Category: Messages to the Community

Title: COVID-19 Update: Reminder of Guidelines and Sanctions Related to Social Distancing

Dear Georgetown Students:

We write to remind you of the university’s previously announced directives and enhanced sanctions regarding social gatherings for students living near campus that remain in effect even as the District of Columbia transitions to Phase 2 of its reopening plan, as early as Monday, and must be complied with fully.

During this exceptional time, we all have a responsibility to practice social distancing in order to maintain the health and safety of the university and broader community. We are concerned by recent reports of students living in the neighborhood this summer hosting social gatherings.

We continue to strictly enforce the following directives for undergraduate and graduate students with enhanced sanctions for violations until further notice:

  • Students are not permitted to organize or attend off-campus parties or gatherings of more than ten people. If you participate in a gathering of more than ten people, regardless of who hosted it, you will be subject to discipline.
  • As the DC government transitions to Phase 2 of its reopening plan – which permits larger gatherings so long as social distancing is observed – the university will continue to prohibit gatherings of more than ten people in off-campus residences. This decision is based on social distancing requirements, in recognition of the size of residences in the surrounding neighborhoods by the main campus, and to protect the health and safety of our students. This requirement will be in effect until further notice and applies to all enrolled students. The DC government could transition to Phase 2 as soon as Monday, June 22, 2020.
  • The Student Neighborhood Assistance Program (SNAP) continues to operate over the summer, and the Office of Student Conduct continues to adjudicate cases in order to ensure the safety of our community.
  • Policies regarding off-campus noise remain in effect at all times. Students are prohibited from generating noise that can be heard beyond the property line and is likely disturbing to others.
  • It is expected that you comply with the directive(s) from the DC government.

If you are found responsible for a violation of any of these directives, you will be subject to serious disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct as well as enhanced sanctions, including suspension for the semester or longer, and loss of academic credits. Given our current circumstances, an expedited process will be in place to adjudicate violations of these directives.

Please know that these measures have been put in place with the health and safety of all members of the Georgetown community as our paramount concern.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves, Provost

Edward B. Healton, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences & Executive Dean of the School of Medicine