Second Response from GWU President Steven Knapp Regarding University Response to Swastikas
From: Steven Knapp
Date: March 6, 2015
Subject: Re: Serious concerns about swastikas at International House
To: Tammi Rossman-Benjamin of AMCHA Initiative
Cc: Additional 18 Groups (American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, Americans for Peace and Tolerance, Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA), David Horowitz Freedom Center, Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET), Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel, Iranian American Jewish Federation, Israeli-American Council (IAC), National Conference on Jewish Affairs, Middle East Political and Information Network (MEPIN), Proclaiming Justice to the Nations, Scholars for Peace in the Middle East, StandWithUs, Students and Parents Against Campus Anti-Semitism, The Lawfare Project, Training and Education About the Middle East (T.E.A.M.) and Zionist Organization of America)
Dear Ms. Rossman-Benjamin,
Thank you for your response and for your continuing expression of concern for the well-being of our students. I strongly endorse your emphasis on the importance of combating anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it appears.
As I wrote in my previous reply, our investigation is continuing; it is being conducted assiduously by officers who have received anti-bias training and by senior staff members who are working with Jewish student leaders. In the meantime, our dean of students, Dr. Peter Konwerski, with the guidance of the executive director of GW Hillel, Rabbi Yoni Kaiser-Blueth, has issued clear and strong statements to inform and reassure our university community. When the investigation is concluded, we may indeed decide to issue a new public statement.
With thanks again and best regards,
Sincerely,
Steven Knapp
Office of the President
The George Washington University
2121 Eye Street
Washington, DC 20052