Category: Letter from VP

Fall 2020 Decisions. Make Sure Your Voice is Heard.

Dear Patriots,

As we continue to work through options for Fall 2020 campus operations, your voice is important! In April, a Mason working group was formed and charged with gathering necessary information to provide a framework for decision making for Fall 2020 operations. You can see the Tiger Team Final Report here.

Last week, both Student Government and GAPSA (Graduate And Professional Student Association) collaborated on a student survey to ensure that student voice is heard as decisions are made. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to fill out the Student Survey. Today is your last chance, as it closes tonight at midnight. The link will take you to your single sign-on. Once you log in, the survey takes just a few minutes to complete.

As always, remember that we are here for you. Make sure you check the University Life Student Success Website for student related important information including Covid-19 communications, updated hours of operation, and other resources available to you. Also bookmark the Mason Covid-19 page for university-wide updates.

Please be safe, and make sure your voice is heard by taking a few moments to complete this student survey.

Best wishes,

Rose Pascarell
Vice President for University Life

A message from Rose Pascarell, Vice President of University Life

Ahmaud Arbery should be celebrating his 26th birthday. Instead, due to his senseless murder, we grieve with his family, his community, and our Nation. I ask that you reflect on this young man’s life today, but also, as we navigate this pandemic, what it means to us all that black men globally are not able to enjoy the freedom of safety in an act as simple and harmless as jogging alone in their own communities. The racial implications surrounding not just Ahmaud Arbery’s cause of death, but the handling of the crime by authorities, touch each and every one of us.

Closer to home, many here at Mason have felt the impact of this hateful crime deeply. Mason will continue its commitment to center, uplift, and support our communities of color. If you are a student and need support, please be sure to reach out to our staff at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). For staff, please refer to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) website for resources available to you.

We send deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ahmaud Arbery and will come together as a community in support of our students during this difficult and tragic time.

Rose Pascarell
Vice President of University Life

Update from Rose Pascarell, Vice President for University Life

UPDATE: The RAC is closed March 16-22.

Patriots,

Thanks for hanging in there.

Though this week was filled with uncertainties and questions, we are working hard to stabilize things as much as possible for you during this time. While this is new territory for all of us, we will do our best to remain responsive and keep you informed as new information becomes available.

Please remember to reference www2.gmu.edu/coronavirus. It is a great resource to get the most updated accurate info and FAQ’s. There are also links to the CDC and other sites that will provide more information related to the virus.

Many of you may be feeling anxious over the unanswered questions regarding this coronavirus.The sudden changes to your schedule and daily routine can be unsettling, along with additional concerns you may have about your health and the health of your loved ones. In this moment, remember Mason offers several online options focused on your care and well being.

ONLINE SUPPORT RESOURCES FOR YOU AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW

Please check out the online resources and articles on the websites for the Center for the Advancement of Well Being, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Student Health Services. Now is an excellent time to join BurnAlong (free to you) and participate in online classes — exercise, dance, yoga, relaxation — all in community and at a distance. BurnAlong also runs on a social platform so you can invite your friends, roommates, and others to join you in these activities.

Counseling and Psychological Services will soon offer virtual workshops addressing anxiety, including worry related to COVID19 as well as workshops focused on healthy coping skills. All Mason students can register for free, online psychoeducational support through Therapy Assisted Online (TAO).

UPDATED HOURS

Updated hours for many student services and student-facing offices during Spring Break Week 2 are listed on the University Life website. The hours will likely change as new information emerges – this could happen on a daily or weekly basis and we will update that information as quickly as possible. The Mason Student Services Center and all University Life offices are open and providing service on a modified schedule, either in person, online, or via telephone.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEK

This week, you will receive information to help you get ready for online instruction, including the most effective approaches to online learning. Some of you may be very familiar with online courses and others may be first timers. By the way, this is also true for Mason faculty. Many are very familiar with online instruction; others are thinking through this in real time. Please be patient with yourself and your faculty as we move through this together. And please remember to maintain communication with your instructors regarding your accessibility needs as we transition to online learning.

During this time, it may seem tempting to connect with each other as you would normally, prior to the precautionary distancing measures now in place. I cannot stress strongly enough the need to focus on physical distancing to ensure not just your health and well-being, but everyone around you as well. Do not meet in large groups on or off campus – it’s just not smart right now. Connect with each other in other ways — online, outside in the fresh air, or remotely. Look for updated e-activities organized by Student Involvement, LEAD and other University Life offices soon. You can still work out at Mason Recreation. And if you feel ill, rest at home to keep others safe and healthy.

Finally — stay connected to each other. Show compassion for yourself and others, and continue to be courageous as we move through this together. In times of crisis, communities usually realize they are stronger and more resilient than anyone knew. That’s us, Mason Patriots. That’s you.

Rose Pascarell
Vice President for University Life

A message from Rose Pascarell, Vice President for University Life

Dear Mason Families,

I hope you are all doing well during this challenging time. I’m sure by now you’ve read the messages from President Holton which extended spring break through March 20, followed by online instruction from March 23 through Friday, April 3. In addition, all campus events have been cancelled, postponed, or will be offered virtually.

We will continue to communicate with you and your students throughout the next few weeks, and we will advise you when Mason operations and events fully resume. While there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus associated with our community at this moment, health care professionals locally, domestically, and globally expect that the virus will continue to spread in the coming weeks, and out of caution and care for our students and community (and in conjunction with other universities throughout Virginia and the United States), we are doing our part to avoid the spread.

All students will soon receive an email from my office, which will detail information about services and facilities that will remain open next week during the extended spring break. Many students may be feeling some anxiety in this time of uncertainty and change. This is understandable, and it means we need to make extra efforts to take care of our mental health and well-being. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will soon be offering virtual workshops addressing anxiety, including worry related to COVID19 as well as workshops focused on healthy coping skills. Updates on CAPS offerings including links to self-help resources can be found on their website: caps.gmu.edu. In addition, all Mason students are eligible to register for free, online psychoeducational support through Therapy Assisted Online (TAO): caps.gmu.edu/therapy-assistance-online-tao.

We also realize that some students have extenuating circumstances or logistical challenges that make their return to on campus housing the only viable option, and we assure you we will work with inpidual students to assess their needs as well as their personal health safety.

In these unprecedented times, we are working to keep our Mason communities informed, and we ask for your patience as the circumstances and information continues to evolve rapidly. The University’s coronavirus website will continue to be an excellent resource for updates and new information, and I encourage you and your student to check the website often.

Your personal healthcare provider continues to be the best source of information about your own and your family members’ medical condition and concerns.

Please continue to stay calm, informed and healthy.

Thanks,

Rose

Rose Pascarell
Vice President for University Life

Welcome Back!

Dear Patriots,

Welcome back from break! We hope you are energized and ready for Spring 2020. The Mason student experience is one that is full of opportunities for you to experience deep learning, have impact, and make your mark on the world. In that spirit, we want to acknowledge that local, national, and global events may be weighing on your minds as you return to campus. Your well-being and success are important to us and we want to assure you that ours is an inclusive environment where you can find support and inspiration if you choose and need.

Mason’s diversity has always been our great strength. Our community reflects the many amazing moments that occur when many cultures and backgrounds unify in support rather than fall into division. Each of you plays an important role in this just, free, and prosperous world that Mason is dedicated to creating. And, in the Mason Nation, all are welcome.

We thrive together. As we continue our work as a well-being university, our commitment to eradicate all forms of sexual and interpersonal violence on campus remains strong. Your personal and physical safety is important, and we are committed to ensuring that you receive any help and assistance needed in times of distress and crisis.

While it is everyone’s responsibility to care for and keep our community strong, Mason also provides ways for you to lean on us. Departments like Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC), Student Health Services, the Office of Diversity Inclusion and Multicultural Education, and many more, can help navigate difficulties you may be experiencing. Detailed information can be found on the University Life website.

As we begin a new semester, a new year, and a new decade, with successes and challenges surely to come, know that you make the Mason community stronger. Welcome back!

