Month: March 2020

Mason’s Actions Regarding Governor’s Stay At Home Order

Dear Patriots:

The university is working closely with the state to take precautions and reduce the risk to our community during the coronavirus outbreak. This requires everyone’s help, so we are grateful to everyone who is taking measures to be safe.

As part of those efforts, we’d like to make sure you all saw Virginia Governor Northam’s March 30 Stay at Home Executive Order. This has implications for the Mason community and each of us personally.

The Governor’s order, which is officially known as Executive Order 55, requires all Virginians to remain at home as much as possible, suspend all non-essential travel, and to avoid congregating in groups of 10 or more to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This order reinforces the university’s current guidance for mandatory telework and social distancing precautions with exceptions for healthcare personnel, critical work, research, and instruction that can only be conducted on campus. The order also specifically directs higher education institutions to cease all in-person classes and instruction, and cancel all gatherings of more than ten individuals, consistent with actions Mason has already taken. The order effectively extends these actions on campus until June 10.

To ensure compliance with this order, deans and supervisors will be asked to reexamine all work currently taking place on campus and with the directive that all non-critical functions cease immediately. The university is working on a process to provide credentials for those faculty and staff who must travel to and from campus. University faculty and staff should carry Mason identification when traveling to and from work.

George Mason University has already prohibited university-sponsored or related domestic and international travel. Although public health officials strongly discourage travel, students, faculty, and staff may travel for personal reasons permitted by the Governor’s order. The university strongly encourages all students, faculty, and staff to avoid all but essential travel necessary to care for yourself or others. If you have traveled internationally, the CDC recommends a 14 day quarantine period.

Residential students who travel internationally or out of state must contact Housing and Residence Life at 703-993-2720 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or through email at [email protected], to gain official written approval before returning to their residence hall so that quarantine accommodations can be made. Employees who travel must contact Human Resources and Payroll to discuss their return to campus. If you have questions about symptoms or the need to quarantine, please contact your healthcare provider.

We are highlighting these directives to help prevent the spread of coronavirus within our community. Please visit www2.gmu.edu/coronavirus for the latest Mason updates and thank you for doing your part to help the Mason Nation respond to this outbreak.

Respectfully,

David Farris, PhD
Executive Director, Safety and Emergency Management

Lisa Park, MD, MPH
Executive Director, Student Health Services

Now is the time for Patriots Helping Patriots

Mason’s fourth annual Giving Day, Thursday, April 2, is normally an opportunity for every Patriot and friend to support their favorite cause or program at Mason.

With the extraordinary circumstances of the last few weeks, the effort has been completely reimagined and is now focused on a new purpose: providing urgent assistance to students in need, under the banner of Patriots Helping Patriots.

For that purpose, University Life has established a Student Emergency Assistance Fund aimed at getting much-needed assistance in the hands of Mason students now. The College of Health and Human Services, the Schar School of Policy and Government, and the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution are among those partnering with University Life on the effort to help students experiencing financial distress.

One-credit career-readiness courses

Whether your student is exploring a major and career options, or preparing for graduation, career education courses are a great way to help them get closer to their career goals while earning academic credit! These goal-oriented courses offer in-depth career planning guidance at all stages, from exploring majors to transitioning to the workplace.

George Mason University has a robust Career Education Program comprised of five, one-credit career courses, taught by employers and career advisors, and overseen by University Career Services and the Mason Care Network. These courses are instrumental in helping your student make decisions pivotal to education and career readiness.

A message from the Mason Korea Campus Dean

Dear Mason Korea Community,

I write to let you know that we have decided to continue teaching online until the end of the semester rather than to resume face-to-face classes on April 6.

This decision was not made lightly. It was based on the Korean Ministry of Education’s new recommendations for K-12 schools and what has clearly become the continuing need to socially distance in order to protect our communities. As always, the health and safety of those communities, on campus and off, are of primary importance to us.

Students who are living on campus and wish to remain on campus may do so. Students who wish to check out of on-campus housing can contact IGC housing directly, and notify their RA. We urge everyone to continue to practice social distancing and effective disease transmission control by washing their hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer, always coughing or sneezing into the elbow, considering wearing a face mask, and getting plenty of rest. If you have any flu-like symptoms, please self-isolate and follow these instructions. If you are a student living on campus and have these symptoms, please also notify Student Affairs at [email protected].

