Jan. 21, 2003
Saluting Customer Service Jan. 29
The term “red tape” is derived from 18th-century British government
officials who customarily bound their files together using red tape.
Today it stands for the procedural regulations that can make even the
simplest tasks a nightmare. On Jan. 29, however, the red tape will be
coming down as members from more than 35 departments at GW will cut
through the bureaucracy and celebrate customer service.
The day-long Customer Service Celebration for the University’s
customers and those in GW’s service community is part of the Business
and Service Committee’s strategic plan and is designed to applaud
the University’s commitment to customer service and build momentum
to improve and sustain excellence in serving the public.
“Our goal is to emphasize to the University’s front-line customer
service staff just how important their jobs are to the success of GW,”
says Cecilia Hamilton, associate vice president for finance, who helped
plan the day’s events.
The day, which is broken into two halves to enable all customer service
staff to participate, kicks off with a reception in the Marc C. Abrahms
Hall at 8:30 am, featuring a continental breakfast. Following that,
Louis Katz, executive vice president and treasurer, and Robert Chernak,
senior vice president for student and academic support services, will
lead the ceremonial cutting of the red tape.
“We wanted to have a gala to kick off the day-long celebration,”
explains Hamilton. “We chose the cutting of the red tape because
that’s really what good customer service is. It’s getting
beyond the red tape and placing customers ahead of the bureaucracy.”
Between 11 am and 2 pm Dining Services will offer snacks and giveaways
in the dining venues. Later in the day there will be two half-hour customer
service sessions starting at 3 pm, and Katz and Chernak will visit offices
to talk to customer service staff.
Throughout the day participating departments will offer visitors goodies
such as stress balls, chocolates, and bookstore gift certificates as
mementos to remind visitors that the University values them as customers.
To conclude the day, 50 seats will be reserved for customer service
staff at the men’s basketball matchup against Saint Joseph’s.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
