and provide updates and assistance to community members, including through the “Weekly Federal Updates” email and the information from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
The government will continue to provide “essential” services during the shutdown, including certain social security benefits, air traffic control and services provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, like monitoring for viruses and diseases and reviewing new drugs and medical devices.
Most federal workers deemed nonessential will be furloughed until the end of the shutdown. Typically, furloughed and essential employees will receive back pay after a new funding bill is agreed to, but President Donald Trump has threatened mass firings of federal workers during the shutdown.
A shutdown would also cause the closure of federal museums in the D.C. area, although the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and National Zoo said they will utilize leftover funds from last year to remain open through at least Oct. 6.
During the last government shutdown, which lasted 35 days from 2018 to 2019, students reported that they were unable to begin their government internships due to being out of work.
