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What You Need to Know
Presidential Inauguration Jan. 16-20, 2009
SAFETY AND SECURITY
GWorld Cards
All members of the GW community should carry their GWorld card with them at all times. Registered guests should carry their GW-issued Inauguration identification cards as well as a photo identification at all times.
Due to perimeter restrictions surrounding the Foggy Bottom Campus, you may be required to present GW identification. The GWorld Card Office will offer extended hours during the Inauguration period, Saturday - Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Campus Advisories
GW's Foggy Bottom Campus will likely see a high number of visitors near and around the University during Inauguration Weekend. The high level of security in the District of Columbia will have an impact on road closures and detours, parking restrictions, temporary Metro station closures, and bus service changes. Please be aware that streets may close on short or no notice.
For up-to-date information, visit GW's Campus Advisories or call (202) 994-5050.
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University Police Department
The GW University Police Department (UPD) may be reached 24-hours a day.
Foggy Bottom Campus: (202) 994-6110
Mount Vernon Campus: (202) 242-6110
UPD has planned to have additional security on campus for the Inauguration period. A contract security agency has been hired to assist in monitoring access into the residence halls. Additional GW Police Officers will be on duty throughout the Inauguration period to enhance patrols of the campus and the ability to respond to incidents and calls for service. Officers will provide security at various events and in various buildings that are normally closed on University Holidays but will be open on a limited basis on Monday and Tuesday to provide venues for special events.
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Alert D.C.
Sign up for Alert D.C. to stay informed and receive messages pertinent to the University community. Alert D.C. provides text notification to e-mail, cell phone, and other electronic devices during an incident, and is a public service made possible through the Government of the District of Columbia. To sign up, go to the "Emergency Communications" tab of the Campus Advisories site.
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GW Alert
Download GW Alert--a computer application that enables you to receive immediate emergency notifications to your desktop. When active during emergency situations, a crawler will run across the bottom of computer screens to inform users of important information. To sign up, go to the "Emergency Communications" tab of the Campus Advisories site.
Tips for Personal Safety: Prepare in Advance
- Be sure to purchase in advance and/or pre-load Metro SmartTrip cards before Inauguration Weekend. Also, visit ATMs to ensure you have sufficient cash before the crowds hit D.C.
- Refill necessary prescription drugs and remind your guests and visitors to do so as well.
- Be careful while texting and walking. These activities combined can be very dangerous and may cause falls, collisions, and bottlenecks.
- Be mindful of information from unofficial sources. If you receive e-mails or text messages from unofficial sources that an incident has occurred, proceed with caution and look for official sources to verify it.
- Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Women attending the GW Inaugural Ball should either wear or bring with them comfortable, flat shoes in the event that they must walk unexpectedly.
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Special Inauguration Overnight Guest Policy
All overnight guests in the residence halls have been pre-approved and have been issued GW Inauguration identification cards. Guests will be required to produce this ID card and a government-issued photo ID to be signed into the residence halls by their GW student hosts. Guests may be asked for identification at other times during the weekend if stopped by campus police or other local security.
The Inauguration Overnight Guest Policy will be in effect from 7 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, to 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21. For more information, go to http://living.gwu.edu/ressvcs/Inauguration/.
Visitors who are not members of the GW community (and do not have a current GWorld card) and visitors who are not approved Inaugural Overnight Guests WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to enter the residence halls from Monday, Jan.19, at 9 p.m. to Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 7 a.m. and again from Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 9 p.m. to Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 7 a.m.
Students should not expect to bring non-registered visitors into the residence halls during these evening hours and should therefore plan accordingly.
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TRANSPORTATION
Parking and Traffic Restrictions
The Foggy Bottom Campus will be affected by parking and vehicular traffic restrictions established by the Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Secret Service. Most bridges from Virginia into the District of Columbia will be closed to vehicular traffic. The Key Bridge will be open to pedestrians.
It is advisable to walk or use public transportation especially on Jan. 19 and 20.
During this time, there will be many "no street parking" restrictions throughout the Foggy Bottom neighborhood. Violators will be towed.
Visit GW's Campus Advisories for information on restrictions and closures. Visit Parking Services for more information about public parking options at the University. For a map of transportation options around campus, visit http://neighborhood.gwu.edu/campusdev/docs/factsheets/08%20tran.pdf
Public Transportation: Metro
You are encouraged to use public transportation or walk on Inauguration Day. Metro will operate on modified schedules. Visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for more information.