I am gratified by the extent to which students and faculty alike have adjusted to learning online. And I am impressed by the hard work students and faculty alike have put into making this adjustment. We continue to ask students who run into obstacles with online courses to discuss them with their instructors. They may also contact Academic Affairs at [email protected]. If the problem is technical, students can get support from Mason’s ITS Support via email or live chat. For additional help, Prof. Kent Zimmerman ([email protected]) has agreed to assist with especially difficult problems.

I also want to thank Students Affairs for organizing a set of “socially distanced” events for us to enjoy, and to recognize all the students, faculty and staff who have participated in them. If you have not yet done so, please check out our events calendar. If you have an idea for such an event, let the Office of Student Affairs know at [email protected].

I know that our current situation can be stressful. Students who wish to can, as always, reach out to staff in the Office of Student Affairs or to Mason Korea’s wellness counselor.

Addressing the covid-19 situation has required from all of us patience, flexibility, hard work, and the ability to handle uncertainty. I have appreciated the way members of our community have demonstrated those virtues and supported one another during this time. I look forward to the day when we can begin to interact regularly in the physical as well as in virtual world—and that day will come! In the meantime, though, we can take pleasure in what we have achieved as a community during this challenging time.

Yours in Patriot Pride,

Robert Matz
Campus Dean
Mason Korea

Office of Executive Administration
George Mason University Korea
Phone: +82-32-626-5001
Email: [email protected]

Interim President Anne Holton congratulates Mason on its transition to virtual instruction

Mail Services Update

Mail Services has provided the following information:

Fairfax Campus: There will be no regular mail delivery until normal operations resume. Mail Services front counter will be open for pick up Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (The Hub mailroom will be closed on weekends).
Arlington and SciTech Campuses: Interoffice mail delivery service will be on Tuesdays and Fridays. There will be no regular mail delivery until normal operations resume.
Mail delivery to essential departments will continue per usual schedule.
Departments can pick up their mail and packages at Mail Services in The Hub, Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Any questions regarding Mail Services should be directed to Kristin Masters at [email protected].

“Patriots Helping Patriots” Will Support Students in Need

Mason’s fourth annual Giving Day, Thursday, April 2, is normally an opportunity for every Patriot and friend to support their favorite cause or program at Mason.

With the extraordinary circumstances of the last few weeks, the effort has been completely reimagined and is now focused on a new purpose, providing urgent assistance to students in need, under the banner of Patriots Helping Patriots.

Mason Student Services Center and Admissions Office pivot quickly to provide virtual student services

As George Mason University offices transitioned to a remote work environment in response to COVID-19, offices with significant walk-in traffic faced a difficult dilemma. How could they continue to provide excellent service, while protecting both the students and their frontline staff?

The Mason Student Services Center in SUB I provides one-stop assistance to an average of 200 students per day, and serves as the front-facing service area for the Registrar’s Office, the Office of Student Financial Aid and Student Accounts, among others.

Through quick and creative use of technology, such as Salesforce, the university’s constituent relationship management system, remote student service began March 17.

Official Grading System Changes for Spring Semester

Dear Mason Nation,

With the extraordinary circumstances created by the coronavirus, including the transition to alternative virtual instruction, the university wants to ensure that all students have opportunities for success this semester. In recognition of that, the Faculty Senate met Tuesday and approved two motions to provide accommodations to grading policies for undergraduate students for the Spring 2020 semester:

Incomplete Grades
Incomplete grades (I) may be given to students who are passing a course but who may be unable to complete scheduled coursework by the end of the semester due to extenuating circumstances. Instructors should be flexible in awarding Incompletes if the student requires additional time to finish coursework. The previous deadline for completing work for the spring semester was Friday, October 23, 2020. The deadline for completing work related to an Incomplete grade received in Spring 2020 has been extended to the end of the Fall 2020 semester.
Credit/Non-Credit Opt-In
Each student registered in A-F graded courses is able to decide individually, on a course-by-course basis, whether they want to receive a letter grade in the class or if they will receive an alternative grade. The default selection, if no action is taken by the student, will be A-F grading. To the extent practicable, faculty will submit A-F grades. For students who opt into alternative grading, the submitted grade would then be converted by the Registrar to alternative grades.

