Author: Eleftheria Giannopoulos

Dear Patriots,

It is an understatement to say that these are unprecedented times for everyone. Here at George Mason University, we are all adjusting to a new normal and for many of us, it may feel like continuous change.  We are proud of the way our community has responded to the coronavirus outbreak, but we also know that many of you may have questions about our new policies, university operations and the path forward.

In response, the university will hold a virtual town hall on Friday, April 17 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Interim President Anne Holton will provide an update on the university’s response, and then she and her leadership team will be available to take questions from students and their families, faculty, staff, alumni and friends.

You can submit your questions in advance here or during the event and view the town hall on GMU TV. We encourage everyone to participate and look forward to gathering with you virtually on Friday.

Stay healthy and safe.

Sincerely,

Michael Sandler
Interim Vice President, Communications and Marketing

Dear Graduate Students:

In our continued efforts to adapt to the ongoing changes and best support our graduate students, the Graduate Council has approved the following alterations to graduate policies for this spring 2020 semester:

1) For the Spring 2020 semester, the academic termination policy has been altered for all graduate students. All letter grades “C” or the equivalent alternative grades “XP” received in graduate courses will not count towards the number of unsatisfactory grades stated under AP.6.6.2 Academic Termination. Graduate students, who may receive letter grades “F” or the equivalent alternative grades “XN”, should consider the available withdrawal option as the effect of these non-passing grades on AP.6.6.2 Academic Termination will remain unaltered.

2) The GA hiring procedures have been altered for all graduate students who may be offered a graduate assistantship for Fall 2020. Students must be in good academic standing, maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, and not have any unsatisfactory grades at the end of Fall 2019 or any letter grades “F” or the equivalent alternative grades “XN” at the end of Spring 2020. No unsatisfactory grades earned during Spring 2020 should be considered for GA hiring decisions.

3) For the Spring 2020 semester, the coursework requirements policy for accelerated master’s students has been altered. Letter grades “A-C” or the equivalent alternative grades “XS” and “XP” received in graduate courses will count towards the number of credits that can be applied to the undergraduate degree and provide the student advanced standing in the related Mason master’s program. Letter grades “F” or the equivalent alternative grades “XN” will not count.

4)  For the Spring 2020 semester, the change from nondegree status policy has been altered. Letter grades “A-C” or the equivalent alternative grades “XS” and “XP” received in graduate courses will count towards the number of credits that can transferred to the degree program. Letter grades “F” or the equivalent alternative grades “XN” will not count.

For more important and related information, visit the Graduate Education – Spring 2020 COVID-19 Updates and the Office of the University Registrar – Spring 2020 Grading Options webpages.

Reminder: Coffee time with APGE tomorrow (Friday) at 10am. All information can be found on your Blackboard under the Graduate Education Resources organization.

We thank all of you for your patience and efforts with adapting to the ongoing changes.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bray.

Laurence Bray, PhD
Associate Provost for Graduate Education
George Mason University
703-993-2218

Dear Mason Residents and Families,

I hope you are all staying safe and doing well during these unprecedented times. Your health and well-being continue to be our number one concern. With that in mind, and in consultation with public health officials, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all Move Out activities until further notice. You will receive more specific information shortly in a communication from Chris Holland, our Chief Housing Officer. Please know that we understand this may present challenges, and we will bring you back to campus as soon as it is safe to do so. While this news may feel disheartening to some, I feel strongly that the safety risks are too great at this point. I hope you will take a moment to receive these messages of hope from myself, and Mason’s amazing staff, to remind you that we stand with you and we are here for you.

It is important that we find ways to stay connected to each other while we shelter in place and practice social distancing. We want you to know we are here and working hard to make sure you have every means available to communicate and engage with your fellow Patriots, Mason families, faculty and staff. Please remember to bookmark our University Life Covid-19 Student Success website, which serves as a central hub for all the resources and messages students will need to make the fast-paced transitions this unpredictable time requires.

These are precarious times, but we have come together in solidarity and strength. The Mason community will support you as you continue to reach your goals.

Honestly, we can’t wait to see you again. Hang in there, and please, above all, stay safe.

