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, research and travel; the full Fall 2020 Plan for Reopen DC; and messages to the community about the fall semester.
Academics
Who is the best point of contact if an international student is in need of support?
International students should contact their Dean for academic support. The Office of Global Services (OGS) will provide students on F-1 and J-1 status with guidance on how they can maintain their status for Fall 2020 and beyond. F-1 and J-1 students are required to study full-time. In the court case challenging the July 6 Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) policy directive and July 7 SEVP frequently asked questions (FAQs), the U.S. government agreed to rescind both the policy directive and the FAQs and to make conforming revisions to its March 2020 guidance that allows students to continue to participate in their required full-time course load from anywhere in the world. Georgetown is carefully reviewing SEVP’s guidance in light of the university’s operating status for Fall 2020. OGS will update students on any implications for their F-1 status. See President DeGioia’s statement of support for our international students. OGS and academic leaders hosted Town Hall meetings with undergraduate and graduate students and their families.
Main Campus Student Life
Has a decision been made on intercollegiate athletics?
Due to the unprecedented and continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, BIG EAST fall sports schedules will not include any non-conference competition. No decision is being made at this time regarding BIG EAST fall sports conference competition and championships. The sports affected are: men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, volleyball and field hockey. The BIG EAST’s plans for the 2020-21 winter and spring sports seasons remain unaffected at this time. Georgetown will continue to work closely with the BIG EAST and the NCAA regarding the status of fall athletics.
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.
Main Campus Undergraduate Housing
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. 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;
- 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.
Students who meet one or more of these considerations and applied to live on campus in fall 2020 were informed of the University’s decision on Tuesday, July 14 and Friday, July 17. First-year students (Class of 2024) and undergraduate students who were approved and housed on campus in either spring 2020 or summer 2020, after the university transitioned to a virtual learning environment, are guaranteed on-campus housing in the fall
How will housing assignments and move-in work?
Residential Living shared next steps for accepting on-campus housing with first-year students and students who were approved and housed on campus in either spring 2020 or summer 2020. Residential Living also shared additional move-in and campus life information with first-year students and returning students. For more information about housing assignments, move-in and other details about undergraduate on-campus housing, visit the Office or Residential Living’s Fall 2020 Plan page.
What resources does Georgetown have available for graduate students seeking off-campus housing?
The Office of Neighborhood Life has a webpage dedicated to finding a rental property in the DC area, including Georgetown’s housing search website and short term housing opportunities. The University has agreements with WeLive in Crystal City and the Rixey in Ballston. Both have listing information on the Off-Campus Housing website. We strongly recommend undergraduate students who will not be living on campus to stay at their permanent residence and complete their fall semester virtually.