Office of Facilities Management Weekly Updates

Hoya MeetUps is Back!

Meet a service worker and learn more about them!
Registration has opened for this semester’s Hoya MeetUps Program. The meetups will take place between February 4-8 either for a 9:00 am breakfast or a 1:00 pm lunch.
You can sign up for a meetup here. Registration closes on February 1. We will schedule your meetup based on your availability. Learn more about the program here.

Car Wash Service Trial Starting Tuesday, 16th January

A car wash service provided by QF will be starting in the underground car park on Tuesday 16th. The service will be paid for by customers in cash only. Please find details (Link to be added).

Tuesday 23rd January changed to Wednesday 24th due to AFC tournament.

Thank You – Service Provider’s Holiday Collection

Thank you to all of those that contributed to the service provider’ holiday collection we were able to give them QAR 450 each.

Campus Services Retreat

The Campus Services Departments – Communications, IT, FM, Risk and Finance – will be offsite from 12 noon on Thursday, 11th January. The GU-Q building and facilities will operate as normal. In the event of an emergency please call 4457 8458.

Updated Entrance Opening Times

We are pleased to announce that the trial of using Student Guards at the Main Entrance, last semester, was successful. As a result we are able to extend this operating mode to the VIP Entrance (Communication side). From January 14 the VIP entrance will be open until midnight daily.

In addition we are trialing the opening of the 0A11 entrance for metro commuters from 8 am to 11:30 am (weekdays).

Should you have any feedback please email us at guqfacilities@georgetown.edu.

EC Stadium to Mathaf Tram Line Closed

In preparation to the 15 Dec tournament and subsequent AFC Cup to be conducted at EC stadium, the blue line tram operation will be stopped from EC Stadium North station (West Car park station) till Mathaf Station  starting 5^th December 2023 till the end of AFC cup (February 2024) .

Welcome Sabica

Welcome to Sabica Nadeem, our Interim Retail Services Assistant at the Bookstore. Sabica has been part of the GU-Q community as an on-call coordinator and has worked with many colleagues since her start in September 2023. 
She is from Karachi, Pakistani and has a background in medicine. She is also fluent in English and Urdu. In her free time Sabica enjoys taking long walks along the beach and reading.
Please feel free to contact her at sn864@georgetown.edu

Closure of VIP parking and Drop Off Area

In order to rectify the basement water leaks, QF will be carrying out repair works in the VIP parking space and the surrounding landscape starting December 8, 2023. This work requires the closure of the VIP driveway from December 21 until January 1, 2024. While the work is in progress drop off and pick ups will be via the underground car park.
We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Should you require any further clarification information, please feel free to contact us at guqfacilities@georgetwon.edu

Holiday Closures

The GU-Q building remains open through out the winter break
FM services will not be available on 18th December and from 21st December through to 1st January.
Due to alteration works in the kitchen there will be limited offerings in the O Street cafe from 12th December
– 12th to 14th December, A La Carte only
– 17th to 20th December, hot buffet, salad bar, grab and go only – no specials or a la carte will be available
– 2nd to 4th January, A La Carte and grab and go only
– 7th January, business as usual.

Winter is Here

As winter has arrived, we want to remind our community that the Georgetown building, like most of the buildings in Qatar, does not have a central heating system.

We strongly advise you to dress for the weather to stay warm. Remember to keep the external doors closed in order to keep the cold temperatures outside.

For questions, concerns, or suggestions please contact guqfacilities@georgetown.edu. Thank you for your understanding and enjoy the winter season ahead.

Student Center Food Court Closed

From Friday, 1 December 2023, until late February 2024, Multaqa (Education City Student Center) food court, ballroom, and surrounding areas will undergo maintenance and refurbishment work to improve the indoor air quality in Multaqa.

Graze Café and Café Anaa Servery Area will be closed between 1 December 2023 and 15 February 2024, while Chikito, Papa Johns, Exit 55, Which Wich, and Zatar W’Zeit will be closed from 15 December 2023 – 15 February 2024.

To ensure food services remain available to our internal community, a number of vendors will be available in the outdoor area opposite the food court overlooking Oxygen Park (see map attached).

Al Meera, Flat White, Xerox, Nails, i-Spot, Kulud Pharmacy, F-45 and other pop ups situated at Multaqa will not be impacted. 

Service Provider’s Collection 2023 – Last Week to Contribute

The contribution period for the annual collection for service providers has been extended to Wednesday, 6th December 2023.

So far this year we have collected enough money to give QAR 200 per person.

Last year we were able to give QAR 520 to each service provider. We want to make sure this year we are able to give better or at least the same. So please contribute. 

• If we each contributed QAR 50      Each service provider will receive QAR 30
• If we each contributed QAR 100    Each service provider will  receive QAR 600

Please contribute by or before December 6th, 2023  Your generous gift will make a real impact on the amount they will receive. For more details please use this link.

Remittances from migrants to their home countries are critical sources of support for food, clothing, education, and other needs, and often far outweigh the benefits of many other development projects or programs.

Our service providers  are the people you see the moment you enter the GU-Q driveway  and pass by and interact with all day long until you exit the building. Our service providers consist of cleaners, drivers, repair staff, maintenance technicians, water feature technicians, food service providers, security guards and office assistants. 

Car Pool Only Area

We introduced Car Pool Only priority parking spaces during Qatar Sustainability Week. These are permanent please respect them, if you do not car pool please use the other spaces.

Goodbye to Thameena

We are sorry to announce that Thameena Husain is leaving GU-Q at the end of December. Thameena has been with us since the summer of 2015 and has been integral in the way the Bookstore runs and is know for her excellent customer support, handling of the service provider collection and impact on sustainability at GU-Q. Pop in to the Bookstore and wish her well!

Burgeri @ GU-Q

Burgeri will be popping up at GU-Q Nov 21-22 outside the Main entrance (by the library), serving burgers, fries, and drinks from 12:00-5:00 pm. Enjoy!

New Prayer Carpet

Qatar Foundation will be replacing the carpet in the prayer rooms on the second floor from 5 pm on November 9 and until 5pm on November 11. Please us the Ground Floor prayer rooms instead.

