Due to COVID-19 we are planning for orientation to look very different from years past and we will continue to update you via email as changes are made. The formal Orientation program begins on Thursday, August 20th. 

While we typically include an in-person experience for parents and students for the first 2 days of our orientation program, this year the program will only be in-person for our students. A more detailed schedule for parents will be posted to the website later in the summer. All of the same content that we typically provide to parents will now be provided virtually through the Family Nest. We encourage your parents to interact with the University through the Family Nest so that they can keep up to date as well. 

The four day student Orientation program will have some in person sessions, as dictated by the stage DC is in at that time and some virtual components. We will provide students new and fun ways to connect with their peers, staff and faculty, learn the University and begin their academic journey.

Registration for Orientation opened on June 1, 2020. Please register by August 1. Detailed instructions for how to register through Cardinal Students can be found here.

In addition to the August Orientation each first year student will be enrolled in our 7 week summer virtual program Becoming A Cardinal, through Cardinal Learn (also referred to as blackboard) at https://learn.catholic.edu. Beginning the week of June 28th we will release a short video or a couple videos each week that have been put together by various offices across campus to help prepare you for your transition to Catholic. Cardinal Learn is a platform you will use in many of your classes while at Catholic. It will be helpful for you to take the time through this summer program to learn the platform so you know the technology when we begin classes in the fall.

In addition, we will host  weekly small discussion groups, led by some of our amazing Orientation Advisors and other student leaders. In these small groups you'll get a chance to virtually meet some of the Orientation Advisors as well as other first year students. Each week you can choose a day and time for your small group discussion that works for your schedule and meet new people every week.

Our staff is here to help you in your Catholic University experience. Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance via phone at 202-319-5627 or via e-mail at cua-orientation@cua.edu.

A phased move-in to campus housing will begin on August 8, 2020.  Typical early arrival groups (i.e. student athletes, student staff, etc.) as well as students traveling from international destinations will be given the earlier move-in dates.  

Most first year residential students will move in August 17, 18 and 19th. Most upper class residential students will move in August 21, 22 and 23. If a student is part of a group that typically arrives early, they should ensure that their supervisor has requested that early arrival date via housing services for approval.

In late June, Residence Life sent a survey to all assigned residential students to assist in scheduling students for move-in.  Students who have completed this form by July 10 should expect to receive an communication from Residence Life with further move-in instructions and details of their specific move-in slot by July 20.  Students who have not completed the survey should email Residence Life directly.  

Please visit our Residence Hall Move-In site for further information.

For this year, we are asking students to limit the items they bring to campus to the essentials that can fit into a maximum of three-40 gallon totes, two large suitcases, microfridge, television and backpack. We also strongly recommend that you label all your boxes and belongings with your last name, residence hall and room number prior to arrival. Students can also rent microfridges from Housing Services. Finally, if you own a hand truck or cart, we suggest you bring it with you to assist in your move-in.

Students should also consult our policy page to ensure an understanding of restricted items.

Students will continue to be responsible for cleaning all aspects of their living spaces.  To that end, students should bring cleaning items to campus upon move-in.  Common areas outside of student living spaces (i.e. community bathrooms, kitchens, lounges, etc.) will continue to be cleaned  by University personnel utilizing enhanced cleaning protocols per CDC guidance and using EPA-approved substances. 

For the fall 2020 semester, students living in traditional residence halls with a common bathroom will be advised of maximum usage of the facility, and will practice physical distancing and other University-implemented health measures while using such bathrooms. Students living in “family units” will use only the shared bathroom for their unit and otherwise adhere to University-implemented health measures. All common bathrooms will continue to be cleaned and disinfected at an enhanced level by University staff per CDC guidance and using EPA-approved substances.  Students in suites or apartments will continue to be responsible for cleaning their bathrooms.

Common areas such as kitchens, lounges, and laundry facilities will be appropriately set for social distancing, with capacity limited through measures such as rearrangement or removal of certain furniture. Current enhanced cleaning and disinfecting will continue for such spaces.

Thorough cleaning will be performed in all dining areas between meals according to protocols prescribed by Facilities, consistent with best practices and federal guidance. In addition, all individuals involved in preparation or delivery of food or the sanitation of the premises will undergo daily temperature checks and symptom checks. The Dining Services Website sets forth the enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols using chemicals designed for food service environments, hand hygiene, and food and product safety measures.

Allergies and dietary restrictions will continue to be addressed and accommodated by dining services staff, including the executive chef and registered dietitian.  Dining Services will continue to work with students with restrictions. Contact cua-diningservices@cua.edu with questions.

UPDATED:  Consistent with the University-wide Social Distancing Policy and local and federal guidelines and requirements, all members of the University community (faculty, staff, and students) are required to wear face coverings in all campus buildings when other people are present and while on campus grounds when social distancing cannot be achieved.  Violation of this requirement may result in disciplinary action including removal from campus. Exceptions include when eating or drinking or within your assigned residence hall room.  

