From the Office of the Provost to Georgetown University Students

September 25, 2023

Dear Members of the Georgetown Community,

I am delighted to announce that President DeGioia has named Dr. Victor Cha Distinguished University Professor.  

Dr. Cha is a professor of Government in the Department of Government, and D.S. Song-KF Endowed Chair in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. He has been a member of the Georgetown faculty for more than 25 years. He previously served as Vice Dean in SFS and as director of Asian Studies, creating the M.A. degree in Asian Studies (MASIA), and bringing more than $1 million in US Department of Education Title VI funding related to Asia to campus for the first time in Georgetown’s history. Outside of Georgetown, Dr. Cha holds research appointments at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC and at the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas, Texas (non-resident). He is co-editor of the Contemporary Asia book series at Columbia University Press, is a foreign affairs contributor for MSNBC and NBC News, and serves on the Boards of the National Endowment for Democracy and the Korea Society. 

He is currently a member of the non-partisan Defense Policy Board for the Biden administration. He previously served as Director for Asian Affairs at the National Security Council (on public service leave from the University). At the White House, Dr. Cha was also the Deputy Head of Delegation for the United States at the Six Party Talks in Beijing, and received two Outstanding Service commendations during his tenure at the NSC. He is the author of seven books including Alignment Despite Antagonism: The United States-Korea-Japan Security Triangle (Stanford University Press) (winner of the 2000 Ohira Book Prize), The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future (HarperCollins, 2012) (selected as a best book on Asia by Foreign Affairs in 2012), and Powerplay: Origins of the American Alliance System in Asia (Princeton University Press, 2016). His most recent books are Korea: A New History of Korea: South and North with Yale University Press (2023, with R. Pardo), and the forthcoming Demystifying the Black Box: Data and Methods in the Study of North Korea with Columbia University Press. Dr. Cha received the 2023 Hubert H. Humphrey Award from the American Political Science Association (APSA) for honorable notable public service. Professor Cha received his PhD  from Columbia University, his BA (Honours) from Oxford University, and his BA from Columbia University.

We will have an opportunity to celebrate this achievement including President DeGioia’s formal recognition of our recently appointed university professors on October 30, 2023, at the University Faculty Convocation. I look forward to Dr. Cha’s lecture for the University community later in the academic year. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Cha on this most significant honor. 

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Initiative on Pedagogy and AI (IPAI)
Call for Proposals to Explore Creative Uses and Educational Implications of Generative AI
Dear Faculty and Students: 

The advancements of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and especially generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT and others) present both challenges and opportunities. Georgetown is broadly supporting faculty in adapting and integrating AI tools, as mentioned in the recent email from CNDLS and  their growing set of resources. We know that for many faculty, the fall will be about learning to monitor, regulate, and adapt to these tools. To continue this broad community conversation, there will be an MCEF Forum on September 28 at 1:30pm. 

At the same time, we recognize that many of our faculty and students are exploring creative ways to integrate AI tools to advance the kind of education that we value.  In order to accelerate and support these explorations, the Provost announced the creation of an Initiative on Pedagogy and Artificial Intelligence (IPAI). The goals of the Initiative are: 

• Improve student learning and engagement through creative and responsible integration of AI-supported tools for research, writing, problem-solving, analysis, and customized feedback. 
• Improve the overall experience for students, faculty and academic staff through the integration of AI tools in navigating paths to degree, mentoring, discernment, and enhancing community and belonging.  
• Foster interdisciplinary and inter-campus collaborations to develop ethical and human-centered AI applications for education. 
• Help shape the broader dialogue about the impact of AI in education and an institutional knowledge base of practices that can enhance Georgetown and its many partners. 

Below, we share funding opportunities for the first of several Calls for Proposals for the Initiative. For more information, please see the full CFP and links to the interest and application forms here. The Initiative on Pedagogy and AI is funded by the Baker Trust for Transformative Learning and the Sonneborn Innovation Fund. If you have any questions or want more information about ideas, please contact Eddie Maloney (ejm@georgetown.edu) and Randy Bass (bassr@georgetown.edu), Co-chairs, IPAI Task Force. 

Sincerely

Randy Bass, Vice President for Strategic Education Initiatives
Eddie Maloney, Executive Director, CNDLS

Dear Faculty and Students,

On Friday, the university community received an e-mail from Dr. Ranit Mishori, Chief Public Health Officer, alerting us to an increase in COVID-19 cases and providing instructions to community members who may be COVID-19 positive.

As a reminder, instructors are asked to accommodate students with COVID-19 symptoms as they would any temporary illness of a student in their class. For their part, students should follow their instructor’s policy for making up coursework that is missed, which may include attending class remotely or completing work by other means. If a large proportion of the class will be absent from in-person instruction, faculty will follow their instructional continuity plan, as needed. Faculty should contact their department chair or program head if they are unable to teach in person.

We are encouraging these practices to protect the health and safety of our community.

Best wishes,

David Edelstein
Vice Provost for Education

Chandan Vaidya
Vice Provost for Faculty

Dear Students,

Welcome to the fall semester! We are so excited to welcome you to the Hilltop. Over the summer, faculty and staff have worked very hard to plan for your return to campus. 

