Title: Winter Break Reminders: Airport Shuttles, Housing, Campus Operations, Health & Safety

Dear Students,

Winter break takes place starting Sunday, December 22, with classes resuming on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Please review the following important reminders and opportunities related to winter break.

The information below will be posted on our Messages to the Community webpage; please refer to this link for the most up-to-date information about winter break operations.

Winter Break Transportation Options

• Airport shuttles will be offered to Reagan National Airport (DCA) from the Georgetown Bus Turnaround on Tuesday, December 17; Wednesday, December 18; and Thursday, December 19. Return shuttles are offered on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Advance signup is not required.
  • Reagan National Airport Schedule

• There are also GUTS-to-public transit options to DCA, Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Union Station, including:
  • Rosslyn: Drops off at Metro Blue line to DCA and Silver line to IAD.
  • Capitol Campus Shuttle: Drops off 0.5 miles from Union Station.
  • Gallery Place Loop: Drops off at Metro Red Line to Union Station.
  • Union Station Loop: Drops off at Union Station.
  • Dupont Circle: Drops off near Metro Red Line to Union Station.

On and Off-Campus Housing

Residence halls and apartments close for winter break at 10 a.m. on Sunday, December 22, 2024. Both on and off-campus student residents should take the following steps to appropriately prepare your space for winter break:

1. Prevent pest and rodent issues by taking out all trash and recycling, putting all food in airtight containers, wiping down surfaces and sweeping/vacuuming.
2. Clean personal refrigerators and dispose of perishable food that may spoil.
3. Turn the heater in your space to medium temperature or 60°.
4. Unplug all electronic devices.
5. Take all valuable and necessary items with you, such as your passport, photo ID, cash, medications, laptops, etc.
6. Turn off all lighting.
7. Close and lock all windows and doors, including the deadbolt on the main entrance to your space.

On-campus residents must notify the university you have left campus for winter break by logging into Hoya Housing, clicking the “Self Check-in/Check-out” button on the homepage and completing the process to indicate you’ve left campus to ensure we can close the building by 10 a.m. on Sunday, December 22, 2024. Residents who do not vacate by this deadline are subject to fees, which will be assessed to the resident’s student account.

Hilltop Campus Operations

• Mail & Packages: All unclaimed mail and packages will be returned to the sender starting on Monday, December 23, 2024; last day to pick up packages is Friday, December 20, 2024. Students are requested to stop by mail services in the Leavey Center (next to Royal Jacket and Starbucks) to check for any packages before leaving campus for the holiday break. The Mail Services team has limited operations over winter break and will not receive packages until Thursday, January 2, 2025. Do not have packages mailed to your residence during this period
• Campus Dining: The Hoya Eats website provides information on campus dining location hours and operating statuses during the final exam period, and will be updated with winter break hours.
• Libraries: The Georgetown University Library website shares the schedule of winter break library hours and operations.

Capitol Campus Operations

• Food Services: The Commons Cafe, The Local and Whisk Coffee & Bake Shop will close on December 20. The Commons Cafe and Whisk will reopen with limited hours on January 6, 2025.
• IST Service Desk: Closed, however emergencies may be sent to caphelp@georgetown.edu.

Well-Being Over Break

The holiday season can be a challenging time for some members of our community. All Georgetown students have access to a range of mental and emotional well-being resources, including 24/7/365 telemental health services via HoyaWell. Check out the Every Hoya Cares Online Resource Center for an overview of on-campus and virtual resources.

Holiday Safety Tips

Please keep these safety tips in mind while you enjoy your holidays:

• Pay Attention to Your Surroundings at All Times. Don’t let your mobile device distract you during the holiday season. If you wear earbuds, keep the volume at a level where you can hear what’s going on around you.
• Don’t Leave Your Car Idle. As it gets colder, cars take longer to warm in the morning. Never leave your car unattended while running. Take your keys, lock your car doors and turn your car off while at a standstill.
• Break Down Boxes. Never leave boxes on the curb. This helps perpetrators know the gifts you have purchased or received. This may include items such as big-screen televisions and other big-ticket items. Break down boxes and discard inside your trash bins or take them to your local dump.
• Don’t Leave Items in Plain Sight. Never leave your shopping bags in plain sight in your car. Lock the items in your trunk. If someone notices you putting shopping bags in your trunk, move your vehicle to another location. Make sure your doors are always locked.
• Shop with a Group. While shopping or attending events this holiday season, avoid doing so alone. Always check to see if a friend or family member can accompany you. There’s safety in numbers.
• Make Package Delivery Arrangements. Package delivery theft increases over the holidays. If you’re having a package delivered, make arrangements to be home or have it delivered where someone can accept the package.

In the case of an emergency, Hilltop Campus students should contact the Georgetown University Police Department (GUPD) at 202-687-4343. Capitol Campus students should contact the Capitol Campus Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (202) 662-9325. If off campus, contact 911.

Public Health Reminders

If you haven’t done so already, please consider getting a flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine prior to going home. The MedStar Georgetown University Student Health Center is able to provide flu and COVID-19 vaccines with regular appointments. If you would like either vaccine and do not need to see one of our providers for other reasons, the MedStar Health Pharmacy at the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is able to provide either or both vaccines (appointments are not needed for Georgetown University students).