Dear Members of the George Washington University Community,
Last week, the nation’s capital hosted the 60th Presidential Inauguration, a symbolic moment reflecting the peaceful transfer of power from one president to another. As has been a long tradition at GW, we celebrate the politically active role that our students, faculty, and staff play in shaping the future of government and public policy, and we mark occasions such as this by coming together as a community and hosting events like this year’s GW Inaugural Ball.
This year’s presidential transition was unique in many ways, and the first few days of the new administration brought a historic number of new executive actions that will have significant and far-reaching effects on our institution and members of our community. In a community as diverse as GW’s, these actions will be met with approval by some and concern by others. What is clear, however, is that there are potentially significant implications for higher education, including at GW.
At moments like this, I am especially proud to be part of the GW community and to be leading this institution. It is precisely at times of change and uncertainty that our expertise in operating at the intersection of law, policy, and public discourse shines brightest. Not only are our faculty already deeply engaged in understanding what these executive actions mean, but leaders across GW are also working with university partners and peer organizations to analyze these wide-ranging executive actions and determine how to continue to comply with the law while staying true to our educational mission. We are also fortunate to have engaged alumni at every level across the federal government. These individuals span the full spectrum of political beliefs and ideologies, and several have stepped forward to offer valuable advice and support.
Now more than ever, I urge us all to remain committed to the core missions of our university: providing a world-class education to all our students, producing groundbreaking research, scholarship, and patient care, and perpetuating the free exchange of big ideas. Fundamental to this is fostering and supporting a vibrant and engaged community where everyone is free to learn, work, and thrive.
Given the number and complexity of the executive orders issued and the upcoming efforts to implement these orders by the executive branch, it will take time to fully understand their impact. In addition, we expect guidance from various federal agencies, and since some of these actions may be subject to legal challenge, we anticipate further guidance will come from the courts. As we move forward, we will continue to share information and support as it becomes available. I also encourage you—as GW students, faculty, and staff—to continue to contribute to the discussion through the respectful exchange of ideas, rigorous debate, and intellectual discourse that define university life.
Thank you for your commitment to the GW community and all that we do together to make our world a better place.
Warm regards,
Ellen M. Granberg
President