The GW
HATCHET
January 12, 2026 Vol. 122 Iss. 16
AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER • SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904 • ONLINE AT GWHATCHET.COM
GW appears to emerge unscathed from early impacts of demographic cliff: data GIANNA JAKUBOWSKI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Preliminary University data suggests that GW has effectively expanded student outreach and recruitment efforts to mitigate the early impacts of a national enrollment decline that has forced dozens of schools across the country to shutter and put droves more at risk. Ahead of a demographic cliff that the higher education sector broadly understood would begin in 2025, officials since 2020 have implemented national outreach measures
and increased recruitment efforts in 14 states, while maintaining efforts in its top recruitment states, like New York, New Jersey and California, Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success Jay Goff said — a move that has kept the GW’s number of early domestic undergraduate applicants on track with previous years. Experts in higher education enrollment said GW’s tactics have safeguarded the University from feeling the financial effects of the demographic cliff by helping preserve tuition revenue, also
adding that GW’s strong student interest and reputation have provided an additional level of financial padding. “Our post-pandemic approach to domestic student recruitment built on GW’s strong academic reputation combined with interestbased national outreach efforts, and careful attention to potential student fit,” Goff said in an email. “That balance has helped the University remain very competitive while continuing to attract a more highly engaged undergraduate population from throughout the country.”
Nine out of 10 of the states that saw the largest growth in undergraduate enrollment since fall 2020 were states in which officials over the last five years purposefully increased recruitment efforts to offset the demographic cliff, including Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, North Carolina, Minnesota and Connecticut. Of the nine states, Virginia, Maryland and Illinois’ enrollment increased the largest at 520, 212 and 54 students, respectively. See EXPERTS Page 3
NICHOLAS WARE | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Success Jay Goff at a Faculty Senate meeting last month.
MPD investigating student death in 1959 E Street JENNA LEE
SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
Editor’s note: This post contains references to a student death. If you or someone you know is in need of support, resources are available through GW’s Counseling and Psychological Services, TimelyCare and the Employee Assistance Program. If you have any additional information or questions about the reporting behind the story, please contact eic@gwhatchet.com.
MATHYLDA DULIAN | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
A Metropolitan Police Department officer on campus during a bomb threat in October.
Foggy Bottom crime slumped in 2025 amid federal probe into MPD statistics BRYSON KLOESEL
CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR
Reported crime in Foggy Bottom and the West End fell 24.4 percent in 2025, a year marked by federal probes into D.C.’s crime data and President Donald Trump taking command of the city’s police, sending in the National Guard and claiming he eliminated crime. Metropolitan Police Department data for 2024 and 2025 show declining property crime incidents within the Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission boundaries accounted for most of the overall decrease, even as violent crime — including homicide, robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon and sex abuse — rose from 10 to 22 incidents in
the neighborhood, in contrast to a 28.5 percent drop in violent crime across Ward 2. The decline comes as federal lawmakers investigate MPD officials for allegedly manipulating crime statistics and six months after Trump federalized MPD for 30 days and deployed over 2,000 National Guard troops across the District, citing “out of control crime” in the city. Crime in Ward 2 dropped by 503 incidents, or 10.6 percent, from 2024 to 2025, falling from 4,726 to 4,223 reports. In Foggy Bottom, the number of crime incidents fell by 107, from 438 to 331 incidents. MPD crime statistics are subject to revision due to continuing investigations, and numbers from past years may change as incidents are reclassified or updated, according
to MPD’s Daily Crime Report. House Republicans and President Donald Trump have put D.C. crime statistics under a federal microscope since August, when Trump stated his suspicion and intent to investigate whether MPD leaders pressed officers to manipulate data by reclassifying crimes like assault with a dangerous weapon to a lesser offense, like endangerment with a firearm, which would not appear on the public-facing Daily Crime Report. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform in late August launched an investigation into MPD’s efforts to manipulate and lower crime statistics, requesting a bevy of MPD documents and interviews with all seven commanders of the District’s police force. The committee’s Republican
majority released an interim report last month alleging MPD leadership pressured commanders to classify incidents into “intermediate” categories that don’t appear in the Daily Crime Report, while the Democrats on the committee said ongoing investigations and the report’s preliminary nature caused the changes, releasing their own report in opposition. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser briefly mentioned the overall decline in crime during a press conference in December between questions about the Republican House Oversight Committee report, which they released the day prior. “People are very clear about the precipitous decline in crime in the District — from murder, shootings, homicides, you name it,” Bowser said.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the death of a male student at 1959 E Street after D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services pronounced him dead in a residence room Friday morning. MPD, FEMS and the GW Police Department responded to a report of an adult male “unconscious and not breathing” at the 1959 E Street residence hall at approximately 9:46 a.m. Friday. Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Colette Coleman confirmed in an email to the GW community Saturday afternoon that the individual — whom FEMS pronounced dead after finding him unconscious and unresponsive — was a student. An MPD spokesperson said the department does not suspect foul play and has classified the case as a death investigation. MPD declined to comment on the cause of the medical issue, and Coleman did not disclose that information in her email. The email also did not specify the location of the death. “The loss of one of our own will be felt by many across our GW community,” Coleman wrote in the email. “In addition to the University’s resources, in this difficult time, I want to emphasize the importance of each of us supporting one another and extending care to those who need it.” Cheryl Crawley, GWPD’s interim captain of operations, said in a statement to The Hatchet Friday afternoon that the 1959 E Street area is safe for normal business, and there is no threat to the community.
Hundreds protest outside White House over fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis GIANNA JAKUBOWSKI ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the White House on Saturday to condemn President Donald Trump’s expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations after an agent in Minneapolis fatally shot Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three. The protest, organized by Refuse Fascism as part of the nationwide “ICE Out for Good Weekend of Action,” began at 1 p.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House before demonstrators marched along Constitution Avenue to the south side of the complex. Speakers and chanting protesters called for the abolition of ICE and the removal of Trump from WHAT’S
INSIDE
office, with demonstrators denouncing the agency as the “new Gestapo” and the administration as a “fascist regime” in the wake of the fatal shooting of Good by an ICE officer during the Trump administration’s latest immigration enforcement operation. “In the name of humanity, we refuse to accept a fascist America,” protesters chanted. “Trump must go now. ICE must go now.” Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on Wednesday during an encounter in South Minneapolis, which federal officials have characterized as self-defense. Video footage of the incident shows Good in her car speaking with Ross before she started driving away and turned her steering
NEWS Ward 2 came up short of D.C.’s 2025 affordable housing targets, which local leaders warn reflects uneven distribution. Page 3
wheel to the right, at which point the agent fired his gun and killed her. The opening rally before the march began at 1 p.m. with a series of speeches from organizers and D.C. lawmakers who condemned the Trump administration for ICE’s increased immigration enforcement. Kelly Mikel Williams, chairperson for Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8E who’s running for Congress, called the protesters at the event “true patriots” who refuse to allow an “authoritarian, tyrannical, fascist regime” to hurt American democracy. “We are the people, and we will not bow down to an ignorant ideology that puts white supremacy against our morals, our values and our Constitution,” Williams said.
JERRY LAI | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Demonstrators hold up anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement signs during Saturday’s protest.
