For the past several years, University administrators have expressed a strong desire to foster a greater sense of campus community. The recent improvement of the GW men’s basketball team has gone a long way to advance this important goal. The team’s progress over the past year has started a buzz on campus. While last year much of the upper level of the Smith Center was left barren, this year students arriving at game time often have a hard time finding a seat. The men’s basketball team deserves credit for aiding in this task, but the University should not neglect other integral efforts in increasing GW’s school spirit.

Not to be overlooked are the GW spirit teams. The dance and cheerleading squads have performed at an incredibly high level over the past few years, scoring impressively in national competitions. At basketball games, these teams are equally well-received, often prompting loud standing ovations regardless of the status of the game. Because the teams spend an incredible amount of time preparing and practicing and must attend all games, it is puzzling that their early class registration privileges were revoked last fall, along with several other campus groups. Their commitment is equal to that of a sports team, so it is only logical these team members enjoy the same benefits as the athletes do.

GW has done an admirable job in helping to cultivate a campus community with such ideas as handing out T-shirts before every game and the student-initiated Colonial Army. However the negative T-shirts, which include a red line over the opponent’s team name, could be replaced with GW shirts that can be worn around campus and promote a more positive image. Although many of the steps it has taken have proven effective, GW must also ensure that the instruments already in place really help continue school spirit to grow.