All articles tagged with #george washington university
The Washington National Opera is relocating spring performances from the Kennedy Center to Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University and other D.C.-area venues due to financial constraints tied to Kennedy Center leadership changes; donations surged after the split, the company plans a full 2026–27 season announcement (including West Side Story and the gala), and tickets go on sale Jan. 23.
The Washington National Opera announced it will move two spring operas from the Kennedy Center to Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University, after a public break with the Kennedy Center amid upheaval tied to Trump’s takeover and a board vote to rename the building, with a spike in donor donations as supporters respond to the split.
The Trump administration has accused George Washington University of violating federal civil rights laws by creating a hostile environment for Jewish, Israeli, and American Israeli students during pro-Palestinian protests, and is seeking remediation, with the university given a deadline to respond.
The Justice Department found George Washington University guilty of violating civil rights laws by neglecting to address antisemitic discrimination against Jewish, Israeli, and American-Israeli students and faculty, and will seek remediation for these violations.
Faculty members at George Washington University's medical school hosted a panel discussion titled "Understanding the Conflict in Israel and Palestine," where they defended Hamas terrorists' "right of resistance" against Israel. The panelists referred to Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip as "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide" while ignoring the atrocities committed by Hamas. Jewish students expressed their concerns about the spread of antisemitism on campus, and some criticized the university's lack of action to address the issue. The university spokesperson stated that faculty and students have the right to express their own views, but they do not speak on behalf of the university.
Calls are being made to expel students at George Washington University who projected messages in support of Hamas' assault on Israel onto the school's library. The messages included slogans such as 'Glory to our martyrs' and 'Divestment from Zionist genocide now.' This incident is part of a larger trend of student groups supporting terrorism on college campuses. Activist group StopAntisemitism is urging the university to take immediate action and expel those involved. This is not the first incident of its kind at the university, and there have been previous controversies regarding alleged antisemitism by a professor. Similar incidents have also occurred at other universities, sparking debates about freedom of expression and the condemnation of violence.
Students at a pro-Palestinian vigil held at George Washington University wore masks and refused to reveal their identities while praising Hamas' surprise attack that killed hundreds of Israeli civilians. The vigil organizer spoke of honoring the martyrs and the struggle for liberation, while attendees chanted slogans and held signs in support of Palestine. The event organizers instructed the crowd not to speak to the media, and the vigil leaders declined interview requests. Similar pro-Palestine events are being organized by Students for Justice in Palestine chapters at colleges across the country.
Students at George Washington University were instructed to shelter in place after a "dangerous" suspect escaped from a nearby hospital. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Christopher Haynes, is believed to have left the hospital without restraints. Police described him as a black male with long dreads, wearing a jumpsuit and red shoes. A large police presence, including a helicopter search, is currently underway in the area. The public is advised not to engage with the suspect and to call 911 if spotted.
George Washington University has stood by its diversity professor, Lara Sheehi, after a complaint was filed to the US Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights alleging that she created a psychologically traumatizing class environment. The complaint also alleged that Sheehi berated Jewish students and created a smear campaign against them after they complained about being subjected to anti-Semitism. The university conducted an internal investigation and found “no evidence that the discourse crossed the line.” Sheehi is being represented by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, who claim that the accusations are politically and ethnically motivated.
George Washington University's internal probe found "no evidence that the discourse crossed the line" in regards to a complaint filed against diversity professor Lara Sheehi, who was accused of creating a hostile environment in a mandatory diversity class. Students alleged that Sheehi publicly berated a student for Islamophobia for using the term "terrorist attack" and brought in a speaker who justified violence against civilians in Israel. The students also claimed that Sheehi ran a smear campaign against them after they complained about being subjected to anti-Semitism. GWU denied any retaliation in their internal investigation.