Service Provider Portraits View Online

This exhibition presents a series of portraits produced by Ameni Abida, an alumnus of Georgetown University in Qatar class of 2019. Each image captures the essence of our campus’s service providers, emphasizing their roles and significance by celebrating the individuals who make our university a better place every day.

Farewell Andrew Canicosa, Welcome Filip and Andy

On November 2, we will say farewell to our long-time colleague Andrew Canicosa. Andrew has served GU-Q for over eight years and has been an exceptional and devoted colleague to all of us. We wish Andrew and his family the absolute best!

Welcome to Filip Ponomarenko, our new Auxiliary Services Coordinator, and Andyson Feliciano, our former Handyman who is now serving the role of Auxiliary Services Assistant. You can reach Filip at fp321@georgetown.edu and Andy at af1311@georgetown.edu. 

Pest Control Fogging, Friday, 3rd November

As part of our planned semi-annual pest control treatment and to address mosquitoes and other flying insects in the building, QF has scheduled a fogging/ fumigation treatment in the building on Friday,  November 3 2023, from 7:00 am. In the interest of safety, access to the building will be restricted until 5:00 pm that day. For any assistance, please get in touch with guqfacilities@georgetown.edu.

Welcome to Casual Coffee

Welcome to Casual Coffee, a new specialty coffee shop at GU-Q! This student owned cafe will pop up at GU-Q for the next three months. We hope you enjoy it!

Nando’s Pop Up 16-18 October

Nando’s will be popping up at GU-Q Monday, October 16 – Wednesday, October 18, serving from 12-5pm. Come and enjoy wraps, salads, and more!

Burgeri at NU-Q

NU-Q are pleased to announce the return of the burger bus, Burgeri to their campus on the following dates from 11am to 2:3pm
Sunday, 22 October , 2023
Sunday, 29 October , 2023
Sunday, 5 November , 2023
Sunday, 5 November , 2023
Sunday, 12 November , 2023
Sunday, 19 November , 2023
Sunday, 26 November , 2023
Sunday, 3 December , 2023.

Visitor Parking Request – How to?

To request visitor parking please use this link or go to the FM Webpage and use the Helpdesk drop down. See adjacent picture.

Weekend Tram Hours Extended

QF has agreed to run the yellow line tram from 8:00am-10:00pm (previously it was stopping at 4:00pm) on weekends. This is in direct response to the GU-Q Transportation Focus Group with QF representatives present on September 13.

Takeaway Only Sunday, October 8

Please note that O Street Cafe will be operational but takeaway only on Sunday, October 8 due to the International Association of College Admissions Counselors Activities.

Takeaway Only Thursday, September 28

Please note that O Street Cafe will be operational but takeaway only on Thursday, September 28 due to set for Fall MUN this weekend.

Ocean Basket at GU-Q Sept 25, 26, 27

Ocean Basket will be popping up at GU-Q in the Atrium on September 25, 26, 27 from 11:00am – 5:00pm. They’ll be selling sushi and salads! 

Student Center Cafeteria Temporary Changes

QF Food Services has asked us to share:
We would like to inform you about a temporary change in our cafeteria services at Multaqa, effective from 3rd September to 1st November 2023. Due to the ongoing renovation of our kitchen, we regret to announce that the cafeteria will not be able to offer a la carte menu options for a limited period. While we understand that this may cause some inconvenience, we believe that the renovation is essential to enhance the overall dining experience and ensure the highest standards of food quality and safety. During this period, we will be providing only hot buffet, salad bar and grab and go items to ensure that your culinary needs are still met.

Gym Ladies Hours Updated

Starting this week, ladies-only hours at the GU-Q Gym have been extended. The new schedule is as follows: Sunday and Tuesday 5.00 – 6.30pm, Wednesday 3.30 – 5.00pm. During these times, men are not allowed to enter or use the gym. Questions? Please contact Gosia Ledwon. 

Strong Car Rental Discounts for GU-Q Community

Strong Rent A Car, our transport partners, are offering a back to school promotion until the end of September and a GU-Q Community discount until the end of December. Click on the links to find out more. All GU-Q Discounts are available here on the finance website.

Haagen-Dazs Pop Up

Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream will be operating a month-long pop up at GU-Q in the Atrium from September 3 – 28, serving from 11:00am-5:00pm Sunday through Thursday. 

Events How To?

Here is a handy video guide on How To Raise an Events Ticket

Prayer Room Carpet Replacement

We are glad to share that QF will replace the carpet in prayer rooms on the ground floor on Thursday, August 31.
Therefore access to the male and female prayer rooms on the ground floor will be restricted for use from 5:30 pm on Thursday, August 31, until Saturday, September 2. The prayer room will reopen on Sunday, September 3.

Fire Alarm Testing

We have been advised by Qatar Foundation that they will be carrying out QCD pre-inspection testing from Monday 21 st August to Friday 25th August this week from 12:00 am midnight until 5.00 am.
This testing will involve setting off the fire alarm multiple times including the audible alarm, flashing lights, and voice notification. Air Conditioning systems, cooking equipment, automatic doors, and elevators will be impacted and will cease to function for short periods. Please do not evacuate the building unless otherwise instructed by the Security team. In case of emergency or concern, please contact GU-Q Security at 4457-8458. We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause.

Parking Pass – Staff & Faculty

Staff and Faculty members can apply for a parking pass/sticker to access the Car Park 1 (underground) or Car Park 2 (open parking next to the guard house). This pass is required to access the on-site parking at GU-Q.
Please get in touch with building operations at guqfacilities@georgetown.edu or visit office LG36 located on the lower ground floor. This parking is available on a first-come-first basis.

Greenline Tram Transition

How do you get from the Green Line to the Yellow Line, here is a walk through poster.

Academic Planners Available in the Bookstore!

AY 23-24 Academic Planners are now available in the bookstore. Please feel free to collect your copy anytime during our operating hours from Sundays-Thursdays, between 9.00 AM and 5.00 PM

Textbook Lending Trial Program

As part of our continuous efforts to foster sustainability on campus and promote the responsible use of resources, the bookstore is launching a new Textbook Lending Trial Program! The primary goal of this trial program is to reduce textbook production and waste, and reduce shipping to  minimize the environmental impact caused by frequent textbook purchases. Two courses; ECON-1001: Econ Principles Micro with Professor Ramon Cobo Reyes Cano, and ECON-2543: International Trade with Professor Dennis McCornac will be participating in this trial as it aims to empower knowledge sharing, reduce waste, and create a more sustainable learning environment for everyone. The students participating have received a direct communication with details.
For any questions or concerns please contact May Lachin at mdl75@georgetown.edu

Visitors Welcome until Midnight

Now that the Main Entrance Door is open until midnight we are pleased to be able to extend our welcome to visitors until midnight. After 12 am, visitors will no longer be able to enter, and any already on site will be asked to leave the building.

