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 remain confident that we will be in person this fall to the fullest extent possible.
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.
We will continue to monitor the trajectory of the pandemic and share regular updates on our fall planning.
We cannot wait to see you all very soon.
Latest Updates
Changes to D.C.'s Gathering Limits and Vaccine Distribution
Starting Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 5 p.m., the university will require that outdoor student social gatherings on- or off-campus be limited to 50 people or less based on the size of the location. Indoor social gatherings are still limited to 10 people or less.
Important COVID-19 Vaccine Update
We will require students, faculty, and staff who are in person this fall to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to being on campus.
Update on Planning for Fall 2021
The university remains confident that we will be in person to the fullest extent possible this fall.
Research is increasingly highlighting the importance of the effective use of masks, as well as social distancing. In response, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidelines for more effective uses of masks.
Although we have determined that the Summer 2021 term will continue with a mainly virtual operating status, the success of our efforts to contain the spread of the virus on campus has enabled us to begin initiating phased reopening of on-campus activity in preparation for the fall, when we will be back in person to the fullest extent possible.
GW COVID-19 Testing Dashboard
The George Washington University’s COVID-19 Testing Dashboard provides comprehensive and up-to-date data on coronavirus testing and results for the university’s on-campus community members. In compliance with privacy laws, the university does not disclose individual identifying information.
Testing and Tracing
Symptom monitoring and regular testing for on-campus students, faculty and staff will play a key role in ensuring a safe environment for members of the GW community who live and work on campus. Members of the on-campus cohort must schedule regular testing appointments through the medical portal and are expected to monitor their symptoms daily.
