Spring 2021 Plan

All students living on campus are expected to comply with personal health and safety measures and commit to the Georgetown University Community Compact. Students will be expected to:

• Track symptoms daily through the COVID-19 Daily Check-In on the One Medical mobile app
• Test for COVID-19 twice a week as part of Georgetown’s testing protocol;
• Maintain at least 6 ft distance between themselves and others at all times;
• Wear a mask any time they are outside of their living units, including in hallways, common areas, and communal restrooms, unless showering;
• Conduct personal hygiene, including tooth brushing, frequent hand washing, and face washing, at individual room sinks;
• Abide by reduced-density occupancy limits in communal spaces, including lounges, study rooms, and kitchens; and
• Abide by posted occupancy limits in elevators.

All currently housed residents who are taking classes in the Spring semester are guaranteed a space on campus and have already received information on how to confirm their Spring plans. Please indicate your preference to remain on or off campus for Spring 2021 by completing the Spring 2021 Acceptance of On-campus Housing page within the Academic Year 2020-2021 Housing Application. Please log into Hoya Housing and open up the Housing Applications tab to proceed.

Students of all class years who elect to live off campus will not be negatively impacted by the three-year residence requirement. For 2021-2022 all rising sophomores will be required to return to campus. For 2021-2022 rising juniors are also required to return to campus or may request a Junior Swap and return to campus for their 2022-2023 senior year.

Students approved to move to campus for Spring 2021 will have an opportunity to select their group and self-select their Spring housing between December 1 – December 10. Details about how to participate in the Spring 2021 Selection process will be emailed to students who accepted their invitation to move to campus.

There will be designated rooms within the following buildings that will be available for Spring 2021: Alumni Square, Arrupe, Henle, Nevils, Ryan & Hawkins, select townhouses, Village A, and Village C East.

Throughout 2020, the Office of Residential Living, in partnership with Planning & Facilities Management & Auxiliary Services, worked to utilize the vacancies of many on campus residential buildings to execute renovations and improvements to better the experience of students when they return to campus. An overview of the renovations can be found on the Residential Living website.

Students will be housed one per bedroom in designated buildings. The type of housing students select indicates the number of housemates.  For example, students in VCE private bathrooms will have their own bedroom and bathroom; students in Arrupe and Copley will have their own bedroom but share a bathroom with 1-2 additional students; students selecting Henle will have their own bedroom but share an apartment with two additional students; and townhouses are based on the number of bedrooms.

If you are approved to live on campus, we will hold your space/assignment until you notify Residential Living that you will live off campus. If you move to on campus housing and later elect to go off campus, you will be subject to a refund of the on-campus housing charge based on the date you move out and return your key.

Yes, we will not require any student to return to campus housing for Spring 2021. If for health or other personal reasons you would like to take your classes virtually, indicate your preference to remain housed off campus by completing the Spring 2021 Acceptance of On-campus Housing page within the Academic Year 2020-2021 Housing Application. Please log into Hoya Housing and open up the Housing Applications tab to proceed.

Students will have a limited opportunity to opt-in to a new Spring assignment.

Current on-campus fall residents may make a request to switch rooms for Spring semester by emailing residentialliving@georgetown.edu before Monday, November 30. Approval to change rooms is not guaranteed.

Spring 2021 room changes will be managed at the discretion of the Community Director of the building you reside. Approved changes will be subject to the availability of rooms that we have designated as “open” for Spring 2021; not all buildings/floors and rooms will be made available to students for Spring 2021. The room change form will be available on Hoya Housing beginning February 1.

This semester, students will be charged the double-rate for the building they select or are assigned.

Adjustments are being made to the housing rates to reflect the delayed move-in.

We understand that for many students their decision to return to campus is dependent on Financial Aid from Georgetown and resources such as Federal Work Study. 

The Office of Student Financial Services will continue to meet students’ demonstrated financial need, regardless of where students live in the Spring (on-campus, off-campus, or at their permanent address). 
The Office of Student Employment is working to ensure that remote opportunities are available for student employees, especially those with Federal Work-Study as part of their aid package. Jobs are posted in HoyaWorks. If you have any questions regarding Financial Aid, please contact your individual Financial Aid counselor.

