COVID-19 Campus Health and Wellbeing Policy

 

Policy Summary

The George Washington University is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for the GW campus community to the greatest extent possible. This policy is rooted in our GW values and service priorities, particularly the safety and care of the GW Community as we maintain an in-person campus experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although GW cannot guarantee zero cases of the COVID-19 disease on campus, this policy is focused on COVID-19 disease prevention, infection control and mitigation following federal and local public health guidance and the university’s best judgment on reasonable and appropriate public safety measures.

This policy informs members of the GW Community of our shared responsibility, as also expressed in the GW Commitment for Health and Wellbeing, in the prevention, infection control, and mitigation of the COVID-19 disease to protect the health and safety of the GW Community. 

Related Regulations and Guidance

This policy and the supporting processes outlined at coronavirus.gwu.edu are aligned and consistent with local orders and directives from the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland, as applicable. They are also consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and other recommendations by various federal government agencies, D.C., Virginia and Maryland Departments of Health, and GW’s medical and public health professionals, as of the date this policy was last revised. GW recognizes that federal, state, and local guidance may change over time based on the unpredictable nature of COVID-19 and rapidly evolving science on COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and certain provisions of this policy may change over time. Notice of any changes will be provided as soon as practicable.

Who is Governed by this Policy 

• Faculty, staff, students, volunteers, visitors, and contractors ("GW Community")

Policy

The purpose of this policy is to reasonably reduce the risks associated with operating GW’s academic, research and residential activities within the evolving pandemic environment while at the same time respecting individual circumstances and needs. The university is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of the GW campus community to the greatest extent possible through the implementation of preventive measures, infection control, and mitigation activities. Members of the GW Community also have a responsibility to foster a safe environment and are expected to adhere to and participate in all aspects of the policy and supporting processes outlined at coronavirus.gwu.edu. Additionally, GW Community members are required to comply with the guidance of local jurisdictions.

Specifically, members of the GW Community are required to self-monitor for disease symptoms, practice personal safety and health practices, such as handwashing, maintaining appropriate distance and staying home when sick, and adhering to all posted signage and campus directives. Additionally, GW Community members are required to provide records and/or participate in vaccinations, including boosters, as directed, subject to exceptions related to medical conditions and bona fide religious beliefs. This includes COVID-19 vaccines and boosters authorized for use by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and may include the Influenza vaccine. Members of the GW Community must also comply with the infection control and mitigation protocols, including testing, contact tracing, isolating and quarantining, as directed. Please visit coronavirus.gwu.edu for additional details and processes for requesting accommodations and exceptions.

The day-to-day compliance with the requirements set forth in this policy and processes at coronavirus.gwu.edu will take effort, commitment, cooperation, respect and understanding by all members of the community. Protecting the health and safety of the GW Community will require individual action and accountability.

In addition to individual responsibility, members of the community should foster accountability in the people around them. It is a goal of this policy for community members to hold each other accountable to the health and safety standards through empathy and respect, and to avoid escalation. Those who observe violations of these expectations are encouraged, but not required, to address the behavior, if it is safe to do so, through direct communication with the individual(s).

Individuals in positions of authority are expected to lead the implementation of the requirements set forth in this policy and the supporting processes at coronavirus.gwu.edu within the organizations and campus spaces for which they are responsible. This includes workspaces, academic environments, residence halls, and other university meeting and event spaces.

If an individual is not able to address an observed violation or is uncomfortable doing so, and needs assistance, the closest individual in a position of authority should be engaged to assist. If the violation occurs in a space where an individual in position of authority is unavailable, or the individual feels uncomfortable addressing the behavior, they should remove themselves from the environment if able to do so.

If the situation escalates to the point of an emergency, 911 or GW Police at 202-994-6111 should be contacted.

Compliance with this policy and the supporting processes at coronavirus.gwu.edu is expected of all GW Community members. Non-compliance with any of the requirements of this policy and processes at coronavirus.gwu.edu may result in immediate corrective action such as exclusion from campus properties until compliance is achieved, as well as potential disciplinary action. Reports of non-compliance with this policy may be made in a number of ways:

• Alleged violations of this policy and supporting processes at coronavirus.gwu.edu by a student or student organization should be reported to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities at studentconduct.gwu.edu, [email protected], or 202-994-6757.
• Alleged violations of this policy and supporting processes at coronavirus.gwu.edu by a faculty member should be reported to the Office of Faculty Affairs at [email protected].
• Alleged violations of this policy and supporting processes at coronavirus.gwu.edu by a staff member should be reported to Human Resource Management and Development at [email protected].
• If you are unsure about the role of the individual engaging in non-compliance you may make a report via EthicsPoint, managed by the Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Risk (OECR). Please visit OECR's reporting webpage for additional information and to file a report. Reports to EthicsPoint can be made anonymously. While the university will strive to fully address all reports, anonymous reports that fail to provide sufficient detail may limit the university’s ability to respond.

GW is committed to fostering the healthiest and safest environment for all members of our community. We actively work to create and uphold a community free of hate and bias, in order to be a place where every member of our community feels welcome. If you experience and/or witness a bias incident, please visit the Office for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement's website to learn more about your reporting options and to file a report. Additionally, consistent with GW’s Non-Retaliation Policy, retaliation against GW Community members who make a good faith report of non-compliance, a bias incident, or who participate in an investigation under this policy, is prohibited.

Procedures

coronavirus.gwu.edu

Related Information

GW Commitment for Health and Wellbeing

Code of Ethical Conduct

Faculty Handbook

Employee Handbook

Code of Student Conduct

Non-Retaliation Policy

 

Contacts