CSJ Policies and Practices for Inclusion
Accommodation Requests
Georgetown University strives to be inclusive to all members of our community, including visitors to campus. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Georgetown University provides access to programs and services to all qualified participants regardless of disability. Considering accessibility when planning events can benefit the experience of all participants by creating a more diverse group and providing a welcoming environment to all.
CSJ Events: CSJ attempts to meet requests for reasonable accommodations for its events. Requests can be made via submission to our Accessibility Request Form. Accommodation requests can include, but are not limited to: ASL interpretation, wheelchair accessibility, accessible transportation, preferential seating, and alternative formats for printed materials. In order to best serve participants, CSJ requests that requests for accommodations arrive five business days prior to the relevant event.
CSJ-sponsored service programs: CSJ works closely with the Academic Resource Center (ARC) on campus in order to arrange an accessible van for students who participate in CSJ-sponsored community service programs that provide transportation. Requests can be made directly on the van reservation request form, or by emailing csjvans@georgetown.edu with the subject header “Van Accommodation Request.”
Bullying Prevention
Respect and care for every person are core values of Georgetown University. All Individuals, including youth who participate in Georgetown-sponsored programs, deserve to be free from the threat or actuality of physical violence or verbal abuse and the University will not tolerate acts of bullying, harassment and intimidation of youth.
Pursuant to the District of Columbia Youth Bullying Prevention Act of 2012, CSJ maintains a Youth Bullying Prevention Policy. Acts of bullying, including cyberbullying, whether by youth, volunteers or staff, are prohibited at CSJ-sponsored or related events on and off Georgetown University property. Retaliation against a youth, volunteer or staff member who reports bullying, provides information about an act of bullying, or witnesses an act of bullying is also prohibited. Read the full policy, including definitions and reporting protocols.
Questions about CSJ’s Bullying Prevention policy can be directed to Ray Shiu, CSJ’s Deputy Director.
DC Public Schools Clearances Process
Please see this thorough document explaining CSJ’s process for adhering to DC Public Schools Clearances Policy.
Questions about CSJ’s adherence to DC Public Schools Clearances Process can be directed to Ray Shiu, CSJ’s Deputy Director.
Event Co-sponsorship
CSJ welcomes co-sponsorship opportunities with organizations, centers, programs and departments across Georgetown University. CSJ provides co-sponsorship support through financial, staff, vehicle, marketing, and in-kind resources. Interested campus partners are asked to to fill out this Co-sponsorship Request Form at least three weeks prior to the event.
Questions regarding Event co-sponsorship with CSJ can be directed to CSJ’s Deputy Director, Ray Shiu.
Undergraduate Employment and Federal Work Study
CSJ has over 200 positions for undergraduates each fall and spring semester available for sustained engagement in the community, as well as nearly 50 positions in the summer. Students with a Federal Work Study (FWS) award in their financial aid package may apply their award to these positions. University policy permits a student to hold only one FWS position at a time. On average, if students work approximately 6 hours a week throughout the Fall or Spring term, they will exhaust their FWS award. Due to federal legislation, students can not log more than 20 hours in a week. CSJ does not offer paid undergraduate positions. CSJ’s standard starting rate is the DC minimum wage of $17.00 Undergraduates receive a 25 cents increase each term; these terms do not need to be consecutive. Coordinator-level positions start at $18.00/hour. Read more about Federal Work Study at Georgetown. Graduate students interested in work at the CSJ can find more information here.
Questions regarding CSJ’s undergraduate Federal Work Study (FWS) program can be can be directed to CSJ’s Operations Officer, Lucia Cappelloni.
I-9 Paperwork
In order for a student to work in a CSJ Federal Work Study (FWS) position (after acceptance of such a position), they must complete the Federal Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. Federal law mandates that a Form I-9 be completed for each new hire, regardless of citizenship status, in order to verify identity and employment authorization. All new hires are required to complete the I-9 form on their first day of work, unless the form has been completed prior to the first day of work. If a student has not completed the Form I-9 after three (3) business days, that student will not be permitted to continue to work until the Form is completed.
For student workers the Electronic I-9 process is initiated through the worker’s GMS onboarding tasks and requires that the hire transaction for the worker be completed in GMS before the Electronic I-9 can be initiated. Section 1 of the I-9 Form will be pre-populated with information from Banner for Student workers. New hires will be instructed on the completion of the form through email alerts during their onboarding process; and hiring managers will receive emails advising them of the employee’s I-9 completion status.
The visual inspection of I-9 identification documents is required. Human Resources Contacts and I-9 Analysts are responsible for reviewing documents presented by employees and entering the information into GMS. A copy of the identification documents will also be scanned in GMS. For locations and hours of the I-9 Office, please visit their website.
For questions regarding the GMS process for electronic I-9s, email help@georgetown.edu.
For questions regarding the I-9 Form or acceptable documents, email i-9@georgetown.edu.
Questions regarding I-9 policies as it relates to student employment at CSJ can be can be directed to CSJ’s Operations Manager, Lucia Cappelloni.
CSJ Front Door Access
CSJ’s offices are regularly open during business hours and according to the University’s academic calendar and operating status. Open access to CSJ’s offices are available during the business hours of 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Access to CSJ outside of these business hours are available via GOCard swipe at the front door (under the number 1419).
For security reasons and fire safety, CSJ requests that the CSJ front or back door should not be propped open outside of CSJ’s business hours. Those who require access should use their GOCard to swipe into the CSJ suite or student group/organization leaders should be present to help group members access the space outside of regular business hours. Hanging a sign on the door asking students without access to knock or to call the student group leader are suggested practices. Individuals not following these procedures will lose privileges to use the CSJ space outside of business hours.
Questions regarding GOCard access can be can be directed to CSJ’s Operations Manager, Lucia Cappelloni.
Inclusion
Georgetown University is committed to creating an inclusive, safe, and welcoming campus for all members of our community across all gender and sexual identities. CSJ acknowledges the importance of recognizing and respecting the many identities that make up our diverse student body. In order to help foster equitable classroom environments, CSJ invites faculty, students, staff, and community partners to inform us of how you wish to be called both in terms of your name and your pronouns (he/him/his, she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, etc.). Pronouns can be a way to affirm someone’s gender identity, but they can also be unrelated to a person’s identity. They are simply a public way in which people are referred to in place of their name (e.g. “he” or “she” or “they” or “ze” or something else). CSJ will do its best to address and refer to all accordingly and will support everyone in doing so as well. CSJ follows best practices of the Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-confirming Resource Guide as offered by GU’s LGBTQ Center.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The Georgetown University Institutional Review Board’s (IRB) primary role is to safeguard the rights and welfare of all human subjects who participate in research studies conducted by Georgetown faculty, students and staff. In compliance with Federal law and institutional policy, all research projects involving human subjects or human material must be reviewed and approved by the IRB. CSJ fully complies with the policies and procedures of the IRB, and thus all relevant research conducted or supported by CSJ must be first approved by the IRB.
Questions about CSJ’s compliance with IRB can be directed to csjresearch@georgetown.edu.
International Travel Policy
CSJ fully complies with Georgetown University’s International Travel Policy for all members of the university community. In 2012, Georgetown adopted an international travel policy that is intended to address the risks of international travel in a comprehensive and consistent manner and make members of the University community aware of resources available to them while traveling abroad. This policy applies to University-related international travel by students and faculty and staff accompanying students. Read more information about the International Travel Policy at Georgetown.
All individuals planning to travel internationally through a CSJ-affiliated program should contact csjglobalimmersion@georgetown.edu to work through an International Travel Application and complete pre-departure training.
Questions about CSJ’s compliance with this policy can be directed to CSJ’s Assistant Director, Immersion Programs, Kyra Hanlon.
Letters of Recommendation
CSJ team members receive hundreds of requests for letters, telephone reference checks, or recommendation forms from students every year. We take our responsibility very seriously to serve students and alumni in this way so that they can continue their social justice commitments beyond CSJ, Georgetown, and Washington, DC. We have compiled guidelines for requesting letters of recommendation or similar from CSJ professional staff members.
Questions about these guidelines can be directed to CSJ’s Executive Director, Dr. Andria Wisler.
Lost & Found
The Center for Social Justice Lost & Found is at CSJ Front Desk in Suite 130 Poulton Hall. Items that are left behind at the CSJ, at CSJ events, or in CSJ vans will be brought to the CSJ Lost & Found. Center Operation Interns (COIs) will attempt to contact the owner of the item if it is clearly distinguishable on the item; any on-campus room keys will be brought to the Office of Residential Living. Laptops and other valuables will be brought to the Georgetown University Police Department (GUPD). All other items will be regularly brought to the Healey Family Student Center Information Desk, which is the primary Lost & Found for the Georgetown University campus. Any items in CSJ’s Lost and Found not claimed at the end of the semester (December 15, May 15, August 15) will be donated or recycled.
Questions regarding the Lost & Found policy can be can be directed to CSJ’s Operations Manager, Lucia Cappelloni.
Photo Permission
CSJ seeks permission from parents/guardians of youth under 18 before using a minor’s image or likeness in Georgetown University communications.
CSJ provides notice to CSJ event participants that CSJ may photograph the event and may use the photographs for Georgetown University communications purposes. CSJ provides this notice in the event registration/RSVP or in the broadcast email. CSJ will also hang signage at the event site entry points for events that do not require previous registration.
In the instance of smaller size events and close-up portraits, CSJ aims to be respectful and make our photographer’s presence known, and ask if people are comfortable being photographed.
Questions about the Photo Permission Policy can be directed to CSJ’s Operations Manager, Lucia Cappelloni.
Picking up Paychecks
All CSJ student employees are paid on a bi-weekly basis. CSJ’s student employees are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit of their paychecks. This allows an employee to designate a bank account into which his or her paychecks will be deposited on pay days. To enroll in direct deposit and enter the appropriate banking information, log into GMS, click the “Pay” icon on the GMS homepage, and then in the left column under “Actions,” click on “Payment Elections.” It can take one to two pay cycles to process the request for a direct deposit – the student will likely receive at least one pay period’s paycheck by paper check after they have begun to work. Students should update any changes in their bank account information immediately in GMS to ensure that payments are properly sent and received.