We are asking all students to pack light. Please bring only what you need for the semester and what you can reasonably pack and carry home. We recommend no more than two suitcases. Additionally, everyone should pack a thermometer, several face masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, hand soap, dish soap, and laundry detergent.

Yes, we are currently planning on a move-in process over several days to reduce density on campus. Move-in for students who are not currently living on campus is scheduled for January 21 – January 23, 2021. More information will be available soon outlining this process. We cannot accommodate early requests. Please confirm your move-in date and time before making travel arrangements.

Unfortunately, no. In order to limit exposure to COVID-19, we are limiting access to all University buildings to only those approved to be on campus. This means that family and friends are not able to enter residence halls this year during move-in. We understand this can be emotional for many students and mental health support services can be contacted at 202-687-6985.

Only students will be permitted to enter the residential buildings and move their belongings into their assigned room. Parents, other family members, or friends will not be permitted to enter the residential buildings at any time. This decision was made in consultation with guidance from health professionals including CDC guidance to de-densify the number of people on campus. We understand this is difficult for students and their families but necessary to ensure the health and safety of those individuals living and working on campus.

We will work to identify a location for individuals assisting students with moving onto campus where they can access restroom facilities and water fountains. That information will be shared closer to Spring Move-In.

We understand the transition to college is important and students want to have enough supplies and personal items to be successful for their time on campus for the semester. We are strongly encouraging students to only bring up to 2 suitcases of items to ensure the move into the residential buildings is smooth and efficient. Unfortunately, to ensure that the least number of people are entering residential buildings and we are de-densifying campus as much as possible, we will not have volunteers available to unload cars and move personal items in your on campus housing.

Once a student arrives at the campus they will need to remain in quarantine until it is lifted. Students will not be permitted to leave the residence hall/apartment/townhouse after they check in to tour D.C. or have a meal with parents/guardians/friends.

Students living on campus will receive two washable Georgetown masks, a thermometer, a small bottle of hand sanitizer, and a contactless key.

CDC recommends that masks be washed immediately after use each day; if you don’t think you will be able to wash the mask provided daily we encourage you to bring additional masks. We encourage you to also review CDC guidelines on washing masks.

Yes. There will be a team of individuals on campus to assist students with adjusting their furniture including their bed height within their room. To respond to COVID-19 and practice social distancing, there might be a delay between when requests are placed and when team members can respond.

We are discouraging students from bringing large, bulky items for Spring 2021 on-campus housing. Due to COVID-19, we are asking students to limit their personal belongings to 2 suitcases/boxes. If there is a decision to have individuals depart campus due to COVID-19, students need to be prepared to pack all their belongings and depart campus within 24-48 hours.

The University will not arrange for packing, mailing, or storing of any belongings. In the case that personal circumstances or public health conditions prevent you from returning to campus, and you are unable to arrange for your items to be shipped or stored, any remaining items will be discarded. If you leave campus for any reason, we recommend you take with you valuables (e.g. computers), academic materials, medications, and essential documents. Georgetown University is not responsible for the loss of, or damage to, any student property. The University recommends that individuals carry insurance on their belongings, including flood insurance.

Yes, the Office of Residential Living has a partnership with MyFridgeRental.com. You may reserve your fridge now by using your Georgetown assigned email address in the Student Primary Email field of the order form.

• You do not need a room assignment to reserve and can cancel any time prior to arrival for a full refund.
• The order will be installed in your room prior to arrival (as long as you provide the correct room assignment before delivery).
• You can save $25 by placing the order prior to the order-by date of July 31st
• Inventory will only be available on a ‘first come-first serve’ basis
• Late order deliveries could take up to 2 weeks after residential move-in is completed to receive the rental.

Yes, you may begin to ship packages in advance of move-in. We ask that you wait until after January 4, 2021 and have a room assignment.

Please remember due to COVID-19, we are asking students to limit their personal belongings that they send or bring to campus. If there is a decision to have individuals depart campus due to COVID-19, students need to be prepared to pack all their belongings and depart campus within 24-48 hours.

