Update on Planning for Fall 2021


March 12, 2021

To the George Washington University Community:

In recent weeks, we have seen progress on many fronts that is encouraging for our fall 2021 semester planning: Vaccine production and distribution are expanding, transmission rates are improving in the D.C. region and nationally, we are containing the spread of the virus on campus, and we are strengthening our public health capabilities to support an increase in the on-campus population.  Given these and other positive developments, we remain confident that we will be in person to the fullest extent possible this fall.

While we are focused on ensuring a successful spring and summer, we continue to take productive steps to prepare for the fall, including by ramping up our testing and other public health protocols; reviewing and updating our buildings, ventilation systems, and classroom configurations; and readying our residence halls.  Progress in these areas already has positioned us well for the summer, when we will increase in-person and hybrid courses, expand research activity on campus, offer housing for 2,000 students, and expand access to our libraries and other facilities.

As we build on this positive momentum toward fall, we understand the desire for our students and families to have as much information as possible to plan.  We are actively preparing for our housing application process, course registration, and other fall milestones that we typically reach during the spring and summer.  We expect to share more information about fall housing in early April and about fall course registration in mid-April.

Throughout the spring, our teams will continue to closely monitor public health conditions, vaccine distribution, and any local and federal guidance that could affect our planning.  We are increasingly optimistic about what we are seeing.  As always, safety, care, and our commitment to fulfilling our academic mission will guide our decisions, and we will incorporate flexibility into our planswherever possible to meet the varying in-person or remote needs of our community.

We will continue to share regular updates on our fall planning and be in touch with you again soon.  In the meantime, we hope that you enjoy a restful spring break.

Stay safe and stay well.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. LeBlanc, President
M. Brian Blake, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Lynn Goldman, Dean, Milken Institute School of Public Health
M.L. “Cissy” Petty, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Scott Burnotes, Vice President for Safety and Facilities