OPINIONS The editorial board urges the GW community to strengthen campus connections during a time of uncertainty. Page 4
CULTURE Two Washington National Opera musicians who also teach at GW supported the opera’s decision to leave the Kennedy Center. Page 5
SPORTS Men’s basketball surged past Loyola Chicago on Saturday, rebounding from a tough loss to Dayton. Page 6
NEWS
January 12, 2026 • Page 2
NEWS
THIS WEEK’S
EVENTS
THE GW HATCHET
VENEZUELA AFTER MADURO: POWER, POLITICS AND THE PATH FORWARD Tuesday, Jan. 13 | Noon | Virtual Attend a webinar about regime change in Venezuela.
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY Jan. 12, 1987
FROM GUTS TO GOOD: ETHICAL AND EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING Friday, Jan. 16 | 2:30 p.m. | West Hall Join Conflict Education & Student Accountability for a talk about ethical leadership.
GW security arrested a former Gelman Library employee for stealing $3,500 of University property.
CRIME LOG THEFT I/FROM MOTOR VEHICLE
Lisner Auditorium (Loading Dock) 1/6/2026 – 10:05 to 10:25 a.m. Open Case A GW contractor reported tools stolen from their work vehicle.
Case open.
TRAFFIC CRASH: HIT AND RUN
University Student Center (Garage) 1/6/2026 – 1:08 p.m. Open Case A non-GW affiliated complainant reported an unknown driver struck their vehicle and fled the scene.
Case open.
—Compiled by Bryson Kloesel MATHYLDA DULIAN | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at Lisner Auditorium in November.
Judge advances professor’s lawsuit against RFK Jr.’s COVID-19 vaccine policy JENNA LEE
SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that a lawsuit led by a GW professor against Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can proceed, advancing several medical groups’ challenge to the department’s move to roll back COVID-19 vaccine recommendations earlier this year. The lawsuit, led by GW Law professor Richard Hughes IV, came after Kennedy announced in May that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would stop recommending routine COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children and healthy pregnant women, citing a lack of “clinical data” to support giving the boosters to children, though he did not provide any specific data to support ending the practice. Hughes, the lead litigator of the lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts in July, said Kennedy’s
directive was based on his personal skepticism of vaccines and did not go through the proper vetting process required by federal law. Hughes — who teaches vaccine law and filed the lawsuit on behalf of several plaintiffs, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians and the American Public Health Association, as well several individuals, including a pregnant woman referred to as Jane Doe — said Kennedy’s changes violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires HHS to consult the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices’ recommendations when determining the vaccine schedule. The lawsuit alleges Kennedy did not consult with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices before ordering the change, citing CDC staff statements of surprise and confusion after receiving the directive. “They’re supposed to follow
processes before they make these kinds of changes, and that did not occur in this case,” Hughes said, adding that Kennedy instead unilaterally made the decision based on his own opposition to vaccines. The suit also argues Kennedy’s move to replace the members of ACIP soon after he announced the schedule change with individuals who have histories of vaccine skepticism violates both the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which requires federal committees to have consistent membership with balanced viewpoints, and the APA because the move was “arbitrary” and “capricious.” “It’s reflective of the fact that the committee is not appropriately balanced,” Hughes said. The government in December filed a motion to dismiss based on a lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a claim for relief, arguing the court does not have the authority to hear the case because it is based on ideological differences, and the
plaintiffs fail to prove actual injury. But Judge Brian E. Murphy denied the motion on Tuesday, finding that the medical groups had adequately alleged harm because they had to spend uncompensated additional time consulting patients about vaccines after Kennedy’s decision. Hughes said Jane Doe had a pharmacist tell her they would lose their license if they gave her a COVID vaccine due to the policy changes, which Hughes attributed to Kennedy and other officials in HHS publicly framing these recommendations as mandates. While the federal vaccine schedule is supposed to be a recommendation, Hughes said Kennedy has made it appear that health care providers are mandated to abide by the department’s schedule, creating confusion about whether they are allowed to provide vaccines to certain populations. “There was a lot of confusion at this particular point in time,” Hughes said. “There was a lot of
concern about following the schedule, and so it just meant going from location to location and not being able to get the vaccine.” The same legal argument the lawsuit details could be applied to the changes Kennedy issued Monday, which reduced the number of vaccines recommended for children from 17 to 11, Hughes said. He said while HHS officials claimed they looked at vaccine data from 20 different countries to inform the changes, HHS did not properly consult with the CDC experts and tried to create the “appearance” of factoring in evidence for a change that already aligned with Kennedy’s antivaccine politics. “They, here, are attempting to provide an explanation, but it’s insufficient,” Hughes said. “It’s not enough. I do not believe that they actually followed any real process, that they actually took a hard look at any evidence. They had a conclusion in search of support.”
Latin American students voice hope, fear for region after US capture of Maduro RYAN SAENZ
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
Latin American students reacted with cautious optimism after U.S. troops captured Venezuela’s authoritarian president and his wife earlier this month, seeing an opening for political change but fearing the move could deepen regional instability as the country’s future remains uncertain. The United States’ forceful removal of now‑former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on drug‑trafficking and narco‑terrorism indictments sent shock waves around the world that divided Venezuelans, U.S. allies and politicians alike, with some hailing the move as long‑awaited accountability and others condemning it as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and unwelcome American interventionism in Latin America. Half a dozen students from across the region said they’re glad the Venezuelan people are free of Maduro’s rule but worry the United States could launch similar operations elsewhere in Latin America now that President Donald Trump has signaled threats against governments like Colombia and Cuba in the wake of the Venezuela operation. Like many Venezuelans, the students lauded Maduro’s ouster as a step forward toward becoming a more democratic nation by removing its authoritarian leader. For decades, Venezuelans have endured food shortages, hyperinflation, power outages and other crises that have forced around eight million Venezuelans to flee the country, immigrating to nearby countries, like Colombia, as well as the United States. Still, they shared mixed sentiments over the cir-
JERRY LAI | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A map of South America in GW’s study abroad office.
