Title: How to Stay Safe, Healthy and Secure at Georgetown

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,

At Georgetown University, we take your safety, health, security and emergency preparedness very seriously. Please review the important information below about a variety of safety-related resources so that you can keep yourself and our community safe and healthy in the year ahead.

Thank you for your attention to these matters, and we hope you have a great semester.

Key Reminders

To maintain a safe community at Georgetown, we recommend prioritizing these five essential practices: utilize the LiveSafe app for personal safety; uphold the “See Something, Say Something” principle; ensure your doors remain locked at all times; contact GERMS during medical emergencies if on the Hilltop Campus, otherwise dial 911; and always treat every fire alarm with the urgency of a real emergency.

Personal Safety

For your personal safety and the well-being of the community, always practice the following strategies:

Use the LiveSafe Mobile App: LiveSafe is a personal security system that connects users with GUPD when activated during an emergency situation. The app also allows users to report suspicious activity, request a SafeRide Shuttle or personal escort, access resources on emergency preparedness and use SafeWalk to share their location with friends.

Confirm/update your contact information for HOYAlerts: All current students, faculty and staff are automatically enrolled to receive email and text messages from HOYAlert, Georgetown’s mass notification system used in the event of an emergency situation or incident on campus. Please take a moment to confirm or update your HOYAlert contact information. You can also “follow” HOYAlert on X (Twitter).

Guests visiting the university can now sign up to receive HOYAlerts via text, in case of an emergency on the Hilltop or Capitol campuses. Text Hoyas1789 to 77295 to opt in. The opt-in will automatically expire after three days, at which time users may resubscribe.

Confirm/update your contact information in GU Experience: Students, please confirm that your phone number and address are up-to-date in GU Experience. Having current contact information is crucial in case of a need to communicate with you directly regarding public health or safety.

Enroll in AlertDC: AlertDC is the official District of Columbia communications system that allows you to receive emergency alerts, notifications, and updates directly from DC’s public safety officials. AlertDC allows you to choose what kind of notifications you want to receive through text and/or email and the time of day you wish to receive alerts. It is a great way to stay informed of important events and emergencies throughout the District. Community members can also utilize Capital Alert, which provides custom alerts from local governments in the National Capital Region.

If You See Something… Say Something: You are a critical part of keeping our community safe. In addition to downloading LiveSafe to connect with campus police, program these phone numbers into your phone:

• Hilltop Campus Georgetown University Police Department: (202) 687-4343
• Capitol Campus Georgetown University Police Department: (202) 662-9325

Off-campus, contact 9-1-1 to report an emergency. If you are concerned about threatening behavior or are worried about potential violence to the university or someone at Georgetown, contact GUPD or the Georgetown Threat Assessment Program.

Run.Hide.Fight Training: Keeping the Georgetown community safe from an active shooter incident is a top priority. Visit activeshooter.georgetown.edu for information on how to stay safe during an active shooter incident and how to attend one of GUPD’s Run.Hide.Fight. training sessions on Zoom. A recorded version of the training can also be found at activeshooter.georgetown.edu.

Be Aware and Vigilant: Don’t walk alone at night, and always walk along well-lit and well-traveled routes. Take earbuds out of your ears, and keep your attention on your surroundings rather than your phone. Please use caution and use marked crosswalks, particularly near on-campus construction areas. Always walk bicycles and scooters on sidewalks and reduce speed when approaching pedestrians and/or construction zones. Scooters should never be taken or ridden indoors. Please be considerate of community members, and keep your voices down and your behavior respectful as you move through the residential neighborhoods.

Sexual Misconduct Resources and Response: Georgetown has resources in place to support members of the university community who have experienced or wish to report sexual misconduct, which includes all forms of interpersonal violence. These resources include options for medical care, safety planning, confidential counseling, and other supportive measures. Additionally, off-campus resources are available for the university community. All resources may also be found on the Sexual Misconduct Reference Guide.

Report a Bias Incident: The university considers acts of hate and bias unacceptable and antithetical to its commitment to an inclusive and respectful community. Through the Bias Reporting System, Georgetown is able to track and review bias-related incidents and provide information and support to individuals who make reports or participate in the bias reporting process.

Take Precautions with Ridesharing: Always check that the vehicle, license plate and driver information match what’s listed in the rideshare app. Don’t give away your name prior to entering the vehicle; instead, ask the driver to confirm the name of who they are picking up. Consider sharing your trip progress with a friend or family member.

Fire Safety: It is important that all community members take fire safety precautions and are prepared for building emergency evacuations. In the event you discover fire or smoke, or if you hear the fire alarm:

• All alarms should be treated as “real” and prompt immediate evacuation. If you have special accessibility requirements, please review our page on building evacuation and shelter-in-place for information and assistance.
• Leave the building immediately via the stairs. Do not use elevators. If you are unable to use the stairs, follow your Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan or contact GUPD for coordination with emergency responders.
• As you leave, close all doors, including any that are propped open, and pull the fire alarm station, if not already ringing.
• Once outside, follow directions from Building Emergency Coordinators (BECs) (identifiable due to their bright yellow vest), GUPD or other university officials and gather in designated assembly areas. Do not congregate in front of the entrance to the building.
• Remain outside the building until the “ALL CLEAR” is given by the emergency coordinators or GUPD. Please note: silencing of the alarms does not constitute an “ALL CLEAR.”

Students in university housing should take special care to note prohibited items that are a fire hazard. If you are living off-campus, please make sure your residence has working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers.

Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service: Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service (GERMS) is a volunteer, student-run emergency medical service. They should be called when a person in the Georgetown, Burleith, Foxhall or Glover Park neighborhood is suffering from a medical emergency and needs transport to a nearby hospital. They can be reached by calling (202) 687-4357; those outside of the listed service areas should call 911.

