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, the Georgetown University Community Compact and messages to the community about the fall semester.
Main Campus Students
Who 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, members of the incoming first-year class who are F1 visa holders and a limited number of students engaged in intercollegiate athletics.
Has a decision been made on Intercollegiate Athletics?
Due to the unprecedented and continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, BIG EAST fall sports and competition will not be conducted for 2020. This affects men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, volleyball and field hockey. The fall competition for sports in their non-traditional seasons, which includes baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis will not be held. Consistent with this announcement, men’s rowing and sailing programs will also not compete this fall.
The BIG EAST’s plans for the 2020-21 winter and spring sports seasons remain unaffected at this time. In consultation with University public health officials and a wide array of leaders on campus, we have made the decision to give 30 members of our men’s and women’s basketball teams the option to return to campus. As the only school in the BIG EAST that has not yet returned players, we did not make this decision lightly, and only did so after extensive consultation with our public health advisory group and the development of a comprehensive health and safety plan.
The Patriot League Council of Presidents announced a conference-wide decision that student-athletes will not engage in fall sport competition (including both championship and non-championship seasons). This decision will affect Georgetown’s football and women’s rowing programs. Georgetown will continue to work with the Patriot League and University leadership in exploring creative approaches and alternatives to providing future competitive experiences to our fall sport student-athletes, including the possibility of conducting fall sport competition and championships in the second semester. For more information, visit the Fall 2020 Patriot League FAQ page.
How were undergraduate students able to apply to live on campus?
A committee of university staff and administrators worked thoughtfully to consider housing requests from students whose personal or family situation makes it impossible or unrealistic to pursue their studies at their permanent address. The committee reviewed applications from students experiencing one or more of the following circumstances:
- Students experiencing housing or food insecurity;
- Students with safety and security concerns in their current living environment;
- Students with extraordinary living conditions and high financial need, as determined by the Office of Student Financial Services (Financial Aid); and,
- Students with unresolvable internet inaccessibility or whose permanent home address is more than five hours away from the Eastern U.S. time zone.
University Operations and Finances
How can I access religious services and Campus Ministry?
Chaplains and residential ministers are available remotely. Limited in-person, physically-distanced Catholic and Muslim services are offered and held in a tent in Dahlgren Quad and limited to students who RSVP, participate in University COVID-19 testing and have the required One Medical badge that demonstrates low risk. These and other Catholic and Muslimservices will still be live-streamed as much as possible. Campus Ministry leaders from other faith traditions have opted to continue virtual offerings of all services. Information for services will be sent out through individual chaplaincy channels, and is available on the Religious Services Calendar.
What is the University’s plan for the fall 2020 semester?
Courses for all students will begin in virtual mode. We plan to introduce in-person course elements as soon as health conditions permit.
In early July, we had announced our intention to bring approximately 2,000 undergraduate students, including the members of the first-year class, to our Main Campus. We have revised this approach based on current pandemic conditions. We will not be able to bring to campus the members of the entering undergraduate class, the class of 2024, at this time. We will limit the density of our undergraduate residence halls by housing only students who have been approved through the Housing Stability Application process, students who have been invited to return to campus because of academic requirements, members of the incoming first-year class who are F1 visa holders a limited number of students engaged in intercollegiate athletics.
Select activities—such as biomedical, life, and physical sciences research—will continue to take place on-campus according to our established plans.
Will faculty and staff still be charged for parking?
For the Fall 2020 semester, we will not charge on-campus parkers a parking fee through payroll deduction until further notice. If there is a future change in the university’s on-campus status, parkers will be contacted regarding whether they want to continue on campus parking. Previously submitted cancellation requests will not be processed at this time.
What is the GUTS bus schedule?
Service adjustments have been made to the Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle (GUTS). The Rosslyn, Dupont, Wisconsin Ave. and Law Center routes are still in operation. The Arlington Loop route is temporarily suspended. To keep up with the latest shuttle schedules and any route changes, please visit the Office of Transportation Management’s website.
Health and Safety
Who is required to be tested for COVID-19?
Students, faculty, and staff who will be on any university-owned, managed, or controlled properties for the Fall semester, and students living in the Georgetown, Burleith, and Foxhall neighborhoods, are required to be tested for COVID-19.