cumstances of Maduro’s removal, despite his deep unpopularity. They too agreed with Venezuelans who cautioned about instability in the country, especially after Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, took the helm as interim president, effectively continuing his administration. The long-planned operation to capture Maduro was the culmination of a monthslong escalation in tensions between the United States and Venezuela, capping off months of targeted strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea north of Venezuela that the Trump administration alleged were trafficking drugs. Trump in the early hours after Maduro’s capture said the United States will “run” the country for
the foreseeable future and reclaim American oil interests there. Venezuela is home to roughly 17 percent of the world’s known oil reserves, and American control over the deposits would give the Trump administration a broader hold on oil supplies globally in ways that could enable the United States to influence prices. Sabrina Samaniego, a sophomore who was born in Venezuela and lived in the country until 2014, said she and her family celebrated the news of Maduro’s capture after Trump confirmed U.S. forces had captured the president. “There’s so many people that died with a belief that Venezuela would be free and that we would be able to have democracy instead of
having an authoritarian regime and that we would be able to go to groceries and go to the markets and have the shelves stocked with food, which, when I moved the shelves, were almost near empty,” Samaniego said. An anonymous student, who lived in Venezuela for more than a decade and requested anonymity over safety concerns for their family in Venezuela, said they don’t support Trump but feel he is the first foreign figure to address the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela — something they feel other organizations like the United Nations have ignored for decades. “We are very, very grateful for him at least sort of taking a puzzle piece out of the complexity of it so
that a real change can come forward,” they said. “Because it’s like a little dam, and capturing Maduro was like opening a tiny door in which at least some progress can commence.” They said Rodriguez’s coming into power is necessary because if the U.S. were to remove her from the presidency — as Trump initially suggested was possible — it could create a power vacuum that would further suffering for the Venezuelan people. The student said Venezuelans as a whole want Maduro to face justice for the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, which drove their family out of the country. They said they want students to understand the complexities of living under
Maduro’s rule, adding that while they believe most Venezuelans know the United States’ removal of Maduro was also motivated by oil interests, it is a welcome change for the country. “When you talk to a Venezuelan, you’re actually understanding the root as to why Venezuelans abroad and within the country are so relieved,” they said. “We’re full of fear, please understand, but there’s a certain relief behind at least having a little pebble out the road where change can actually be possible.” Kiana Roman, a senior majoring in creative writing with family from Colombia, including her mother, said the aftermath of the U.S. operation, and specifically Trump’s threats to launch a similar operation to oust Colombian President Gustavo Petro, has made her fearful that Trump could order similar operations in other Latin American countries. Roman said she does not support Maduro but also raised concerns about the ouster because it has sown divisions across the Latino community, with some supporting the U.S. intervention and others not, especially given the United States’ past history in the region. The United States led multiple intervention efforts in Latin American and Caribbean nations during the Cold War to slow the potential spread of communism after the Cuban Revolution brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959, endeavors that destabilized the region with varying success rates. “This isn’t a time to be glamorizing what happened, even though I can understand why Venezuelans are happy, it’s just now, now we as a collective, as a Latinidad, do need to be terrified for what’s to come and prepare,” Roman said.
NEWS
January 12, 2026 • Page 3
THE GW HATCHET
Ward 2 fell short of 2025 affordable housing targets, raising equity concerns NATALIE NOTE
CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR
Ward 2, which includes neighborhoods like Foggy Bottom, West End and Dupont Circle, missed their affordable housing targets set by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser as part of her six-year plan to expand housing in the District, according to a D.C. government dashboard. Bowser in 2019 set a goal for the District to add 36,000 new homes by 2025, with at least 12,000 new affordable housing units across all planning areas, in an effort to slow rising rents caused by a shortage of housing in D.C. The city surpassed its overall new housing target in July 2024, but six of the 10 planning areas — including Near Northwest, which added just 418 of its planned 1,250 units — fell short on affordable housing, raising concerns among local leaders about uneven affordable housing distribution across the city. Near Northwest reached just 33.4 percent of the goal, adding 272 new affordable production units and 146 units with affordability covenants — commitments from landlords to keep rent affordable — by the end of 2025. The Near Northwest planning area added the second lowest number of affordable
MATHYLDA DULIAN | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
A sign advertises a rental property in Foggy Bottom.
units in the city, ahead of Rockcreek West, which encompasses Ward 3. The new affordable housing units are intended to serve households that earn below 80 percent of D.C.’s
Median Family Income, according to the 36,000 by 2025 dashboard. The Mayor’s office did not return a request for comment on why the Near Northwest planning area did not reach its afford-
able housing target and if the government took any steps to help Ward 2 reach its target. At-Large D.C. Councilmember Robert C. White Jr., who heads the D.C. Council Committee on Housing, co-
introduced a bill in late December aimed at establishing a process for identifying and addressing why certain planning areas fell short of their 2025 targets. White said rising land
costs make building affordable housing in wealthier areas like Ward 2 especially challenging. The secondwealthiest ward in the city, Ward 2 has families with children earning a median income above $250,000, the second-lowest number of move-in-ready affordable units after Ward 3 and the highest median rent in the city at $2,034, according to a 2020 D.C. Policy Center report and the city’s affordable housing locator. “Folks with more wealth and resources historically have more successful time keeping density out of their neighborhoods, keeping low income housing out of their neighborhoods,” White said. White said as an elected official who represents the entire city, he thinks it is unfair that affordable housing continues to go to certain neighborhoods and not others. White said D.C. is an economically segregated city and officials must welcome economic diversity in all parts of the District. “No one part of the city should carry the burden of having all the affordable housing, everybody has to carry part of that,” White said. “And then when you have that economic diversity, it is to the benefit of every community.”
Officials revive committee to boost student, faculty input in decision making ARJUN SRINIVAS
CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR
DYLAN EBS
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
ELIOT GLUSKER | PHOTOGRAPHER An October Student Government Association meeting in the University Student Center.
SGA legislation output dipped in fall semester ELIJAH EDWARDS
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
The Student Government Association Senate passed 14 pieces of legislation last semester, its lowest output since the COVID‑19 pandemic, as leaders focused on expanding organization funding and urging officials to resist federal interference at GW. The 14 bills and resolutions — excluding committee appointments or appreciation resolutions — included rebuffs of President Donald Trump’s immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion policies, a historic increase in funding for student organizations and SGA institutional changes. The SGA also faced hurdles last semester, including alleged delays by University administrators in disbursing increased student organization funds and pressure from students to address the growing presence of National Guard troops and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on and near campus. Legislative productivity dipped last semester, with the SGA passing 14 bills and resolutions — below its usual fall output of around 20. For comparison, the body approved 17 pieces in both fall 2023 and fall 2024, 19 in fall 2022 and 13 in fall 2021. SGA senators also heard from several officials last semester during
public meetings, including Associate Vice President of Business Services Seth Weinshel, GW Police Department Chief Victor Brito, Associate Vice President for Campus Safety Katie McDonald and Vice President for Safety and Operations Baxter Goodly. SGA Vice President Liz Stoddard said while the amount of legislation passed this fall was lower than last fall, overall legislative activity “remained strong.” She said the SGA strengthened ethical standards through appointments to the SGA’s Ethics Committee, and hosting town halls. “I know that and the pro temp and I will continue to see legislation coming down the pike, and that next semester will see substantial initiatives on the agenda from us, and the senators,” Stoddard said in a message. Here’s a recap of the SGA’s major actions this fall:
Members of a newly revived student-faculty committee say they are working to bridge gaps between campus needs and University decisionmaking as student leaders push for greater involvement, and faculty call for more consultation. The Joint Committee of Faculty & Students, made up of seven student representatives from undergraduate and graduate schools, seven faculty members and seven administrators, was created by officials decades ago but went dormant after the COVID‑19 pandemic. Members of the committee, which GW revived this academic year at the request of student leaders, say its work will help close a communication gap between students, faculty and administrators and elevate student concerns on issues like
the cost of course materials. Chief of Staff Scott Mory first announced the committee’s return at September’s Faculty Senate meeting, which he said disbanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said in an email that the committee’s first, and so far only, meeting in November focused on Follett Access, a program that provides course materials for a flat $245 per semester. Officials automatically add the fee to students’ tuition unless they opt out, and Mory said the topic was brought to the committee’s attention by the Student Government Association. “The committee’s agenda is set by the faculty and student co-chairs, in consultation with the Administration, with the feedback of the committee,” Mory said in an email. “It is envisioned that the JCFS will meet 3-4 times per year based on needs and interests.” A University spokesperson said the Faculty Senate Executive Committee selected the faculty members, and Univer-
sity President Ellen Granberg appointed the officials on the committee. SGA President Ethan Lynne appointed the committee’s seven student members, saying he selected people he could trust based on their service in SGA or prior interactions. Barbara Benitez-Curry, an assistant professor of media and public affairs, said she served on the committee before it went dormant during COVID, said she initially joined because it offered a way to elevate student voices, particularly ideas faculty or administrators may not have considered. Talar Hovsepian, a sophomore studying physics and civil engineering and the committee’s student co-chair, said Lynne nominated her based on her work with him in the admissions office. She said she accepted the offer because she thought it would be the “easiest way” for her to bridge the “disconnect” between students and officials and help highlight pressing issues students face.
