Georgetown University interim President Robert M. Groves disclosed two new campus policy initiatives — a partial ban on masks and a discussions with a leading anti-discrimination and Israel-supporting group — during his July 15 testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives.
Groves said students would no longer be permitted to wear masks while engaging in conduct that violates university policy and must remove masks at officials’ request, potentially affecting some campus protests. The university will also review feedback from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an international non-profit supporting Israel and combating antisemitism, to address antisemitism through campus reforms and training.
The revelations came as Groves faced questions from primarily Republican congressmembers on the university’s response to antisemitism, part of a hearing before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Groves presented the mask ban and commentary from groups including the ADL as evidence of Georgetown’s commitment to amending its policies to address campus culture issues.
In his written testimony, Groves said the university instituted the partial mask ban to identify individuals engaged in wrongdoing on campus after an “annual review” of university policy.
“Our prior guidelines were not explicit about the use of masks preventing us from identifying demonstrators,” Groves wrote in his testimony. “We’ve recently strengthened enforcement guidelines to prohibit the wearing of masks while engaged in any activity that is unlawful or in violation of university policies on campus. To determine whether someone is a member of the community we request a Georgetown photo identification, which requires visual verification.”
Georgetown’s Policy on Speech and Expression, which permits the university to “reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression,” remains unchanged, according to a university spokesperson. The policy’s implementation guidelines further explain that failing to present identification to a university official when asked is a violation of university policy.
A university spokesperson said the guidelines are periodically updated, especially during the summer, and aim to ensure protests do not disrupt student activity.
“Georgetown is committed to ensuring that all members of our community have a safe and welcoming place to learn and receive the support they need to do so,” the spokesperson wrote to The Hoya. “The vast majority of activism on campus is peaceful and takes place without incident. We all have a responsibility to work together to foster a living learning community that is free of bias and geared toward thoughtful, respectful dialogue.”
Student protesters often use masks to conceal their identity out of fear of retaliation and potential doxxing, the search for and publishing of personal information with malicious intent.
Members of Georgetown’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a group advocating for Palestinian liberation, said the mask policy silences pro-Palestinian protesting on campus.
“Masking has been a necessary tool for students facing doxxing, harassment and threats for standing in solidarity with Palestine,” the members wrote to The Hoya. “By banning masks, Georgetown not only strips away a basic form of protection, but aligns itself with broader national efforts to criminalize dissent and suppress movements for Palestinian liberation.”
Groves also detailed a close relationship between the university and the ADL, saying Georgetown reviews information from the ADL to address the organization’s critiques of the university’s response to antisemitism.
“Georgetown’s work on antisemitism does not happen in isolation,” Groves wrote. “We collaborate with national organizations like the Anti-Defamation League to improve our practices, refine our training, and elevate Jewish student voices.”
The ADL’s 2025 antisemitism report card, which measures antisemitism on college campuses, listed various issues impacting Georgetown’s campus climate, including the presence of SJP and Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP), a faculty group advocating for Palestinian liberation. The ADL determines the score based on a set of 30 criteria, analyzing university policy, campus culture issues and Jewish life.
Georgetown moved from a “D” grade in 2024 to a “B” in 2025, which Groves attributed to policy changes and investments in improving campus culture.
The ADL has faced allegations that it conflates anti-Israelism and antisemitism, with critics arguing the organization targets all speech critical of Israel.
The same day as Groves’ testimony, Columbia University announced a partnership with the ADL along with other reforms aimed at restoring federal funding.
Groves’ announcements followed increasing crackdowns from the federal government on antisemitism on college campuses. President Donald Trump has publicly withheld hundreds of millions of dollars in funds from schools, including Harvard University and Columbia based on allegations of rampant antisemitism.
Groves specifically cited the partial mask ban and the university’s rejection of a student referendum calling for divestment from institutions and companies with ties to Israel as instances where the university responded to ADL’s critiques. Groves said the ADL was impressed by the policy choices.
“We recently met with ADL to update on our work, and they have indicated we will get additional credit in our next rating for these actions,” Groves wrote.
The SJP members said Georgetown’s discussions with the ADL demonstrates the university’s willingness to capitulate to the federal government.
“Acquiescing to these demands only serves to put students in danger while encouraging the Trump administration to further attack education,” the members wrote. “Protecting freedom of expression is a fundamental role of universities, and one that Georgetown is failing by adopting this policy.”
A university spokesperson said the university protects community members’ expression.
“We respect the rights of members of our community to express their personal views and are committed to maintaining the values of academic freedom and serving as a forum for the free exchange of ideas, even when those ideas may be controversial and objectionable to some,” the spokesperson wrote. “We respect diverse ideas and viewpoints from our community but expressive activity cannot interfere with the learning environment and university business.”
Incoming first-year students will also be required to complete university created and administered anti-discrimination training, which includes specific guidance on antisemitism, in addition to a suite of training new students must undergo at the beginning of their first semester. Georgetown previously required all leaders of student organizations to complete the training, starting in January 2025.
Groves said Georgetown has experienced limited violations of university policy but endeavors to keep its policies and procedures up-to-date.
“The payoff of careful attention to campus climate and conduct procedures has produced the following: after the application of the conduct procedures, there have been very, very few repeat offenders,” Groves wrote. “But, we acknowledge, we are always learning new ways to support our students and will adopt new practices when possible.”
Correction: A previous version of the article stated Georgetown had a partnership with the ADL. This article was updated July 24 to clarify that Georgetown reviews feedback and information from the ADL yet does not have an official partnership with the organization. The article was also updated to add information about the anti-discrimination training for first-year students.