Summer Projects Updates

Read details of our progress this summer here.

Food Services Updates and Takeaway Days

Starting August 13, O Street Cafe will operate 8:00am-5:00pm and Tim Hortons will operate 8:00am-8:00pm.

Please note that O Street Cafe will be operational but takeaway only August 10-17 due to various events taking place in the Atrium for the IEDM class of 2023 closing ceremony and throughout Hoya Welcome Week.

O Street Cafe will close early on Thursday, August 17 at 3:00pm.

Tim Hortons will be closed August 15, 16, 17.

Thank you for your understanding!

Main Entrance Open until Midnight

We are pleased to announce that, starting from Sunday August 6, 2023, we will be introducing a one-semester trial period for opening the main entrance door until 12 midnight, seven days a week. To implement this initiative successfully, we have enlisted the support of four dedicated and capable student guards. See here for more details.

Pop Up at GU-Q August 21-23

Booza Bar Ice Cream will be popping up at GU-Q on August 21, 22, and 23 and serving ice cream, pop corn, and Turkish coffee from 12:00-9:00pm. You can view their menu here. Enjoy!

Hoya Meetups Program Now Taking Signups!

The “Hoya Meetups Program” fosters connections between GU-Q service providers and faculty, staff, and students. We invite you to learn more about the program and sign up to schedule a breakfast or lunch “meetup” between August 27-31 at your convenience.

End of Summer Parking

A reminder that summer parking for students on site will end on Saturday 12th August.

From 13th August student parking will be available in the Minaretein or Oxygen Car Parks. Tram stops are available at both locations, take the Yellow line to Al Khater House for GU-Q.

Education City Tram – Launching the Green Line

From QF Transport Team:

With an exciting new addition to our transport network at Education City, we are keeping our QF community truly connected across both sides of our campus, in a safe and sustainable way – as the Education City Tram’s Green Line is launched.

This new line will be fully operational from Saturday, July 29 connecting Education City’s North Campus – including Sidra Medicine, Qatar National Convention Centre, and Education City Community Housing – to our South Campus, and making it easier and quicker to move between and explore locations across our ecosystem while reducing the use of private vehicles. You can find a map outlining the routes attached.

With the launch of the Green Line, please help to keep Education City safe for everyone – tram passengers, road users, and pedestrians – by following the tram safety guidelines here and paying particular attention to the locations of the new roadside barriers.

NU-Q Emergency Exercise – Delayed

On Thursday August 10 , 2023, NU-Q will be facilitating an emergency exercise with Qatar Police, Fire, and Ambulance services, in partnership with the Qatar Foundation. The purpose of the exercise is to enhance the capabilities of the emergency services in responding to an incident inside Education City.

The exercise will be relatively small and restricted to the green lawn at the side of their building, and part of the basement.  It will run from 9:00 am – 11:30 am. 

Customs Duty Fee Rate Increase

Please be advised that the admin fees for personal shipments through DHL have increased to 60 QR effective 1st of May 2023. Please see below the breakdown:

Takeaway Only 27th July

In order to prepare for an event in the Atrium the restaurant will be takeaway only on Thursday 27th July.

Welcome Ismail!

Please join us in welcoming Muhammed Ismail, who joined the FM team as a contracted
Building Operations Coordinator. Ismail will work with the BOSS team and primarily
be taking over from Mahamood A.M.P., who will leave GU-Q by July 31, 2023.
Ismail is happily married with one child and has been living in Qatar for over eight years and
looking forward to spending many more years here. He has experience in facilities as
Mechanical Engineer and related works and facilities coordination. In his last posting, Ismail
worked Facility Engineer at the Ministry of Public Health. Ismail holds a bachelor’s degree
in Mechanical Engineering. Ismail enjoys movies and listening to music. Playing Volleyball
and basketball are the main sports hobbies for Ismail. 
Muhammed Ismail can be reached at mi442@georgetown.edu  or 51051096. He is situated in
LG36 (BOSS offices) on the Lower Ground Floor.

New Education City Tram Green Line Opening Soon

The new Education City Tram Green Lin will be launching soon connecting the North and South campuses to destinations such as, Sidra, QNCC, and QSTP. The tram line will be frequently crossing the Gharafat/Al Rayyan Junction. Red light and speed light cameras are already in place, and additional roadside barriers have been installed.

Please remember to adhere to traffic rules, regulations, and pedestrian crossing across Education City.

Electrical Shutdown Saturday 15th July

We will be carrying out preventive maintenance on the GU-Q building’s electrical systems on Saturday, July 15th, 2023, between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The power to various parts of the building will be affected during this period. We advise you to avoid using the building during that time as the temperature inside the building may get warmer due to the air conditioning shut down. There will also be no power supply to most of the wall and floor sockets.

Please make sure you shut down your computers to protect and prevent data loss and unplug sensitive electronic equipment before leaving the premises on Thursday, July 13th, 2023.

Should you have any concerns or inquiries, please contact guqfacilities@georgetown.edu

Family ID

GU-Q staff and faculty members can apply for ID cards for their spouses and children (age 16 and above).
If you need one, please provide the following to the Building Operations team via email at guqfacilities@georgetown.edu or in person to office LG36 located on the lower ground floor.
– Copy of the employee’s GUID card
– Copy of the QID for the family member.
– Clear  digital photo photo of the family member 

Pop Up

Come check out Lingua Cafe at GU-Q on June 20, 21, and 22! 
They’ll have specialty coffee and their signature hot and cold drinks available from 8am – 5pm. 
Access the Menu Here Enjoy!

Litter

Please refrain from emptying your litter on to the floor in the underground car park. Please use the bins provided.

Eid Break Closure

From Tuesday 27th June to Sunday 2nd July 2023 FM services will not be available the building will be accessible as normal.

