Dear Students,
Following yesterday’s message about testing and quarantine procedures, I am writing to follow up with some additional ways the University will support your health and well-being and to introduce you to resources provided by the Office of Neighborhood Life (ONL). You are receiving this email because our records indicate you are a student who will live off campus in the Georgetown, Burleith or Foxhall neighborhoods (“Neighborhoods”) this Fall. If you believe you are receiving this email in error, please contact ONL at neighborhoodlife@georgetown.edu.
Many of you are already here. Others traveling to DC soon should expect a very different city than the one you once knew or imagined it to be. DC currently remains in Phase Two of its reopening plan. Current DC law imposes limits on social gatherings and requires all of us to maintain physical distancing of at least six feet and wear a face covering when outside one’s private residence. In addition, Georgetown students are not permitted to participate in social gatherings of more than 10 individuals, including residents, at any time. Students found responsible for violating these requirements – which have been incorporated into campus student codes of conduct or professionalism – may face significant sanctions up to, and including, suspension or dismissal.
This email will cover:
- Welcome Kits
- Living in the Neighborhood Orientation
- Student Health Center Access
- Well-Being and Mental Health Support
Welcome Kits
To help keep our off-campus students safe, we will provide welcome kits to all students living in the Neighborhoods that include two free washable and reusable Georgetown face coverings, a thermometer and a Hoya Neighborhood Living Guide. Staff from the Office of Neighborhood Life will deliver welcome kits through contactless delivery August 25 – September 8. Students should select one student from their household to fill out the request form indicating how many people are in their house and select a date for welcome kits to be delivered. After this date, students can sign up for an appointment on the ONL website to pick up their welcome kit at the ONL office at the corner of 36th and N Streets.
Hoya Neighborhood Living Orientation
According to the Code of Student Conduct, all undergraduate students living off campus are required to attend the Office of Neighborhood Life’s Hoya Neighborhood Living Off-Campus Orientation. Given current conditions, this year’s orientation is a self-directed course in Canvas. Students should expect to spend about an hour to complete orientation and are required to complete the course by September 11, 2020. Students who fail to complete the off-campus orientation will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. If you have previously lived off campus and have attended the Hoya Neighborhood Living Orientation before, you will need to complete orientation again. Students will be added to the course by Tuesday, August 25 and should receive an email notification from Georgetown Canvas they have been added to the course.
Student Health Center Access
The Student Health Center is staffed by primary care physicians and nurse practitioners with particular training and experience in college health. Student Health Center staff are dedicated to providing high-quality health care to the students of Georgetown University. During the Fall 2020 semester, the Student Health Center will offer both in-person and virtual visits for all enrolled students living in the DC area. You can schedule appointments for both routine primary care and more urgent “sick” visits by calling 202-687-2200. Registered patients can also request appointments in the myMedStar patient portal. Detailed information about the services provided at the Student Health Center can be found on the Student Health Center website.
Well-Being and Mental Health Support
We understand this is a time of uncertainty and anxiety. As a caring community, we will continue to support one another. We encourage you to check in with your friends, offer support and listen to their concerns. If you are feeling distressed or anxious, please don’t hesitate to directly access one of Georgetown’s additional support resources.
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
- To connect with a clinician at CAPS, please call 202-687-6985 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.).
- If you feel you are experiencing a mental health emergency, the CAPS after-hours service is available to you by calling 833-960-3006. You will be connected through a page operating system to a trained behavioral specialist who will provide problem-solving support to help you manage your emergency.
Campus Ministry
- If you are in need of spiritual accompaniment, or just want to talk, Campus Ministry chaplains and staff are available. For assistance, please call 202-687-4300 during the day. Students should be placed in contact with a chaplain within a few hours. Please let us know if there is a specific chaplain or religious tradition you would like to connect with.
- You also have a Resident Minister, Michelle Siemietkowski, who lives in West Georgetown. You can reach her by emailing siemietm@georgetown.edu or by making an appointment.
Student Outreach and Support (SOS)
- SOS is a NON-CONFIDENTIAL resource offering support to students experiencing crises, difficult personal circumstances, or unexpected transitions that interrupt a student’s course of study. Staff are available for Zoom appointments.
- We are available to help you navigate University systems, including connections to your Academic Dean, the Academic Resource Center or other support offices including the Georgetown Scholars Program, Center for Multicultural Equity & Access or the LGBTQ Center. If you are interested in making connections or need assistance in obtaining certain resources on campus, please feel free to reach out to us.
- SOS also maintains an online list of Mental Health Resources and GU Resources.
Additional COVID-19 Support
If you have additional questions about COVID-19, you can call or email Georgetown University’s helpline to be connected to the appropriate University representative to answer your questions.
- Online FAQ for Fall 2020
- 202-784-3510 (Available 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET Monday–Friday)
- covid19-questions@georgetown.edu
For questions related to testing services or the One Medical app, contact One Medical, Georgetown’s partner for COVID-19 testing and daily self-attestations of symptoms.
- 1-888-ONEMED1 (1-888-663-6331)
- hello@onemedical.com
Should you have any questions about living in the Neighborhood or navigating life in DC, ONL is here to help. We are deeply grateful for your care and commitment to the wellbeing of the Georgetown University community. Please remember every member of the community is both valued and here to support each other through this journey.
Sincerely,
Cory Peterson
Director
Office of Neighborhood Life