University Prepares to Welcome More Than 7,500 Student Residents

Some Fulbright Hall residents will have phased move-in as renovations are completed.

July 31, 2017

move in

Students move into their residence hall in 2016. More than 7,500 on-campus residents will soon call GW home as the university prepares for the start of a new academic year. (File photo by William Atkins/GW Today)

Although the fall 2017 semester won’t begin for most until the end of August, the George Washington University has been busy preparing residence halls for the more than 7,500 on-campus residents who will soon call GW home. Important information about fall move-in, which takes place on Aug. 26 this year, is available here.

The university looks forward to welcoming new first-year and transfer families to campus and encourages them to participate in the Family Orientation program, which will take place in the afternoon on Aug. 26.

Approximately 100 residents of Fulbright Hall, which houses primarily second-year students, will have a phased move-in beyond Aug. 26 as renovations are completed to the upper floors of the historic residence hall. 

As in previous years, this summer the university made enhancements to its residence halls.

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Hall received new windows, doors and furniture; Francis Scott Key Hall received new furniture and flooring as well as bathroom upgrades; and Fulbright Hall received new windows; complete renovations of all bathrooms with new fixtures, tile and ceilings; new furniture; and fresh paint.

In completing renovation work in Fulbright—built in 1939 and designated a National Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places— contractors encountered unexpected conditions requiring additional work to the building’s infrastructure beyond what would be expected in such a renovation. 

As a result, residents of the four upper floors of the hall will first move into temporary accommodations at nearby hotels when they arrive on campus in August. Over the following three weeks, 100 students will move into Fulbright as final work on their floor is completed. Detailed communications are being sent to Fulbright residents and students have been assigned a staff liaison to guide them through the process. 

As students preparing for the academic year cross all the to-do’s off their lists, Assistant Dean of Students Seth Weinshel offered some of the most helpful tips to make move-in a cinch:

  • Only students who have already been approved for early arrival may move in prior to Aug. 26.
  • Use GW’s online self check-in beginning Aug. 9 to expedite your move-in process. You should complete this process at least 72 hours before your move-in.
  • Review GW’s lists of what to bring (and what not to bring).
  • Lighten your load by shipping your belongings. Packages should be shipped to arrive on campus no earlier than Aug. 15. Also remember that GW is close to many retail options where you can get your necessities locally.
  • Order your textbooks online. Students will no longer be able to purchase them in-person on campus. Textbooks ordered online will be shipped for free and available for pickup at the Marvin Center.
  • Check for your move-in time. Times depend on your building and floor to decrease congestion in elevators and residence halls.
  • Know where you’re headed when you first get here. Most students will need to report to a check-in hub. If you are in a hall with GWorld room tap access, and you have already completed the self check-in, you can go directly to your residence hall.
  • Temporarily park in a designated space at your residence hall to unload your belongings curbside. After unloading, move your vehicle to a permanent parking space so others can unload. Watch D.C. parking regulations, which will be strictly enforced.
  • Keep your GWorld card handy. You’ll need it to get into your hall and to purchase meals and services.
  • Take time to fully complete your room condition report and promptly report any maintenance problems to FixIt. The university will have facilities staff from the Division of Operations working around the clock to resolve any issues and staff will be in-person on move-in day in each hall lobby to directly address any issues.
  • Finally, be patient, and don’t stress. More than 600 volunteers from the GW community will be on the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses ready to lend a hand. Look for them in the buff-colored T-shirts.