Georgetown’s Board of Directors Approve New Renovations in Winter Meeting

In early February, Georgetown's board of directors approved a number of construction projects across campuses, a new policy on recording in classrooms and a new executive master's program during its annual winter meeting.

Learn more about each of these board updates.

Construction Updates

Law Project: The board approved a renovation of the sixth floor of the Hotung International Law Building. A vacant suite will be converted into office and classroom spaces, with new technology, common areas, lighting, furniture and finishes.

Construction will begin next year and is estimated to be completed in 2028.

Recording Studio: Last year, in recognition of President Emeritus John J. DeGioia's 50 years at Georgetown, the university renamed its Old North and New North buildingsin his honor. Now, DeGioia Hall, part of a new unified home for the humanities, will house a recording studio for Georgetown's music programs.

The board of directors approved a request to fund the design and construction of a control room and live room; soundproof rehearsal rooms; private practice rooms; and a large ensemble space with studio recording capabilities. The project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027.

Medical Center Lecture Hall: The board approved the renovation of a lecture hall in Georgetown University Medical Center's Preclinical Science Building, a 55-year-old academic facility where students take courses in biomedical sciences.

The 232-seat lecture hall will be renovated to include improved accessibility, a redesigned stage, new seating, upgraded finishes and new AV equipment. The project is estimated to be completed in 2028.

New Policy on Recording Classes

Update: The board of directors approved a new policythat prohibits unauthorized recording in classroom and instructional settings, unless previously approved by the instructor, the university or requested by an individual with a disability.

Background: Georgetown launched a working group of faculty members, subject matter experts and staff from across the university last fall to review and make recommendations in light of increased use of recording technology. The working group developed the new policy to further promote the responsible use of recording for educational purposes and free and open debate in the classroom, Georgetown leaders said in a recent message.

"We seek to create classroom environments that foster free and open inquiry, debate and trust," said Michael Bailey, the Colonel William J. Walsh Professor of American Government in the Department of Government and McCourt School of Public Policy who chaired the working group on recordings in educational settings. "Our new policy will preserve these values and protect the rights of all community members in the responsible use of recording for educational purposes."

New Disability and Healthcare Program

Update: The board approved a new online executive master's program to help mid-career leaders in health, education, policy and technology design and scale programs and systems that are more inclusive for people with disabilities.

Background: The Executive Master's Program in Global Leadership in Disability and Systems Transformation (LEADS) is a collaboration between the School of Medicine's Biomedical Graduate Education program and the University of Thessaly in Greece.

"LEADS is grounded in Georgetown's Jesuit tradition of cura personalis, care for the whole person, and builds on more than five decades of leadership in disability training, interdisciplinary education and systems transformation," said Pamala Trivedi, the program's co-director, associate professor of pediatrics, and director of Georgetown's Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program.

"Together with Antonios Christou, co-director of LEADS at the University of Thessaly, we are bringing together complementary strengths to prepare leaders to advance disability leadership across health, behavioral health, education, law and public policy, and technology and innovation."

The two-year program will launch its first cohort this fall.