If a student employee is not enrolled in direct deposit, or the enrollment is not yet processed, the biweekly paycheck will be delivered to Check Distribution in the basement of White Gravenor. The employee will receive an email from checkdistribution@georgetown.edu when the check is available for pick-up. Students must show a GOCard for identification. Checks not picked up within 90 days of the email notification will be returned to the Payroll Office.
Questions about procedures for picking up checks can be directed to CSJ’s Operations Manager, Lucia Cappelloni.
Probation, Sanction or Community Service Hours
CSJ recognizes that the Office of Student Conduct may assign students to complete community service hours on campus or in their home community as a disciplinary sanction. CSJ does not allow students to fulfill such a requirement retroactively (e.g. by applying hours already worked, or through community service commitments scheduled before the sanction was imposed). Rather, students must schedule such sanction-related hours in addition to any previous CSJ-related commitments. All requests to meet disciplinary sanction requirements through CSJ-related service must be arranged and approved by CSJ before any service begins. CSJ directs students to locate opportunities through DC’s volunteer opportunity database at volunteer.dc.gov.
Questions about this policy can be directed to CSJ’s Deputy Director, Ray Shiu.
Protection of Minors
Georgetown University has established a Protection of Minors Policy to protect those under 18 years of age who participate in programs and activities associated with the University and to provide guidance to University students, faculty and staff who are involved with such programs and activities.
CSJ is committed to educating students about their obligation to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect that they may encounter while working in CSJ programs. The introductory training for CSJ programs includes information about campus and online resources for reporting, as well as University and District of Columbia requirements. Situations that may require reporting are difficult, and CSJ staff members are available as resources to provide guidance and support to students who believe they have encountered a situation that requires reporting.
If at any point a student has questions about his or her obligations or what to do in a particular situation, the student should contact their Program Director and/or the CSJ Deputy Director, Ray Shiu. Read more information about CSJ’s reporting protocol.
Questions about CSJ’s compliance with the Protection of Minors policy can be directed to CSJ’s Deputy Director, Ray Shiu.
Requesting Employment Verification
All requests for student employment verification from students, alumni and their potential employers must be directed to the Student Employment Office. CSJ team members cannot respond to these requests and any such requests directed to CSJ will be forwarded to the Student Employment Office.
Questions about this policy can be directed to CSJ’s Operations Manager, Lucia Cappelloni.
Sharing community-based organization/collaborator contact information
CSJ is honored to work closely with dozens of community-based organizations and schools in the Washington, DC metro area and beyond. As part of our long-standing commitment to these social justice organizations, CSJ does not readily share their contact information with students, faculty or staff members or external vendors. Rather, CSJ is ready to work with individuals or with campus units with interest in collaborating with or creating a one-day service program with one of these organizations.
Questions related to contact information of community-based collaborators can be directed to CSJ’s Executive Director, Dr. Andria Wisler.
Student Events & Activities During Study Days and Final Exam Periods
(See p. 13 of The Blueprint Rendering) Given the academic focus of University-planned Study Days and the Final Exam Period, student-initiated programming and activities are limited to the following: 1) Study breaks can be planned to occur on Study Days only; 2) Study breaks are defined as events that last no longer than two hours, provide food and/or beverages, and do not require a significant amount of planning and execution. Set-up and takedown for Study Break events should be no longer than thirty minutes each. These study break activities must be reviewed and approved by CSJ ABSO. No student-initiated programming is allowed during the Final Exam period. Please contact your CSJ ABSO advisor regarding any questions about this policy.
CSJ’s Executive Director, Dr. Andria Wisler, can make exceptions to this policy with at least two weeks prior notice.
TB Test
See section above on the DC Public Schools Clearances Process.
Using CSJ’s Conference Room (“Peace Room”) and the CSJ Commons
To respect public health guidelines, the Peace Room seats up to 8 people (146 Poulton) and the main area of the suite, the CSJ Commons, seats approximately 20. These rooms are available for CSJ groups, organizations, and committees to reserve. Other offices and campus groups are also welcome to reserve these rooms. Please review the CSJ Peace Room and CSJ Commons Reservation Guide for information on how to reserve each space.
Questions about this policy can be directed to CSJ’s Operations Manager, Lucia Cappelloni.
Vans
CSJ uses its fleet of vans to get Georgetown students, faculty and staff to community-based partners around the DC-MD-VA area every day. Vans can also be requested by any department, program, or unit that has access to benefits. CSJ vans are ideal for a class trip, student organization service project, or residence hall outing.
Read information about CSJ’s van policies and pricing. We recommend that a request for a van be submitted at least two weeks prior to the requested date. During peak hours, no more than five vans will be assigned to a single group. There are additional fines for not adhering to van policies. All drivers must be van authorized by the Office of Risk Management, a process which can take 1-2 weeks depending on the driver’s licensing state. Learn more information about CSJ vans, including the reservation request process and van authorization process.
Questions about these policies can be directed to the CSJ Van Team at csjvans@georgetown.edu.