The Hoya sums up the biggest stories of the 2013-2014 academic year, from the housing roller coaster to macabre theater productions to the underwhelming sports seasons.
Among Campus Issues, Housing Hits Home
Dorm designs and locations, campus policy garner community reaction
Last summer, administrators ran into an unexpected roadblock after releasing designs for the Northeast Triangle Residence Hall: impassioned alumni and student objection to the dorm’s appearance. This objection eventually led to the delay of the new residence hall from fall 2015 to fall 2016 and a search for a new look that could be accepted by the Georgetown community.
When students returned to campus in the fall, housing continued to dominate university announcements and news throughout the year. In some cases, similarly strong reactions again stopped university projects, including a proposed satellite residence and changes to the housing process for current sophomores.
As the year winds down, construction is set to begin on the Northeast Triangle pending another round of approval by the Old Georgetown Board, and a third-year housing requirement for all students is now official. Housing will likely continue to play an important role in student-administrator interactions as some of the headlines that garnered student attention this year take shape on campus.
The Year in Brief
The past year saw everything from a new mascot to a multitude of snow days. Take a look at some of the biggest headlines on campus.
Protest Thrives in Diverse Forms
Students advocate on campus, at the White House and online
From online movements combatting microaggressions at universities nationwide to student-led rallies calling for reform at the gates of the White House, the past year has seen prolific Georgetown student activism.
Mayoral Race Engages District, but Not Hilltop
Bowser bests Gray in Democratic primary with Catania ahead in November
After a rollercoaster campaign marred by the specter of a campaign finance scandal, D.C. Councilmember Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) unseated incumbent Mayor Vincent Gray in the April 1 Democratic primary, preparing her to face Councilmember David Catania (I-At Large) in the Nov. 4 general election for mayor.
Transgender Students Enter Campus Spotlight
Vocal out community and student-group advocacy combine to spur progress
For the first time in Georgetown’s history, a visible population of transgender students brought transgender issues to the attention of the wider Georgetown community. The willingness of these students to speak publicly about their experiences, coupled with structural changes to LGBTQ organizations, amplified the student body’s knowledge of the experience of transgender students.
McCourt, Beecks Lead Record Year for Fundraising
$189 million raised this year; capital campaign on way to 2016 goal with $1.26 billion
Beginning with a record-breaking $100 million gift from Frank McCourt Jr. (CAS ’75) in September, this fiscal year was the most successful fundraising year in Georgetown’s 225-year history.
Ricin Case, Free Speech Remain Unresolved
While the Year in Review highlights the events and themes that have defined the past year on the Hilltop, some stories have not been neatly tied up in time for the conclusion of classes.
In Memoriam
The Hoya looks back on members of the Georgetown community who died during this past academic year, including Professor Adhip Chaudhuri (pictured).
The Final Word: 2013-2014
In an eventful year for campus life, students made sure their voices were not lost in the university’s decision-making process. From Georgetown’s changing course of action on navigating the 2010 Campus Plan agreement to its responses to sexual assault and nontraditional gender identities on campus, students reacted dynamically and with fervent advocacy for their interests.
Dramas Explore Psychological Conflicts
Emotional complexity, paranoia and intensity dominate this year’s theater performances
Behavioral and psychological questions are at the center of many of the issues facing our generation. This year, Georgetown theater productions dove into these complex concepts, working to expose and understand problems of varying intensity. The plays “Hamlet,” “A Mouthful of Birds,” “Proof” and “Doubt” explored the darker areas of our not-so-perfect lives.
Theater Season in Review
Actors, Productions Achieve Prominence
The dawning of a new theater season comes with the difficulty of having just graduated experienced actors but also comes with the excitement of seeing actors bloom and step up to the plate. This year, we saw countless actors deliver impressive first performances or take advantage of an opportunity to play a more featured role. Furthermore, “Doubt: A Parable,” “A Mouthful of Birds” and “pool (no water)” were three major standout shows of this year. The scripts were compelling and challenging and were pulled off with aplomb, but what truly made them notable were the trust and passion with which they were infused.
Great Expectations, Great Disappointments
Across sports, Hoyas fail to live up to preseason potential
Countless all-conference mentions. Fifteen All-American honors. Five Big East Players of the Year. Two Hermann Trophy Semifinalists. One Big East Freshman of the Year.
Zero Big East Championships.
In the 2013 and 2014 seasons, while Georgetown athletes achieved much personal success, the university’s athletic programs lacked the team success Georgetown has enjoyed in the past.
The Year in Sports
A look at the achievements of Georgetown athletics
Photos of some of the Hoyas’ biggest moments from the past year.