I greatly value our community and the important role that students play in making Georgetown the special place that it is. You are an integral part of the Hoya community and enliven the atmosphere of intellectual openness, diversity of thought, academic rigor and lifelong learning that is unique to Georgetown. 

I hope you take advantage of campus connections, experiences and opportunities, and that you have a safe and healthy fall semester.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
University Provost

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,

We are excited to gather thousands of graduating students, families and visitors to Main campus to celebrate the Class of 2023 Commencement(May 18 – 21). 

We encourage you to:

• Review the 2023 Commencement Schedule: Learn more about Commencement 2023 on the main website and view the full Commencement Schedule.
• Congratulate the Class of 2023: Offer your congratulations to our graduates and learn more about the accomplishments that you helped support on the Class of 2023 website.
• Prepare for commuting, parking and transportation impacts: We ask those who work on the Main or Medical Center campuses to please avoid parking on or near campus on Thursday, May 18, through Sunday, May 21, to accommodate the significant number of guests who will be attending. There are a number of GUTS and/or public transportation options for commuting to campus. Please note:
• The bus turnaround will be closed on these days, and the Dupont and Rosslyn GUTS buses will be relocated to pick up on North Road, south of Cooper Field. The Arlington Loop, Downtown Campus Shuttle and Law Center GUTS buses will be relocated to pick up on Tondorf Road by McCarthy Hall.
• A special GUTS bus to and from Rosslyn will run on Saturday, May 20, from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.       

We thank you for your cooperation and flexibility during this exciting time as we celebrate the Class of 2023.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Executive Vice President for the Main Campus and Provost

Edward B. Healton
Executive Vice President for Health Sciences

David B. Green
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dear Students,

We look forward to marking Georgetown Day 2023 this Friday, April 28 and celebrating our community in a way that everyone can enjoy and be proud of. 

We offer our thanks to the Georgetown Program Board (GPB) for planning an exciting line-up of events throughout Springfest week, and they will be sharing a final schedule by email tomorrow.

Please review the following key policies and reminders to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the Georgetown community and our neighbors:

• Friday, April 28, is a Class Day: Faculty expect full participation in scheduled classes. If you are enrolled in a class scheduled to meet, you should attend class, unless your professor has made other arrangements.

• Treating Staff and Others with Respect: Students approached by staff or other university employees, must 1) follow their directives, and 2) treat all community members with respect, courtesy and dignity. Students who do not abide by these values will be referred through the conduct process. If found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct, students will be subject to disciplinary sanctions in accordance with the Office of Student Conduct’s Sanctioning Guide.
• Limited Residence Hall Access: From Thursday – Saturday, GOCard access to all residence halls will be restricted to residents to ensure the safety of our community. 
• Limited Access to Village A Rooftops and Alumni Square: To ensure fire safety at all times, there will be designated security monitoring entry and exit points to Village A and Alumni Square and enforced capacity limitations, coordinated by GUPD and Residential Living. Village A and Alumni Square residents will be able to access their residences normally.

• You Are Responsible for the Actions of Your Guests: If an individual at your residence or property causes harm to another person or property, or otherwise violates the Code of Student Conduct, you will be held responsible, whether or not you invited the guest.
• No Glass Bottles: Please do not purchase any beverages in glass bottles, as they can be dangerous when discarded or broken. Glass bottles may be confiscated.

Robert M. Groves, Ph. D.
Provost

Eleanor JB Daugherty, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs

Dear Georgetown Faculty, Staff and Students,

I am delighted to announce a University-wide lecture delivered by John Rust, recently named Distinguished University Professor by President DeGioia:

Are People Rational? 
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 4 p.m.
Riggs Library, Healy Hall
Reception to follow, please RSVP

Professor Rust’s lecture will discuss economic and non-economic aspects of the question of human rationality, covering a broad range of areas including philosophy, political science, psychology, neuroscience and anthropology.

I look forward to celebrating his appointment as Distinguished University Professor, and hearing about his research at the gathering on February 21. 

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Dear Georgetown Students, Faculty and Staff,

I write today to wish you and your family a wonderful and happy winter holiday season.

We share a community that has together experienced unprecedented challenges, but has emerged stronger because of our care for one another. We are people for others, both within and outside the Georgetown family.

As I reflect upon this past year, I wish to extend my continued appreciation to you for your dedication, perseverance and embodiment of our Jesuit values. I hope that the upcoming winter holidays offer a more extended opportunity to rest and reflect. 

I look forward to 2023 with optimism, and I am certain that the Georgetown community will continue to be strong and united, no matter what the future holds. Thank you, again, for all you do and best wishes for a happy holiday and joyful new year.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Dear Georgetown Community,

This year, Georgetown University’s MLK: “Let Freedom Ring!” Initiative honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will provide the opportunity to continue the conversations on our campus about our capacity to bring about social change. Guided by Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community, we encourage all members of the university to reflect on urgent problems that demand social action.

