2021 Next Stop GW #3 - Preview to the Fall Semester

I am having trouble containing my excitement because it's my favorite time of year. For months we have been preparing to ensure a safe and healthy campus. Thanks to those of you who have submitted your COVID-19 vaccination documentation. For those of you who have not yet please do so ASAP via the medical portal, so that your arrival to campus is not delayed. Now, as planning wraps up, the fun part is about to begin—welcoming you and your peers for the new academic year!

As your Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, I'd like to offer a few tips for success. First, be your authentic self. Demonstrate in word and deed who you are and who you aspire to be. Second, reach out to others to make friends and you'll find your community. Share with each other and you'll discover similarities and differences. Third, embrace diversity. You'll meet all sorts of interesting people from all walks of life. Break out of your comfort zone to meet new friends as you find your place here at GW.

The Division for Student Affairs offers plenty of opportunities to make connections with each other through participation in student organizations, by living on campus, and in maintaining your health and well-being. These opportunities start in earnest later this month with Orientation followed by our Weeks of Welcome right on through to October with Our Moment, Our Momentum: The GW Centuries Celebration Weekend.

The start of your collegiate adventure may bring a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Don't worry, that's normal. While these may be unusual times, I know that you will come to cherish your time on campus and that you'll come to welcome the benefits that new beginnings can bring.

I look forward to meeting you soon!

Attend Weeks of Welcome events. The schedule and more information will be shared as we get closer to semester, so stay tuned! Signature events include First Night, the MSSC Block Party, the Program Board Fall Comedy Show, Trails Trips, and more!!

Join a student organization, or two! With approximately 500 registered student organizations, from Fraternity and Sorority Life and Club Sports to identity-based and performing arts groups, there is truly something for everyone. Our student organizations put on some of the most highly anticipated campus events and offer endless opportunities for involvement and leadership each year.

Org Directory: Use GW Engage to view all registered student organizations. You can search by name, keyword, or category.

Org Fair Fridays: Every Friday throughout September join us for Org Fair Fridays - new student orgs will be tabling each week, starting with the kick-off Fair and MSSC Block Party on Friday, September 3.

Participate in service and civic engagement activities. Look for senate and executive committee vacancies with the Student Association, follow the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service to learn about ways to serve the local community, join a service-based student organization, or take a service-learning course.

The first-year summer checklist is in your admitted student portal.

PRO TIP: write down your login information to the portal and keep it in a safe place - this is different from your netID (GW email). You will use both often.

Your Tasks to Complete This Month:

• UPLOAD both your COVID-19 vaccination documentation and all of your other required immunizations TODAY to the mychc.gwu.edu medical portal. Students without approved immunizations and vaccines will not be able to move into their residence halls. Your student can check their medical portal to make sure they are in compliance.
• COMPLETE the three (3) mandatory new student online training modules by Aug 29. You received an email to your GW email the last week of July with instructions.

  Failure to complete Part I of each course by the deadline will result in a transcript or registration hold for spring 2022. If you didn't receive the email or have access issues, please contact [email protected] (include your name, GW email, GWID, and classification i.e. first-year or transfer).

• REVIEW the Aetna sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan. If you do not waive the insurance you will be automatically enrolled by Sept 12. Waiver period opens after you register for classes.

• COMPLETE the Student Involvement and Navigating Your New City sections of the Online Orientation. Deadline for completion is Aug 22.

• REVIEW the Buff & Blue Book's Student Life section this month.
• LOGIN to GW Engage with your @gwu.edu email address. Browse 500+ student organizations. Add your unique QR code (event pass) to your mobile phone wallet - you'll need it to attend events!
• DOWNLOAD the GW Mobile app. This is where you will locate move-in details and your Orientation schedule (families, too!)
• READ email communication from CLRE (hint: move-in details), university emails, and Orientation Leaders. They will receive more emails this month with reminders and details leading up to move-in to help them prepare.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS 

The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) is hosting virtual Orientation sessions in July and August for students interested in accommodations for the fall.

• Tuesday, August 17 at 1 p.m. EDT. Click here to register.

COMING SOON

In the coming weeks you will receive your Orientation schedule and additional details about the week! Stay tuned.

Just Announced: Mask Mandate 

On Friday, GW reinstated the indoor mask requirement in university-owned or -operated facilities for everyone regardless of vaccination status. This updated guidance is consistent with the District's decision to again require that people wear masks in indoor public settings beginning July 31. D.C. takes action based not only on guidance from the CDC, but also as a precaution as COVID rates have increased locally.

Fall 2021: In-Person Instruction

This fall courses will be in person, and students will be expected to attend in person. If you have questions about course registration, please contact your academic advisor. Please be aware that there are very few courses at the undergraduate level that are fully online, so it is not possible for you to plan a remote curriculum. Read the latest update about the in the classroom experience for undergraduates, here.

The entire GW community is invited to gather together in Washington, D.C., from Oct. 1-3, 2021, for Our Moment, Our Momentum: The GW Centuries Celebration Weekend. This culmination of our bicentennial includes in-person events and activities for alumni, students, faculty, staff and GW families, as well as Commencement for the Classes of 2020 and 2021, opportunities to honor our Monumental Alumni and a closing Bicentennial Celebration. More information on the schedule of events and registration will be released in the coming weeks.