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Food Delivery Workers Since 1920 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024
THEHOYA.COM
Georgetown University • Washington, D.C. Vol. 106, No. 7, © 2024
Title IX Policy To Change At GU Law After Pregnancy AccommodationControversy Nora Toscano Senior News Editor
After backlash against their decision to deny a pregnant student accommodations for her final exam, officials at the Georgetown University Law Center will reconsider its accommodations and Title IX policies in consultation with students, faculty and staff. The announcement, in a Nov. 29 email to law students, follows student backlash against the university’s initial decision to deny Brittany Lovely (LAW ’26), a pregnant student due to give birth during her final exam period, accommodations to take her exams early or online. The school reversed the decision after Georgetown Law students started a petition Nov. 21 opposing it and reached an agreement with Lovely on accommodations Nov. 22.
In the email, Law Center Dean William M. Treanor and Vice Dean Lilian V. Faulhaber said they would invite community members to participate in discussions around the school’s policies on accommodations for pregnant and parenting and disabled students. “We have heard your concerns about barriers encountered by pregnant and parenting students and students with disabilities,” Treanor and Faulhaber wrote in the email. “In the new year, we will be gathering input from students, faculty and staff to better understand the challenges experienced and develop proposals for changes to relevant policies and procedures in accordance with Title IX, the Americans with Disability Act, See TITLE IX, A7
SHIRA OZ/THE HOYA
Georgetown University students joined hundreds of protestors outside the Supreme Court as the Court heard a case on a state-level ban for gender-affirming healthcare for minors in the case of United States v. Skrmetti Dec. 4.
Students Rally for Gender-Affirming Care Shira Oz
City News Desk Editor
GEORGETOWN LAW/YOUTUBE
Georgetown University Law Center announced it will meet with students to update its Title IX accomodations and policies.
Georgetown University students joined hundreds of protesters outside the U.S. Supreme Court Dec. 4 for a rally in support of gender-affirming medical treatments as the court heard oral arguments in a high-profile case that challenges a state-level ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The case concerns a 2023 Tennessee law that restricts medical treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapies and transition surgeries for transgender people under the age of 18, with three families and a doctor challenging
the law’s constitutionality in federal court. As the court prepared to hear arguments, protesters both in support of the ban and against the ban attended simultaneous rallies outside the court, with several Georgetown students — including members of Georgetown’s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a nonprofit organization that advocates for civil rights issues, and the Georgetown University College Democrats (GUCD) — attending the rally against the ban. The attorneys in the Court argued the ban should be considered with a more stringent standard because it concerns sex-based distinctions and
discriminates against transgender children. Those in support of the ban say the consideration is focused on medical distinctions, not sex. Reilly Souther (CAS ’27), the advocacy director of GUCD, who attended the rally, said she attended to fight for gender-affirming care. “We should listen to the science and we should listen to trans people,” Souther told The Hoya. “Trans health care and genderaffirming care is important and necessary, and I don’t think we should be making people’s lives a buzz issue just for political agenda.” At the rally against the ban, speakers included Senator
Ed Markey (D-Mass.); Mariah Moore, the co-deputy director of programs and policy at Transgender Law Center, a transgender-led organization that focuses on civil rights issues; and actress and comedian Ilana Glazer. Markey said those who oppose the ban should take meaningful action to fight against it. “Freedom is not inevitable; it is fought for by people who say ‘no’ in the face of discrimination, ‘no’ in the face of invasive laws that seek to limit what health care you can get and ‘no’ to the anti-justice See SCOTUS, A7
Groves Named Interim President, Colbert Appointed Interim Provost Nora Toscano Senior News Editor
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
A Georgetown University community member at the school’s Capitol Campus was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), the university announced in a Nov. 25 email.
GU Records Tuberculosis Case, Patient in Treatment, Recovery Dev Patel
Science Writer
A Georgetown University community member at the school’s Capitol Campus was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), a treatable but serious illness, the university announced in a Nov. 25 email. The university is working with infectious disease experts from its faculty and the District of Columbia Department of Health (D.C. Health), which is leading the public health response to the case, to provide information and resources to the community, according to the email. The university did not identify the individual diagnosed with tuberculosis, but they are currently receiving treatment and in good
condition, the email said. Tuberculosis — a bacterial infection of the lungs that can also affect other parts of the body and is spread through the air — can be deadly if left untreated, though antibiotic treatment for the disease is available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people experiencing tuberculosis symptoms, including cough, fever, chest pain, pain when breathing, shortness of breath and fatigue should isolate, take proper safety precautions and go to a doctor for testing. Dr. Seble Kassaye, the university’s acting medical advisor and an infectious disease specialist, urged
anyone potentially exposed to test for the disease. “It is important that persons who are notified about possible exposure complete the recommended screening and testing to determine infection status,” Kassaye wrote to The Hoya. “As TB takes time to establish infection, testing is performed at baseline, and again in approximately 8 weeks.” “D.C. Health takes the lead to identify and coordinate or provide testing to close contacts,” Kassaye added. The university has made testing available for anyone exposed, while D.C. Health has been working to notify
Following the retirement of Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia (CAS ’79, GRD ’95), Georgetown University named former Provost and Executive Vice President Robert M. Groves interim president Nov. 21 and Soyica Diggs Colbert (COL ’01) interim provost Nov. 26. Groves, a statistician, served as Georgetown’s provost and executive vice president from 2012 until his promotion to interim president, while Colbert, a professor in the departments of performing arts and Black studies, previously served as interim dean of the Georgetown College of Arts & Sciences and has most recently served as vice president for interdisciplinary initiatives since 2023. DeGioia, who began his tenure as president in 2001, will become the university’s president emeritus, with Georgetown conducting a nationwide search for his permanent replacement to conclude by July 2026. Groves spent much of his career teaching at the University of Michigan and served as the director of the U.S. Census Bureau from 2009 to 2012. He said his goal as interim president is to uphold DeGioia’s legacy. “Our job, as the Board has directed, is to be energetic stewards of the institution at this moment of transition, to actively
See GOLDWATER, A7
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Georgetown University named Robert Groves interim president See INTERIM, A7 Nov. 21 and Soyica Diggs Colbert (COL ’01) interim provost Nov. 26.
See TUBERCULOSIS, A7
NEWS
OPINION
GUIDE
SPORTS
Graduate in Nonprofit Scam
Build on DeGioia’s Legacy
Jack Schlossberg Lookalike
Out of Left Field
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The D.C. attorney general sued Brandon Anderson (CAS ’15) for allegedly misusing charitable funds and violating labor laws.
The Editorial Board urges the new administration to continue President John J. DeGioia’s (CAS ’79, GRD ’95) legacy.
Hundreds descended on Meridian Hill Park to crown a lookalike of Kennedy grandson and resident People’s Princess Jack Schlossberg.
Eilat Herman (CAS ’26) reflects on the Yankees’ defeat in the World Series, begging the Dodgers to leave some talent for the rest of us.
Prison Reform Advocate
Value Our Own Opinions
Rangila
Football Season Recap
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Jon-Adrian Velazquez urged students to advocate for criminal justice and combat wrongful convictions at a Dec. 4 talk.
Peter Sloniewsky (CAS ’27) argues that student reflections are just as important as policy critiques.
Georgetown students drawing inspiration from South Asian culture brought dazzling displays of dance to the stage at Gaston Hall.
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The Hoyas’ football season came to a mixed conclusion following a series of dominating performances and crushing defeats.
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