Bookstore Closure for Audit

The bookstore will be closed for audit and floor polishing starting Tuesday, June 20th, 2023, and will resume operations on Monday, July 3rd, 2023.

Should you have any questions or concerns please contact us at guqbookstore@georgetown.edu

Family ID

GU-Q staff and faculty members can apply for ID cards for their spouses and children (age 16 and above).
If you need one, please provide the following to the Building Operations team via email at guqfacilities@georgetown.edu or in person to office LG36 located on the lower ground floor.
– Copy of the employee’s GUID card
– Copy of the QID for the family member.
– Clear  digital photo photo of the family member 

Juneteenth University Holiday

On Monday, 19th June 2023 FM services will not be available the building will be accessible as normal.

New Building Coordinator

Please join us in welcoming Jerry Pen, who joined the FM team as a Building Operations Coordinator. Jerry will be working with the BOSS team and will primarily handle cleaning, waste management, pest control, indoor plants, and other maintenance-related activities.

Jerry is happily married with four kids and has been living in Qatar for over 12 years and looking
forward to spending many more years here. He has extensive experience in housekeeping, soft
services, administrative work, and facilities coordination. In his last posting, Jerry worked soft
service Supervisor at the Ministry of Education building.

Jerry holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Jerry enjoys watching movies on Netflix, listening to music, and visiting. Playing basketball is the main sport hobby for Jerry. 

Jerry can be reached at  jmp439@georgetown.edu  or 3025 7176. He is situated in LG36 (BOSS
offices) on the Lower Ground Floor.

Summer Hours Starting 4th June

Starting Sunday, June 4, O Street Cafe will begin operating only from 8:00am-3:00pm. Last a la carte order should be in by 3:00pm

Summer Clear Out for the Bazaar Pick Up

Summer clearout plans? Please keep in mind that during the summer months, a GU-Q Driver can be dispatched to your home to pick up items you’d like to donate to the Service Providers Bazaar (Sunday-Thursday between 9:00am-4:00pm only). Items should be in good, clean, working condition and can be items like clothing, shoes, children’s toys, kitchen appliances, home goods, accessories, etc. Items should be able to fit in an SUV. Please contact guqtransport@georgetown.edu to learn more!

Summer Projects

Here are some the projects being carried out this summer

Installation of access control on 82 doors.
Vestibule air conditioning 
Staircase 10 air conditioning
Water leak repairs 2C11 and 2B01
Installation of 45 additional flag poles in the Atrium
Tim Horton’s Coffee Shop fit out
Gold wall refurbishment Auditorium
Annual electrical shutdown
Wooden bench cushioning Atrium
Glass door frosting 0B07, 1B09 and 2B01
1D63/64 update
EPS staircase
Football display case
General painting and deep cleaning

Summer 2023 Textbook Distribution

Textbook distribution will start on Sunday, May 21st, 2023, from 9.00 am till 5.00 pm. 

Please make sure to bring the following:
– Printed Detailed Course Schedule
– GUID Card
– Your own bags or you can purchase a tote bag from the Bookstore for QAR 6.

Should you choose to drop a class after collecting the books please be sure to return them in a timely manner to ensure they are available for reissue.Should you have further concerns/questions, please get in touch with us guqbookstore@georgetown.edu

QCD Certificate Renewal Inspection and Pre-Testing, Saturday May 20 and Sunday May 21.

Qatar Civil Defense (QCD) has advised us that they will be coming to our building on the afternoon of Sunday, May 21, 2023, to carry out the mandatory inspection of the building fire alarm and safety systems.

QF will be carrying out planned maintenance and pre-inspection testing of the building fire alarm system on Saturday, May 20, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

These inspections will involve setting off the fire alarm multiple times, including the audible alarm, flashing lights, and voice notification. Hence air conditioning systems, cooking equipment, automatic doors, and elevators will be impacted and will cease functioning for short periods during the fire alarm activations.

Please do not evacuate the building unless otherwise instructed by the Security team. In case of emergency or concern, please contact GU-Q Security at 4457-8458. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Thank You Service Provider Career Development Workshop

Our heartfelt thanks to Jola Jankowska, Compensation and Benefits Manager, and Asma Dhifallah, Writing Specialist, for taking the time to offer the recent “How Do I Take the Next Step in My Career” Workshop for GU-Q Service Providers who wanted to learn more. The workshop was a great success and we thank them for their time and dedication to our community!

Summer On Site Parking for Students

Student may park on site from 12th May to 12th August, 2023.

Tim Hortons Reopened

We’re excited to announce that Tim Hortons has reopened and is operating from the temporary kiosk in the Atrium. We anticipate that the cafe space by O Street Cafe (formerly Filicori) will be under construction over the summer and Tim Hortons will move into the space in the late fall. 

EID Closure

FM Services will not be available during the EID break from April 23 to 25, the building will be open as normal.

O Street Open Saturday, April 29

The GU-Q Cafeteria, “O Street Cafe”, will be open on Saturday, April 29 from 8am-12:30pm to accommodate those in the building here to complete their exams.

Office of Facilities Management and Services Ramadan Hours

Please use this link to find the details of the Ramadan Services and Hours.

Easter Sunday, April 9th – Facilities Services Closed

Facilities Services will not be available on Sunday 9th April, the building will be accessible as normal.

Thanks to Everyone Who Attended One GU Day – Photos

Please use this link to find the Photos of One Georgetown Day

QF Transport Services Update

This summarizes QF Transport’s revised services offered between March 17 – 22, 2023 only. As of March 23, services are adjusted for Ramadan. Please visit this page to learn about QF transport services during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Q-Post Personal Mail Process Reminder

Please be reminded that customers should use the Qatar Postal address for business shipments only, and personal or business flatmail. For personal parcels coming through Q-Post, customers should consider the following options:

– For frequent users:  consider opening a personal PO Box through the form to be submitted to any Qatar Post branch for local and international shipments. The annual Personal PO Box subscription fee is QAR 500, or a Personal PO Box subscription including once a week home delivery fee is QAR 750. 
– For infrequent users: Q-Post provides a Zero Box solution which does not require a PO Box number by using the address line following the described format below:

Name
Mobile Number
GTU-BOX 0
Qatar General Post Office
Doha, Qatar

If a Zero Box shipment is requested for delivery, it will be considered as a home delivery and will be subject to a charge of QAR 25.