SGA pressed officials to reject federal interference in University policies, programs
SGA senators unanimously passed a resolution in late October calling on officials and the Board of Trustees to reject federal “monitoring and interference” in the University’s governance, curricula, admissions and research and to use its financial and legal resources to protect students, faculty and staff from “criminalization for activism.”
Chief of Staff Scott Mory at November’s Faculty Senate meeting.
NICHOLAS WARE | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Experts predict GW’s proactive measures will keep enrollment stable From Page 1 GW also saw a growth in student attendance from D.C. and Puerto Rico since fall 2020 at an increase of 75 and 40 students, respectively, enrollment data shows. Universities have long anticipated the demographic cliff — a decline in the number of college-aged students, resulting in fewer applications, fewer emerging graduates and less revenue for universities — as birth rates during the Great Recession from 2007 to 2009 plummeted and failed to rebound. The first children born during the recession turned 18 years old, or college aged, in 2025, and experts predicted
a peak in college admissions in 2025 before a subsequent gradual decline in students over the next 15 years. The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, which has published projections of high school graduates since 1979, forecasted in a December 2024 report that 38 states will see a decline in the number of graduates by 2041. WICHE’s report expects the Northeast — where about 35 percent of GW’s undergraduates hailed from in 2025 — to experience a 17-percent decline. WICHE’s report also projected the South will see an overall gain of high school graduates by 3 percent between 2023 and 2041. Of the 21 states and regions Goff
mentioned recruitment efforts in, WICHE predicted D.C., South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas would have the largest increase in high school graduation rates at 31 percent, 14 percent, 6 percent and 5 percent, respectively. Small private colleges, in particular, are struggling to stay open because of their tuition dependency and declining enrollment rates as a result of the cliff. At least 16 colleges, including seven institutions part of Pennsylvania State University, announced closures last year due to enrollment and financial challenges, following 14 nonprofit college closures in 2023. GW is a tuition-depen-
dent institution, with more than 63 percent of its total operating revenue in fiscal year 2025 coming from tuition, according to the University’s financial highlights. Goff declined to comment on the impact officials expect the demographic cliff will have on the University’s finances and how officials are adjusting their decisionmaking as a result but said GW’s success comes after then-Provost Brian Blake, attempting to get ahead of the threat of waning enrollment, charged a committee in fall 2020 to develop outreach and recruitment recommendations that built on the University’s strengths. “The core of the enrollment plan is built on GW’s
strengths, our D.C. location and evolving student interests,” Goff said. Five experts in higher education enrollment said GW’s top-tier selectivity and educational opportunities, in addition to the proactive measures officials are implementing, could help ensure enrollment remains stable and the University’s finances aren’t impacted. Rudy Nayga, a professor of agricultural economics at Texas A&M University with research on the demographic cliff, said the declining number of students entering college could negatively impact their revenue streams, especially given that many schools, including GW, are dependent on tuition for rev-
enue. He said he doubts GW will be greatly affected by the demographic cliff given the University’s reputation and selectivity as the institutions that have been affected have smaller student populations. At the same time, Nayga said officials’ proactivity with implementing strategies to offset its effects is a good approach to be more competitive at attracting talented students, given the demographic cliff is expected to last for at least a decade. “It makes sense that they’re thinking about it now and strategizing about how to be more competitive, given what’s going to happen in the next 10 years,” Nayga said.
THE GW HATCHET
OPINIONS
January 12, 2026 • Page 4
OPINIONS
WHAT THE UNIVERSITY WON’T TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK
Whether GW expects the demographic cliff to strain the University’s finances p.1
In the new year, let’s strengthen connection at GW STAFF EDITORIAL For many at GW, in D.C. and across the country, 2025 was a difficult year defined by uncertainty and division. These pressures arrived as students were already navigating heightened loneliness and social fragmentation. At GW, these national pressures were intensified by internal financial challenges, which tested trust in University leadership as some community members criticized officials for insufficient consultation on budget cuts, staff layoffs and reduced campus resources. As an editorial board, we looked back on the year with a shared sense of uncertainty about the changes ahead. Through these reflections, we kept returning to the importance of community on campus. College offers a unique opportunity to meet and learn alongside students navigating similar experiences while seeking guidance from faculty and staff who are deeply invested in our growth. Across the University, we are surrounded by people striving to make the world a better place through research, art, policymaking and productive dialogue. There is an energy in this community driven by curiosity, passion and a hunger to connect and learn from one another. In moments of uncertainty, this network has the power to provide real support. It is our hope that in the year ahead, the entire community will play its part in advancing this spirit. The success of this community depends on all its members — students, faculty, staff and officials — working together to support one another. In the year ahead, we have the opportunity to make the most of our college community and the resources GW offers, strengthening connections and supporting one another as we navigate an ever-changing landscape in our school, city and country. As students, we get to live in a close-knit community where we
ABBY TURNER | STAFF CARTOONIST
can build relationships with faculty, staff, officials and fellow students. We can engage in class discussions, visit office hours, participate in student organizations and attend school events. Much of the college experience is shaped by connections that form when we take multiple classes with the same peers and professors, share communal spaces to eat and study and join organizations that encourage connection. We urge student organization leaders to plan and promote more events that bring peers together and support staff and faculty by recognizing their work and contributions. Beyond campus, students have opportunities to connect with the larger D.C. community through internships, jobs and volunteer work. Programs like
GW’s engageDC further these connections by linking students with partner organizations in the city, offering a way for us to further engage with the broader community. Finding this kind of community requires a lot more effort after college. Once we graduate, it becomes harder to find spaces where support and connection come naturally. Even at a university like GW, which can sometimes feel fragmented, the opportunities for meaningful community are far more readily available than in post-college life, where building these networks requires deliberate effort. At a time when the country feels increasingly divided, it is more important than ever to turn to one another for support. Officials have the opportunity
Students must practice nuanced thinking after US captured Maduro
T
he polarized American reactions to Nicolás Maduro’s capture on Jan. 3 illustrate the dangers of oversimplifying Latin American politics, a pitfall students must resist. Supporters of the operation saw it as a legitimate way of freeing Venezuela from an oppressive dictator, while critics characterized it as an illegal act of foreign interventionism, arguing it violated international law and Venezuelan sovereignty and set a dangerous precedent for military intervention. As a Latin American exchange student, I have heard many American and European students, professors and public figures talk about politics in our region without fully understanding our histories or social realities, applying U.S.‑ or Europe‑centric perspectives to situations that diverge dramatically from their own.
