As you are well aware by now, the University administration has implemented COVID-19 vaccine and mask requirements for all Georgetown faculty, staff, and students on campus this fall semester. As the fall semester approaches, we express our support for these requirements. These decisions were influenced by a GAGE survey conducted earlier this summer and communicated to the University administration, in which 74 percent of graduate students expressed support for universal COVID-19 vaccine mandates on Georgetown’s campus and 62 percent expressed support for mask requirements. These public health measures are essential to protect graduate workers from the widespread transmission of the Delta variant across the United States.

We are optimistic that these measures and the Washington, DC, area’s low transmission rates will allow us to resume in-person research and teaching safely this fall. We will continue to discuss working conditions with GAGE Department Organizers and watch the situation closely to ensure that graduate workers feel safe at Georgetown. If you have concerns about your health and safety in the classroom, lab, or other workspace, please reach out at organizing@wearegage.org.

In Solidarity,
GAGE Executive Council