We will begin pilot testing new smartlockers for student package distribution, and this new system will become available during the Spring 2021 semester.  You will receive email notifications when packages have arrived, and the notification will inform you where the package is located and how it can be picked up. If your package is picked up via the new smartlocker system, it will be available 24 hours a day.  If your package is picked up at the Leavey Center mail and package distribution center, it will be available Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. Students will be required to bring their GOCard for identification. More details on student mail services can be found on the Mail Services website. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to Auxiliary Business Services at auxiliary@georgetown.edu.

Non-Townhouse Residents:

Student Full Name
Building and Room Number
Georgetown University
3700 O St N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20057

Townhouse Residents:

Student Full Name
House Number Street N.W
Washington, D.C. 20007

Yes, after you complete your mandatory quarantine. Residents of University-owned housing are permitted to host in their assigned spaces only those students who are approved to live on campus. Residents of University-owned housing are permitted to host groups of 10 or fewer, including the host(s), if a space allows all individuals to physically distance at least six feet per person within the given space. We recommend wearing masks indoors when hosting individuals who are not members of your household. 

Students will need to utilize good judgment about entering specific spaces within any on-campus building or space including residential spaces. Many residence hall rooms are small, which may mean only the resident can be within the residential building rooms to maintain social distancing. 

The University is keeping common rooms and other larger community spaces open to create adequate spaces to accommodate student needs for socializing and maintaining social distancing guidelines. We want students to socialize and connect while balancing the health impacts of everyone living and working on campus. 

Party Hosting Policy:

Until further notice students will not be permitted to register parties in any University-owned residence.

Overnight Visitors:

Residents of University-owned housing are not permitted to host overnight guests (e.g., siblings, fellow GU students, friends from other universities).

Yes, common spaces will be open. Residents should be abiding by all safety precautions in these spaces including wearing masks and physical distancing. 

The custodial team is taking steps to reduce exposure within each of the GU residential buildings. These efforts include increasing the frequency of surface cleaning, specifically handrails, elevator buttons, and door handles of frequently touched surfaces in common areas. Hand sanitizer will be provided in the common areas and/or at elevators. Bathrooms, shared office spaces/suites, common areas/lounge areas, elevators, and stairwells will be cleaned. 

Please note: No private rooms/apartments or their corresponding bathrooms will be entered to clean or disinfect them. Those areas will be the responsibility of the occupants.

Yes, it is expected that students will maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves and other individuals. Students will need to utilize good judgement about entering specific spaces within any on campus building or space. When possible, the University is working to provide recommended occupancy in spaces to assist students in their decision making.

The University has taken several measures to ensure a safe atmosphere for the students, faculty, and staff. Facilities Management is working on improving the HVAC system to minimize the spread of viruses through the HVAC system. Review more information on the work being done.

Also, in alignment with public health recommendations, Planning and Facilities Management is taking measures to prevent community spread of COVID-19, including enhanced cleaning and disinfection, and ensuring social distancing on GUTS buses. Review more information on safety measures being implemented.

Please review the University’s Health and Safety Guidelines (new window), which contains information about important resources and practices to keep all Hoyas safe and healthy, as outlined in the Community Compact that all community members on campus and students living in the Georgetown, Burleith, and Foxhall neighborhoods (“Neighborhoods”) affirmed.

Auxiliary Services is working with Wash Cycle Laundry to provide services to the Georgetown on campus community for Spring 2021.

The health, safety, and well-being of our student body and the rest of the Georgetown University community continue to be our highest priorities. The decision to require all residential students to hold a meal plan was not made lightly, and it contemplated a number of factors of student life specifically related to health and safety. Allowing even a small number of students to reside on campus requires increased safety protocols to avoid exposure to non-University individuals and reduce the likelihood of viral transmission.

Despite a reduction in the number of dining locations, the University will continue to offer a variety of dining options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week that can accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences, allergies, and other dietary restrictions. We have implemented new safety protocols, including modifications to the physical space within the dining locations to promote physical distancing, plexi-shields at all points of face-to-face interaction between students and food service employees, increased protective equipment for food service employees, and increased cleaning and sanitation protocols. Additionally, all food service employees are part of the University’s COVID-19 testing process, are completing daily health attestations, and undergoing daily symptom checks upon arrival.

Given the substantially increased risk of exposure in public spaces, the safest course for on-campus students is to remain on campus as much as possible, and a large part of that includes participation in a meal plan based dining program on campus.