Santino Bernacchi Opinions Writer It’s crucial that students understand they can celebrate the capture of Maduro — the head of an authoritarian regime that systematically violated human rights — while at the same time worrying about the dangerous precedent the United States is setting for intervention in the region and to condemn of foreign interventionism while The GW
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acknowledging the benefits of a tyrant’s fall. Celebrating the fall of a dictator does not mean embracing foreign interventionism as a general rule but rather rejoicing in the outcome of this particular case. International law is a pillar of the liberal order, which we should not underestimate. As a politically engaged student body with access to fast information through social media, I saw my peers quickly react both in favor and against the intervention. Many forget the nuances of the situation. There is a basic contradiction young students and activists don’t seem to recognize: Many who take the stance that Trump should not have intervened in the name of Venezuela’s sovereignty ignore its government’s atrocious authoritarianism, savage repression, insane corruption and constant violations of human rights. Maduro’s crimes are undeniable. All GW students — not just those studying political science or international affairs — should use this as an opportunity to practice open-minded and non-dogmatic thinking. The deep ideological polarization prevalent across university campuses, including GW, often results in students’ views on politics and international relations reflecting rigid, party and ideologically driven perspectives that lack nuance. We should not emulate the hypocrisy of those political figures who criticize political interven-
tionism but turn a blind eye to authoritarianism and the violation of human rights. Social media exemplifies this perfectly: students posting and reposting stories for and against the intervention, launching entire debates in comments sections through a smartphone screen. Students should resist this simplified way of thinking and dare to reflect on the complexities of the issues. I believe the main goal of a university is to instill in students intellectual independence and ideological emancipation. Maduro’s capture was not a savage act of imperialism exercised in a democratic, popular republic nor a kind-hearted operation to bring democracy into a suffering nation. This is a populist trap that many in the extremes of the political spectrum tend to fall into. In times of deep polarization and identity politics, particularly in academic environments, we must remember the thinking of John Stuart Mill, who once said in “On Liberty” (1859), “He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that.” Let’s dare to condemn foreign interventionism as well as savage authoritarianism. Let’s reject dogmatism and embrace nuance and strive for the truth by considering diverse perspectives.
—Santino Bernacchi, an exchange student from Sciences Po Paris majoring in social and political science, is an opinions writer.
to focus on large-scale communitybuilding initiatives that encourage engagement both on campus and across D.C. GW’s full-ride scholarships for local students, for example, help foster connections not only with the University but also with the city itself. While GW currently runs three programs that promote community service throughout D.C., we would love to see them further expand these opportunities. We also urge officials to prioritize community impact in campus projects, like residence hall renovations. Students note that in Thurston Hall, for example, it is easier to build connections as first-years because of the communal spaces. In future renovations, like those currently underway in Mitchell Hall,
we hope officials will do the same. Better utilizing campus public spaces is another great way to build connections. Areas like Kogan Plaza and Potomac Square, while some of the few large communal spaces, are underutilized due to limited seating and mostly brick layouts, and many say University Yard lost its appeal once officials fenced it off after the spring 2024 pro-Palestinian encampment. Accessible, welcoming spaces are critical, not only for gathering and dialogue but also because research shows they help combat loneliness and isolation. By prioritizing these kinds of initiatives, GW can actively strengthen community ties and create an environment where students, faculty and staff can support one another more effectively. Faculty and staff also play a vital role in supporting each other and the broader GW community. Professors can advocate for staff in Faculty Senate meetings, highlight their contributions in class and engage directly with officials to encourage action. At the same time, faculty can deepen connections with students by continuing to offer guidance, support and open conversation in and outside of class, helping create a sense of stability and connection during uncertain times. Many of us are feeling a deep sense of uncertainty about what’s happening at GW and in the country, but these challenges don’t have to drive us apart. College gives us the opportunity to find support, encouragement and connection within our community. Around us, students and professors are advancing research, working toward sustainability goals and advocating for causes they believe in. As the new year and semester begin, let us take this opportunity to lift each other up and strengthen the community we share at GW.
Students’ literacy skills suffer when textbooks replace leisure reading
M
ost of my time in college has been spent reading scholarly papers, articles and analyses. This, coupled with my love for literature growing up, has always led me to characterize myself as a big reader. But for about a year or two, I was reading so much for class and focused on memorizing facts and data that I barely read for leisure, and didn’t think much of it. That changed when I added creative writing as a major and quickly realized that the lack of literature in my life had weakened my reading skills.
Andrea MendozaMelchor Opinions Editor In recent years, the National Literacy Institute has spearheaded growing discourse about the literacy crisis in the United States. Fewer and fewer American adults are reading at a proficient level, and it is doing irreparable harm to citizens. As college students who busy ourselves with classwork and textbook readings, it’s relatively easy for many of us to think our reading skills don’t need additional attention. But it is essential to remember that, even as college students, our reading skills are not immune to decline. At a time when social media is deteriorating our attention span more than ever,
and the rise of generative artificial intelligence can replace much of our critical thinking and linguistic skills, exercising our reading muscle is a must. The literacy crisis always gave me pause for concern, but growing up I never worried about my own reading skills because I had such a passion for reading. I devoured Jane Austen’s novels throughout middle and high school, wallowed in Sylvia Plath’s poems and rolled my eyes more than once at F. Scott Fitzgerald’s stories. But once I got to GW, reading became less for leisure and more for getting a passing grade on in-class quizzes and assignments. I missed reading for pleasure, but didn’t think much about how it might be impacting my ability to digest and interpret texts. When I added creative writng as a second major and consequently had to take more readingcentered classes, I began to realize just how much I was affected by my limited reading outside of class. When it would be time to discuss the themes of a novel in class, much to my embarrassment, I realized that sometimes they would go over my head. I picked up fewer and fewer metaphors and other writing techniques that required sustained attention and close reading. When you read news articles or analyses, everything is often explicitly explained to the reader, while in other works
like fiction novels, themes are usually shrouded in symbolism, a skill of reading comprehension that I had not been exercising as much as I should have been. A 2024 study found that 21 percent of American adults are illiterate, and 54 percent of adults are reading below a sixth-grade level — marking some of the lowest literacy rates in 155 years in the country. That means many adults have the reading comprehension skills of a 12-year-old. As social media takes up our attention and ChatGPT looks ever tempting to the over-scheduled GW student, let’s not underplay the importance of reading and just how easily we can affect our own reading comprehension skills. This is an invaluable skill that can wither more easily than we think. Last semester, my professor told me that if I want to be a good writer, I need to read a lot more, which slightly bruised my ego, but then I realized that there is no set amount of books that make you a good reader — it is a skill you have to hone and take care of for the rest of your life. Instead of expecting our classes to fulfill our reading or hoping that the Washington Post or New York Times will, pick up a book.
—Andrea MendozaMelchor, a senior majoring in journalism and mass communication and creative writing, is the opinions editor.
