Office of the President
Office of the President
Messages to the Georgetown Community

Update Regarding Federal Government Activity

January 28, 2025

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community:

As an institution in the nation’s capital, Georgetown is familiar with the reassessment and change that occurs as a new Administration and Congress begin their work. I write today to provide important updates and reaffirm our University values grounded in the 500-year tradition of Jesuit education.

We are closely monitoring changes to federal policies and regulations that may impact the Georgetown community. I am actively meeting with our campus Executive Vice Presidents, Deans and other University leaders.

Be assured that we will remain attentive to new federal policies and laws, continue to evaluate any impacts they may have on our community, and share updates on this work. Offices across the University are providing support, particularly in the following areas:

  • Federal Research Funding. Yesterday, the Office of Management and Budget issued a temporary pause on certain federal funding. At this time, we are working to understand the impacts of this order and evaluate appropriate actions. If you receive a notice from a federal funding agency related to this directive, please contact the Georgetown Joint Office of Research Administration (JORA@georgetown.edu).

  • International Students and Scholars. The Office of Global Services is tracking updates to immigration policy, and will continue to communicate with international students and scholars, including providing updates on the International Students and Scholars Services website regarding any changes.

  • Undocumented Community Members. Georgetown maintains a website that serves as a centralized resource for undocumented students and those in a liminal immigration status, with details on admissions, financial aid, legal aid, campus resources. Georgetown protects the privacy of student information and records consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Guidance on how to respond if federal or state officials seek information regarding students is available on the Office of General Counsel’s website.

  • Career Services. We are working with colleagues in career services across our campuses to support students who may have had job offers or internships rescinded or delayed as a result of the federal hiring freeze.

Georgetown remains committed to the principles of our Catholic and Jesuit animation: academic excellence and academic freedom, openness to ideas, respectful dialogue across cultures and traditions, and the inherent dignity of each person.

We will continue to uphold our core mission of education and research. We value the dignity of all members of our community and are committed to ensuring that each person is welcome here on our campuses, regardless of race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, disability or religion.

Sincerely,

Robert M. Groves
Interim President