The Georgetown University Podcast

Georgetown Update: Professor Convicted, Record Law Applications, SFS Expands to Jakarta, Student Wins Appeal, Hoyas in Basketball Tourney

Good afternoon, Hoyas! It's Monday, August 4th, and here's what's happening at Georgetown University.
Today, expect periods of clouds and sunshine with a high of 88 degrees and a low of 65. Looking ahead, partial sunshine continues tomorrow with a high of 82. Be aware that by Wednesday, smoke from Canadian wildfires may reduce air quality in our area.
In a significant development, Georgetown Law Professor Shon Hopwood has been convicted on multiple charges related to a domestic violence incident from September 2023. Hopwood, known for his journey from bank robber to law professor, was found guilty of assault, contempt, and obstruction of justice. The university has placed him on leave and is reviewing the case, emphasizing that domestic violence is against Georgetown's values.
On the academic front, law school applications have surged nationwide, with Georgetown Law receiving a record-breaking 14,000 applications—a 25% increase from last year. This marks the highest number of applications any U.S. law school has ever received. Observers attribute this trend to factors like the presidential transition year and changes to the LSAT exam.
In international news, Georgetown's School of Foreign Service has expanded its global footprint by opening a new campus in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Georgetown SFS Asia-Pacific campus launched in January with an executive master’s program in diplomacy and international affairs, marking the first American university campus in Indonesia.
A U.S. appeals court has ruled that Badar Khan Suri, a 41-year-old pro-Palestinian Georgetown student from India, can remain free while contesting deportation efforts. Suri was arrested in March but released in May after a federal judge's decision, which was upheld by the appeals court. His case has drawn attention to civil rights concerns surrounding immigration enforcement.
In sports, the Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team concluded their season with a 9–2 record in non-conference play and an 8–12 record in the Big East Conference. They participated in the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament, where they reached the quarterfinals before falling to Nebraska.
That's all for today's update. Stay safe, stay informed, and Hoya Saxa!

Georgetown News: PTO Changes, “Save Georgetown Day” Petition, Campus Hotel Reno, Jumpstart Ends, and Fall Athletics Updates

Good afternoon, Hoyas! It's Monday, July 28, 2025, and welcome back to the hottest podcast on campus. Let's dive into the latest news and updates from Georgetown University.
First up, a significant development in university policy. Effective July 1, 2025, Georgetown has updated its Paid Time Off benefits for administrative employees. The university is transitioning from an accrual to an allotment model, aiming to encourage staff to take time off and reduce financial liability from unused PTO. Employees will receive their full annual PTO allotment in addition to maintaining the use of their remaining accrued PTO.
In other news, the Georgetown University Student Association recently launched a petition titled "Save Georgetown Day," aiming to reform policies implemented in 2024 that restricted campus gatherings. The petition, which gathered 295 signatures in two days, led the administration to announce on April 23 that some restrictions would be loosened for future Georgetown Day celebrations.
Turning to campus facilities, Georgetown is set to begin renovations for its campus hotel in fall 2025. The five-story hotel will feature 146 guest rooms, a restaurant and bar, and over 13,000 square feet of event and meeting space. The design aims to modernize the space while matching Georgetown’s overall architectural style.
In academic news, the Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service announced that the Georgetown Jumpstart program will be suspended after this semester due to funding constraints. This decision follows the national partner, AmeriCorps, not renewing grants for any of the 31 colleges and universities that operate Jumpstart programs.
On the athletics front, the Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team, led by third-year head coach Ed Cooley, is set to represent the United States in the 2025 GLOBL JAM, an under-23 tournament in Toronto, Canada, this August. The Hoyas will compete against the national teams of Brazil, Canada, and Japan, with the possibility of participating in the gold medal game on August 17.
Additionally, the women's soccer team has announced its 2025 schedule, featuring 18 regular-season contests, including nine matches at Shaw Field. The Hoyas will open the season at home against Old Dominion on August 14.
In men's golf, the team has released its fall 2025 schedule, which includes hosting the 41st Annual Georgetown Intercollegiate at Echo Lake Country Club from October 13-14. The fall season concludes with the ODU/OBX Intercollegiate from October 26-28.
That's all for today's episode. Stay cool in the summer heat, and we'll catch you next time with more updates from the Hilltop. Hoya Saxa!