For more information regarding the personal mailing policy please click here, or contact our on-site representative Asma Charif at guqmail@georgetown.edu.

Pest Control – Friday, March 31, 2023

As part of our planned semi-annual pest control treatment and to address mosquitoes and other flying insects in the building, QF has scheduled a fogging/ fumigation treatment in the building on Friday,  March 31, 2023, from 7:30 am.

In the interest of safety, access to the building will be restricted until 5:30 pm that day. For any assistance, please get in touch with guqfacilities@georgetown.edu

QNL: No Parking

The QNL team have asked us to remind students not to use the QNL car park, it is meant for the use of QNL patrons only. Please use Oxygen Park or the Minaretein Car Parks and take the tram to GU-Q.

Tim Horton’s Closing

Tim Hortons will be leaving GU-Q before Ramadan, their last day on site is March 22, 2023.
A pop up coffee vendor will be stationed at GU-Q for exam week and the facilities team will work with QF to source a new café vendor before the start of the next academic year.
We would like to thank Tim Hortons for their great service in their time at GU-Q, especially the staff who were stationed at GU-Q — Angie, Benny, Joakim, and Andreo.

Tram Suspension – Friday, March 17th.

Kindly be informed that the tram services will be suspended on Friday, March 17^th from 8:00 am to 10:15 am due to a sporting event.

Churros Cafe Pop Up, March 13 to 15

Churros Cafe will be popping up in the GU-Q Atrium from March 13 to 15, selling coffee, juices, sandwiches, churros, and more from 9:00am-5:00pm. Please view their menu here.

Fire Alarm Testing Every Night This Week

Qatar Foundation will be conducting fire alarm testing as part of the building’s QCD
certification renewal process from March 7 until March 14 at night, from 11:30 pm until 6
am the following morning.
This testing will involve setting off the fire alarm multiple times, including the audible alarm, flashing lights, and voice notification. Air Conditioning systems, cooking equipment, automatic doors, and elevators will be impacted and cease functioning for significant periods.
Please do not evacuate the building unless otherwise instructed by the Security team.
In case of emergency or concern, please contact GU-Q Security at 4457-8458. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

One Georgetown Day

Please join us for One Georgetown Day on Saturday, March 11 from 2-6pm at Doha Sports Park. If you missed our last one (pre-COVID in Feb 2020) it was a day packed with team sports, relay races, yoga, kids activities and more! All of our Service Providers join us and we all get to enjoy a fun afternoon together.  It’s fun for the whole family, so please bring yours!  Transport will be provided from the dorms. Please RSVP here.

Which Events Format to Choose?

In-person, virtual, and hybrid are all equally successful event formats, with each offering distinct benefits, so how do you choose the ideal format for your event at GU-Q? We have compiled a list of advantages and disadvantages to help you make this decision. Find out more here.

Spring Break FM Projects

The FM team will be starting the following projects during Spring Break next week:

Maintenance of high level smoke detectors in the Library
Library circulation desk modifications
Atrium water feature leak repairs
VIP elevator lobby floor repairs

For more details and impact please use this link

If you have any inquiries or concerns please contact us at guqfacilities@georgetown.edu

DHL Express – Now Shipping Jewelry

DHL Express is now able to ship jewelry internationally. If you are interested in shipping any items please contact our DHL on-site representative as all jewelry shipments are subject to an initial review by the DHL special clearance team. 

If you have any inquiries or concerns please contact Asma at guqmail@georgetown.edu

Hoya Meet Ups: Invitation to Sign Up to Host

As many of you know, we’ve expanded the Hoya Meetups Program and want to offer you the opportunity to get involved! This exciting initiative fosters connections and engagement between GU-Q staff, faculty, and students, and GU-Q Service Providers.

You can sign up to host a meetup at your convenience between March 5-16. You can learn more here. To participate, please complete this sign up form.

Ice Cream Pop Up, Feb 20 to 22.

Booza Bar Ice Cream will be popping up at GU-Q on February 20, 21, 22 and serving ice cream, pop corn, and Turkish coffee from 12:00-9:00pm. Access the Menu Here. Enjoy!

DHL Email and SMS Scams

Community members have reported receiving emails or SMS texts alerting them of shipments available for pick up. If you are expecting any shipments from DHL please consult with our on-site agent, Asma Charif at guqmail@georgetown.edu. Do not click any links or make any payments unless it is a verified DHL account.

Please refer to this guide by DHL to beware of fraudulent communications. If you receive a scam email please report it as phishing as advised by IT. Instruction can be found here.

Parking Reminder

Qatar Foundation Security has asked us to remind the Community not to park on the sidewalk outside NU-Q or GU-Q. The MoI are issuing fines for such infractions. Please use the parking facility at QFIS or Oxygen Park and walk or take the tram. Student may also park on site from 4:30pm on weekdays and all weekends.

O St. Café Take Away Only on Thursday, February 16

O Street Café will be takeaway only on Thursday, February 16 due to preparations for the MUN event taking place in the Atrium.

O Street Cafe: Bring your own mug for 1 QR off!

Customers can now get 1 QR off their drink order when they bring their own mug/travel cup at O Street Café. As an incentive, those who bring their own mug qualify to get their 21st drink free! Please join us in making one small step to make an impact on our environment and a step toward a more sustainable future!

10% Discount for Students, Faculty, and Staff at Tim Hortons

Great news! The Facilities Management team at GU-Q has negotiated a 10% discount for all GU-Q students, faculty, and staff at Tim Hortons when you present a valid GU-Q ID. Enjoy!

Tram Stoppage and Road Closure Friday 3rd February.

Due to a Triathlon event at Education City, QF City Operations would like to notify the QF community that the tram will be suspended on Friday 3rd February from 5.00am to 10.00am and will resume at 10.15am.
A temporary traffic diversion will now take place from 5am – 10am.
All residents and female housing students can access EC during the closure through Gate 9 to reach Gate 4 and through Gate 3 to the male housing students.
Please refer to the attached map to follow the signage and diversions

Delays with Amazon Shipments

In December 2022 a number of Amazon packages for the Qatar Campus sent via the Main Campus were mislaid or cancelled. On investigating this issue we discovered that Georgetown University introduced an Amazon Hub on the Hill Top. All Amazon packages get delivered to the hub daily and once they arrive, packages are scanned and customers are notified to collect their shipments from the hub.