Spring 2021 move-out is dependent on the health conditions and the University’s status. For non-graduating students, who are not staying for the summer, you should plan on leaving campus within 24 hours of your last final. For seniors, we are monitoring the Spring schedule and will have more information later in the semester.

While we strongly discourage students from traveling, we understand that emergencies arise which necessitates travel. Anytime a student leaves the DC area, we are instructing students to take their items home. If you leave campus for any reason, we recommend you take with you valuables (e.g. computers), academic materials, medications, and essential documents. Any personal items left in your residential assignment should be boxed up with your first and last name and current residence hall apartment and room number. 

We are asking students to pack their belongings, so that in the event where personal circumstances or public health conditions prevent you from returning to campus you can arrange for your belongings to be shipped or stored, at your own cost, and during a window of time designated by Georgetown that best protects public health. 

The University will not arrange for packing, mailing, or storing of any belongings. In the case that personal circumstances or public health conditions prevent you from returning to campus, and you are unable to arrange for your items to be shipped or stored, any remaining items will be discarded. Georgetown University is not responsible for the loss of, or damage to, any student property. The University recommends that individuals carry insurance on their belongings, including flood insurance.

Academic and campus life will be dramatically different from what you are used to in a typical academic year at Georgetown. 

During this exceptional time, we all have a responsibility to practice social distancing in order to maintain the health and safety of members of the university and broader community. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with new campus health and safety guidelines. This is not a comprehensive list, and you will be asked to abide by the Georgetown University Community Compact and comply with all new measures relating to health and safety if you return to campus or are in the neighboring community:

Individuals on campus and students living in the surrounding neighborhoods are required to wear a mask at all times, except when they are alone in their residence hall room, off-campus room, or office, or when they are engaging in outdoor exercise, provided that they are exercising in a space in which they can and do maintain at least six (6) feet of distance from other people.

• Individuals on campus and students living in the surrounding neighborhoods are not permitted to organize or attend parties or gatherings of more than 10 people on campus or off campus. If you participate in a gathering of more than 10 people, regardless of who hosted it, you will be subject to serious disciplinary action under the Code of Student Conduct. 
• All individuals on campus must follow policies and procedures outlined by Residential Living
• All GU community members will be expected to follow all health and safety guidelines, including daily symptom screening, testing, and quarantine and isolation protocols.
• Students living on campus during this time may be exposed to health risks associated with COVID-19 that may result in illness. The University cannot control or prevent this risk. 
• As this is a rapidly changing situation, the University will continue to take steps it determines are in the best interest and safety of the campus community and/or appropriate based on operational reasons. This may include temporarily or permanently moving or removing students from their assigned rooms, and altering or stopping altogether services or resources available to students living on campus. It is critical that students comply with all University rules, policies, guidance and directives during this time.
• It is expected that you comply with all directive(s) from the University and from the DC government.

As this is a rapidly changing situation, the University will continue to take steps necessary to protect the health and safety of the campus community. This may include temporarily or permanently moving or removing students from their assigned rooms, and altering or ceasing services or resources available to students living on campus. It is critical that students comply with all University rules, policies, guidance, and directives during this time.

If the decision is made to close the physical campus, students will be expected to depart within 48 hours of being directed to do so. Each student will be responsible for either taking all personal belongings with them as they depart, coordinating and storing items, or shipping items home.

The University will not arrange for packing, mailing, or storing of any belongings. In the case that personal circumstances or public health conditions prevent you from returning to campus, and you are unable to arrange for your items to be shipped or stored, any remaining items will be discarded. Georgetown University is not responsible for the loss of, or damage to, any student property. The University recommends that individuals carry insurance on their belongings, including flood insurance.

Any items remaining will be discarded. For this reason, we encourage students to pack light; we recommend no more than two suitcases. Students whose personal or family situation makes it impossible or unrealistic to pursue their studies at their permanent address may be able to remain on campus.

The University has moved to a centralized package system with electronic package lockers. 

Residential Living has moved toward a centralized key room that is housed in Harbin Hall 104. Students have the ability to resolve key issues at this location working with student key assistants to either receive a lock out key and/or proceed with a lock change request if a key is lost.