Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community:
As the 2025 presidential inauguration approaches on Monday, January 20, we are writing to share information with you about transportation impacts, on-campus services and safety measures both on and off campus.
Transportation Impacts
Please be aware that MPD will be closing perimeter streets at various locations that surround the Capitol Campus and near the School of Continuing Studies beginning this weekend. These closures may continue through Tuesday, Jan. 21. Please be prepared to show your Georgetown GOCard to the law enforcement agency who is controlling pedestrian/vehicular traffic at the Capitol Campus. Vehicular access will not be permitted past F Street NW. There will be no access to the 500 First Street Garage. 500 First Street parkers will have to call DPS at 202-662-9325 to gain access to McDonough Garage.
University Operations and Campus Services
In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the university will be closed on Monday, January 20.
Please note the following operational details:
- GUTS Bus Service: GUTS will run on a holiday schedule on Monday, January 20. Shuttle services will only run on the Dupont and Rosslyn routes according to the schedule on the Transportation website. No other shuttles will run.
- Hilltop and Capitol Campus Dining Services: Dining hours can be found on the Dining Services website.
- Hilltop and Capitol Campus Mail Service: Mail services will be closed on Monday, January 20.
- Residential Living and the Office of Neighborhood Life: As a reminder to our residential students, residents of University-owned housing are not permitted to host overnight guests (e.g., siblings, fellow GU students, friends from other universities) or individuals who are not already living on campus. Residents of University-owned housing are permitted to host groups of 10 or fewer, including the host(s). The number of guests must be consistent with the space. The Office of Residential Living and the Office of Neighborhood Life will continue to have their on-call duty staff available to respond to emergencies.
Inauguration Safety Planning
The university is coordinating closely with federal and local authorities on safety planning, and we strongly recommend that all members of the Georgetown community follow the guidance of federal and local authorities.
If you are planning to attend any of the inaugural activities or will be downtown or near the National Mall this coming weekend, please be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and monitor real-time safety news feeds such as the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on X (formerly Twitter).
We encourage you to review the following resources:
- Department of Homeland Security’s Public Safety Overview Map.
- WMATA’s Temporary Detour: 2025 Presidential Inauguration and DC’s Transit Updates.
- Sign up for real-time alerts on public safety, street closures, weather alerts, transit updates, and more from the DC government, text DCINAUG to 888-777 or go to the DC Inauguration website.
- Save the following numbers in your phone:
- Georgetown University Police Department (GUPD): 202-687-4343
- Capitol Campus Department of Public Safety (DPS): 202-662-9325
- If off campus, contact 911
- Use the LiveSafe mobile app. LiveSafe is a personal security system that connects users with GUPD and DPS 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.
- Enroll in Alert DC. 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.
- We will communicate any significant safety concerns on or near our campuses via HOYAlert. Please take a moment to log into Rave and ensure your contact information is up-to-date.
Please know that the safety and security of our community is our highest priority as we move forward in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Erik Smulson
Vice President for Public Affairs