Month: March 2021

President Washington: We stand with our Asian community after senseless act of violence in Atlanta

Dear Patriots,

Tuesday’s mass murder in Atlanta returns us to terrible, familiar ground, as we try again to make sense of violence, and calm the terror that was already building within an entire cultural community.

Whether it was intentional or incidental that six of the eight victims were Asian-American women, the tragedy has had the same effect. These vicious killings have shaken the nation’s Asian communities to their cores. The murders came as hate and violence rise against communities scapegoated for the pandemic. The increase in reported attacks mark another painful moment in the long history of exclusion, segregation, and violence in America.

Two weeks ago, we held our second university town hall addressing anti-racism and inclusive excellence at Mason. Tuesday’s acts of targeting and violence remind us how much is riding on that vital work. Because today, members of our Asian communities feel unsafe in their own places of business, their own neighborhoods, and their own homes.

To the Asian communities at George Mason University, I offer this: Mason is your home, and you are loved and supported here. Your safety and sense of belonging are of utmost importance to everyone. As always, our personnel are on watch to ensure your security and wellbeing, so you can resume what you came here to do: to simply learn, live, and grow to your fullest potential.

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington
President

Mason Lighting the Way: Creston Lynch

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

More than 130 faculty, staff and students are working on George Mason University’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force, which is taking a hard look at the current state of diversity and inclusivity efforts at the university and making recommendations for the future.

These individuals come from across our campuses and bring their different skill sets and expertise to this work. In this series, we will spotlight members of the task force and find out what drives them.

Creston Lynch
Assistant Vice President, University Life

Committee: Co-Chair, Campus and Community Engagement

Creston Lynch tells people he started his career in multicultural affairs as a freshman at the University of Memphis when he walked into the then-named office of minority affairs and got a job as a student worker.

“In a way I’ve never left,” Lynch said. “There hasn’t been a day in my career where I haven’t been centering my work around diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Solidarity with our Mason Asian Community

Mason Nation,

It has been an extraordinary academic year, one that has challenged all of us—students, faculty, and staff—to learn, teach, and work in ways we may never have expected. Among the many things we now know about our community is that we can count on our support for each other and our resilience in the face of the unexpected.

It is this support and resilience that we call on to address our commitment to each other and our community. Many of you may be aware of a troubling increase around the United States in hate crimes against people of Asian descent. We have not received reports of such incidents on our campuses, but when these types of hate crimes occur, they can make individuals feel unsafe, wherever they may be. The recent incidents have been widely publicized, not only in the U.S, but also in Asia, the Pacific Islands, and other places around the world. One important way to counter these reports is to act firmly against bias and hate.

George Mason University affirms all students, faculty and staff of Asian descent, and we denounce anti-Asian rhetoric and lies that falsely attribute blame for COVID-19. We have been, and are, a community that upholds all of our members – simply stated, you belong here and we support you.

All members of Mason Nation are invited to read the statement by the Center for Culture, Equity and Empowerment to learn how you can support those of Asian descent. Anyone who has witnessed or been the victim of bias may file a report at Mason’s Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics site. We are committed to maintaining an environment that fosters learning, teaching, and the building of community where all can thrive.

Rose Pascarell
Vice President for University Life

Dietra Y. Trent
Interim Vice President for Compliance, Diversity and Ethics, & Special Advisor to the President

Welcome to Mason and welcome to University Life!

Welcome to Mason and welcome to University Life! As a member of Mason Nation, you are part of this special and wonderful community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. I hope you will explore all that the campus community has to offer. Your contributions are unique, allowing you to enrich Mason in a way that no one else can. Don’t be afraid to step forward and find your place here.

Whether you attend as an undergraduate or graduate; full-time or part-time; online or in-person; the first in your family to go to college; a returning student after a several-year break; or some combination of that, we are ready to help you succeed here.

Your choices will define your Mason experience. Be curious and take risks. Don’t stop learning when class ends – the learning opportunities that take place outside of class are equally interesting. Take advantage of the entire Mason experience so you can discover what you are truly passionate about doing in (and for) the world. There are hundreds of ways to get involved and make your mark! Find the ones that suit your interests and strengths.

University Life measures its success on the support for and success of our students. Please take advantage of the resources, direct services, and programs offered. Take part in the Patriot Experience — participate in the many co-curricular opportunities designed to increase career readiness skills, develop global/multicultural proficiency, encourage civic engagement, and discover your own strengths and increase wellbeing. I invite you to check out all the resources available at University Life!

Each of us shares a responsibility for creating the community in which we live. As an institution of higher education, we commit ourselves to creating a climate where students, faculty, staff, and community members can explore concepts and ideas with openness and respect. Our university mission – <em>‘We are an inclusive academic community committed to creating a just, free, and prosperous world’</em> – guides our work and affords opportunities for you to express yourself and explore your beliefs.

As a Mason student, I hope you are academically challenged both in the classroom and through your presence and interactions in our diverse campus community. We are here to help you achieve your goals and aspirations.

And if you see me walking across campus (which I do several times daily), stop and let me know how you’re doing. Have fun, stay safe, and have a great semester!

Best wishes,

Rose Pascarell
Vice President for University Life

President Washington: A promising outlook for the fall

Hello Mason Patriots,

We are approaching the midpoint of the Spring semester, and I’m pleased to say that our community continues to do a remarkable job of showing how to thrive during this pandemic. A crisis can be an opportunity to learn and lead, and we have done both.

This spring we leaned into the expertise of our faculty and staff to improve and advance testing on campus while reinforcing the safety guidelines offered by public health officials. The results have been impressive: we are testing thousands each week and the number of active cases on our campus is currently 57 – which is well below many of our peers at institutions around the Commonwealth. Additionally, George Mason University has played an important role in helping distribute vaccines to the most vulnerable in Northern Virginia, working with our local public health departments to conduct clinics on our Fairfax Campus and in Prince William County.

Our people are working hard to help end this crisis, and we are starting to see real results. More people are vaccinated. Cases nationally are declining. Children are returning to K-12 schools. And this week, President Biden said the nation was on track to have enough supply of vaccines for every adult in America by the end of May.

With more progress on the way, we are looking to expand operations in the fall and resume a more normal campus environment. This includes:

Bringing classrooms back to their original capacity with some modifications to ensure safety, with a goal of having at least 75 percent of instruction on-campus.
Building a schedule that supports choice of instruction for students, with a focus on robust on-campus engagement, while continuing opportunities for hybrid and online modes of learning that are integrated within our curricula.
Creating a vibrant and safe campus environment, filled with more on-campus activities, programs and opportunities to connect and enrich the student experience.
Expanding capacity in residence halls to near normal levels.
Continuing to require masks, testing and enhanced safety protocols until public health guidance changes.

Students deserve a choice to learn in an environment that works best for them, and we will do our best to offer multiple modes of learning and experience. At the same time, we are mindful of concerns raised by faculty and staff, and we will continue to follow the guidance of public health officials. We are prepared to change course, if necessary.

I’m excited to see more people on campus and feel the full impact of Mason Nation spirit. Now’s not the time to drop our guard, but to double down on safety and look forward to a promising fall. Thank you and best wishes for the remainder of the semester.

Gregory Washington
President, George Mason University

George Mason University Receives First-gen Forward Designation; National Honor for Commitment to First-generation Student Success

The Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation, recently announced the 2021-22 First-gen Forward cohort. The First-gen Forward designation recognizes institutions of higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students. Selected institutions receive professional development, community-building experiences, and a first look at the Center’s research and resources.

At George Mason University, first-generation students are defined as students whose parent(s)/legal guardian(s) have a highest level of education from a community college; did not complete a bachelor’s degree; or completed a degree outside of the United States. As of Fall 2020, Mason reported that 20% of all first-time freshmen and 26% of all undergraduate degree-seeking students were first-generation college students. 78% of first-gen students enrolled in Fall 2020 were attending full-time. First-generation college students face various barriers when trying to excel both academically and socially. Mason works to eliminate these additional barriers and foster first-generation student success through intentional programming and catered support. This support includes:

Early Identification Program: George Mason University’s college preparatory program for first-generation students in collaboration with local schools.
Student Transition Empowerment Program: Mason’s Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment’s (CCEE) initiative created to enhance the recruitment, engagement, and retention of first-generation college students accepted to George Mason University.
First-Generation Peer Mentoring Program: CCEE’s mentoring program to support first-generation student success.
First-Generation Student Task Force: Task force led by Mason Faculty/Staff who were first-generation students themselves.

“The Center is so pleased to welcome George Mason University into the 2021-22 First-gen Forward cohort. Through the application process, it was evident that Mason is not only taking steps to serve first-generation students but is prepared to make a long-term commitment and employ strategies that foster an environment of success for this important population,” said Dr. Sarah E. Whitley, assistant vice president, Center for First-generation Student Success.

Dr. Creston Lynch, assistant vice president for University Life at Mason said, “We, at Mason, are excited to be in this First-gen Forward cohort because it not only further positions our faculty and staff to continue their amazing and comprehensive work in support of first-generation students, but it also aligns directly with the Mason University Life vision that “every student succeeds” during and after their time here.”

As a First-gen Forward Institution, interested faculty and staff will be afforded multiple opportunities to engage with peer institutions who are also creating environments that improve the experiences and outcomes of first-generation students. Selected institutions will send representatives to the First-gen Forward Workshop slated for early-June and will participate in monthly phone calls, virtual professional development, goal setting, blog development, annual reporting, and more. After two successful years in the program, institutions are eligible to apply for the Advisory leadership designation.

“First-gen Forward is an exciting opportunity for George Mason University to join a dedicated community of professionals prepared to share evidence-based practices and resources, troubleshoot challenges, generate knowledge, and continue to advance the success of first-generation students across the country. We are excited to see a groundswell of activity from the First-gen Forward cohort and know Mason will be a significant contributor,” offered Dr. Kevin Kruger, president and CEO of NASPA.

To learn more about the Center for First-generation Student Success, visit firstgen.naspa.org. For an official copy of the press release, download the PDF.

2021 Mason Leadership Summit to be Held Throughout March; Register Today

Registration is open for the 2021 Virtual Mason Leadership Summit: Innovative Leadership for Adult Learners (25 years old and up) and Student Parents, hosted by the Leadership Education and Development Office and Contemporary Student Services. This year’s Summit will be held March 1 – March 30. Participants will learn practical ways to further develop as leaders in multiple contexts (career, family, community, etc.). Students will broaden their perspectives on leadership and engage with other adult learners, and student parents, through practical and applied leadership skill development. For details and to register, click here. Email questions to Jayson Padilla or Shayma Kuver.

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Creston Lynch Assistant Vice President, University Life

Committee: Co-Chair, Campus and Community Engagement

Creston Lynch
Assistant Vice President, University Life