Inauguration Day Safety
The university has been collaborating closely with District, state and federal partners to prepare for Inauguration Day and related events.
There is no information currently that suggests a specific threat to GW or other area campuses or institutions. However, we encourage all members of our community to be prepared for road closures, increased visitors to the District, demonstrations, or other potential impacts.
As a reminder, GW is closed Monday, Jan. 20, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Inauguration Day, and most offices and services are following holiday schedules.
Jump to a section:
- Campus Advisories
- GW Alert Texts
- Building Access, Operating Hours and Campus Services
- Road Closures and Pedestrian Restrictions
- Safety Resources
- Emergency Alerts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Campus Advisories
The university will continue to monitor updates and communicate timely safety information on Campus Advisories and through GW Alerts via email and text message. Review the latest Campus Advisories:
More information on adjustments to operations, safety resources, and FAQs follows below. For additional information, contact the relevant university office directly.
GW Alert Texts
All students, faculty, and staff receive GW Alerts by email; however, you must opt in to receive GW Alerts by text.
Building Access, Operating Hours and Campus Services
- Building Access
- Exterior building doors will be tap access only on Jan. 20.
- Libraries
- GW Libraries will close beginning at 10 p.m. on Jan. 19 and re-open with normal hours on Jan. 21.
- GW Dining
On-Campus Dining
- A weekend schedule is in effect on Jan. 20, with brunch and dinner service at all locations.
Off-Campus Dining Partners
- Visit one of GW Dining’s Off-Campus Dining Partners who accept Dining Dollars. Hours and Grubhub availability may vary.
- Safety
GW Police Department
- GW Police will continue to patrol campus 24/7. For help in an emergency call 911 or GW Police at 202-994-6111.
EMeRG
- EMeRG will remain available to provide emergency medical services 24/7 in collaboration with D.C. Fire and EMS. For help in an emergency call 911 or GW Emergency Services at 202-994-6111.
- Transportation
- The VSTC Shuttle and SafeRide will not operate Jan. 20.
- The Mount Vernon Campus Express (VEX) will operate on a holiday schedule on Jan. 20.
- Parking
- The majority of garages on the Foggy Bottom campus will require tap access on Jan. 20.
- The SEH garage will be open to the public and staffed 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Jan. 20.
Road Closures and Pedestrian Restrictions
See below for information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security outlining road closures, pedestrian restrictions, vehicle screening areas and checkpoints. Visit the D.C. Government Inauguration Website for additional 2025 Inauguration Traffic Restriction information.
Safety Resources
General Safety Tips
- Be aware of the behavior of those around you and report suspicious or threatening behavior immediately to GWPD at 202-994-6111 or the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department through 911.
- Do not engage with individuals seeking a confrontation.
- If there is a disturbance, seek shelter indoors until normal conditions return.
- Observe directions from law enforcement personnel.
- Make sure doors close and lock behind you as you arrive and depart.
- Do not allow strangers into GW buildings.
- Carry identification and your GWorld card at all times.
Demonstration Safety Tips
If large crowds start to gather and you choose to exercise your First Amendment rights, we urge you to follow these tips:
- Be aware of the behavior of those around you and report suspicious behavior.
- Monitor traffic reports, weather reports and emergency notifications.
- Share your plan with someone outside your group.
- Stay with your group. Have a predetermined plan on where to meet if you get separated.
- Have a secondary communication plan in case cell phone signals are limited.
Free Expression at GW
Visit GW’s Free Expression website for related GW policies, procedures, examples of likely permitted and prohibited expressive activities and FAQs.
Additional Safety and Security Resources
For more safety and security resources, visit the Safety website or download the GW Guardian app. Additional emergency management information from the District of Columbia is also available online.
Emergency Alerts
GW’s Office of Emergency Management will send email and/or text alerts to the entire GW community if necessary. The latest safety and security information will be posted on Campus Advisories.
All GW community members are automatically signed up to receive GW emergency email alerts. You can manage your GW Alert account to also receive GW text alerts on your mobile device. In addition to adding your mobile number, you can add up to three email addresses and phone numbers so that friends or family may also receive GW emergency alerts. Visit GW Alert FAQs for instructions on how to manage your account. In addition, the GW Guardian App will push GW emergency alerts directly to the app, as well as other safety information.
Inauguration Day Frequently Asked Questions
- What should the community expect on Inauguration Day, and what is the university doing to prepare for it?
We expect to see increased activity in and around the District. In previous years for these and similar events, we have seen road closures, demonstrations, or limited pedestrian access in various areas.
To support our preparedness, the university plans to stand up its Emergency Operations Center for Inauguration Day. The center coordinates among our university stakeholders, monitors events around campus and across the area, and recommends changes to university operations when needed to keep all members of our community safe. To enhance security proactively on campus, we also plan to ensure full staffing of our GW Police Department and safety personnel. The university continues to stay in close coordination with our local, state, and federal partners.
- Is the university concerned about a specific threat to GW in connection with Inauguration Day?
We do not have any reason at this time to believe there are any threats targeting GW or other District institutions in connection to Inauguration Day.
- How does GW coordinate with partners and what teams at GW are involved in this?
At GW, we are fortunate to have strong relationships with our colleagues in District and federal departments and agencies. Our dedicated teams in the Office of Emergency Management and GW Police Department are in constant communication with their counterparts to receive updates and, whenever relevant, we share those updates with our community.
- How can students, faculty, staff and others ensure they are informed of these updates?
The No. 1 way to receive important information from the university related to campus safety, changes in operations, or other impacts is to monitor Campus Advisories and GW Alerts. If you have not already, we strongly recommend everyone sign up to receive GW Alerts by text. Anyone in the community can also add numbers for loved ones who may also want to receive GW Alerts. It is the best and fastest way to get information that may impact your safety on campus.
- What is the university’s current operating plan for Inauguration Day?
Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a university holiday. This means that synchronous classes will not be held, and offices will be closed as a paid day off. Additional information about building hours or other operating adjustments will be posted as it is available.
- Is there anything community members can do now to prepare for Inauguration Day?
Over the next few days, we hope everyone in our community will continue to monitor email for updates and continue to stay informed with the latest information about campus operations and the environment in the District. And make sure you are signed up for GW Alert texts.