Cross-School
Undergraduate Programs

Gervase Programs

The Georgetown Undergraduate Honor Council and the Georgetown Office of Fellowships, Awards and Research occupy the ground floor of the Gervase building. This cluster of programs was previously known (from 2003–2011) collectively as the Gervase Programs.

The Undergraduate Honor Council is the principal administrative body of the Honor System. The Council consists of students, faculty, and decanal representatives from each of the four undergraduate schools and the School of Continuing Studies. Applications for Honor Council membership will be received in March for the following academic year. However, a few spaces are reserved each fall for new first-year and transfer students. For more information on the Honor System, please see Section VI of the Academic Regulations section of the Bulletin .

The Georgetown Office of Fellowships, Awards and Research (GOFAR) serves ambitious undergraduates interested in pursuing academic excellence in independent and individual ways that transcend the ordinary course curriculum and requirements. GOFAR comprises three principal functions.

• The Carroll Fellows Initiative (CFI) helps to develop tomorrow’s leaders through a unique curriculum, research opportunities, and the fostering of entrepreneurial independence. The CFI is interested in outcomes-oriented and highly individualistic students who wish to shape both the process and the product of their education. Carroll Fellows are successful within the established curriculum, but they are also broadly curious, energetic, and committed to living fully the Carroll motto: Mentis Vita pro Vita Mundi--“the life of the mind for the life of the world.” Students have only one opportunity to apply to the CFI. Interested first-year students apply in their fall semester at Georgetown and, if admitted, take the two-semester Carroll Forum starting in the spring. Sophomore transfer students may apply only in the summer before matriculating at Georgetown and, if admitted, immediately begin the Forum in the fall. After the successful completion of all CFI program requirements (see: http://gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu/cfi/what_we_do.html), a notation will be entered on the student’s official transcript as follows: “John Carroll Fellow -- [dates of participation].”
• The Georgetown Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (GUROP) aims to advance faculty research projects with the assistance of motivated undergraduate students, and to benefit students by introducing them to valuable research experience. Students may participate in GUROP as early as spring semester of their first year, provided their first semester grades are superb, and they have identified a faculty mentor. Students with at least sophomore standing and a minimum grade point average of 3.0 are also eligible to apply, students with lesser GPAs by approval. Successful participants, who have completed an anticipated 60 hours of research at the direction of their faculty mentors, will receive a transcript notation “Undergraduate Research Assistant.” Students who have successfully completed at least one term as a GUROP Research Assistant in an academic year are eligible to apply competitively for a full-time, funded Summer Research Fellowship for the subsequent summer. A description of the GUROP program and applications can be found at: http://gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu; the GUROP office is in the Gervase Building, Ground Floor. The deadline for submission of completed faculty project descriptions and faculty-student assistantship agreements is 5 p.m. Friday of the first full week of classes.
• The Office of the Fellowships and Awards identifies and recruits highly motivated and accomplished students who are interested in applying to the most competitive national and international fellowships and scholarships. The Office currently takes oversight for seventeen fellowships, including the Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, and Gates. Students are encouraged as early as possible, generally in their sophomore year, to plan out a long academic arc culminating in a significant senior research project. In the Jesuit tradition this research agenda is usually combined with a parallel leadership project, frequently with a social justice profile.

Fulbright Scholarship Program

Seniors and graduate students (current), and alumni from Georgetown, may apply for a Fulbright scholarship through the designated on-campus Fulbright advisor. These grants cover one year of graduate study, research, or teaching in a foreign country. The Fulbright advisor advises students throughout the application process and arranges interviews with the Campus Fulbright Committee. Please refer to www.gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu/fellowships.

Center for Social Justice Research,
Teaching and Service (CSJ)

The Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service (CSJ) serves as a central resource for students interested in finding opportunities for service and social justice work with the local and global community. Within CSJ, there are three professionally staffed programs: the After School Kids (ASK) Program, D.C. Reads, and the D.C. Schools Project. In addition, there are over 40 student-run organizations that work in a variety of areas including homelessness, fair trade, HIV/AIDS, and prison outreach. CSJ hosts alternative spring break trips; sponsors summer programming that provides opportunities for cultural immersion and service; and is also a resource for post-graduation volunteerism and careers in service and social justice. Moreover, the Center serves as the administrative home for the Program on Justice and Peace Studies, an academic minor/certificate program at Georgetown University.

CSJ works with faculty to facilitate the design and development of Community-Based Learning (CBL) courses, a pedagogy that integrates community-based work for social justice with course materials through various assignments. CSJ research staff offer community-based research (CBR) workshops and one-on-one consulting to faculty and students, supports faculty who include community-based research as a component of their courses, and provides internship opportunities for students interested in conducting CBR independently. For more information please see: http://socialjustice.georgetown.edu.