The Vern Express - Connecting the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon Campuses
The Vern Express will continue to run 24/7 during the Inauguration period, running on a modified schedule between Saturday, Jan. 17 - Wednesday, Jan. 21. Additionally, due to traffic and road closures throughout the city relating to the Inauguration activities, the Vern Express will temporarily employ an alternate pick up and drop off location in Foggy Bottom between 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, picking up and dropping off only at 2601 Virginia Ave. (Hall on Virginia Avenue). For full details of The Vern Express schedule and stop locations during the Inauguration period, visit http://gwired.gwu.edu/mvcl/Express.
4-Ride Escort Service/Colonial Express
The 4-Ride Escort service and the Colonial Express shuttle will operate on modified schedules over Inauguration Weekend. Please be aware that there may be traffic congestion and delays in the service area.
Monday, Jan. 19: There will be NO Colonial Express shuttle service due to street closures. The 4-Ride will operate but will be unable to provide service from all points west of 18th St., NW, from Eye St. to Constitution Ave. The 4-RIDE telephone operators will notify customers on a case by case basis if a requested trip cannot be accommodated due to street closures.
Tuesday, Jan. 20: 4-Ride and Colonial Express will resume normal operations after 7 p.m. contingent upon the parade's conclusion. Traffic congestion and delays are likely in the service area.
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ON-CAMPUS SERVICES
Dining
Most of the dining facilities on GW's Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses will be open, and several will have extended hours. The Ames Dining Room at the Mount Vernon Campus will be open and operate on a normal schedule. Visit GW's Dining Services for hours of operation.
J Street in the Marvin Center will have extended hours: Friday - Monday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Tuesday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Menus for the J Street Cafe during the Inauguration period are posted at http://living.gwu.edu/ (click Dining in a GWorld) and on GW Dining Facebook.
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Building Access
For security reasons, all academic buildings will be closed to students for the Inauguration period, Sunday, Jan. 18, through Tuesday, Jan. 20. For those students who have been authorized to monitor scientific projects that may require attention during this time, please contact the University Police Department at 202-994-6110.
Academic buildings on campus will operate on a holiday schedule Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, and therefore, will be closed. Gelman Library will be closed Monday and Tuesday. Computer labs in these buildings will be locked for security purposes. The Eckles Library on GW's Mount Vernon Campus will also be closed Monday and Tuesday, as will the 24 hour computer lab. Faculty and staff may access academic buildings (except the Library) for which they are authorized using their GWorld cards ONLY for work-related reasons.
Due to safety concerns NO ONE will be permitted to sleep in their offices.
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Extended Hours
Several GW offices and establishments will offer extended hours throughout Inauguration Weekend, including GWorld, and Student Health Service.
GWorld: Saturday - Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Student Health Services: Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Monday 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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EVENTS
GW will celebrate the Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama with its 5th "Unofficial Youth Inaugural Ball," a parade float, special exhibits, and several special events. For a complete schedule and information about free or reduced price tickets, visit http://inauguration.gwu.edu/obama/.
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GW Inaugural Ball
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, GW's Inaugural Ball (sold out) will take place at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel, located at 2500 Calvert Street, NW, two blocks from the Woodley Park Metro (Red Line). Tickets and photo ID are required. Shuttle buses are scheduled to arrive at the Marvin Center and Mount Vernon Campus at 7:15 p.m. and will run through 1 a.m. Guests using the shuttles from the Marvin Center must enter the building from the 21st St. entrance. Visit the GW Inaugural Ball Web site for information.
Guests are encouraged to use Metro. Street closures and Inaugural parade traffic may affect shuttles transporting guests to the Omni Shoreham Hotel.
If you have not already done so, please remember to pick up your purchased tickets at the TicketMaster box office prior to arriving at the Omni Shoreham. Having your ticket prior to your arrival at the hotel will expedite registration. The TicketMaster box office is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Will-call is available at the Omni Shoreham on the evening of the Inaugural Ball.
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GW Inaugural Float
The Presidential Inaugural Committee selected The George Washington University's float to participate in the Presidential Inaugural Parade on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 2:30 p.m. along Pennsylvania Ave. A send-off pep rally will be held Monday, Jan. 19, at 7:45 p.m. on Kogan Plaza.
For more information, visit http://inauguration.gwu.edu/obama.
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