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THE GW HATCHET
CULTURE
January 12, 2026 • Page 5
CULTURE
THE
SCENE
IS THIS A CRY FOR HELP? Tuesday, Jan. 13 | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library | Free
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THIRD THURSDAY Thursday, Jan. 15 | Phillips Collection | Free
NEW SONG: “IN YOUR OCEAN” BY IRON & WINE
THIS WEEK:
Washington National Opera musicians, professors back Kennedy Center exit DIANA ANOS
CULTURE EDITOR
Two Washington National Opera musicians who double as GW professors voiced their support for the company’s decision on Friday to leave the Kennedy Center, highlighting that the WNO is both independent and apolitical. Citing decreased audience sizes coinciding with “robust change” and financial shortfalls, the WNO said in a statement that it seeks an amicable early termination of its agreement with the Kennedy Center, also adding that they plan to resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit entity after 50 years in the venue. Though the WNO did not cite President Donald Trump’s controversial takeover of the center as a reason for their departure, the move came after several musicians and actors canceled their performances at the deeply cherished Washington venue in protest of Trump’s move to change to its name to the Trump-Kennedy Center and his ouster of the center’s board members. Both professors said they support the WNO’s decision to leave the Kennedy Center, citing the need to preserve the company’s independence, protect its financial stability and keep the focus on the art itself. They emphasized that, despite the move, the opera’s artistic quality remains strong, and they plan to continue supporting it as it celebrates its 70th anniversary. After hearing the Washington National Opera decided to move
JORDAN TOVIN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Sunlight streams into the lobby of the Kennedy Center.
out of the Kennedy Center on Friday, violist and GW lecturer of music Uri Wassertzug said he was surprised by the news but understands that the opera had no choice. “I think for now it’s safe to say this was the last thing the opera wanted,” Wassertzug, who has taught at GW for 22 years, said in an email. In a statement released on Sat-
urday, the WNO said it will be operating as a “fully independent organization,” moving performances to new venues. The statement cited the new business model under President Ambassador Richard Grenell — Trump’s pick to run the center — is “at odds” with how most other opera companies operate as the reason for their departure. Wassertzug said he has seen a
“massive reduction” in audiences as they have boycotted performances as a result of the Trump Administration’s takeover and renaming of the institution, affecting the WNO’s financial status. Robert Baker, a professor of music and director of performance studies at GW, has sung for more than 30 years in principal roles with the Washington National Opera
and performed with the National Symphony. After learning of the WNO’s decision to leave the Kennedy Center, he said he fully supports the board’s decision and plans to continue backing the organization during its transition. Baker said despite the changes to the center, the relationship between the high quality of art performers make to the public remains. He said he has not seen the Kennedy Center censure art and respects those who are making decisions to either attend or not attend performances. Baker said in the past, professors have incorporated attending Kennedy Center performances in their curricula, in part due to relationships with the opera and the symphony orchestra. In the fall, he said classes did not attend these events like they used to in previous years, creating a “struggle” with teaching — not as a conscious decision, but because there is no “current relationship” between professors and Kennedy Center officials as there once was. Baker said he has seen attendees push partisan politics aside when he performed with the WNO at the Kennedy Center, with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg along with Justice Anthony Scalia in the audience as “best friends” at the opera, checking their politics at the door. “They came to radically progressive productions and radically traditional productions, and there wasn’t a partisan political cancellation in that world,” he said.
Follow The Hatchet’s ‘ins and outs’ for a prosperous 2026 GW HATCHET STAFF The annual internet ritual of declaring cultural trends “in” or “out” has carried on into 2026, with social media feeds overflowing with Notes app screenshots outlining what they expect to gain and lose cultural relevance in the upcoming year. While some have declared Dubai chocolate “out” and phone-free bars “in,” for 2026, The Hatchet’s staff curated a list tailored to the Revolutionaries.
IN: Attending GW Athletic events Diana Anos | Culture Editor
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not especially well-versed in sports. Bothering my dad with technical questions about calls and rules has led him to tell me to leave the room when a football or basketball game is on the TV. But despite my minute understanding of sports, nothing brought me more joy as an Illinoisan than being a part of the crowd when the Chicago Bears beat their longstanding rival, the Green Bay Packers, in December. The feeling of excitement and hearing the loud cheers made for an electric experience, and I wish GW had that same sense of pride in their athletics. We could, if students actually showed up to our sports games. Students showed up and showed out to the men’s basketball game against our crosstown rivals, the Georgetown University Hoyas in October. Though the Smith Center seats 5,000 people, less than half of its seats — an average of 1,976 — filled in the 2024-25 men’s basketball season. And even worse, women’s basketball averaged 479 fans per game last season. No matter if you identify as a “sports person” or want to avoid sitting on the couch on a random Tuesday night, picking yourself up and heading to the Smith Center is in this year.
OUT: Going mobile
Hannah Marr | Managing Editor
I’m proud to say I never went mobile. Though GW moved last year to allow community members to replace their physical GWorld cards with mobile versions on their phones, sending students sprinting to make the change, I never felt the urge to follow. My decision at the time hinged on the simple principle: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And now, after hearing stories of dead batteries and students locked out with no one to call, I’m even more glad I never made the change. In theory, storing your GWorld in your phone’s wallet is modern, efficient and one less thing to forget on the way out the door. In practice, it’s chaos waiting to happen. Phones die. Phones glitch. Even with all the promises of functionality when your phone runs out of juice, people still get locked out.
I’ll be sticking with my physical GWorld card, and my sanity, in 2026. It doesn’t crash, and it doesn’t leave me stranded. Call it old-fashioned. Call me a Luddite. Call it whatever you want, but in 2026, going mobile is out. I’ll be tapping in.
IN: Quizlet
Ryan Saenz | Assistant News Editor
As we tackle another semester filled with academic challenges, Gelman Library will soon be chockfull of students bouncing back and forth between a flurry of tabs as they cram for yet another exam. If last semester’s final season study sessions were any sign of how dependent students have become on using artificial intelligence for studying, then it’s highly probable one of those tabs will be occupied by ChatGPT or other generative artificial intelligence tools, like Claude or Gemini. Let’s replace that ChatGPT tab with a Quizlet tab in 2026. Long gone should be the days of feeding your notes into a language learning model to have it spit back some bulleted points summarizing what you should recall for an upcoming exam. Instead, embrace the old-fashioned methods of sweating over the creation of a lengthy Quizlet set. Next time you find yourself in the throes of a late-night study session this year, avoid typing “chatgpt. com” into your browser and instead open a Quizlet tab. It might just boost that B to an A.
OUT: False dorm evacuations
Gianna Jakubowski | Assistant News Editor
Last semester, I survived more than half a dozen fire alarms, two bomb threats, two potential gas leaks and a water main break as a District House resident. I became accustomed to the trek down the 11 flights of stairs, passing my peers in their most vulnerable states — retainers still in, bathrobes pulled tight, even the occasional bare feet. Don’t get me wrong, drills are critical to prepare for real emergencies, and I will always evacuate when the alarms blare. That said, the sheer number of false evacuations in District House last semester was distressing and bothersome. The District House evacuations caught me off guard, especially following the stream of GW Alerts about Thurston Hall evacuations during the previous academic year and the expectation that they would continue in a first-year residence hall, not affecting an upperclassman one with responsoble residents.Turns out, the joke was on me, and District House was hit hard with alarms while Thurston survived without a single one. Here’s to hoping residents in 2026 remember to clear out their dryer lint and turn on their kitchen fans.
Customers scoop their own candy at Lil Sweet Treat in Georgetown.
