People walking past the George statue

 

 

Important: Public Health Advisory

Recently, our testing program identified a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases among members of our university community. While these cases are not severe and vaccination continues to provide strong protection, it is critical that we act to limit the further spread of cases. 

  • Effective immediately, all in-person social gatherings and events are cancelled.
  • In addition, exams scheduled for Friday, December 17, and through the end of the semester will be held virtually.
  • At this time, we plan to begin the spring semester virtually to allow for a gradual and careful in-person return to campus.

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Planning for the Future

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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.


Onward GW
GW's 2021-2022 Operational Plan

 

Public Health Protocols

 

Public Health Behaviors

Students
(All in-person)

Faculty
(Full-time, adjunct)

Staff
(All designations, onsite contractors)

Visitors
(Alumni, visiting teams, event guests, lecturers, tours, neighbors, etc.)

Vaccine or Approved Exemption Required*

 Yes Yes Yes Yes**

Vaccine Booster Required by January 10, 2022

 Yes Yes Yes Yes**
Masks Required Indoors Yes Yes Yes Yes
Testing

Weekly

  • Exempt
  • Vaccinated without booster

Biweekly

  • Vaccinated with booster

Weekly

  • Exempt
  • Vaccinated without booster

Biweekly

  • Vaccinated with booster

Weekly

  • Exempt
  • Vaccinated without booster

Biweekly

  • Vaccinated with booster
 If unvaccinated, yes
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 3-5 Days After COVID-19 Exposure

Yes

 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.