Preparing for Inclement Weather

During instances of inclement weather, Georgetown University seeks to provide a safe and secure campus for all community members, including emergency employees who provide services during such events.

Jack the Bulldog standing on snow pile in front of Healy Hall

Notifications
Notification of changes in the university’s operating status will be sent as alerts by text message and email via HOYAlert. HOYAlert sends messages with guidance in the event of an incident affecting the safety or security of Georgetown University’s Main Campus, Medical Center, School of Continuing Studies and Law Center. All Georgetown faculty, staff and students are automatically enrolled in HOYAlert. If you are not currently receiving HOYAlert notifications or would like to update your information, please visit www.getrave.com/login/georgetown.

Operating Status
During inclement weather the university will operate under one of the following statuses:

  • Open
  • Open with liberal leave and instructional continuity
  • Open with delayed arrival, instructional continuity and liberal leave
  • Closed with instructional continuity; essential services for campus residents
  • Closed with instruction suspended; essential services for campus residents
  • Early departure with instructional continuity; essential services for campus residents

For the most up-to-date information on operating statuses, please call the university operating status line at (202) 687-SNOW (7669) or visit the university operating status webpage. The Law Center will not have its status reflected on this page, but will communicate separately.

Instructional Continuity
As a reminder, instructional continuity is a policy that allows faculty and students to maintain learning activities and academic work during disruptions, such as inclement weather or university closures.

Students, when circumstances prevent on-campus instruction, please be prepared to participate in the alternate instructional activities planned by faculty members instead of attending face-to-face in class. If you have questions about instructional continuity in your classes, please contact your professors.

Faculty, if you have questions about your role in instructional continuity, please contact your department head. Visit Georgetown’s Instructional Continuity site (new window) for resources for teaching remotely. Staff and AAP employees who have responsibilities under an instructional continuity plan will be expected to work remotely during a disruption to the normal operating status.

Emergency Employees
Certain employees are designated as “emergency employees” to provide critical services during an emergency event. These employees must report to work as scheduled or directed during emergency situations, unless informed otherwise. Emergency employees can find more information about their responsibilities by reviewing Georgetown University’s Emergency Operating Principles.

The operating status decision to open or close the university in inclement weather is based on a careful analysis of various factors. Our priority is always the safety of our campus community, and we encourage everyone to prepare accordingly when forecasts predict inclement weather.