University President John J. DeGioia announced that Georgetown will take advantage of a one year delay offered by the Obama administration before adding contraceptive coverage to its student health insurance policy.

“After thoughtful and careful consideration, we will continue our current practice for contraceptive coverage in our student health insurance for the coming year, as allowed for under the current rules,”DeGioia wrote in a letter emailed to members of the Georgetown community Thursday morning.

The university will have to implement coverage for contraceptives by Fall 2013 under the rules issued by the Department of Health and Human Services.

In the weeks prior to his decision, numerous student and university groups on both sides of the issue have submitted letters to DeGioia requesting that he either delay or immediately implement coverage for contraceptives. Most recently, 780 students from the Georgetown University Law Center called on the university not to take advantage of the one-year grace period.

DeGioia acknowledged these requests in his announcement.

“I am grateful for the respectful ways in which you have shared your opinions,” he wrote. “I hope this is helpful in clarifying a matter of concern to many of you.”