Rose Pascarell
Vice President for University Life

Mason Resident,

We recognize the Covid-19 pandemic brings new challenges weekly. Due to this fluidity, along with public health advice, all residential students will not be able to move-out before June 10th. We understand it is difficult to not have access to your belongings for such a long time, however your health and safety are paramount.

Beginning June 10th, each student will be given an assigned time to Move Out. During this time frame, a limited number of students will be allowed on each floor with access to the halls so that we are able to practice appropriate social distancing and to sanitize between appointments. Additionally, we will make sure that there are ample appointments available to accommodate various schedules, while still staying safe.

We will send Move Out sign-ups in late April, assuming that there is no need to delay to a later date, in which case we will update the check-out times appropriately and communicate with you directly. Until then, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Sincerely,

Chris Holland
Chief Housing Officer
George Mason University

Dear Graduate Students:

In partnership with academic units, the Office of the University Registrar, Office of Graduate Life, Faculty Senate and GAPSA representatives, the Graduate Council has approved the following changes for graduate students for this spring 2020 semester:

• Students may withdraw from any graduate courses in which they are enrolled in Spring 2020 by the specific deadlines found here. These withdrawals will appear with the notation “XW” on their official transcript.
• Students enrolled in graduate courses will be permitted to change to an alternative grading option until the end of term, May 20, 2020*.

*The end of term deadline may vary based on the degree program.

To ensure graduate students make the best selection for themselves and maximize their potential for long-term academic and professional success, it is critical that:

• Graduate students seek advising and guidance from their advisor, mentor and/or coordinator prior to making any decision about making any of these changes.
• Graduate students determine the impact electing an alternative grading option may have on financial aid, licensure, admission to professional programs, scholarships, fellowships, among others.

For more important and related information, visit the Graduate Education – Spring 2020 Alternative Grading Options for graduate students and the Office of the University Registrar – Spring 2020 Grading Options webpages.

We thank all of you for your patience and efforts with adapting to the ongoing changes.

Sincerely,

Laurence Bray
Associate Provost for Graduate Education

Dear Patriots:

Now that classes and other academic programs are being conducted online, George Mason University’s Title IX Office reminds members of our community that maintaining an academic program free from sex/gender discrimination remains a high priority for the university. Faculty, staff, and students should be aware of the following important points:

• The Title IX Office remains open and is functioning remotely at this time. Anyone impacted by sex/gender discrimination and harassment is encouraged to make a report to the Title IX Coordinator at https://diversity.gmu.edu/titleix-webform. Investigations and all other services will be conducted virtually to assure that any sexual harassment, sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, retaliation, or other sexually discriminatory behaviors are addressed promptly.
• University policies on sexual harassment and misconduct apply to behaviors that occur in any context, including in person, as well as in online environments and through virtual communications. Any behavior that is prohibited by policy continues to be prohibited in cyberspace, including cyber-harassment, sex-based cyber-bullying, and cyber-stalking.
• Mason’s sexual and interpersonal misconduct policy applies to students who are registered or enrolled for credit or noncredit-bearing coursework, all university employees, and third parties. This policy pertains to acts of prohibited conduct committed by or against students, employees, and third parties when:
  1. The conduct occurs on campus or other property owned or controlled by the university;
  2. The conduct occurs in the context of a university employment or education program or activity, including, but not limited to, university-sponsored study abroad, research, online, or internship programs; or
  3. The conduct occurs off campus or outside the context of a university employment or education program or activity, and has continuing adverse effects on or creates a hostile environment for students, employees, or third parties while on a university campus or other property owned or controlled by the university or in any university employment or education program or activity.

• Faculty and staff members are reminded that reporting alleged sexual harassment and misconduct is required when they become aware of current or past incidents or allegations involving members of the campus community, regardless of how they learn of the potential misconduct, whether in person, in writing, or online.

The full text of the university’s Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Misconduct Policy, as well as community resources, can be found online, and our online reporting form can be accessed here.

Sincerely,

Angela Nastase, JD
Title IX Coordinator

Julian Williams, JD
Vice President for Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics