December 29, 2021
Dear Georgetown University Students,
Following today’s message from President DeGioia with a link to a detailed webpage including public health requirements, we provide the following information about how we will begin the Spring semester. As we send this very important information, we’d also like to recognize the impacts and the challenges of the changing pandemic environment requiring another shift in our mindset and activities as we adapt to an altered start to the Spring semester. As we have done since the beginning of this pandemic, we will continue to work closely with our colleagues and students to ensure our community has the necessary support for success.
Classes Start as Originally Scheduled, Held Virtually Through January 30, 2022. Most classes will start on January 12th as stated in the academic calendar, in a temporary remote mode, through January 30, 2022. It is our intention to resume on-campus in-person classes on Monday, January 31, 2022, depending on public health conditions at that time. We will communicate any updates to the mode of instruction if need be. At this time, all students and faculty regularly scheduled to be on campus will be expected to be on campus by January 31.
Research
When research activities require in-person work, faculty and staff have been asked to schedule work in such a way that allows for reduced density, maintaining physical distancing when possible and wearing a properly-fitted, high-grade mask inside at all times. Graduate students conducting research should continue as scheduled. We strongly encourage those who are eligible to be boosted to do so before returning to campus before the January 21, 2022, deadline. Access for study participants visiting Georgetown for research purposes continues as planned.
Use of Library and Study Spaces
Libraries will be open only to Georgetown University community members. Students will need to keep at least six feet apart while studying in libraries or study spaces on campus and wear a high-grade mask at all times. These rooms will also be available for students as study spaces until January 30, so that students may maintain physical distancing. We strongly encourage those who are eligible to be boosted to do so before returning to campus before the January 21, 2022, deadline. Masks (specific types outlined here) must be worn in indoor public spaces on campus, and no eating or drinking is allowed in communal areas, including libraries, classrooms, and study spaces.
Undergraduate Residential Student Move-In Begins January 11, 2022
There are a very small number of exceptions for move-in prior to January 11. Given that classes will be held virtually, temporarily, through January 30, residential students may choose to move in later in January in the period between January 12 and January 30. Residential students will receive more information about the move-in process in early January.
International Students
New F1 students must enter the United States within 30 days of the start of Spring 2022 classes. For classes that start on Wednesday, January 12, the arrival deadline would be Thursday, February 10. Students in programs with different start dates should consult their program leadership. Students should, in all cases, make every effort to arrive by the start of in-person instruction to ensure their ability to make academic progress. Those students unable to get a booster in their home country can receive one upon arrival at the University.
Arrival Testing
Students, faculty and staff returning to campus after the winter break will need to get tested prior to their arrival on campus, following the arrival testing schedule described here, regardless of their vaccination status or whether they have traveled or remained in the local area. Please see the COVID-19 Testing section of the Public Health and University Operations webpage for more information on testing requirements prior to returning for the spring 2022 semester.
Meetings, Gatherings, Events and Visitors
With limited exceptions explicitly approved by University leadership, all University events, including meetings with visitors, must be held virtually or outdoors through January 30, 2022. Georgetown requires all visitors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and, effective January 21, 2022, to have received a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot when eligible, or to have an approved medical or religious exemption.
We hope this detailed information will allow you to better plan for your return to campus in January. We will continue to monitor public health conditions and communicate any updates. In the meantime, we wish you a healthy and restful winter break, and look forward to our return to University activities in January.
Sincerely,
Robert M. Groves
Provost
Edward B. Healton
Executive Vice President of Health Sciences
David Green
Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer