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Dear GW Families,
I hope all is well with you and your families. Please take a look at the most recent message sent to students from university leaders.
Sincerely,
Leah Small
Sr. Program Associate
Office for Student Success
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Dear GW Students,
This fall semester has been unlike any other. Despite the challenges you have faced through the pandemic in balancing academic and personal priorities, we know you remain committed to your studies and want to remain connected to the GW community, as well as find ways to prioritize your wellbeing.
We also want to stay connected with you and support you through challenges you may face. As you prepare for Spring registration, which opens for undergraduate students this week, we encourage you to update your contact information, including your cell phone number and current address. You can do this by logging in to GWeb, and navigate to the “prepare for registration” link under the Records and Registration menu.
We heard from many students who responded to the Fall Check-In Survey that they are feeling personally and academically overwhelmed. We want to be certain that you are aware of resources available to support you. With finals rapidly approaching, these resources are especially important and relevant.
Please take a moment to review the information and reminders below and know that we remain committed to your wellbeing and your personal and academic success. We continue to plan and prepare for the spring semester, and we will provide updates to the community as they are available.
We are inspired by the resilience and flexibility of the GW community through the challenges of the pandemic. We hope that you and your families remain safe and well.
Sincerely,
M. Brian Blake, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Jay Goff, Vice Provost for Enrollment and Student Success
M.L. “Cissy” Petty, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Geneva Henry, Dean of Libraries and Academic Innovation
Academic Support
We are acutely aware that COVID-19 has caused changes to your daily activities and understand that there are concerns about how the pandemic may impact your academic plans. Many students indicated in the Fall Check-In Survey that you are feeling overwhelmed and falling behind on academic assignments. We also know that remote learning can be a challenge for many students. If you need support developing organizational and academic strategies, or guidance on how to address other challenges you may be encountering, the Office for Student Success offers academic success coaches for students who need individualized support and mentoring. Additionally, the IT help desk remains available to help students navigate IT issues, as well as assistance with blackboard.
GW Libraries and Academic Innovation resources remain available to all students to maintain research activities and support online classes during GW's virtual learning period. Students can access online peer tutoring and course review sessions through Academic Commons in a number of different subject areas. If you’re struggling to stay on track, several short videos can help improve your time management or offer concrete steps to master the skills for virtual learning. The full list of remote library services and resources is available online. Remote assistance is available via the virtual Ask Us desk during scheduled Ask Us Desk hours or by email at AskUs@gwu.edu.
Financial
We understand that finances may be a concern for many GW students. If you have questions about your bill, or questions about student financial assistance, contact the Student Financial and Registration Services team at 202-994-9000.
Students can also register for a payment plan for their spring semester tuition. More information can be found here. As announced in October, active students with qualifying balances below $20,000 were offered enrollment in a separate payment plan that will allow students to pay their outstanding balance over up to 36 months (minimum monthly payment of $100). Participation is optional. Students who enroll in a payment plan will be eligible to register for spring 2021 and will not be charged interest and late fees. If you have questions, contact the Student Accounts Office at 202-994-7350.
Health and Wellness
We are dedicated to helping you prioritize your well-being during this virtual learning period through a comprehensive well-being experience across campus. From physical well-being to emotional, financial, social, or spiritual well-being, we are here to support our students as you actively engage in activities that support your overall lifestyle. We realize that many of you are facing a semester of uncertainty and through the face of challenge we want to help you RaiseUP, GW.
We encourage you take the time to practice self-care and prioritize your personal well-being. We want you to be successful in your academics and the first place to start is by taking care of you!
Practicing good self-care during this time as you navigate your own unique circumstances during the pandemic and especially during times of elevated stress is important in maintaining resilience. We know that uncertainty and isolation are among the more difficult experiences to cope with mentally and emotionally. It is more important than ever to prioritize the following:
- Establishing and maintaining a sense of structure and routine;
- Focusing on the present and identifying what is within your control;
- Engaging in activities that serve to nurture and restore our bodies and minds and create a sense of balance to our lifestyle.
As the semester winds up or down (depending on your perspective), please take advantage of these virtual resources offered in varying formats from self-help guides to group counseling to help you navigate Thanksgiving break, classes, finals, family, roommates and life. In the next couple of weeks, you may also find these useful:
- COVID-19 Self-Help and Resource Toolkit, a digestible set of COVID self-help tips compiled to help you week through the clutter on social media;
- Honest Conversations, a group conversation series focused on how to cope with isolation, relationships and failure;
- Anxiety Toolbox, a three-session workshop to help you increase your understanding of anxiety;
- Mental Health Discussions Series (Nov. 25 focuses on self-care; Dec. 2 focuses on motivation and Dec. 9 focuses on finding growth within yourself and others).
- First-year and transfer students should continue to reach out to their Thrive Guides and use them as a resource during this time.
While you practice ways to be well, one of the most important things to remember to do is to have fun! Save the date for this annual end of the semester event:
- Midnight Breakfast Week: Our annual event that kicks-off finals is going to be a week-long series of events. Take a break from studying for final exams to enjoy some food and fun throughout the week. Monday, Dec. 7 starts with game night and culminates on Friday, Dec. 11 with the home edition of midnight breakfast featuring some very special faculty and staff guests.
As you focus on your well-being if you find yourself in need of more individualized assistance, Counseling and Psychological Services within the Colonial Health Center continues to provide individual counseling in the form of teletherapy (Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm and Saturday-Sunday 12 – 4 pm). During this virtual learning period, some students seeking more long-term counseling may be connected to a local clinician in their state for continued care.
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725 23rd Street, NW, Suite 106
Tompkins Hall
Washington, DC 20052
Phone: (202) 994-6710
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