Georgetown News: Antisemitism Testimony, Georgetown Day Changes, PTO Updates, Hotel Renovation, and Fall Sports Highlights

Good afternoon, Hoyas! It's Monday, July 21, 2025, and here's what's happening at Georgetown University.
On July 15, Interim President Robert M. Groves testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce regarding allegations of antisemitism on campus. President Groves emphasized Georgetown's commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and upholding free speech while enforcing university policies. He stated, "Antisemitism is incompatible with living our mission."
In response to student concerns over restrictions implemented during Georgetown Day 2024, the Georgetown University Student Association launched the "Save Georgetown Day" petition. The petition, which gathered 295 signatures in two days, led the administration to announce on April 23 that some restrictions would be loosened for future Georgetown Day celebrations.
Effective July 1, 2025, Georgetown University has updated its Paid Time Off benefits for administrative employees. The university is transitioning from an accrual to an allotment model to encourage staff to take time off and reduce financial liability from unused PTO. Employees will receive their full annual PTO allotment in addition to maintaining the use of their remaining accrued PTO.
Georgetown University is set to begin renovations for its campus hotel in fall 2025. The five-story hotel will feature 146 guest rooms, a restaurant and bar, and over 13,000 square feet of event and meeting space. The design aims to modernize the space while matching Georgetown’s overall architectural style.
The men's golf team has announced its fall 2025 schedule, featuring five events, including hosting the 41st Annual Georgetown Intercollegiate at Echo Lake Country Club from October 13-14. Head Coach Tommy Hunter stated, "Our fall schedule provides a great opportunity to compete against some of the nation's top golf programs and play on golf courses that present great challenges."
In men's soccer, the team will host NCAA qualifier West Virginia and American for exhibition matches on August 8 and 10 before playing at Virginia on August 15 to close out the preseason. The Hoyas will face six teams that appeared in the 2024 NCAA Championship, including Vermont, the reigning national champion.
The women's soccer team will open the 2025 campaign at Shaw Field, hosting Old Dominion on August 14. The Hoyas will play eight nonconference games, five of which are against opponents who made the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Head Coach Dave Nolan commented, "Once again we have put together an incredibly challenging non-conference schedule to supplement the rigors of BIG EAST play."
That's all for today's update. Stay tuned for more news and events happening around the Hilltop. Hoya Saxa!

Georgetown University News: Legal Wins, Policy Changes, Campus Renovations, and Fall Sports Kickoff – July 14, 2025

Good afternoon, Hoyas! It's Monday, July 14, 2025, and here's what's happening around Georgetown University.
Currently, it's partly sunny with a temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Expect cloudy skies throughout the day, with temperatures reaching up to 86 degrees this afternoon. There's a chance of thunderstorms starting around 6 p.m., so keep an umbrella handy if you're heading out this evening.
In a significant legal development, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled on July 1 that Badar Khan Suri, a 41-year-old pro-Palestinian Georgetown University student from India, can remain free while contesting deportation efforts initiated by the Trump administration. Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown's Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, was arrested in March and released in May. The court's decision emphasizes the importance of legal oversight in such cases.
On the policy front, Georgetown University is updating its Paid Time Off benefits for administrative employees, effective July 1, 2025. The university is transitioning from an accrual to an allotment model to encourage staff to take time off and reduce financial liability from unused PTO. Employees will receive their full annual PTO allotment in addition to maintaining the use of their remaining accrued PTO.
In response to student concerns, the Georgetown University Student Association launched a petition titled "Save Georgetown Day," aiming to reform policies implemented in 2024 that restricted campus gatherings. The petition, which gathered 295 signatures in two days, led the administration to announce on April 23 that some restrictions would be loosened for future Georgetown Day celebrations.
Georgetown University is set to begin renovations for its campus hotel in fall 2025. The five-story hotel will feature 146 guest rooms, a restaurant and bar, and over 13,000 square feet of event and meeting space. The design aims to modernize the space while aligning with Georgetown's architectural style.
Additionally, the university has submitted design concepts for a new boathouse to the Old Georgetown Board. The proposed facility will have a traditional look, featuring a granite facade that echoes the academic buildings on the Hilltop. The boathouse will include a public dock, providing access for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
The Georgetown Men's Soccer team has announced its 2025 schedule, which includes 17 regular-season contests, with 11 home games on the Hilltop. Notably, Shaw Field will have lights installed this summer, allowing for evening games. The season kicks off with an away game at High Point on August 21, followed by a home opener against Maryland on August 25 at 7:30 p.m.
The Women's Soccer team has also released its 2025 schedule, featuring 18 regular-season contests, including nine home matches. The Hoyas will face eight nonconference opponents, five of whom made the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The season begins at home against Old Dominion on August 14 at 7 p.m.
In Women's Basketball, Head Coach Darnell Haney welcomes eight newcomers to the Hilltop for the 2025-26 season. The group includes seven transfers and one freshman, aiming to bolster the team's performance in the upcoming season.
For those planning their financial future, Georgetown University is hosting "Retirement Planning University" on July 15 and 16 at 6 p.m. in the John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletic Center's Nolan Hall. The sessions will cover investment strategies, healthcare options, and more. Interested participants can register online.
That's all for today's update. Stay safe, and we'll see you next time!