Each year, Georgetown faculty, staff, and students across campuses and schools read and reflect on one of Dr. King’s speeches or texts during the Spring semester. In the last ten years, diverse faculty and staff across the university have participated in this cross-campus curricular initiative by teaching Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” (2013), about the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (2014), Dr. King’s “The Other America” speech (2015), his Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech (2016), “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the Silence” (2017), “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” (2018), “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” (2019), “Where do we go from here?” (2020), “Our God is Marching On” (2021), and “I Have A Dream” (2022) in their courses and educational spaces. 

For 2023, we encourage faculty, staff, and students to join the upcoming Teach the Speech event which will explore Dr. King’s 1968 sermon “The Drum Major Instinct” (text/audio). We invite you to RSVP for the annual Teach the Speech, scheduled for Friday, January 20, 2023 from 10:30am-4:00pm. The event will be hybrid, and offered to an in-person and a livestream audience including American Sign Language interpretation.

This year’s event will feature an Anti-racism Examen (Guided Community Reflection & Dialogue Space on Anti-racism), a student reflection, a lecture given by Dr. Vicki Crawford, and a sermon offered by Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III. This event is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost, Center for Social Justice, Office of Mission and Ministry, Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship, and the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access. 

We invite all Georgetown faculty, staff, and students to commit time to read and reflect on Dr. King’s speech. We invite members of the Main, Medical, Law, and Qatar campus communities to join in this effort. Questions can be emailed to racialjustice@georgetown.edu.

With best wishes for a safe and healthy holiday season,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Dear Georgetown Students, Faculty and Staff,

I write today to wish you and your family a safe and restful Thanksgiving. 

I am deeply thankful for your patience, for your commitment to teaching, and for your support of our students. Your work continues to embody our ideal of “people for others.” Thank you for supporting each other during the unusual times that confront all of us.

We know that many others in the world are facing challenging circumstances and extraordinary conditions. They are in our thoughts and prayers.

I want to express my warm gratitude to you with wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,

Beginning Wednesday, September 28, 2022, wearing a mask will be optional in indoor instructional settings on the Main and Medical Center campuses, such as classrooms and teaching laboratories, in addition to other locations where they are already optional.

After an anticipated spike in the first few weeks of the academic year as students returned to campus, the number of COVID-19 positive cases (new window) on Georgetown’s campuses is showing a consistent decline. Positive cases are also decreasing locally and nationally. These improving conditions have informed the University’s decision to resume our mask-optional policy for indoor instructional settings.

As a reminder, masks are optional in all University-owned or operated buildings, including academic buildings, libraries, offices, dining facilities, residential buildings and fitness centers, with the limited exceptions noted below:

1. On university-sponsored public transportation (e.g., GUTS buses, shuttles, vans).
2. In University health care facilities (e.g., Student Health Center, CAPS, One Medical testing sites, flu vaccination clinics).
3. Individuals in, or recently released from, isolation must wear a mask when around others for the full 10 days from the date of infection.
4. Individuals with exemptions or accommodation plans that include enhanced public health measures should continue to abide by those measures, as currently in place.

Everyone has the right to wear a mask whenever and wherever they wish on our campuses, and anyone may request – but not require – that those interacting with them wear a mask. Free high-quality masks are available at the entrances to most campus buildings.

As we shift to our mask-optional policy in classrooms and teaching laboratories, we are guided by our Jesuit values and community norms of care, civility, and mutual respect. If a professor, student or colleague requests that you wear a mask, please consider honoring their request.

To help foster a respectful and inclusive environment as we adjust to this policy, the Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship (CNDLS) has developed this teaching and learning guide (new window).

Faculty and staff who believe that this change in policy may impact their health due to a specific medical condition may seek an appropriate accommodation from IDEAA (new window), and students may seek an  appropriate accommodation from the Academic Resource Center (new window).

Georgetown’s HVAC systems meet CDC COVID-19 guidance (new window) as well as American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers  (ASHRAE) standards (new window)  for mitigation of virus transmission. However, if you have concerns about ventilation in your classroom, please submit a service request (new window), email workmanagement@georgetown.edu (new window)  or call 202-687-3432.

We will continue to monitor public health conditions on our campuses, as well as in DC and across the nation. Depending on community transmission levels or other risks (e.g., a new variant of concern) in the future, we may reinstate the indoor mask requirement or other restrictions for short periods, as needed.

We encourage every member of our community to care for yourself and each other (new window), and we hope you have a safe, healthy and rewarding semester. 

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Edward B. Healton
Executive Vice President for Health Sciences

David Green
Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Ranit Mishori, M.D., MHS, FAAFP
Professor of Family Medicine, Vice President and Chief Public Health Officer

Dear Students,

Welcome to the Fall Semester! 

We are so excited to welcome you to campus. Over the summer, faculty and staff have worked very hard to plan for your return to campus. 

I greatly value our community and the important role that students play in making Georgetown the special place that it is. 

I hope you take advantage of campus connections, experiences and opportunities, and that you have a safe and healthy fall semester.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
University Provost

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,

As we prepare for the new academic year, we are writing to share updated public health guidance for the Main and Medical Center campuses.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Georgetown requires students, faculty, staff and visitors to have received a primary series (e.g., two doses of an mRNA vaccine) and, when eligible, an additional dose (first booster) of a COVID-19 vaccine, or to have an approved medical or religious exemption.