S. David Wu
Provost and Executive Vice President

Rose Pascarell
Vice President, University Life

Title IX update, resources and call to action

Dear Patriots,

Your safety is a top priority at George Mason University. We have taken a consistent and unwavering stance against sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct. Through our statements and actions, together we have pledged to eradicate sex discrimination on our campuses and ensure a safe environment where all members of our community can thrive.

In recent months, we have stepped up our efforts to prevent sexual and interpersonal violence. The university has added additional resources to its Title IX office. In addition to recruiting Angela Nastase, JD, as Mason’s Title IX Coordinator, the university has hired two new Title IX investigators and will hire a Title IX Intake Coordinator in the coming months. Once complete, we will have doubled the staff of the Title IX office since last academic year.

The goal of the Title IX office is to foster a space for Mason community members to report incidents of sexual misconduct and provide an equitable and fair resolution process when Title IX matters are reported. The Title IX office’s current priorities are increased training and outreach, reduction of investigative timelines, continued strong collaboration with student organizations, and leadership and participation on the University’s Sexual Assault and Interpersonal Violence Taskforce.

Also, in addition to the support resources that already exist (see below), the Student Support and Advocacy Center and Counseling and Psychological Services are in the process of hiring and providing additional on-site staff at the Arlington Campus.

If you haven’t already and you would like to take Mason’s Pledge to End Sexual Violence, you can do so online at chapternext.gmu.edu or at the upcoming event, “Chapter Next: Ending Sexual Violence,” on Monday, Nov. 4 from 4-6 p.m. in HUB Ballroom. The event is a call for action to eradicate sexual violence in all its forms.

Mason remains fully committed to sustaining a community free from sexual assault/harassment.

Julian R. Williams, Vice President of Compliance, Diversity and Ethics
Rose B. Pascarell, Vice President for University Life

INFORMATION ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION ON CAMPUS

Stopsexualviolence.gmu.edu

Members of the Mason community are encouraged to report all crimes and suspicious persons or incidents, however minor, to Mason Police immediately at (703) 993-2810 or 9-1-1 (for Mason Korea, call 1-1-9).

ON-CAMPUS CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Options for seeking support without putting the University on notice to investigate the incident:

*Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC): Provides students impacted by sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking with a confidential space to receive support and discuss reporting options and living and academic accommodations. During business hours call 703-993-3686. For the 24-Hour Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence Crisis Line call 703-380-1434, or http://ssac.gmu.edu/
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): During business hours call 703-993-2380, during non-business hours or for life-threatening emergencies call Mason Police at 703-993-2810 or 9-1-1, or http://caps.gmu.edu/
*Student Health Services: During business hours call 703-993-2831, during non-business hours call the free after-hours nurse 703-993-2831, during emergencies call 9-1-1, or http://shs.gmu.edu/
*Mason Korea Health Services / Sexual Offense Services: During business hours call 032-626-0553, for the 24-hour Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence Crisis Line call 032-626-1366, during emergencies call 1-1-9, http://www.igc.or.kr/en/campus/health.do

* Certain incidents that occur on or near campus are recorded for federal statistics purposes without any identifying information (e.g., names, initials, contact information, etc.).

ON-CAMPUS NON-CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Options for seeking support and putting the University on notice to investigate the incident:

Title IX Coordinator: Protects any person from sex-based discrimination, including sexual violence. Call 703-993-8730 or email [email protected], or go tohttps://diversity.gmu.edu/sexual-misconduct
Office of Student Conduct: 703-993-6209, http://studentconduct.gmu.edu/
Office of Housing & Residential Life: 703-993-2720, http://housing.gmu.edu/
Employee Relations: 703-993-3878, https://hr.gmu.edu/employee-relations/

OFF-CAMPUS CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 24-hour hotline/helpline 800-838-8238, Confidential Text Messaging: 804-793-9999, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN): Call 24-hour hotline/helpline 800-656-HOPE (4673), https://www.rainn.org

The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

A Message from Rose Pascarell, Vice President for University Life

(originally posted in the Mason Family Flash)

Dear Parents and Family Members,

As we start the fall semester, the question I hear most often as parents and family members accompany their students to George Mason University is, “Where did the time go?”