PLEASE NOTE: The Office of the University Registrar will communicate with eligible students to their official Mason-issued e-mail address with information on how to select the new alternative grade mode for their classes. Information on the specific grading categories will also be provided.

For Graduate Students/Law School/Cohort Programs
Students, including undergraduates, enrolled in cohort sections or special programs will follow the decisions of their professional school or of the unit about which courses, if any, are eligible for the credit/non-credit option.

The Antonin Scalia Law School will separately determine the grading policies for its courses. Graduate programs may select specific graduate courses that are eligible for Credit/Non-Credit declaration by Wednesday, April 1.

For courses not selected, graduate students will be able to request a change in one or more of their courses to this new grading option. All requests will have to be submitted by May 11, and will be subject to their academic unit’s approval based on the following parameter: the student must provide a compelling reason why their academic success has been affected by the changes triggered by the coronavirus/ COVID-19.

We appreciate the broad engagement of the university community with the Faculty Senate on this issue over the past week. As faculty, student learning is our main objective. It is our hope that empowering students to make decisions about the grading categories that will be used to evaluate their work during this unique semester will reduce some of the stress associated with the transition to virtual learning.

Be well.

Shannon Davis
Chair, Faculty Senate

S. David Wu
Provost and Executive Vice President

Message to Mason Students from Student Health Services

Dear Mason Patriots,

Student Health Services (SHS) remains committed to supporting the health of students during this time of unprecedented university operational changes. Information in this email will help students understand how to care for their health if concerned about a potential exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) or have symptoms of respiratory illness.

While the best way to help prevent the spread of illness is through keeping physical distance from others, remember to stay socially connected with friends and family through video chat, phone, apps, or other means during this time. Continue social distancing, take everyday precautions like washing hands to prevent the spread of illness, and stay informed about COVID-19 using credible sources, such as the main George Mason University coronavirus website, the local health department, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

If You Have Been Exposed to Coronavirus

If you have a fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher), cough, or shortness of breath, and think you have been exposed to coronavirus, call your primary healthcare provider for advice and guidance. Stay home, and call your provider before going to the clinic.

Follow the instructions of your healthcare provider or local health department. You may be asked to self-isolate or self-quarantine (stay home and avoid contact with others) and monitor your health. Most people who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. The CDC has information on how to protect yourself and others if you are sick and ways to manage your symptoms at home: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/index.html

If you have concerns that you have been exposed to COVID-19 but you do not have any symptoms, call your primary healthcare provider for guidance. Your healthcare provider can evaluate your risk and tell you precautions to take to protect your health and the health of others. This might include self-monitoring for development of symptoms for 14 days.

If you are a student and you were told by your healthcare provider or health department that you may have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to COVID-19, please complete a voluntary self-report form in our secure, online Patient Portal. This information goes directly to Student Health Services and SHS staff will follow-up with you if necessary during operating hours. If you are having symptoms, do not use this portal, please call.

Who to Call for Health Questions

If you are a Mason student and have returned to your permanent residence, call your local primary care provider. Your local healthcare provider will best understand the risks of coronavirus in your community and can help determine whether you need further evaluation or testing. They may tell you to manage your care from home. Most people who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home.

Students living on-campus or those living locally for whom Student Health Services is their primary care provider, can call Student Health (703-993-2831) during our open hours for guidance. After-hours, there is a nurse advice phone service available.

Students who do not have a local healthcare provider can call Student Health (703-993-2831) during open hours for guidance. You can also call a local urgent care or primary care clinic.

Call First, Do NOT Walk-In

Call before going to a doctors’ office or healthcare facility if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Calling ahead allows healthcare workers to take appropriate precautions to help reduce the spread of illness before your arrival.

You should not go to an emergency room unless it is an emergency, for example, you are having difficulty breathing. If you need to go to the emergency room, and you have symptoms and a known exposure, you must call ahead to ensure proper infection control protocols are in place before you arrive.

Emergency Symptoms of COVID-19

If you develop any of the following severe symptoms of COVID-19, get medical attention immediately. Call 911 and tell them you may have COVID-19 so they are able to take precautions. Some emergency warning signs include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face

These are uncertain times and the situation continues to evolve. Our dedicated, compassionate team at Student Health Services is here to support our students. We believe that working together as a community, we will be able to successfully adapt, and come out stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Sincerely,

Lisa L. Park, MD, MPH
Executive Director, Student Health Services