JERRY LAI | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Local candy shops count on customer loyalty as TikTok-famous chain arrives in DC MARLENE ORANTES STAFF WRITER
A TikTok-popular candy chain’s arrival in the District two months ago added competition for local shops, but longtime owners say community loyalty and high quality ingredients keeps their customers coming back. Since Lil Sweet Treat — a candy store selling international gummy and sour candies, which gained popularity when the founder began using TikTok to document her journey launching a shop in New York — opened its doors on M Street in Georgetown in late November, hordes of customers have posted their positive experiences and taste tests online. Local candy shop owners said the chain’s online buzz adds competition to the D.C. market, but their locally made products and community connections help them maintain a loyal customer base. Amy Servais, the owner of Velatis — a candy business specializing in caramels and chocolates that opened in D.C. in the 1850s, with a long-standing shop inside the U.S. Pentagon — said she thinks there’s a “big
enough market” for candy in the area, and she’s not worried about new chains popping up because her customers will return for sweets made with simple, highquality ingredients. “Everybody wants the stuff that we make in house,” Servais said. “They want to know that the ingredients are clean, they want to be sure that there’s not a lot of preservatives, even if it is a sweet treat.” Servais said social media isn’t her strong suit, but she has an Instagram account because she understands the importance of maintaining an online presence to attract a larger client base. She said different types of candy shops popping up around the D.C. area have added significant competition, because they incentivize people to try out new offerings instead of old classics. Servais said larger economic issues, like tariffs, pose a bigger threat to small businesses than new chains entering the area, but customers remain undeterred. The Trump administration implemented a tariff on imported cocoa in April 2025, though it was later exempted in November, as the product cannot
be produced at scale in the U.S. Peng Xu, the general manager of The Chocolate House DC — which opened in 2006 between Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle and specializes in artisan and craft chocolate — said he sees the business on an upward trajectory, continuing to build direct relationships with makers, and focuses on high-quality products instead of viral trends, catering to customers’ growing interest in firstclass foods. “We’re in quite different lanes,” Xu said in an email. “Our focus is on craft chocolate, which is a completely different category from mass-produced or novelty sweets. The customers who come to us are looking for something distinctive, traceable, and culinary, not just candy or cute, so there’s not as much overlap as people might assume.” Xu said the arrival of chains can be intimidating for smaller businesses but reflects the strength of the D.C. market for candy stores. David Burton, owner of The Capital Candy Jar — which opened in 2017 near the Capitol Hill neighborhood — said getting to know his community is the core
of his business model. The Capital Candy Jar sells handmade sweets like chocolate-covered Oreos, lollipops and gummy bears. Burton said he is fulfilled seeing The Capital Candy Jar become a special part of families across the area, especially during the holiday season. Burton acknowledged that social media is helpful for a business’ exposure but said forming connections with the community builds success over-time. The Capital Candy Jar has amassed over 8,000 followers on Instagram, alerting loyal customers of new offerings and also sold sweets at past D.C. Holiday Markets and regularly sells them at Nationals Park. Burton said maintaining and strengthening connections with loyal customers means everything to a small business like his. Having been in the candy business for 14 years, he said he’s seen national chains come and go in the District and remains optimistic about the future. “We try to stay focused on what we do best and why people choose to shop with us in the first place,” Burton said.
SPORTS
January 12, 2026 • Page 6
SPORTS
GAMES NUMBER CRUNCH
BEN SPITALNY
MANAGING DIRECTOR
STAFF WRITER
Women’s basketball (9-9, 1-4 Atlantic 10) fell to the George Mason Patriots (10-6, 5-0 A-10) on Sunday in the Smith Center as the Revolutionaries failed to recover after taking a 10-point deficit in the first quarter. The Revs shot 44 percent from the field compared to the Patriots’ 33 percent but committed 24 turnovers as they struggled to get into a groove against the reigning A-10 champions. George Mason managed 61 shot attempts compared to just 36 from GW. Head Coach Ganiyat Adeduntan said the Revs’ turnovers were a major catalyst for their loss, committing nearly eight more than their pregame average of 16.4.
8.1
line, which has come to be the expectation for the star big man. “And obviously that’s a typical day for Rafael Castro,” Caputo said. “14 [points] 14 [rebounds], four steals, two assists and a block. That’s like he kind of wakes up and does that almost every day.” The Revs knocked down nine 3-point attempts in the first half off 19 attempts, good for 47.4 percent. They finished the game 15 of 38. Caputo said the team monitors its 2-point percentage more closely than their 3-point percentage but was diverted away from many attempts at the rim due to the defensive paint dominance of the Ramblers’ junior center Miles Rubin, who had four blocks.
The Ramblers’ offense struggled for large swaths of the second half as the team made only three 3-pointers on 20 attempts and made just 31.3 percent of their shots from the field. After a 3-pointer from Ola-Joseph to cut the Ramblers’ deficit to 19 with 7:14 remaining, they were held scoreless until the one-minute mark as GW continued to run up the score with a 17-0 run. With the game well out of reach, Caputo sent in the team’s walk-ons, junior guard Amir Arrington and senior guard Mohamed Binzagr. With 37 seconds remaining, Arrington knocked down a step-back 3-pointer to eclipse 100 GW points for the second time this season.
“You don’t even have to watch the game to know,” Adeduntan said. The Revs struggled to get clean shot attempts in the first quarter, making just two of their 12 shot attempts, compared to seven of 13 from the Patriots. A George Mason 3-pointer ended the scoring in the first quarter with a 16-6 lead. After missing 10 shots in the first quarter, the Revs shot four of five in the second and shot six of eight from the free throw line. Comparatively, the Patriots matched the Revs with four made shots but had 15 attempts, thanks in large part due to their propensity for offensive rebounds and points off turnovers. Over the game, George Mason had 21 points off turnovers and 13 secondchance points compared
to two and four, respectively, by GW. Adeduntan said the Patriots’ ability to get high-quality shots was a key factor for GW’s loss. “We had a handful of live balls that turned into open layups,” Adeduntan said. A layup by Theodorsson with 3:20 left in the half cut the deficit to just 4 points, but the Patriots finished the half on a 10-4 run to enter the break with a 31-21 lead. The Revs outscored the Patriots 17-13 in the third quarter, shooting seven of nine in the third quarter as the team connected on a high number of attempts at the rim. GW also tightened their defense, forcing 13 missed shots as George Mason shot four of 17. After a successful offensive showing in the third quarter, the Revs returned to their strug-
gles in the fourth, making just 30 percent of their 10 shots and shooting one of five from 3-point territory as they tried to close the gap. For the first eight minutes of the quarter, the Revs scored just 3 points as the Patriots cruised to a 54-41 lead to hold off a comeback attempt. “We got to make a couple of changes to get the results that we want, but our heads are up,” Adeduntan said. “We are working towards a certain level of consistency, every single day that’s championship level consistency.” Following fourstraight losses against conference opponents, GW has an opportunity to right the ship in their next game, against Duquesne in Pittsburgh on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
JESSIE ZHAO | PHOTOGRAPHER Junior Maya Peters competes on floor during Friday’s meet at the University of Maryland.
Cardinal Classic Jan. 17
Forward Rafael Castro’s average rebounds per game, which ranks third among all Atlantic 10 players.
Column: Men’s basketball needs some fine tuning to become an A-10 front runner SPORTS COLUMNIST
CHANCE HWANG | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Redshirt junior forward Garrett Johnson drives the ball down the court.
WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
vs. Duquesne Jan. 14 | 6 p.m.