We strongly recommend, but do not require at this time, that individuals who are 50 years and older or who are moderately or severely immunocompromised get a second additional dose (second booster).

COVID-19 Testing

The University is planning to use wastewater surveillance testing to help assess public health conditions on campus.

Masks

Masks are still required in indoor instructional settings, such as classrooms and teaching laboratories, on the Main and Medical Center campuses. This applies to organized classes, but not to informal gatherings (e.g., in libraries, study spaces).

We recommend wearing a properly-fitted, high-quality mask (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94). Individuals cannot wear a cloth mask, or a mask with a vent or valve, because these masks do not sufficiently reduce the transmission of the virus from exhaled droplets and aerosol particles that might contain the virus.

Wearing a mask is currently optional in most other indoor settings in University-owned or operated buildings, including libraries, research laboratories, offices, dining facilities, residential buildings, and fitness centers, with the limited exceptions noted below:

1. Individuals must wear a mask while on university-sponsored public transportation (e.g., GUTS buses, shuttles, vans).
2. Individuals must wear a mask in University health care facilities (e.g., Student Health Center, CAPS, One Medical testing sites).
3. Individuals in, or recently released from, quarantine or isolation must wear a mask for the full 10 days from the date of exposure or infection, consistent with DC Health guidance and CDC guidance.
4. Individuals with exemptions or accommodation plans that include enhanced public health measures should continue to abide by those measures, as currently in place.

Everyone has the right to wear a mask whenever and wherever they wish on our campuses, and anyone may request – but not require – that those around them or interacting with them wear a mask.

Free high-quality masks will continue to be available at the entrances to most campus buildings.

Symptom Monitoring

When experiencing any symptoms, students, faculty and staff should:

1. stay home or in their on-campus residence; 
2. complete the COVID-19 Symptom Check-In survey through the GU360 mobile app or website; 
3. call the Student Health Center (if a student) or their health care provider, if needed; 
4. schedule a COVID-19 test; and 
5. not return to class or work until cleared by their health care provider or after a consultation with the Care Navigation team.

Students, faculty and staff should also complete the COVID-19 Symptom Check-In survey if they develop any symptoms and upon exposure to a known COVID-19 case.

Quarantine and Isolation

Please review the University’s quarantine and isolation guidelines. Individuals who test positive will receive guidance from Georgetown’s Care Navigation team. Residential students may need to isolate in their room if they test positive.

Visitors

Visitors to University-owned, operated or leased buildings need to comply with the University’s visitor vaccination requirement and process.

Visitors are not permitted in residential buildings. However, parents and family members may enter residential buildings to assist with move-in. They do not need to follow the University’s visitor registration process but should wear a mask while inside residential buildings.

Visitors and external community members are not permitted in Main Campus and Medical Center libraries and recreational facilities at this time, but we intend to expand access soon and will provide additional information in the coming weeks.

Events

Please review the University’s public health guidance for events and share information about your event with the Public Health team so they can provide additional tailored guidance.

With the increased transmissibility of the latest Omicron subvariants, it is important that we continue to take steps to protect ourselves and one another. We are monitoring public health conditions on campus and in the local region, as well as any new guidance from the CDC and the DC Department of Health, and will provide updates when needed.

Thank you for your continued care for our community, and we look forward to welcoming you back to campus in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Edward B. Healton
Executive Vice President for Health Sciences

David Green
Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Ranit Mishori, M.D., MHS, FAAFP
Professor of Family Medicine, Vice President and Chief Public Health Officer

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,

Georgetown’s mask-optional policy will resume on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, on the Main and Medical Center campuses.

Wearing a mask will be optional in University-owned or operated buildings, including libraries, offices, dining facilities, residential buildings and fitness centers, with the limited exceptions noted below:

1. Individuals must wear a mask in indoor instructional settings, such as classrooms and teaching laboratories. This applies to organized classes, but not to informal gatherings of students (e.g., in libraries, study spaces).
2. Individuals must wear a mask while on university-sponsored public transportation (e.g., GUTS buses, shuttles, vans).
3. Individuals must wear a mask in University health care facilities (e.g., Student Health Center, CAPS, One Medical testing sites).
4. Individuals in, or recently released from, quarantine or isolation must wear a mask for the full 10 days from the date of exposure or infection, consistent with DC Health guidance and CDC guidance.
5. Individuals with exemptions or accommodation plans that include enhanced public health measures should continue to abide by those measures, as currently in place.

Everyone has the right to wear a mask whenever and wherever they wish on our campuses. To help foster a respectful and inclusive environment as we readjust to this policy, the Department of Human Resources has developed this workplace guide.

Faculty and staff who believe that this change in policy may impact their health due to a specific medical condition may seek an appropriate accommodation from IDEAA, and students may seek an appropriate accommodation from the Academic Resource Center.