Moving forward to resolve this issue any Amazon shipments addressed to Qatar campus will be delivered to the main campus mailroom where they will be sorted and delivered to Qatar. However, if you placed any orders on Amazon in December using the D.C. mailing address please verify your order and make sure it was not cancelled.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact guqmail@georgetown.edu.

Ocean Basket, Pop Up Vendor at GU-Q Jan 23-25

Ocean Basket will be popping up at GU-Q in the Atrium on January 23, 24, 25 from 11:00am – 5:00pm. They’ll be selling sushi and salads! Find their menu here.

A very special thank you to all of the volunteers who joined us for this year’s Service Providers Bazaar. It was a truly special and memorable day. We couldn’t have done it without your support!

Please click here to view photos of the event.

Takeaway Day Wednesday, January 18

O Street Cafe will be takeaway only on Wednesday, January 18 due to preparations for an event taking place in the Atrium.

Spring 2023, Textbook Distribution

Textbook distribution commenced on January 4th, 2023, from 9.00 am till 3.00 pm. If you have not collected your books, please make sure to do so before Thursday, February 16th, 2023. Please make sure to bring the following:

Printed detailed course schedule
GUID card
Your own bags or you can purchase a tote bag from the Bookstore for QAR6.

Should you choose to drop a class after collecting the books please be sure to return them in a timely manner to ensure they are available for reissue.

Should you have further concerns/questions, please get in touch with us guqbookstore@guqcomm

Access Control Project Starting

QF is starting a project to install new access control readers for 82 doors within our building. Priority has been given to the storage rooms within each suite and other technical spaces, providing our customers with smooth access without the need for keys.

The project is expected to start on January 9, 2023, and we aim to complete this by the end of March 2023. The entire work will be carried out only after classes and on weekends to keep the disruption to a minimum.

We appreciate your patience while we work on this project, and should you have any related queries or comments, please feel free to contact us at guqfacilities@georgetown.edu.

Welcome Asma Charif, Thank You Bilal!

With gratitude, we thank Bilal Habib who has been our interim DHL Specialist for the past 3 months at GU-Q, since Amr left. Bilal will be continuing onwards with DHL and his last day with us will be February 8th, 2023. We wish Bilal the best of luck. Please feel free to stop by the mailroom to say goodbye.

We are welcoming Asma Charif who has been appointed as our DHL specialist for GUQ. Asma has worked with DHL for 2 years in the commercial department. Before joining DHL, Asma worked in different sectors including education, administration, translation, marketing and events. Asma is fluent in Arabic, French, and English, and her hobbies include swimming, drawing, cooking and baking, filming and editing videos.  Asma can be reached at 4457-8394, or guqmail@georgetown.edu. 

GU-Q Building Access and Opening Hours Reminder

GU-Q building is accessible 24 hours a day. After 10pm visitors are not able to enter the building, and any visitors who are already on site will be asked to leave the building.

Building entry and exit points are below:

Main Entrance (Library): 7am to 8:30pm
VIP Entrance: 7am to 8:30pm
Car Park 1 (underground): 6:30am am to 4.00pm – Exit at any time
Loading Dock: 24/7 entry & exit

For food deliveries please direct the driver to the Loading Dock and meet them there.

Should you need any further information, or have any questions, please contact us at guqfacilities@georgetown.edu

Service Provider’s Bazaar Last Call!

Please make your final contributions to the Bazaar (we take anything in good condition — clothing, accessories, appliances, children’s toys, etc.) by Thursday, January 12.
And we’re still looking for a few more volunteers for the big day – Saturday, January 14 from 10am-3pm in the Atrium. Please sign up here. 

Finance and FM Off Site – Wednesday, November 9

FM and Finance will be off site on Wednesday 9th November for a team exercise. In an emergency please call Clare Wait (FM) or Andrew Henley (Finance).

Student Parking On Site From 11th November

Student parking on site at GU-Q will be available from 11th November 2022 to 1st January 2023.

Fire Alarm Testing – Saturday, November 12th.

QF will conduct the regular testing for the building’s fire alarm system on Saturday, November 12, from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
During the testing period:
1.      Building alarms and strobe lights will be activated to check the system’s integrity and functionality.
2.      Operation of elevators, sliding doors, and air conditioning might be affected.
3.      Please do not evacuate the building unless instructed by the Security Team.
4.      If you are in the building and have an emergency or concern, please report it to the GU-Q Security Office at 4457-8458. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Pest Control Fogging – Saturday, November 19th.

As part of planned pest management, QF has scheduled a fogging/fumigation treatment for the external areas & internal areas of the GU-Q building on Saturday, November 19, starting at 6:30 a.m. In the interest of safety, access to the building will be restricted on that day until 5 p.m. For any assistance, please get in touch with us at guqfacilities@georgetown.edu.

10% Discount for Students at Tim Hortons

Great news! The Facilities Management team at GU-Q has negotiated a 10% discount for all GU-Q students at Tim Hortons when you present a valid student ID. Enjoy!

Service Providers Bazaar: Call for Contributions

While we’re spending more time at home during the World Cup, consider a closet clear out! The Annual Service Providers Bazaar at GU-Q will be hosted this year on Saturday, January 14 and we’ll be accepting contributions up until January 10. Please consider giving adult and childrens clothing, shoes, linens, kitchenware, electronics, appliances, children’s toys, small furnishings, or canned food. Items can be dropped in the marked metal bin in the parking garage at GU-Q anytime. If you have questions, please contact Amanda at al1352@georgetown.edu. 

O Street Cafe: Now Charging for Biodegradable Takeaway Containers For Full Hot Buffet Orders Only

O Street Cafe has now onboarded new 100% biodegradable containers made of cornstarch and they’ve had to introduce a charge for these given the high cost of the items. Customers will only be charged for these containers, however, when they order the full hot buffet.
The total charges for takeaway containers will be an additional 5QR.
This will include 2QR for the compartment container, 1QR for the salad container, 1QR for the cutlery set, and 1QR for the paper bag. 
A la carte containers for take-away will remain free of charge.

These biodegradable containers should be disposed of in the garbage can, as they will biodegrade. We applaud O Street Cafe for offering such a sustainable option in our cafeteria.

Bookstore Closed From November 6

The bookstore will be closed starting Sunday, November 6th, 2022 until Sunday, January, 1st, 2023 for renovations, floor polishing, and winter holidays. The bookstore will resume regular operations starting Monday, January 2nd, 2023. 

If you have any questions or concerns please reach us at guqbookstore@georgetown.edu

Service Provider Collection – Thank You

We would like to thank all of those who generously contributed to the service provider’s collection. We raised enough to give each person QAR 520 at the lunch on Saturday. This was our highest ever amount.

O Street Cafe and Tim Hortons Open Saturday, Nov 5 for Exams

On Saturday, November 5, our food outlets at GU-Q will open to accommodate those in the building taking or setting up exams.
O Street Cafe will be open 8:00am-3:30pm
Tim Hortons will be open 8:30am-4:00pm.

Takeaway Only Day October 30

Due to an event in the Atrium, the cafeteria will be takeaway only on Sunday next week,

Luca Buca Pizza Truck Pop Up October 24 to 26

The Luca Buca, the pizza truck, will be at GU-Q outside the Main Entrance serving 12 – 8 pm on October 24, 25, 26. Join us for lunch or dinner, or both! You can find Luca Buca on Instagram at @LBPQatar. 

Hoya Meetups Extended

The “Hoya Meetups” program, expanded this semester, fosters connections between GU-Q service providers and faculty, staff, and students. We invite you to learn more about the program and sign up to schedule a breakfast or lunch “meetup” between October 23 and November 3. Questions or feedback can be sent to Amanda Look Sarmiento at al1352@georgetown.edu.

Masks and Green Ehteraz Required to Board Tram in Education City

We want to remind all tram riders that current MOPH guidelines for Public Transport still requires masks to be worn inside all taxis, buses, trams, and trains and for the Ehteraz green status to be shown by everyone, to allow entry.  Anyone unable to show green Ehteraz or who does not wear a mask will not be allowed to ride EC Tram and buses, in accordance with the MOPH guidelines. Please don’t forget to wear your mask! 

Fire Alarm System Testing – Saturday

QF will be carrying out an actual test of the building fire alarm system on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 9 am to 1:30 pm. During the testing period:
1.      Building alarms and strobe lights will be activated to check the system’s integrity and functionality.
2.      Operation of elevators, sliding doors, and air conditioning might be affected.
3.      Please do not evacuate the building unless otherwise instructed by the Security Team.
4.      If you are in the building and have an emergency or concern, please report it to the GU-Q Security Office on 4457-8458. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

Goodbye Amr!

Goodbye to Amr Mahmoud and Welcome Back Bilal Habib. After providing an excellent one and half years of service at Georgetown, Amr will be leaving DHL and moving back to Egypt. Unfortunately for us, this means he will only be with us until September 29th, 2022. We wish Amr the best of luck for his future. Please feel free to stop by the mailroom to say your goodbyes.
We are also welcoming back Bilal Habib, who is taking over as the Interim DHL Specialist for GUQ. Bilal has worked with us for 4 years before Amr’s tenure and will be handling our mail operations until our permanent onsite replacement is hired. 
We thank Amr for all his work and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at guqmail@georgetown.edu

Nosh Cravings Pop Up @ GU-Q This Week

Nosh Cravings will be here from 8:30am-3pm on Sept 26, 27, and 28 serving vegan fast food. We hope you enjoy!

Drinking Water Fountains Update

We are pleased to share that all water fountains have ben reinstated around the building. The fountains were closed as a precautionary measure at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. All the necessary maintenance, cleaning, and water quality checks have been performed in order to ensure the quality of the drinking water.

Should you need any further information, or have any questions, please contact us at guqfacilities@georgetown.edu  

Education City Parking on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022

Qatar Foundation will be conducting a full transportation rehearsal around Education City on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022 from 6.00am to 12.00pm. All EC parking spaces except West Car Park (Stadium), Oxygen Car Park and Al Shaqab Car Park will be evacuated and handed over to QF.

LAS Building, Gate 2 Ceremonial Court , Green Spine, Chef’s Garden, QFIS and QNL parking will not be accessible during those hours. We recommend students to park at the Oxygen Car Park and proceed to take the tram, a scooter, or walk to GU-Q between those hours. Please give yourself an additional 15 minutes to reach the building.

GU-Q onsite parking for employees and visitors will still be available, Car Park 1, Car Park 2, and VIP Parking.

This is expected to be a countrywide rehearsal seeing up to 3,000 buses impacting road traffic.

Should you need any further information, or have any questions, please contact us at guqfacilities@georgetown.edu

Various Dietary and Pricing Options Available at O Street Cafe.

In response to your feedback last semester The O Street Cafe has increased it’s Vegan and Vegetarian options. Check out the A La Carte lunch menu and Grab and Go menu here.

You are also encouraged to explain your dietary requirements to the O Street team who can assis by customizing a meal or suggesting an A La Carte, grab and go, or hot buffet item that might fit your dietary needs. 

For tips on pricing and meal cards view this presentation.

Welcome Back Manahil ’20

Please join us in welcoming Manahil Nadeem who returns to Georgetown in Qatar this week as an Events Coordinator. Manahil is a GU-Q alumni from Pakistan who has been living in Qatar with her family since 2001.  She graduated from Georgetown in 2020, having studied International Economics. Since graduating, Manahil has worked for Qatar Foundation Community Development as well as Qatar Museums in the Chairperson’s Office. Manahil enjoys travelling, and in her free time she is usually catching up on Netflix.

Manahil can be reached at man92@georgetown.edu or 4454-8359. She is situated in Events Suite LA09.

Expanding Hoya Meetups

This semester we are expanding the “Hoya Meetups” program and we’re inviting you to be a part of this exciting initiative, which fosters connections and engagement between GU-Q staff, faculty, and students, and GU-Q Service Providers. 
Meetups will take place between October 2-6. To learn more about the program, visit this page.
To participate, please complete this sign up form. 
Questions or feedback can be sent to Amanda Look Sarmiento at al1352@georgetown.edu.

Various Dietary and Pricing Options Available at O Street Cafe.