SYD HEISE
Women’s basketball falls 59-46 to George Mason as turnovers hamper performance RENEE PURCAIT
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
OF THE WEEK
Men’s basketball rolls Loyola Chicago 101-66 Men’s basketball (12-5, 3-1 Atlantic 10) rolled past Loyola Chicago (5-12, 1-3 A-10) 101-66 in the Smith Center on Saturday, jumping out to an early 22-0 lead as their offense dominated. Six Revolutionaries scored in double figures, led by redshirt junior forward Garrett Johnson, who notched 18 points off the bench. Head Coach Chris Caputo said postgame the team’s hot start on offense was key, especially after coming off their loss at Dayton on Tuesday. “To jump off to that sort of start with our shot making early in the game was important,” Caputo said. The Ramblers — who were picked to finish fifth in the A-10 in the preseason poll, right behind the Revs — have struggled this season, dealing with injuries and picking up four Quadrant Four losses to date. Redshirt Senior Rafael Castro, who cemented himself as the favorite for A-10 Player of the Year after two games scoring over 25 points, had another strong game, scoring 14 and bringing down 14 rebounds. He also notched four steals, helping to contribute to 20 Rambler turnovers as ball security hampered them all game. Caputo said the team works to get Castro the ball in the paint, and he was impressed with his hot start and exhaustive stat
THE GW HATCHET
Ahead of the season, I wrote that the men’s basketball team was “built to contend” for the Atlantic 10 crown. A few weeks into conference play, that claim still holds up, though not without caveats that continue to reveal themselves in some of the team’s most uncomfortable moments. At 12-5 overall and 3-1 in A-10 play, the resume reflects a team doing most things right. It features arguably the conference’s best player in forward Rafael Castro and a level of depth few A-10 opponents can match, with five players averaging double figures. On paper, this is exactly what a contender is supposed to look like. And yet, the margins tell a more complicated story. The Revolutionaries have struggled with the simpler measures — turnovers, converting at the freethrow line and winning close games — exposing lapses in execution, turning what should be convincing wins into tense finishes. Those cracks haven’t derailed the season, but they linger just enough to raise questions about how this team will respond when the stakes inevitably rise. GW needs to correct these small details to stop holding itself back from what I know it can be: a great team and postseason contender. This team rolls deep offensively with Castro, forward Garrett Johnson and guards Tre Dinkins, Trey Autry and Cristian Jones all averaging double digits in the points column. GW has also shown they are capable of scoring in transition, pushing the pace up the floor after rebounds and steals. And despite their stinging speed, the Revs can also convert in the half-court when defense is set. The team capitalizes on running plays, Castro’s post-ups and finding the extra pass for an open perimeter shot. All of this has led to a BartTorvik ranking of 36th in offensive efficiency and 51st in tempo and the team climbing into the top 30 in points per game, at 87.5. What’s more, the team currently holds a 37 percent 3-point shooting percentage compared to opponents’ 30.5 percent — higher than the previous three seasons under Caputo when the team’s 3-point shooting was a liability, not an asset. Their propensity from deep, led primarily by Dinkins, Autry and Johnson, has led to big scoring barrages, like the 22-0 and 17-0 runs that bookended Saturday’s win against Loyola Chicago. But, in a competitive conference with two one-loss teams in Saint Louis and George Mason and perennial contenders, like Dayton and Virginia Commonwealth,
The gymnastics team cheers during Friday’s meet.
every weakness will be exploited. And for this year’s Revs squad, there are certainly a few issues holding them back. GW struggles to execute in close games. Murray State University and Dayton come to mind as two losses that could’ve been tournament odds-boosting wins but instead ended up being neutral and away Quad 2 losses. It’s hard for me to have faith in this team late in tight situations without a talent advantage, and BartTorvik agrees, ranking the Revs 286th in winning close games — GW’s lowest rating across all metrics on the platform. I also can’t help but caution a realistic warning for the Revs about their dependence on Castro as the season continues, and opponents get tougher. Castro’s offensive rating and usage percentage are far ahead of his teammates. But with the depth I’ve outlined, guards need to step up and assert themselves in moments when Castro has an off night. Against Dayton, GW’s turnover fever hurt their ability to get the ball to him in their usual fashion. Despite playing 30 minutes, Castro was only able to put up 8 points, compared to his usual double-digit showing, in the 79-72 loss. The Revs average the third-most turnovers in the conference behind Duquesne and Loyola Chicago — two teams that GW should excel against in every category. This widens margins against opponents when it matters, specifically showcased in the Revs’ efforts against Dayton and McNeese State University. GW shot themselves in the foot with 22 turnovers against the Flyers’ 11, handing over 31 points off turnovers. The McNeese game told a similar story with larger disparities. While the Revs lost the ball 24 times, the Cowboys only turned it over eight times, which allowed McNeese to score 29 points while GW only profited six points off of mistakes. Turnovers most likely were the difference between a win or loss in these important games. Fixing these pieces could close out tight games and strengthen the Revs’ legitimacy. It is painful to watch a competitive GW struggle with fundamentals. Early success inflated expectations for the Revs, and NET and KenPom optimism came before proof against quality competitors. None of this negates the original claim. GW is built to contend in the A-10. But construction alone doesn’t win titles, execution does. Until the Revs value possessions, convert free throws and prove they can survive late-game pressure without running everything through Castro, they’ll remain a team defined by what it could be, rather than what it is.
JESSIE ZHAO | PHOTOGRAPHER
Gymnastics places third in opening quad, secures top two all-around spots GRANT PACERNICK SPORTS EDITOR
Gymnastics opened their season with a third-place showing at the Terrapin Quad at the University of Maryland, College Park on Friday, posting a team score of 193.200. The Revolutionaries fell behind the eventual victors, BIG member Maryland and runner-up and fellow East Atlantic Gymnastics League conference contender New Hampshire after the first rotation, failing to mount a comeback.
Despite the team coming up short, the Revs claimed the top two spots in the all-around with senior Deana Sheremeta and sophomore Lola Montevago posting scores of 39.025 and 39.000, respectively. These podium placements come after Sheremeta qualified for NCAA regionals in the balance beam and floor exercise last season, while Montevago competed on the uneven bars and the conference named her EAGL Rookie of the Year. The Revs’ top returner, junior Delaney DeHaan, who the conference named EAGL Gymnast
of the year last season, did not compete in the quad on Friday. While GW’s all-around gymnasts’ wins contributed to the team’s scores, the lack of depth led the team to fall behind in the quad. The Revs struggled to stay on the balance beam with freshmen Aspen Tucker and Emma Garner both falling, forcing them to count Tucker’s score of 9.075, allowing UNH and Maryland to pull away. Going into the third rotation, Maryland was in the lead with 98.000, with UNH at 97.250 in second, LIU in third with 95.775
and GW in last at 95.700. The Revs’ struggles continued as junior Kylie Kazmierski fell on the team’s first tumbling pass of the floor exercise and finished with an 8.800 in the event. Thankfully for the Revs, they finished the rest of the rotation cleanly, meaning Kazmierski’s score could be dropped given only five of the six competing gymnasts’ scores count in a given event. The Revs saw an overall stronger performance on their last two rotations, posting a 48.675 on floor and a 48.825 on vault — their top two rotations of the
night — boosting them past EAGL conference member Long Island University. Despite beating UNH on multiple occasions last season, the only apparatus that the Revs outscored UNH on Friday was the vault, with freshman Allison Mun landing the highest scoring vault of the evening, a 9.875. Up next, the Revs will host Cornell, Penn and West Chester universities in the Smith Center on Sunday at 1 p.m. for the Lindsey Ferris Invitational, named for a former GW gymnast who passed away in 2006.