We will continue to monitor public health conditions on our campuses, and in DC and nationally. Depending on community transmission levels or other risks (e.g., a new variant) in the future, we may reinstate the indoor mask requirement or other restrictions for short periods, as needed.

Thank you for your continued care for one another, and we hope that every Hoya everywhere has a safe and healthy summer.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Edward B. Healton
Executive Vice President for Health Sciences

David Green
Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Ranit Mishori, M.D., MHS, FAAFP
Professor of Family Medicine, Vice President and Chief Public Health Officer

Dear Students,

In 2000, after a series of tragic events on campus, students organized the first Georgetown Day to bring the community together, including students, staff and faculty.  

This year, we will mark Georgetown Day on Friday, April 29.

We encourage you to attend the activities organized by the Georgetown Day Planning Committee on the Hilltop that day if they do not conflict with your scheduled classes (schedule below).

To help ensure the health, safety and well-being of the Georgetown community and our neighbors, all students are expected to abide by the following guidance:

• Friday, April 29 is a class instruction day. Faculty expect full participation in scheduled classes. If you are enrolled in a class scheduled to meet, you should attend class, unless your professor has made other arrangements.
• You and any guests must follow all aspects of the Code of Student Conduct (Code) at all times. You should be familiar with these policies.
• Violations of the Code, both on and off campus, will be taken seriously. University officials will be present on Georgetown Day to attend to the safety and well-being of the campus community and the surrounding neighborhoods and to uphold the behavioral standards outlined in the Code. Failure to comply with a directive of a University official is a violation of the Code.
• If you are a graduating student, serious violations of the Code of Student Conduct will result in loss of your privilege to attend graduation activities or the Commencement ceremony and/or to have guests attend the ceremony.
• On-campus residential communities will have measures in place to manage the safety of particular areas of campus. Access to some residential areas may be restricted due to capacity limitations and safety concerns.
• For off-campus residents, noise and disruptive behavior are violations of the Code. In the interest of fostering our shared community, please remember that University policy states: “Excessive noise inside or outside a building is unacceptable.” Regardless of the hour, if noise can be heard beyond the property line, it is likely too noisy. SNAP and, if needed, the Metropolitan Police Department, will be on call throughout the day as well.
• All current public health policies remain in effect, including the indoor mask requirement and guest policy.

We thank you for taking these requirements seriously for Georgetown Day, and look forward to joining the community for the excellent schedule of events. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Robert M. Groves
Provost

David Green
Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
 
Jeanne Lord
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
 —————————————————————————————————————-

Schedule of Events

Class Banner Competition
April 28, 3 – 6 p.m.
Copley Lawn

Class Jeopardy Trivia Competition 
April 28, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Gaston Hall

Faculty and Staff Breakfast
April 29, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Copley Formal Lounge

Used Book Sale
April 29, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Healy Lawn outside Lauinger Library

Blessing of the Jesuit Graves
April 29, 10 a.m.
Jesuit Cemetery

Brunch with the Jesuits
April 29, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Dahlgren Quadrangle

GU Pep Band Performance
April 29, 11 a.m.
Healy Lawn

Community Barbeque
April 29, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Healy Lawn

Build a Bulldog
April 29, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Copley Lawn

GU Jawani Flashmob
April 29, 1 p.m.
Healy Circle

Class Obstacle Course Competition 
April 29, 3 – 4 p.m.
Healey & Copley Lawns

Food Trucks
April 29, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Healy Circle

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community, 

In light of the high levels of vaccination within our University community, and the easing of many COVID-related global travel restrictions, the University will return to its standard (pre-March 2020) International Travel Policy for all University-related international travel commencing on or after April 1, 2022.  

This decision, made in consultation with the University’s Chief Public Health Officer, allows for continued, appropriate and risk-based review of travel, while permitting a broader range of important University-related international travel to resume.  

Please visit the Office of Global services site on or after April 1 for updated and additional resources on University-Related International Travel. An overview of the policy updates follows:

Faculty and StaffUniversity-Related International Travel 

• Travel is permitted to all regions, without requiring review by the Travel Review Committee (TRC) or Executive Vice President (EVP) approval.
• Travel registration and health insurance coverage are required.  
• Individuals engaging in University-related travel must comply with all other applicable University policies (e.g., departmental/supervisor approvals, business travel and entertainment policies).

Student University-Related International Travel

• All students or student group leaders must submit an international travel application. 
• Travel registration and health insurance coverage are required.
• Applications for travel to Elevated Risk Regions will be reviewed by the TRC, and must be authorized by the appropriate campus EVP.

As always, travelers must stay apprised of, and comply with, public health and travel regulations and guidance in place both at their destination and upon their return, with the understanding that such regulations and guidance continue to change periodically.

For questions about University travel and travel policies, please contact travel@georgetown.edu.

We will continue to monitor global public health and travel conditions and may make future changes to this policy if deemed appropriate. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we seek to balance the university’s mission of global engagement with the public health of our community.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves, Provost

Edward B. Healton, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences 

William M. Treanor, Executive Vice President and Dean of the Law Center

David B. Green, Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,

Georgetown will implement a mask-optional policy beginning Monday, March 21, 2022. Our current mask requirement will remain in effect through Sunday, March 20, 2022 to provide a transition while many students return to campus after spring break.

