author: Kristen Franklin – You've Been Engaged

by Kristen Franklin (kjfrank@gwu.edu)

With the GW student population spanning over 130 countries, GW Housing has taken the proactive measure to support and enhance the student experience by purchasing the Xerox Easy Translator Service app for out Xerox machine. This app has the capability to translate documents into numerous languages, which assists our office in both translating our documents into students’ native languages and translating documents received from students in other languages to English.

By utilizing this tool, we are able to provide students with an increased understanding of the documents they are signing, such as the Housing License Agreement, and help to clarify any questions they may have. Outside of housing, other departments may find this app helpful in translating advising guides, codes of student conduct, applications, directions, or FAQs.

If you have a Xerox machine, you may download the translator app by visiting the application gallery on the machine and then contacting Xerox to complete the installation. ...continue reading "Utilizing Technology to Better Serve Our Students"

by Kristen Franklin (kjfrank@gwu.edu)

Getting into college and planning for your first year is a very exciting time for most students. One of the first things that most new students must do is complete a housing application if they are planning to live on campus. For most, this is simply another rite of passage but for students who do not identify on the gender binary, this can be an anxiety-inducing moment. Will they be in a safe environment? What will happen if they are assigned roommates? Are roommates assigned based on biological sex? In order to help address some of these concerns, many universities have introduced a gender neutral or gender-inclusive housing option.

GW began offering gender inclusive housing to all students in 2010. The initiative was student-led but gained buy-in from faculty, staff, alumni, and parents by creating different working groups that examined from a diverse set of perspectives how this initiative could affect the on campus living experience. ...continue reading "Creating a Gender Inclusive Housing Process"