Dear Students,
Winter break takes place starting Sunday, December 17, with classes resuming on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. Please review the following important reminders and opportunities related to winter break.
Winter Break Transportation Options
- Airport shuttles will be offered to Reagan National Airport (DCA) from the Georgetown Bus Turnaround on Tuesday, December 12, Wednesday, December 13 and Thursday, December 14. Return shuttles are offered on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Advance signup is not required.
- Reagan National Airport Schedule
- Shuttles will not be offered to Dulles International Airport (IAD), but the GUTS bus drops off at Rosslyn Metro station, where students can take the Silver line to IAD.
- There are also GUTS-to-public transit options to DCA/IAD and Union Station, including:
- Rosslyn GUTS Route: GUTS drops off at Metro Blue line to DCA and Silver line to IAD.
- Law Center GUTS Route and Downtown Shuttle Route: GUTS drops off a few blocks from Union Station.
- Dupont Circle GUTS Route: GUTS drops off near Metro Red Line to Union Station.
- Georgetown-Union Station Circulator Route: There are multiple pickup locations along Wisconsin Avenue NW to Union Station for $1.
On and Off-Campus Housing
Residence halls and apartments close for winter break at 10 a.m. on Sunday, December 17, 2023. Both on and off-campus student residents should take the following steps to appropriately prepare your space for winter break:
- Prevent pest and rodent issues by taking out all trash and recycling, putting all food in airtight containers, wiping down surfaces and sweeping/vacuuming.
- Clean personal refrigerators and dispose of perishable food that may spoil.
- Turn the heater in your space to medium temperature or 60°.
- Unplug all electronic devices.
- Take all valuable and necessary items with you, such as your passport, photo ID, cash, medications, laptops, etc.
- Turn off all lighting.
- Close and lock all windows and doors, including the deadbolt on the main entrance to your space.
On-campus residents must notify the university you have left campus for winter break by logging into Hoya Housing, clicking the “Self Check-in/Check-out” button on the homepage and completing the process to indicate you’ve left campus to help ensure we can close the building by 10 a.m. on Sunday, December 17, 2023. Residents who do not vacate by this deadline are subject to a $100 nightly fee, which will be assessed to the resident’s student account.
Campus Operations
- Mail & Packages: All unclaimed mail and packages will be returned to the sender starting on Monday, December 18, 2023; last day to pick up packages is Friday, December 15, 2023. Students are requested to stop by mail services in the Leavey Center (next to Royal Jacket and Starbucks) to check for any packages before leaving campus for the holiday break. The Mail Services team has limited operations over Winter Break and will not receive packages until Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Do not have packages mailed to your residence during this period
- Campus Dining: The Hoya Eats website provides information on campus dining location hours and operating statuses during the final exam period, and will be updated with winter break hours.
- Libraries: You can view the schedule of winter break library hours and operations here.
Well-Being Over Break
The holiday season can be a challenging time for some members of our community. All Georgetown students have access to a range of mental and emotional well-being resources, including 24/7/365 telemental health services via HoyaWell. Check out the Every Hoya Cares Online Resource Center for an overview of on-campus and virtual resources.
Holiday Safety Tips
Please keep these safety tips in mind while you enjoy your holidays:
- Pay attention to your surroundings at all times. Don’t let your mobile device distract you during the holiday season. If you wear earbuds, keep the volume at a level where you can hear what’s going on around you.
- Don’t Leave Your Car Idle. As it gets colder, cars take longer to warm in the morning. Never leave your car unattended while running. Take your keys, lock your car doors and turn your car off while at a standstill.
- Break Down Boxes. Never leave boxes on the curb. This helps perpetrators know the gifts you have purchased or received. This may include items such as big-screen televisions and other big-ticket items. Break down boxes and discard inside your trash bins or take them to your local dump.
- Don’t Leave Items in Plain Sight. Never leave your shopping bags in plain sight in your car. Lock the items in your trunk. If someone notices you putting shopping bags in your trunk, move your vehicle to another location. Make sure your doors are always locked.
- Shop with a Group. While shopping or attending events this holiday season, avoid doing so alone. Always check to see if a friend or family member can accompany you. There’s safety in numbers.
- Make Package Delivery Arrangements. Package delivery theft increases over the holidays. If you’re having a package delivered, make arrangements to be home or have it delivered where someone can accept the package.
COVID-19 Testing Update
The last day for COVID-19 PCR testing via the Shield T3 vending machines on campus will be Friday, December 15, 2023.
Antigen testing continues to be available free of charge in certain situations, when appropriate. Please contact a Care Navigator at carenavigators@georgetown.edu.
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional four free at-home tests. If you did not order tests earlier this fall, you may place two orders for a total of eight tests. Please visit COVID.gov for more information.
Students can access PCR testing via the MedStar Georgetown University Student Health Center. Students, faculty, and staff can also access PCR testing via One Medical. The Student Health Center and One Medical will bill your health insurance provider first for services provided, and you or your family are responsible for any charges not covered by insurance.
If you receive a positive test result from an antigen or PCR test, please report your result through the COVID-19 Test Result Submission form.
If you haven’t done so already, please get a flu vaccine prior to winter break, and, when eligible, get the updated COVID-19 vaccine.