Community Scholars Program

The Community Scholars Program, operated by the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access, offers opportunities for first-generation and low-income students in all four of Georgetown’s undergraduate schools. Eligible students are identified during the admissions process and invited to attend a four-week academic summer program before the beginning of their first year. Students live on campus with a staff of upperclass advisors and enroll in a Humanities and Writing course and a non-credit enrichment class. The program pays for housing, meals and travel, and participants receive a four-year renewable $1,700 scholarship. During their first year, Scholars benefit from peer study groups and transition workshops as well as personal advising that continues throughout their time at Georgetown. For more information please see: http://cmea.georgetown.edu.

ARMY ROTC

History

Since the early nineteenth century, Georgetown University’s ethic of service to the nation has included the training of military officers. It was formalized in 1852 when the Reverend James Clark, a West Point graduate, arrived at Georgetown to expand the existing officer training program. During the American Civil War, University graduates served in both the Union and the Confederate armies. After the war, officer training at the nation’s oldest Roman Catholic university was reduced to reflect the relative lack of external threat to our nation as it expanded across the continent. However, university officials quickly organized a Cadet Corps after the outbreak of war between Germany and the U.S. in April 1917. In February 1918, the War Department officially established the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Georgetown University. Since that time, over 4,000 men and women have been commissioned from the Georgetown University ROTC Program. Today, Georgetown University ROTC graduates continue to serve with pride in the finest tradition of the Georgetown heritage and in the interest of our nation’s security.

Purpose and Approach

The Georgetown University ROTC Program consists of structured study in the field of military science. Its primary objective is to prepare those students with leadership potential to serve as commissioned officers in the U.S. Army’s Active and Reserve Components. In accomplishing this objective, the citizen-soldier relationship, ingrained as part of the American heritage, is fostered in a collegiate environment. In the classroom and during practical exercises, students are challenged to demonstrate the leadership abilities necessary to serve as future leaders and managers of human and material resources.

Enrollment Criteria

Enrollment in the first two years of Military Science is open to all students--it is an elective program. Credit hours are not awarded for the freshmen through junior classes, although grades will appear on the transcript. The senior classes (MLSC-251 and 252) are three credit hours each and do count toward degree completion as elective credit. No service obligation is incurred from enrolling in Army ROTC during your first or sophomore year. Courses can be dropped or added like any elective course. To be eligible for contracting and commissioning, as a minimum, a student must be of good character, be in good health, be a United States citizen before contracting (usually by junior year), and be approved by the ROTC Program Director.

Program Requirements and Curriculum

The four-year program is organized into two successive phases--the Basic Course and the Advanced Course. For students seeking the opportunity to earn a commission as an officer, there are several entry methods and participation strategies that can be used as long as the student initiates participation before the end of their sophomore year (a minimum of four semesters must remain in the student’s academic curriculum to complete commissioning requirements).

The Basic Course is a four-course series, usually taken in the freshmen and sophomore years (MLSC-111, 112, 113, 114: Leadership Skills I through IV). The MLSC-111, 112, 113, and 115 classes are .5 credits each. The Basic Course trains students in such topics as leadership theory, management skills, time management, and military roles and national objectives. In addition, applied topics such as map reading, land navigation, first aid topics, physical fitness and health topics, writing memoranda, giving briefings, and more are also taught. Each lecture class meets once per week for 75 minutes. Uniforms and equipment are also issued (loaned) to students at no cost. While only one or two sections are listed per MLSC class, small sections or individual tutorials are offered as necessary when scheduling conflicts exist.

The Army ROTC program has numerous experiential aspects beyond attending lecture classes. Leadership Laboratory (Lab or Drill) encompasses several different activities. Students enrolling in any ROTC lecture class must enroll in the required lab section; although the Director, ROTC can dismiss Lab enrollment in certain circumstances (scheduling conflicts in a major class, etc.). All Lab sections meet as a combined unit on Thursday mornings from 6:50 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. During this time, the unit trains in a variety of hands-on, practical, military tasks from drill and ceremonies to squad and platoon tactics scenarios. Training is often lively, realistic, and fun; it builds upon the previous weeks skills while emphasizing the next leadership skills required to conduct the events.

