Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,
On Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, the counting and certification of the 2024 Presidential Election will occur during a Joint Session of Congress. Additionally, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 and running through Thursday, Jan. 9, the ceremonies for the State Funeral of former President Jimmy Carter will take place in Washington, DC.
While we do not anticipate these events leading to major disruptions to the day-to-day operations of the university, travel around DC may be limited due to road closures, and GUTS buses will run on alternate routes. Please see below for more information about the anticipated impacts, as well as safety reminders and resources.
Transportation and Parking Impacts
Information on road closures and parking restrictions as a result of these events can be found on the DC Metropolitan Police Department’s website.
The Capitol Campus Shuttle will run on an alternative route, and will not service Peace Circle and Garfield Circle. Delays should be expected on all routes due to heavier-than-normal traffic.
Safety Reminders and Resources
The safety of our community is our top priority. We are in frequent communication with public safety officials in the District and federal law enforcement authorities to ensure the safety of the University community amidst these national events.
I also encourage you to take the following steps, and review more safety resources online:
- Add Georgetown’s emergency numbers to your phone’s contacts:
- Hilltop Campus Emergency Contact: Call GUPD at (202) 687-4343.
- Capitol Campus Emergency Contact: Call DPS at (202) 662-9325.
- If off campus, call 911.
- Follow DC officials on X and other platforms:
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- Mayor Bowser: @MayorBowser
- Metropolitan Police Department (MPD): @DCPoliceDept
- DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA): @DC_HSEMA & @AlertDC
- DC Fire and EMS: @DCFireEMS
- 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.
- 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. Take a moment to confirm or update your HOYAlert contact information. You can also “follow” HOYAlert on X (Twitter). You do not need to opt in for HOYAlerts for your primary campus; however, if you would like to opt in to receive HOYAlerts for additional locations (e.g., opt-in for the Capitol Campus if you are based on the Hilltop Campus) you can do so in GU360.
- Use the LiveSafe Mobile App. LiveSafe is a personal security system that connects users with the Georgetown University Police Department and the Capitol Campus Department of Public Safety 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.
- Plan ahead and bookmark the District of Columbia’s web page on the Inauguration.
I hope you find this information and these resources helpful.