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. Our full list of frequently asked questions is available on the COVID-19 Resource Center.
Commencement
Will there be virtual celebrations for the Class of 2020?
On Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m. EDT, the university community will convene virtually to recognize the Class of 2020. The 2020 Conferral of Degrees in Course can be viewed on the Georgetown University Facebook page and will feature the awarding of degrees, reflections for the Class of 2020 from alumni and from President DeGioia, as well as several university traditions including the reading of the university charter and the singing of the Alma Mater. Degrees in course will be conferred on Class of 2020 degree candidates from Georgetown College, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Georgetown Law, School of Nursing and Health Studies, Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University in Qatar, McDonough School of Business, School of Continuing Studies and McCourt School of Public Policy. Candidates will be presented by executive vice presidents as groups rather than by individual name at this virtual ceremony.
The School of Medicine will host a Commencement Ceremony, virtually, on Sunday, May 17 at 11 a.m.
Details about these events (as well as some additional gatherings) are available on the Commencement website. We also invite you to visit a new website dedicated to the Class of 2020.
University Finances
What is the financial impact of COVID-19 on Georgetown University?
As President DeGioia shared in his message on May 12, 2020, Georgetown University expects an operating loss of at least $50 million over the spring and summer terms of 2020, which includes immediate unbudgeted spending to support our community during the transition to a virtual learning and telework environment and lost revenue due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
While we continue to review the financial requirements for the coming academic year, we do not know at this time the impact of COVID-19 on the four key elements that determine our financial capacity: student enrollment, especially for international students; research funding; the performance of our endowment; and philanthropy. We also expect to face new expenses associated with the combination of the pandemic and the global financial crisis that has followed.
How is the university addressing these impacts?
In a message from President DeGioia on April 7, 2020, the university announced a set of initial actions to mitigate against incurred and expected losses. We implemented a temporary hiring freeze, extended our travel moratorium, instituted a new process to review discretionary spending, and paused all salary increases through the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2020.
In a message from President DeGioia on May 12, 2020, the university announced an additional set of actions to reduce expenses to our Fiscal Year 2021 (July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021) budget with the goal of putting us in the strongest position to protect Georgetown’s academic and research mission and the livelihoods of all who work at Georgetown as we respond to the impact of COVID-19. These actions include a voluntary reduction of senior leaders’ salaries; continuing to pause salary increases for faculty and staff/AAP, including annual merit increases, and new hiring for staff/AAP; temporarily suspending the university’s retirement contributions; pausing non-essential capital projects; reducing spending on services, travel, and other non-personnel expenses; and implementing voluntary furlough and salary reduction programs.
Which senior leaders’ salaries were reduced?
More than 50 senior leaders, including the President, Executive Vice Presidents, and Vice Presidents, have taken voluntary salary reductions, totaling $2.4 million in savings.
As a Georgetown employee, where can I learn more about the voluntary furlough and salary reduction programs?
Please visit the COVID-19 Employment Actions webpage.
As a Georgetown employee, where can I learn more about the temporary suspension of the University’s retirement contributions?
Please visit the COVID-19 Employment Actions webpage.
What does this mean for capital projects?
The university has paused all non-essential capital projects. Capital projects that address critical safety or systems issues, meet an urgent strategic need, or are largely supported by donor and/or sponsored funds will continue.
Can the university use endowment funds to offset losses this year?
Our endowment funds nine percent of university operations annually, and we will distribute as much as is prudent from the endowment to address the current need. The university’s use of the endowment is restricted to the specific purposes designated by donors, and guidelines are in place to ensure our long-term stability in order to provide a secure future for the University for generations to come. Although the growth of our endowment has been strong in recent years, the endowment has already seen a negative impact due to this global crisis. We are managing through an unpredictable financial environment, and it is highly likely that the endowment will be affected further. For these reasons, it would not be prudent – or even possible – for us to use a significant amount of our endowment funds for this purpose.
How is the university using CARES Act funding to assist in mitigating losses?
The university has received approximately $6.1 million from the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Georgetown will distribute 50%, about $3.055 million, in direct emergency grants to eligible students, with most of those grants going to undergraduate students with the highest financial need in light of disruptions to campus operations due to COVID-19. The amount Georgetown received is based on the number of students with high financial need and the University’s total student enrollment.
How can I help community members affected by COVID-19?
There are two easy ways to make a gift to support the COVID-19 Response and Resilience Fund.
Make your gift through our secure online giving form. Use the “Other” designation text box at the bottom of the page to type “COVID-19 Response and Resilience Fund” in the space provided and your gift will be directed appropriately.
Make your gift by mailing a check to the address below and include “COVID-19 Response and Resilience Fund” in the Memo field of your check:
Georgetown University
Office of Gift Administration
Department 0734
Washington, DC 20073-0734
Please visit our How to Help page for more information about how to support members of the Georgetown community affected by COVID-19.
What funding resources are available to students experiencing financial hardship during this time?
Georgetown’s COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund provides one-time, short-term relief for students who are experiencing immediate financial hardship. All current undergraduate and graduate students in degree programs on the Main Campus, School of Continuing Studies and Georgetown University Medical Center (School of Medicine, Biomedical Graduate Education and School of Nursing and Health Studies) are eligible to apply. Students can submit an application on a rolling basis through the fall 2020 semester.
The Law Center has its own separate fund, and law students can apply for support through the Georgetown Law Student Emergency Fund.
With funding provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Georgetown will provide approximately $3.055 million in direct emergency grants to eligible students with the highest financial need. Additional information about CARES Act grants is available via a set of frequently asked questions on the Revenue and Receivables website.
Student Mail and Package Delivery
I have been approved to live on campus. How should I receive packages and letter mail going forward?
The Kennedy RHO is open Monday-Friday 1-5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 12-6 p.m. When packages have been received by the RHO and are ready for pick-up, you will receive an email from the RHO directly. We will make best efforts to redirect your letter mail to your on-campus address.