Effective March 21, if the University’s positivity rate next week remains low, wearing a mask will be optional in University-owned or operated buildings, including classrooms, research laboratories, libraries, offices, dining facilities, residential buildings and fitness centers, with limited exceptions, including:

• Individuals must wear a mask in University health care facilities (e.g., Student Health Center), as required by Mayor Bowser’s February 14 order, and at our on-campus One Medical testing sites, including while waiting in line.
• Individuals must wear a mask while on Georgetown University Transportation Shuttles (GUTS), as required by federal law.
• Individuals in, or recently released from, quarantine or isolation must wear a mask for the full 10 days from the date of exposure or infection, consistent with DC Health guidance and CDC guidance.
• Individuals with exemptions and accommodation plans that include enhanced public health measures should continue to abide by those measures, as currently in place.

Individual faculty and departments may not institute alternative public health measures for their classrooms, offices, meetings or events.

The University’s mask-optional policy is informed by DC Health’s March 8 guidance for institutions of higher education. We may reinstate the indoor mask requirement or other restrictions for short periods, as needed based on community or campus infection rates.

Guided by our Jesuit values, we encourage mutual respect and civility as members of our community take into consideration their unique personal circumstances about whether to wear a mask. 

Everyone has the right to wear a mask whenever and wherever they wish on our campuses. Individual community members may choose to wear a mask for a variety of reasons. We also understand some community members may be concerned about being indoors with people who are not wearing a mask. Recent studies have shown that N95s and KN95s provide strong protection to the wearer even when they are around other people who are not wearing a mask.

We will continue to provide free N95s and KN95s on campus, and we encourage community members to continue to wear a mask if they feel more comfortable doing so.

Please respect the decisions and privacy of fellow community members by not asking why someone is wearing a mask. Please help all members of our community feel welcome and safe, and consider putting on a mask when interacting with someone who is wearing a mask. Do not pressure someone to put on or take off a mask.

We are continuing to take a layered approach to protecting the health and safety of the Georgetown community. The University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students, faculty, staff and visitors; COVID-19 Testing Protocol ; and quarantine and isolation policies remain in effect.

With the Omicron surge receding, we are deeply grateful for your collective efforts to protect the health and safety of the Georgetown community throughout the past two years. We look forward to the opportunities ahead to come together and build community on our campuses while continuing to care about and for one another.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Edward B. Healton
Executive Vice President for Health Sciences

William M. Treanor
Executive Vice President and Dean of the Law Center

David Green
Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Ranit Mishori, M.D., MHS, FAAFP
Professor of Family Medicine, Vice President and Chief Public Health Officer

Dear Undergraduate Students,

Each year at this time, we provide an update on tuition, room and board rates for the following academic year (in this case Academic Year 2022-2023) in order to help students and families plan ahead. 

For the next academic year, the undergraduate tuition rate will be $61,872, an increase of 3.5% from the current year. The total cost of attendance (including room and board) will increase approximately 3.3% for returning students. 

The tuition rate reflects a balanced approach to managing rising costs associated with inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as providing the resources needed for academic and student priorities, new programs and initiatives, and our commitment to minimizing add-on fees.

We are acutely aware that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the daily life and financial security of Georgetown families. In Academic Year 2022-23, Georgetown plans to make its largest investment in financial aid in the history of the University, with an estimated $137 million dollars set aside for all new and continuing undergraduate students across our campuses.

The University will continue to consider adjustments to financial aid packages when alerted to new family circumstances and to recruit deserving students regardless of their ability to pay. 

The graph below provides an illustration of how tuition dollars are projected to be spent in fiscal year 2023 to support our undergraduate students:

You can find more information on the following pages:

• Common financial aid questions for undergraduates 
• Board of Directors’ Approved Tuition and Fee Rates for 2022-2023 
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on our tuition rate-setting process.

Please feel free to share this information with your families. We are deeply grateful for the significant investment that you and your families are making with a Georgetown education, and for your many contributions to our campus community and Catholic, Jesuit educational mission. 

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

____________________________________________________

Dear Graduate Students,

Each year at this time, we provide an update on recent University decisions regarding tuition levels for the next Academic Year in order to help students plan ahead. 

Please find the information for tuition rates for your particular program for the upcoming academic year on the Board of Directors’ Approved Tuition and Fee Rates for 2022-2023 listing. Graduate tuition rates vary by school and degree program due to variances in the cost of delivering specific types of graduate degree experiences. 

Tuition rates for Academic Year 2022-23 represent a balanced approach to managing the cost of attendance despite rising costs associated with inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic, all while ensuring adequate resources needed for academic and student priorities, new programs and initiatives, and our commitment to minimizing additional fees. 

We are acutely aware that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the daily life and financial security of Georgetown families. Next year, Georgetown plans to make its largest investment in financial aid in the history of the University, with an estimated $123 million dollars set aside for all new and continuing graduate students across our campuses. 

