Staff Council Meets Amid Discontent Over Administration’s Communication

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Staff members at The George Washington University expressed frustration during a recent Staff Council meeting over comments made by Chief of Staff Scott Mory regarding their proposal for a town hall with administrators.

During the meeting on Tuesday, Mory described the idea as akin to putting staff members in a “firing line.” He shared his skepticism about organizing such an event but indicated a desire to find a more constructive way for staff and administration to engage.

Allene David, chair of the Staff Development & Recognition Committee, asked Mory whether officials would consider hosting a town hall to facilitate direct dialogue between staff and administrators. Mory’s choice of words prompted backlash from staff, who feel their concerns are frequently ignored.

After the meeting, several staff members voiced their disappointment with Mory’s remarks, seeing them as a reflection of the overall relationship between administrators and staff. Emily Lewis, a department administrator for Biology and parliamentarian for the Staff Council, described Mory’s phrasing as inappropriate, stating, “To me, and to a lot of staff, that really speaks about how the administration feels about their relation to the staff. Either we are their enemies or we’re there to attack them, or we’re out of control.”

Lewis also pointed out that the creation of the Staff Council was a response to administration concerns about potential unionization efforts among staff. “It’s clear the administration doesn’t value our voice,” she added.

A staff member, who wished to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation, expressed concern over Mory’s comment, interpreting it as indicative of how the University perceives its staff. “They’re pushing people towards unionizing because they’re giving us no other option,” the source said. This sentiment seems to be amplified by a palpable atmosphere of uncertainty regarding job security amid discussions of budget cuts.

In discussions about administrative changes, Mory said the project to secure the armory is underway and will take place over the next year, alongside ongoing searches for the next GW Police Department chief.

Safety and Operations Representative Mike Cook shared with the council a new initiative to transition GWorld cards to a mobile format, which will allow community members to use their smartphones for transactions. Cook emphasized that this option is voluntary for faculty and staff.

Staff Council President Kim Fulmer concluded the meeting by reaffirming the council’s priorities, highlighting that improved compensation remains their most pressing issue. Fulmer expressed cautious optimism, stating, “Our leaders at GW are listening when we ask for more transparency and involvement in the decision-making processes. But there’s still more we can achieve.” The meeting reflected ongoing challenges in communication and the need for better engagement between staff and administration.