As the university continues to respond to the evolving circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to providing up-to-date information to our community. Below you will find this week’s new and updated answers to frequently asked questions regarding university news, policies and resources.
Please refer to the Fall 2020 Plan website for the full lists of Fall 2020 FAQs pertaining to health and safety, Main Campus students, Georgetown Law students, F-1 and J-1 international students, research and travel; the Georgetown University Community Compact; and messages to the community about the fall semester.
Why has Georgetown decided to start the Fall 2020 semester in a virtual learning environment?
As President DeGioia wrote in his July 29 message, over these past few weeks, we have been carefully monitoring the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our Fall 2020 plans. Based on current public health conditions, we are amending our plans and will begin the Fall semester in a virtual learning environment to protect the health and safety of our community.
Which undergraduate students will live on campus for the Fall semester?
The University will provide on-campus housing for undergraduate students who have been approved through the Housing Stability Application process, students who have been invited to return to campus because of academic requirements, and members of the incoming first-year class who are F1 visa holders.
Can undergraduate students in the Class of 2024 apply to live on campus for the Fall semester?
First-year students whose personal or family situation makes it impossible or unrealistic to pursue their studies at their permanent address will be able to apply to live on campus for the Fall semester. This may include one or more of the following circumstances:
- Students experiencing housing or food insecurity,
- Students with safety and security concerns in their current living environment, or
- Students with extraordinary living conditions and high financial need.
Students who meet one or more of these considerations should complete the Fall 2020 Georgetown Housing Stability Application by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, August 5. First-year students (Class of 2024) who are F-1 visa holders are invited to return to campus and do not need to apply for housing. The Office of Residential Living will be in touch with those students shortly.
Will students living on campus be required to self-quarantine when they arrive?
On Friday, July 24, 2020, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced an order requiring people traveling into Washington, DC, from high-risk states to self-quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in the District. The list of high-risk states is posted on DC’s COVID-19 website, and DC has announced that it will update the list every other Monday. Please check this website to see if you are traveling from a state designated as high-risk by DC. If you are residing on campus and traveling to DC from a high-risk state, you will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days from your arrival. Please refer to the DC quarantine rules here. In the coming days, the University will provide more information to undergraduate students who are required to self-quarantine.
If you are traveling to DC from an international location, the CDC has advised that you should self-quarantine for 14 days from your arrival. Consequently, if you are residing on campus and traveling to DC from an international location, you will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days from your arrival. The DC quarantine protocols will apply.
What is Georgetown’s health and safety plan for the Fall 2020 semester?
The University has adopted a set of COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures for the Fall semester.
Will the University continue to charge the same tuition rates for the Fall 2020 semester?
In recognition of the impacts of the University’s decision to move to a virtual learning environment, we will reduce tuition for all undergraduate students by 10% (we had already announced this for undergraduate students who would be learning virtually this fall) and all students at the graduate level by 5% for the Fall semester.
Which University services and buildings are available, and who is permitted to utilize them?
Many buildings on campus will have limited or restricted use, as necessary during the Fall semester. All campus spaces are being reviewed for their operations, and plans for their use will be made based on District of Columbia and University health and safety guidelines.
What does this change mean for students living in the Georgetown, Burleith, and Foxhall neighborhoods?
Students living in the Georgetown, Burleith, and Foxhall neighborhoods are still required to sign and abide by the Georgetown University Community Compact and follow our COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures during the Fall semester.
What will the academic and co-curricular experience be like for students who are virtual?
Since the transition to virtual learning this past March, Georgetown’s faculty and staff have devoted significant time to enhancing the virtual learning experience through workshops organized by our Center for New Designs in Learning and Scholarship (CNDLS). More than 1,600 of our faculty took part in these summer programs. In addition, faculty have been implementing improvements informed by student surveys.
We recognize that student-led organizations and co-curricular activities play an invaluable role in fostering a sense of community and belonging. Events and co-curricular activities are being adapted for students to succeed and thrive in a virtual environment.
What university services and support will be available virtually?
We will continue to provide virtual support services for our students, including through the Student Health Center and Counseling and Psychiatric Service (CAPS). More details will be available about these student services as we get closer to the start of the semester.