The graph below provides an illustration of how tuition dollars are projected to be spent in fiscal year 2023 to provide for the Georgetown graduate student experience:

You can find more information on the following pages:

• Common financial aid questions for graduate students 
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on our tuition rate-setting process

We are deeply grateful for your significant investment in a Georgetown education, and for your many contributions to our campus community and Catholic, Jesuit educational mission. 

Best wishes,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,

In light of the sustained decline and stabilization in positive cases across our campuses and in the District of Columbia, we are writing to share updated public health guidance. Beginning February 12, 2022, we will return, in most cases, to the public health measures that were in place during the Fall 2021 semester. We are pleased that the public health guidance below will enable us to proceed with more in-person activities on campus while continuing to take measures to protect the health and safety of our community.

We continue to monitor public health conditions on campus and in the local region, as well as any new guidance from the CDC and the DC Department of Health, and we will provide updates when needed.

Instruction
In-person instruction resumed on Monday, January 31, 2022. Courses will continue to be taught in-person, unless the course was previously approved by the University to be taught online.

Research 
Beginning February 12, in-person research activitiescan resume at full density.

Staff/AAP Mode of Work
As of January 31, staff/AAP employees have returned to the mode of work designations they were assigned for the 2021-22 academic year. We have extended the GUCares Dependent Care Assistance Grants through June 30, 2022, for eligible faculty and staff who have a qualified need related to child or dependent care. Please visit the University’s Dependent Care Support for Faculty and Staff page for additional information.

Vaccination Requirement
Georgetown requires students, faculty, staff and visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and, as of January 21, 2022, to have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot when eligible, or to have an approved medical or religious exemption.

COVID-19 Testing
Weekly asymptomatic testing resumed the week of January 31.

In order to provide more study and community space for students on campus, we’re in the process of consolidating COVID-19 testing on the Main and Medical Center campuses. The Healey Family Student Center (HFSC) testing site will close at the end of the day on Friday, February 25. After February 25, all testing will occur at the Leavey Center site. The Great Room of the HFSC will be closed for necessary repairs between February 26 and March 13. It will reopen on Monday, March 14, and return to its original use at that time. Some additional repairs will continue in HFSC throughout the spring.

Masks
Individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask indoors in University-owned or operated buildings , except when eating or drinking, when alone in a private office, or when in their personal residence. Students, faculty and staff should wear a properly-fitted, high-quality mask (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94) while on campus.

Given current conditions, we strongly discourage faculty and other speakers from removing their masks while speaking and lecturing in class or at University events. Current University guidelines allow for fully vaccinated and boosted faculty and other speakers to remove their mask when lecturing or speaking in class or at University events, if they choose, but they must be at least six feet away from others.

Symptom Monitoring
When experiencing any symptoms, students, faculty and staff should:

• Stay home or in their campus residence,
• Complete the COVID-19 Symptom Check-In Survey through the GU360 mobile app or website,
• Call the Student Health Center (if a student) or their physician, if needed,
• Schedule a COVID-19 test, and
• Not return to class or work until cleared by their physician or after a consultation with the Care Navigator team.

Students, faculty and staff should also complete the COVID-19 Symptom Check-In survey upon exposure to a known COVID-19 case.

Individuals with a medical or religious exemption from the vaccination requirement should complete the COVID-19 Symptom Check-In Survey each day they are on campus.

Events, Meetings and Visitors
Beginning February 12, indoor events and meetings may resume, including with visitors, provided that event organizers, meeting hosts and visitors follow the University’s visitor vaccination requirement and process. As a reminder, as of January 21, all University visitors are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and have received a booster shot when eligible.Physical distancing should be maintained, where feasible. The University may limit capacity in certain large indoor venues at any time (e.g., Gaston Hall, McDonough Arena).

When planning an event or meeting on campus, we strongly encourage individuals to adhere to the following best practices to protect the health and safety of our community:

• Hold your event outdoors rather than indoors, when possible;
• Take steps to limit event size, and use livestreams and Zoom conferencing when possible;
• Encourage participants to wear their masks at all times by limiting food and drink at your event and, if food must be offered, consider boxed meals outdoors;
• Limit your event to Georgetown community members only by requiring all participants to show a GOCard to access the event, when possible; 
• Keep a list of attendees in the event that contact tracing becomes necessary;
• Please share information about your event with the Public Health team so they can provide additional tailored guidance.

Please visit the University’s Event and Visitor Guidelines page for more information.

Libraries and Study Spaces
Libraries will be open only to Georgetown University community members until further notice, with limited exceptions as approved by University leadership.Physical distancing should be maintained. Eating and drinking is permitted in indoor communal areas (e.g., libraries, lounges) but is not permitted in class, unless the individual has a medical accommodation. Masks may only be removed when sitting and actively eating or drinking, and individuals should keep six feet apart when not wearing a mask indoors.

Dining
As we shared in our February 3 message, indoor dining in campus dining facilities is now open at 50% capacity. Indoor dining will return to full capacity on February 12. For information on hours of operation on the Main Campus, please visit the Hoya Hospitality website.

Religious Services
In-person religious services have resumed on campus as they had during the Fall 2021 semester. Some reduced density may be necessary.

