May 2026 Student Newsletter |
Dear CCAS Graduate Students,
We hope you had an amazing Spring 2026 semester!
This month's newsletter is full of important tips and resources, including reminders about this summer's Gelman Library closure, on- and off-campus housing resources, timely reminders for graduating students, and more!
Looking for past issues of our newsletter? Check out our Student Newsletter page for the archives!
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Important Reminders & Resources |
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The Gelman Library will be closed for planned HVAC maintenance from May 9 - August 23, 2026. Click the button below for more information on accessing study spaces and library services during the closure.
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- As a reminder, Fall 2026 registration is now open via GWeb!
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Registration for 2026 Summer Session courses is open! As a reminder, you are not required to register in Summer Sessions to maintain enrollment unless specifically directed to do so by your program. Please visit the Registrar's Office Summer Sessions page for a full list of key registration dates. Key dates this month include:
- Friday, May 22: Last day for ALL Consortium registration scheduled during Summer Session I
- Sunday, May 24: Last day to add a Summer Session I class via GWeb
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Sunday, May 31: Last day to add a Summer Session I class via RTF-EZ; last day to drop a Summer Session I class via any means
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Please note that the 100% tuition refund period is shorter in Summer Sessions than it is during the fall and spring semesters. Pay close attention to how the length of your Summer Session course compares to the schedule laid out in the Tuition Refund Policy.
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If you have a hold that prevents registration, you will need to complete the action listed in the hold message before the hold can be removed. Don't forget - a hold may only be removed by the office that placed the hold.
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If you started your program of study in the Spring 2026 semester, please make sure that you have turned in all official documents and transcripts required as part of the admissions process. If you have not submitted your transcripts, you will notice a hold on your account and will be unable to register for Fall 2026 courses. If you have a transcript hold, please reach out to our Admissions team at askccas@gwu.edu.
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General information on common holds can be found on the Registrar’s Office website; information on financial holds can be found on the Student Accounts Office website.
- If you will be completing your thesis or dissertation in Summer 2026, please continue to be mindful of ETD clearance deadlines for both Ph.D. students and for Master’s students completing a thesis.
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Resource Highlight: Housing
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As we head into summer, many of you may be looking to either renew your lease or find a new apartment. We know that the summer rental market can be tough in DC - here are some housing resources that might make your search a little easier.
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There will be new on-campus housing options for graduate students beginning for the Fall 2026 semester. On-campus students will be housed in one of the Foggy Bottom residence halls. There is a mix of available room styles, including some single rooms. Please keep in mind that residence hall move-in and move-out dates may differ from the available start- and end-dates on a traditional, off-campus lease. Students in on-campus housing are required to have a dining plan.
If you think you might want to live on campus during the next academic year, take a moment now to review the available housing options, rates, and important dates on the Graduate Student Housing page. The timeline for Fall 2026 Graduate Student Housing Registration will depend on housing availability after undergraduate housing registration. Graduate students should check their email consistently for instructions on how and when to complete their Housing Registration.
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Off-Campus Student Affairs |
The Office of Off-Campus Student Affairs (OCSA) extends community building and learning beyond the campus of the George Washington University by providing resources, services, and programs designed to assist and guide students living off-campus.
If you are looking to relocate, check out OCSA's neighborhood guides for an overview of neighborhoods that are accessible from campus. You can also check out the GW Off-Campus Housing website, which has a variety of resources including an apartment listing search and roommate search. The site pulls together listings from a variety of apartment search sites, so you can find more relevant listings in one place. You can also create a profile and find roommates through the Off-Campus Housing website.
The OSCA's tenant responsibilities page also has tips on protecting your rights as a renter, from inspecting the unit before move-in to pushing back if your landlord tries to violate your tenant rights.
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Office of the Tenant Advocate |
If you live off-campus but within DC proper, you also have access to the Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA). OTA is a DC government office, and is not affiliated with GW. The OTA aims to serve renters within DC by making sure they are aware of their rights as tenants, helping to resolve landlord disputes, and advocating for more renter-friendly policies.
If you believe that your landlord is not following DC housing law, OTA provides in-house representation for tenants in certain cases, and refers other cases to pro bono or contracted legal service providers and attorneys.
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Thank you for utilizing Career Services this year! Whether you attended our Career Readiness Workshops or 1:1 Coaching Appointments, you took intentional steps to invest in your future.
Still want career support? Career counselors are available to meet with CCAS students and alumni throughout the year, even during the summer! Schedule an appointment on Handshake, visit our website, or email ccas_careers@gwu.edu for more information.
As a reminder, you can view past Career Readiness workshops on the CCAS Career Services YouTube Channel.
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Students completing their final program requirements in Spring or Summer 2026 must submit an online graduation application in order to graduate and receive their diplomas (or certificates).
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In addition to GW’s Commencement on the National Mall on Sunday, May 17, 2026, the Dean and Faculty of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) invite graduates and their guests to attend CCAS' annual graduation Celebration events.
CCAS Hooding Celebration: Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Lisner Auditorium
CCAS Master's Celebration: Friday, May 15, 2026 from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. | Smith Center
If you can't make it in-person but would like to cheer on your classmates virtually, both the Hooding Celebration and Master's Celebration will be livestreamed.
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Key Application Deadlines for Spring 2026 Grads |
Please visit the Registrar's Office Application Deadlines page for a full list of graduation application deadlines. If you need to review your graduation application to check your diploma name or mailing address, please log in to GWeb and select "View Graduation Application." The deadline for Spring 2026 graduates to update their diploma name and/ or mailing address will be May 14, 2026.
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Other Important Reminders |
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Review the GW Alumni Account FAQs. Once you complete your degree requirements, you are subject to the alumni email storage limit. The FAQ page includes tips to maintain access to your GW email and the information in your GW-associated Google Drive and Calendar.
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Make an appointment to take your Cherry Tree yearbook photo.
- Be sure to check out the list of Frequently Asked Questions on the Commencement website!
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Funding, Fellowships, Internships, & Employment Opportunities |
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Please feel free to reach out to us at ccasgradserv@gwu.edu if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
The Student Services Team
Office of Graduate Studies
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
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