Adapting to college life can be tricky, especially when you’re navigating an entirely different support system than you might have had in high school. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone! Here’s a quick guide to the resources available on campus and how to access them:
FOR EMERGENCIES
The Georgetown University Police Department responds to incidents on campus and in the surrounding community. You can call them directly or download the LiveSafe App to report a crime, request a SafeRide or access important resources.
The Georgetown Emergency Response Medical Service, more commonly known as GERMS, provides free and confidential emergency medical care, including ambulance service. That means that calling GERMS will NOT result in disciplinary action for the caller or for the person who requires treatment, regardless of whether someone is breaking the law (like drinking while under 21, say). Save their number, +1 (202) 687-4357, to your phone — you never know when you might need it.
FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT
The Academic Resource Center has specialized guidance for student-athletes and students requesting accommodations, as well as general study tips and workshops for anyone looking to brush up on their coursework. For anyone struggling to meet a fluency requirement, its foreign language tutoring services may be of particular interest.
Tucked right beside Midnight Mug on Lau 2 is the Writing Center, which offers one-on-one peer tutoring to help you with any stage in the writing process. They can also provide you with style guides for different subjects, which can be especially useful when taking classes in a new department. Appointments can be booked online — be sure to reach out well before the deadline!
FOR HEALTH CARE
Located next to Epicurean & Company, the Student Health Center provides primary care services to Georgetown students. Be sure to double check your insurance coverage, especially if you’ve waived the mandatory Premier Plan, to make sure you don’t incur any unexpected costs.
For mental health support, Georgetown’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) are offered free of charge. To get started, you can contact CAPS to schedule a brief “triage” meeting, at which a clinician will assess your needs and refer you to more specialized resources.
FOR SOLIDARITY
Opened in early 2024, the Office of Student Equity & Inclusion is a multipurpose community space located in the lower level of the Healey Family Student Center. It’s also the home base for five university programs that aim to provide specialized support to students of diverse backgrounds: the Women’s Center, the LGBTQ Resource Center, the Disability Cultural Center, the Community Scholars Program and the Center for Multicultural Equity & Access.
For religious students, Campus Ministry also offers services throughout the year, including through its many faith-specific student organizations. Those interested in creating a new student organization to better suit their needs are encouraged to contact [email protected].