E-Scooters and E-Bikes: Due to the fire safety danger presented by lithium-ion-equipped micro-mobility devices, Georgetown University has banned these devices from all university-owned and operated buildings. This policy covers the storage and charging of all micro-mobility devices equipped with lithium-ion batteries, including but not limited to e-scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards (as defined by Georgetown University), and it applies to all students, faculty, staff and visitors at Georgetown University. The policy is aimed at protecting your safety because when lithium batteries fail to charge safely or are damaged, they may present a fire and/or explosion hazard.

Rooftop Safety: Unauthorized access to prohibited rooftop spaces is a significant safety hazard. It is also a serious violation of the Code of Student Conduct and can result in disciplinary action.

Securing Your Property

We want your belongings to be safe, and the university cannot be responsible for personal items. Therefore, please take the following actions to protect your items.

Lock Your Doors: GUPD recommends that all students lock their doors every time they leave their room or home. Laboratory and office spaces should also be secured any time they are unattended.

Lab Security: Ensure laboratory doors are locked whenever unoccupied, even for a few minutes.

Lock Your Laptops: Never leave laptops unattended. Contact GUPD for laptop registration, lock and theft prevention information.

Lock Your Bikes. To mitigate thefts, all bicyclists are encouraged to use U-locks, which are more secure and more difficult to cut than cable locks. Discounted U-locks can be purchased from GUPD, located in Village C West, or at the university bookstore. GUPD also offers free bicycle registration, which can help facilitate your bike’s return if stolen. Allow GUPD to assist if your key is lost, or contact you if your bike appears abandoned. On the Capitol Campus, visit McDonough Room #102 or call (202) 662-9325 for bicycle registration.

Share a Complaint, Compliment or Concern with GUPD. GUPD investigates all complaints regarding conduct by the department. If you believe you have been subjected to, or witnessed, police misconduct of any type by GUPD, please report the incident, anonymously if preferred, via the Complaints, Compliments and Feedback form.

Campus Updates

Blasting Work Along Canal Road — Potomac River Tunnel Project

Beginning mid-July 2026, as part of the Potomac River Tunnel Project led by DC Water, there will be periodic controlled underground blasts at the project’s construction site, alongside Canal Road NW (located near Entrance Six to the university). The Potomac River Tunnel is part of DC Water’s Clean Rivers Project, which is helping to reduce the amount of stormwater and wastewater that overflows into the Potomac River.

Read more about this project in this message to the community and opt in via GU360 to receive advance notifications for each individual blast. Because this construction and the associated blasting are managed entirely by DC Water, please direct your specific concerns and questions to their team. You can reach the DC Water project hotline directly at 202-972-1388.

Security Upgrades and Modernization Work

As part of Georgetown’s ongoing commitment to a secure and welcoming environment, the university is conducting a Security Camera Refresh Project, focusing on upgrading the camera network across our campuses. While relevant teams continue to review data for future interior updates, the project is moving forward with new installations and technology upgrades in key outdoor locations. During this time, you may notice contractors in various outdoor spaces replacing cabling and cameras. Updates will be provided on the project landing page as the project progresses. Questions or concerns about the project should be directed to help@georgetown.edu.

Periodic Drone Flights Over Georgetown’s DC Campuses

Throughout the year, multiple university offices engage drone operators to support different projects on campus, ranging from routine maintenance to communications. Each flight is coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration and Georgetown University Police Department to ensure adherence to federal regulations. Please direct any questions to workmanagement@georgetown.edu.

Health and Wellness

With the travel back to campus, there may be a rise in common illnesses, including but not limited to COVID-19, the flu, the common cold, bacterial or viral sore throats and Norovirus. We recommend that all students, faculty, and staff practice good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and stay home when sick. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet with three meals a day, drinking plenty of water and sleeping at least 7-8 hours a night will further reduce your risk of becoming ill and/or reduce the severity of your illness.

Additionally, adjustment to the new school year may result in increased stress and changes in mood. We recommend students reach out to CAPS or SHC if they are having difficulties navigating this transition period.

Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease and Related Guidance
As noted in the community message on May 20, 2026, Georgetown has suspended university-related travel for all of its students, faculty and staff to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan. Travelers, including U.S. citizens and nationals, who have been in the DRC within 21 days of their flight will not be allowed to board commercial flights to the U.S. and should plan to remain outside the DRC for 21 days before entering the U.S. In the event an individual is required to quarantine by public health officials after arrival screening, they are not approved to access any Georgetown campus or facility until their quarantine period ends, and should alert the Office of Public Health of their status by emailing publichealth@georgetown.edu.

Any community members planning to host a visitor at a Georgetown campus or facility who has traveled to an impacted country within 21 days should seek guidance from the Office of Public Health (publichealth@georgetown.edu) before the visit occurs. For more information, visit the Office of Public Health website.

Mark Your Calendars

Hoya Ready Preparedness Fair: In celebration of National Preparedness Month, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will host the Hoya Ready Preparedness Fair in collaboration with the Office of Environmental Health & Safety, Fire Safety, the Office of Public Health and GERMS on Thursday, September 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Copley Lawn (rain location: HFSC Great Room). This will be a fun opportunity for the Georgetown community to learn about safety and emergency preparedness resources and lifesaving skills like CPR and Stop the Bleed while enjoying free snacks and giveaways.

Additionally, the Office of Emergency Management will be tabling at the Capitol Campus for National Preparedness Month on Wednesday, September 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Eleanor Holmes Norton Green (rain location: Hotung Lobby) alongside many of the offices listed above. Check out OEM’s National Preparedness Month website for the most up-to-date information on upcoming events.

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about safety and emergency preparedness as we kick off the academic year.