Other experiential aspects of Leadership Laboratory include Field Training Exercises (FTXs) and Physical Training (PT). FTXs involve some type of training on a weekend day at a nearby military base and usually center around such interesting and practical events as rappelling, rifle marksmanship, problem-solving obstacle courses, and simulated tactical battles. While cadets are required to participate in one FTX per semester, all are welcome to go beyond that obligation and take advantage of the numerous extra training opportunities available. PT classes are conducted three mornings per week from 6:50 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., at Yates Field House. Basic Course students are expected to attend two PT sessions per week. Physical training for Basic Course students can be waived in certain circumstances, and Army PT standards do not have to be met until the junior year. Over the four-year program, there are progressive requirements for meeting physical fitness standards, weight limits, and assumed leadership positions. A student must be academically successful to be able to participate and complete ROTC. Therefore, the highest academic standards are strongly emphasized.

Army ROTC organizes numerous optional adventure and social events. A battlefield visit is offered every year, usually to a local Civil War battlefield. The unit has an organized Color Guard, which performs ceremonial duties both on and off campus, sometimes for notable national figures around Washington, and a Ranger Club, which focuses on enhancing cadets tactical knowledge and skills. Airborne and Air Assault training among other Army formal schools are available to some enrolled cadets. Enrolled students typically become progressively involved to enhance their training; develop esprit de corps, and participate for the fun and social opportunities.

The Advanced Course consists of a four-course series taken during the junior and senior years (MLSC-211, 212, 251, & 252). The MLSC-211, 212 classes are .5 credits each. The MLSC-251 and 252 classes are three credits each. Depending on the school in which the cadet is enrolled, the six courses in the first three years of the program may together count for one course. Normally, Advanced Course cadets contract to become commissioned officers and thus incur some type of service obligation upon graduation and commissioning.

The 200-level courses emphasize squad and platoon leadership, tactics, and preparation for Advanced Camp. Advanced Camp is a five-week training and evaluation activity required of contracted students. Cadets attend in the summer between their junior and senior years. A salary, travel expenses, and room and board are all provided during Camp. Advanced Camp is a critical hurdle that students must pass to receive a commission.

There are also Professional Military Education requirements. Contracted cadets must take and pass courses in written communications, computer literacy, and American military history. These courses come from the general course offerings at the university and may fulfill both the student’s general education (elective) and academic major requirements.

Since all students initially may enroll in ROTC classes, a student wishing to take an upper-level course must seek enrollment approval from the ROTC Director or instructor. Prerequisites do exist for upper-level courses. Course requirements may be established between the Director of ROTC, and the student to tailor the class to the student’s interests and needs.

The senior-level courses are considered the “Transition to Lieutenant” phase. The courses focus on staff operations, logistics, military law, and ethics. Seniors are expected to organize and attend an additional one hour staff and training meeting per week as part of their leadership experience and duties. Planning and implementation of training become the primary focus for seniors in Leadership Laboratory.

Methods for Completing Program and
Earning a Commission

Students who enter Army ROTC to earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation can choose from several methods: A student may complete the four-year program; the freshmen and sophomore classes may be compressed into the sophomore year; a veteran may enter directly into the junior year (when academically aligned as a junior); and a sophomore student may attend a five-week Basic Camp between their sophomore and junior years to gain experience equivalent to the Basic Course. Graduate students and resident aliens who become U.S. citizens by a certain time may become commissioned officers. Students who complete the ROTC program may take up to two years to complete their baccalaureate studies.

Scholarship Programs

Four to two-year scholarships are available to students in all majors. Scholarships cover full tuition, and also include $600 per year for books and mandatory fees, all tax free. In addition, scholarship students are paid a stipend of $250-400 per month (up to $2,000–4,000 per year) based on Military Science year. On campus scholarship applications can be submitted year round. Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis (minimum 2.5 cum GPA to apply and under age 30 when graduating).

There is also a two-year Reserve Forces Duty (RFD) Scholarship available that guarantees Reserve Duty upon graduation and commissioning (no active duty tour). Contact the Director, ROTC, to determine eligibility. Four-year scholarships are available for high school students, but they must apply by November 15th of their senior year for a scholarship that starts in the Fall semester of their freshman year. Call 1-800-USA-ROTC for details and application.

Many students participate in ROTC as "non-scholarship" cadets. A non-scholarship cadet does not have to contract to receive a commission until the junior year. For the junior and senior year, non-scholarship, contracted students still receive the $350–400 per month stipend respectively for the school year (maximum $3,500–4,000. Non-scholarship, contracted cadets may also participate in the Army National Guard or Army Reserve in a Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) for additional benefits and experience.

Georgetown University Army ROTC is designated the “Hoya Battalion.” Contact the Enrollment and Scholarship Officer, ROTC, at (202) 687-7056/7065 (Fax: 1109).

Undergraduate Bulletin 2011-2012 Table of Contents
Copyright 2011, Georgetown University.