The University will provide two washable face coverings to all members of the community, after which individuals will be expected to provide their own face coverings. 

Wearing a cloth face covering will help protect people around you, including those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

UPDATED:  Yes.  One of the most important things that we will all need to do each day is paying attention to and monitoring our health, including conducting symptom checks and taking our temperature each day before classes.  The University is developing a daily health checker to assist in this regard and will provide access to resources for follow-up in case you are ill.  Students should begin daily symptom checks on the University’s daily health checker 14 days before returning to Washington, D.C.  

All students should bring their own thermometers upon return to D.C. to help conduct self-checks. Additionally, students should ensure that they have awareness of the symptoms of Covid-19.  A good point of reference is the CDC Coronavirus site.

During the routine academic year, Student Health Services (SHS) is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and most Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.  For the health and safety of all patients and staff, students must call SHS at 202-319-5744 to speak with a staff member if you have a health-related concern.  SHS will determine if you need to be scheduled for an appointment and will make the necessary arrangements.  When arriving for a scheduled appointment, students will need to call the office when they arrive. 

Proper handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself from getting sick. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community.  Always avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.  Follow these steps to ensure that you have effectively washed your hands:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.   
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.  
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice. 
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.

UPDATED:  Most residential students will not be required to be tested before returning to campus, given the most recent guidance from both the CDC and D.C. Department of Health. The University is developing a daily health checker to assist in this regard and will provide access to resources for follow-up in case you are ill. All students should begin daily symptom checks on the University’s daily health checker 14 days before returning to Washington, D.C.  This protocol, which will include taking temperature and considering a list of symptoms, will serve the University community through its regular and sustained use.

Any student previously infected with COVID-19 and since recovered should submit documentation to the Student Health Portal of the previous positive COVID-19 test result. The student will also need to have documentation from a primary care provider that the student has passed the CDC recommended time for isolation or quarantine when ill with the coronavirus.

The University has designated specific residential facilities to serve as isolation or quarantine areas to house and care for residential students who may become symptomatic or test positive for coronavirus. Student Health Services staff will monitor patients isolated or quarantined with COVID-19 via virtual appointments on a regular basis and will be available for consultation and advice for all isolation and quarantine students.

If a Student Health Services provider determines that a student with COVID-19 requires more advanced care or is unable to care for themselves, it will ensure that the patient is safely transferred to a local health care facility.

In preparation for the fall season, Athletics is working with NCAA and conference officials to establish a path to safe and productive participation. Much of what fall varsity athletics may involve is therefore still being designed and depends on local and federal health guidelines. However, every effort will be made to offer a robust athletics experience this school year. 

The Kane Fitness Center will be open when the DC guidelines allow gyms to reopen.

 A Community Engagement Task Force is developing opportunities for students to continue to engage in extracurricular activities. In the meantime stay connected with cards connected at https://student-affairs.catholic.edu/cards-connected/index.html. We want students to be engaged both from afar and as appropriate when they are here. We will continue to update this website with opportunities for virtual and in person engagement as permitted.

The Office of Campus Activities will work with student organizations on how to host appropriately sized programs and meetings in person and virtually, in order to maintain student engagement, connection and out of classroom growth.

Dining Services will continue to provide meal plans and other options for students. We are working on plans for touchless points of sale and ordering ahead via an app to prevent long lines from forming in the Pryzbyla Center.  We will also design alternative seating arrangements, utilizing spaces in and around the Pryzbyla Center as we adhere to the guidelines that we will follow.  The priority for Dining Services will continue to be providing nutritious meals and food options in a safe environment.

University departments will continue to employ students to fill campus jobs.  However, there may be limitations to the number of available positions as we move through our phases of reopening. 

Students will be able to view and apply for open positions beginning the week of August 3rd using Handshake, CatholicU's on and off-campus job and internship posting site.

Job descriptions will indicate if the position is a remote opportunity or if it will require a student to be physically present in the office. This decision will be made by each supervisor, based on the operating structure of the office as it complies with university health and social distancing guidelines.

Click here for more information on how to access on-campus jobs in Handshake as well learn more about identifying local/part-time opportunities near campus.

Under the terms of our Campus Master Plan with the District of Columbia, first and second year residential students are not permitted to park on campus.  Any commuter student will be able to purchase a campus parking permit.

In terms of travel via other means (i.e. trains, planes, etc.) it will be important for students to check with the airline, etc. and maintain up to date awareness of changing conditions and requirements.  For instance, as of late May, the State of Virginia requires face coverings at Reagan National and Dulles International airports while Baltimore/Washington International Airport in Maryland has both recommendations and requirements for face coverings.  Similarly, Amtrak requires face coverings for all customers.