Campus Recreation
Beginning February 12, Yates Field House and Kehoe Field on the Main Campus, and the Scott K. Ginsburg Sport & Fitness Center at the Law Center, will be open at full occupancy and will continue to only be open to Georgetown community members until further notice.

We are grateful for the ways in which students, faculty and staff have continued to care for each other throughout the pandemic, and we look forward to the opportunities that returning to more in-person activities will provide to continue building and strengthening our Georgetown community.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Edward B. Healton
Executive Vice President for Health Sciences

William M. Treanor
Executive Vice President and Dean of the Law Center

David Green
Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dear Members of the Georgetown Community,

To support our efforts to maintain a safe and healthy environment for resuming in-person learning, we wanted to share additional details on the temporary limitations on campus events, gatherings and meetings through January 30, 2022.

• Events: All university events must be held virtually or outdoors, with limited exceptions explicitly approved by university leadership.
• Meetings: We encourage any meeting that includes Georgetown students, faculty or staff to be held virtually. Meetings may also be held outside or in one of the tents on the Main Campus so long as six feet of distance is maintained, masks are worn at all times and there is no eating or drinking.
• Booster Requirement: Georgetown requires all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and, effective January 21, 2022, to have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot when eligible, or to have an approved medical or religious exemption.
• Event/Meeting Reporting: Please share information about your event with the Public Health team so they can provide additional tailored guidance.

You can find additional information on the Events and Visitors section of the COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions page .

At this time, we hope to resume in-person classes and many events and meetings beginning on January 31, 2022, if campus and local public health conditions permit.  It is possible some larger in-person events may continue to be held virtually beyond January 31, 2022, even as we return to in-person learning. A university update will be provided as soon as conditions permit.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we navigate this current surge of the pandemic together.

Sincerely,

David B. Green, Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Robert M. Groves, Provost

Edward B. Healton, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences

William M. Treanor, Executive Vice President and Dean of the Law Center

Dear Students,

As announced in President DeGioia’s message on December 29, 2021, we will open the Spring semester as originally scheduled on January 12, 2022, using virtual instruction, and we are planning to resume in-person instruction on Monday, January 31, 2022. 

With this adjustment, we realize that the normal decision making process for students may be more difficult regarding class selection. In anticipation of potential issues for students making course decisions, we have made the following adjustments.

The Academic Calendar for Spring 2022 Will Remain the Same
All holidays, including spring break, will remain as announced at the beginning of the academic year. The examination period will remain as announced at the beginning of the academic year.

Add/Drop Will Be Liberalized
For full semester courses with semester start dates of January 12, 2022, students will be allowed to drop classes until January 31, 2022; the previously-posted add date of January 21, 2022, will be maintained. In addition, the last day to receive a 100% refund will be extended to February 2, 2022. 

For courses that are on modules or half semesters and begin during the week that includes January 12, 2022, students will be allowed to drop classes as late as January 31, 2022; the add date of January 21, 2022, will be maintained. In addition, the last day to receive a 100% refund will be extended to February 1, 2022. There is also an adjusted refund schedule beyond February 2, 2022, that is shown on the Office of the Registrar website.

Course Withdrawal Policy Will Remain from Fall 2021
The last day to withdraw/drop from a course during the Spring semester without a W grade appearing on the transcript is January 31, 2022. For undergraduate and graduate students, we will maintain the withdrawal date that is reflected on the Office of Registrar website.  

Grading Policy Will Continue from Fall 2021
Quality Grades for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Students will only receive quality grades (letter grades of A, B, C, etc.) for their credit-bearing courses.

Undergraduate Students and the Pass/Fail Option
Undergraduate students who would like to select the Pass/Fail option will have until the last day to withdraw from classes to select this option. Courses on different modular dates will have the option to request a Pass/Fail up to the last day to withdraw in that module. The Pass/Fail option is available for only one elective course each semester for sophomore, junior and senior undergraduate students, for a maximum of six courses prior to degree. 

Graduate Students and Designated Pass/Fail Option Courses
Only courses that have been predesignated by the department or program to be taken only on a Pass/Fail basis can be applied toward the graduate degree program. Additional courses that permit a student to register for pass/fail grading cannot be applied toward a graduate degree program.

Graduate students receiving permission from an instructor to take a course on a pass/fail basis should first register for the course on a letter grade basis, then change to pass/fail by the last day to withdraw from classes. Courses on different modular dates will have the option to request a pass/fail up to the last day to withdraw in that module.

Tuition Rates Will Continue from Fall 2021
Libraries, study spaces and food facilities are open to all undergraduate and graduate students, subject to staffing constraints. Students are welcome to return to campus beginning January 11, 2022, following compliance with the university’s arrival testing protocol. The campus will be open and functional during this period consistent with Georgetown’s public health guidelines. 

At this time, the tuition, room and board rates will be those in place for fall semester, 2021.    

For additional information and guidance, please contact your advisors. 

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Provost

Edward B. Healton
Executive Vice President for Health Sciences

All Email Communication to Georgetown University Students 2021

All Email Communication to Georgetown University Students 2020