Planning for the Future
Over the past year, we saw the very best of the GW community as we remained united in the face of once-in-a-century challenges. Now, our chance to finally reunite is very close at hand.
Buoyed by positive signs—expanded vaccine production and distribution, improved transmission rates locally and nationally and containment of the spread of virus on campus—we are actively planning for an in-person return to campus this fall.
We are optimistic about the comprehensive on-campus experience we will offer our students, including in our classrooms, residence halls, laboratories, libraries and studios. At the same time, we know our community will need options, and we will incorporate flexibility into our fall plans wherever possible to meet the varying in-person and remote needs of our community.
We are taking productive steps to prepare for our new and returning students’ arrival to campus, including by strengthening our testing and public health protocols, reviewing and updating our buildings and classroom configurations and preparing our residence halls.
Public Health Protocols
| Public Health Behaviors |
Students |
Faculty |
Staff |
Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccine or Approved Exemption Required* | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Masks Required** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Testing |
Vaccinated: Biweekly Exempt: Weekly |
Vaccinated: Biweekly Exempt: Weekly |
Vaccinated: Biweekly Exempt: Weekly |
N/A |
| Positive COVID-19 Test | Isolate 10 days minimum | Isolate 10 days minimum | Isolate 10 days minimum | N/A |
| Quarantine for Close Contacts | Exempt and/or Symptomatic People | Exempt and/or Symptomatic People | Exempt and/or Symptomatic People | N/A |
| Testing After COVID-19 Exposure |
Vaccinated: 3-5 days after exposure Exempt: immediately and on Day 5 after exposure |
Yes | Yes | On their own |
| Daily Symptom Screening | Exempt People | Exempt People | Exempt People | Not Required |
| Signed Commitment | Once | Once | Once | N/A |
* Campus access is linked to compliance with vaccine policy; if a student, faculty member, or staff person requires access to campus for any reason, they must have a confirmed vaccine record or approved exemption. There are no exceptions.
** Masks are required inside university-owned or –operated facilities for all people regardless of vaccination status.