In response to your feedback last semester The O Street Cafe has increased it’s Vegan and Vegetarian options. Check out the A La Carte lunch menu and Grab and Go menu here.

You are also encouraged to explain your dietary requirements to the O Street team who can assis by customizing a meal or suggesting an A La Carte, grab and go, or hot buffet item that might fit your dietary needs. 

For tips on pricing and meal cards view this presentation.

Reminder: No Smoking on Campus

GU-Q is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. Under this policy, which applies to GU students, faculty, staff, visitors, and contractors, smoking and other tobacco use, or any form of e-cigarette, is prohibited inside and around the exterior of the GU-Q building and on campus grounds (see map). Resources for tobacco and smoking cessation can be found here.

Reminder: Takeaway Only Thursday, September 15

O Street Cafe and Tim Horton’s will be takeaway only all day on Thursday, September 15 (no dine in due to preparations for an event in the Atrium that evening). Consider purchasing a reusable takeaway container for only 10 QR from O Street Cafe! If you are looking for a place to eat your lunch, the Faculty & Staff Lounge,0A04, 0A07, and 0A08 are all available for dining from 12:45-2:30pm. 

Reminder: QF Shuttle Now Servicing Al Meera Grocery Store

QF have agreed to alter their route on their Lulu Express grocery store runs to allow for students to also be dropped off at Al Meera Al Gharaffa. They have agreed to trial this on a short-term basis and monitor usage.

The QF shuttles will now take students from the dorms to AlMeera first (you must tell the driver you want to be dropped at Al Meera upon entering the shuttle) then to Lulu Express. The shuttles run Sunday – Thursday between 6:00-10:00pm and shuttles come every hour on the hour. They pick up at Southnest and Northnest with 20 minutes of waiting time at Lulu Express and AlMeera for immediate returns.

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity so that QF sees the value and agrees to continue it.  This change also means GU-Q’s shuttle service to Al Meera on Thursdays at 10:00am and 3:00pm, which we ran as a temporary trial, is now discontinued. Questions and feedback can be directed to Amanda Look Sarmiento at al1352@georgetown.edu.

No Smoking on Campus

GU-Q is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. Under this policy, which applies to GU students, faculty, staff, visitors, and contractors, smoking and other tobacco use, or any form of e-cigarette, is prohibited inside and around the exterior of the GU-Q building and on campus grounds (see map). Resources for tobacco and smoking cessation can be found here.

Takeaway Only Thursday, September 15

O Street Cafe and Tim Horton’s will be takeaway only all day on Thursday, September 15 (no dine in due to preparations for an event in the Atrium that evening). Consider purchasing a reusable takeaway container for only 10 QR from O Street Cafe! If you are looking for a place to eat your lunch, the Faculty & Staff Lounge,0A04, 0A07, and 0A08 are all available for dining from 12:45-2:30pm. 

QF Shuttle Now Servicing Al Meera Grocery Store

QF have agreed to alter their route on their Lulu Express grocery store runs to allow for students to also be dropped off at Al Meera Al Gharaffa. They have agreed to trial this on a short-term basis and monitor usage.

The QF shuttles will now take students from the dorms to AlMeera first (you must tell the driver you want to be dropped at Al Meera upon entering the shuttle) then to Lulu Express. The shuttles run Sunday – Thursday between 6:00-10:00pm and shuttles come every hour on the hour. They pick up at Southnest and Northnest with 20 minutes of waiting time at Lulu Express and AlMeera for immediate returns.

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity so that QF sees the value and agrees to continue it.  This change also means GU-Q’s shuttle service to Al Meera on Thursdays at 10:00am and 3:00pm, which we ran as a temporary trial, is now discontinued. Questions and feedback can be directed to Amanda Look Sarmiento at al1352@georgetown.edu.

Reminder: Tram Changes for World Cup Build

Please note from 1^st of September 2022 EC TRAM operational service will change. The section of track between Mathaf to Academy parking ( West car park) will be handed over to the Supreme Committee which will allow them to commence with the installation of their overlays and security screening for the Education City Stadium. The Academy parking ( West car park ) station will become the new terminal station for both lines there will be no service to Mathaf.  

Reminder: Disposables @ Tim Horton’s are Recyclable

Great news! All of the disposables at Tim Horton’s are recyclable, so please remember to recycle them instead of throwing them in the general waste bin!

Reminder:Tim Hortons Hours Update

Tim Hortons will amend their hours slightly for the remainder of the semester. They will now be open Sunday – Wednesday from 8:00am-8:00pm and on Thursdays from 8:00am-5:00pm. Effective September 1.

Takeaway Only Wednesday 31st August

O Street Cafe and Tim Horton’s will be takeaway only all day on Wednesday, August 31 (no dine in due to preparations for an event in the Atrium that evening). Consider purchasing a reusable takeaway container for only 10 QR from O Street Cafe! If you are looking for a place to eat your lunch, the Faculty & Staff Lounge, 0A03, 0A04, 0A07, and 0A08 are all available for dining from 12:45-2:30pm. 

Tram Changes for World Cup Build

Please note from 1^st of September 2022 EC TRAM operational service will change. The section of track between Mathaf to Academy parking ( West car park) will be handed over to the Supreme Committee which will allow them to commence with the installation of their overlays and security screening for the Education City Stadium. The Academy parking ( West car park ) station will become the new terminal station for both lines there will be no service to Mathaf.  

Disposables @ Tim Horton’s are Recyclable

Great news! All of the disposables at Tim Horton’s are recyclable, so please remember to recycle them instead of throwing them in the general waste bin!

Tim Hortons Hours Update

Tim Hortons will amend their hours slightly for the remainder of the semester. They will now be open Sunday – Wednesday from 8:00am-8:00pm and on Thursdays from 8:00am-5:00pm. Effective September 1.

Reminder: Academic Planners for Employees Now Available in the Bookstore! 

Employees can collect their Academic Planners for 2022-2023 from the bookstore now. 
Bookstore operating hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, from Sundays to Thursdays.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact guqbookstore@georgetown.edu

Reminder: Beat the Heat with QF Feeder Shuttles

 As many of you know, during the summer months QF runs a shuttle service to feed various locations around Education City that are not close to a tram stop. They’ve released an update map and route information. Please see their service details here.