We are privileged to witness many poignant moments as parents, family members and friends help our newest Patriots settle in for the fall semester; each one brings a unique perspective and history to Mason, and we look forward to their excitement and energy as we embrace their hopes and expectations for the future.

It’s also a time to reflect on how much the university has changed over the years, even though our guiding principles remain the same. Mason’s commitment to transformative learning continues as we advance with the Student Experience Redesign, a collaborative initiative to provide the ideal university culture where students experience a harmony of people, processes, and technologies in a transparent and responsive environment. We are already seeing the fruition of that hard work with the launch of the Mason Student Services Center (MSSC), a first stop and central resource for information and solutions related to registration, enrollment, financial aid, billing, academic records and other student support services; At MSSC, a team of cross-trained representatives provide assistance and expertise for new and continuing students at all points of the academic year.

Our students have changed too: the majority of our incoming class of freshmen, part of the cohort popularly referred to as Generation Z, are both tech-talented and tech-dependent – they’ve not known a time without full connectivity. But they are also passionate about exacting real change in the world. Our students are multi-cultural; they are activists; they are experience-driven; they are entrepreneurial and innovative. Thank you for creating this wonderful class of Patriots!

Even though their generation may be unique, our current and incoming students still want the same things that most students want:

academic programs that are intellectually challenging and engaging, and that prepare them to successfully pursue their passions, dreams, and future careers;
a climate to explore concepts and ideas with curiosity, openness, and respect;
a safe and open community, where they feel a sincere sense of belonging;
opportunities to work with, learn with, or live with someone different than themselves, adding to the quality of their overall learning experience.

We are committed to building an inclusive environment that is focused on student well-being, and we offer many learning opportunities designed to build and capitalize on the resilience of each student. We know this is important to academic success, but it is also necessary as we prepare students to be citizens of the world. At Mason, your student is not only part of one community – they are a part of many. And a committed community of faculty and staff are here to support your student throughout their time at Mason.

Please refer to the University Life webpage as a starting point in connecting to many university resources. I also invite you to watch Welcome to George Mason University, a short video that embodies our shared perspective of the inclusive community and welcoming climate we seek to create here.

We will do everything we can to help your students achieve their goals and aspirations. I look forward to meeting many of you at Family Weekend, November 8-10, 2019.

Best regards,

Rose Pascarell
Vice President for University Life

*To receive more articles like this straight to your inbox, sign up for the Mason Family Association at masonfamily.gmu.edu/mason-family-association.

Mason Family Flash: Special Edition

Yesterday’s shooting on the University of North Carolina at Charlotte campus, leaving two dead and several injured, is a tragic and senseless act that affects us all deeply. We grieve with those who lost loved ones and hope for the speedy recovery of those being treated.

The safety of any campus community is a huge undertaking. You are a big part of that effort. We wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of some things Mason Patriots can do to help George Mason and Mason Police keep our campus safe:

— Call 911 if you see imminent danger or a crime in progress.

— Call GMU PD non-emergency (703-993-2810) to report suspicious or concerning behavior, or go the Crime Solvers page on the GMU PD website to make anonymous tips. (police.gmu.edu/programs-and-services/crime-solvers/)

— If you are worried about a friend, and it’s not an emergency, fill out the Student Support and Advocacy Center’s referral form and let us help.
(ssac.gmu.edu/make-a-referral/)

— Do you have Rave Guardian? It’s the App that lets you use your phone to stay safe and help protect your friends. (ready.gmu.edu/wpcontent/uploads/…/11/RaveGuardian_Poster.pdf)

— Mason also maintains an Active Threat Training and Resource Site with several different guides and options to learn skills and get training in preventing such tragedies from occurring. (police.gmu.edu/programs-and-services/active-threat-training/).

We stand with UNC Charlotte as they recover from this tragedy and stand beside them as they stay #UNCCStrong.

Rose B. Pascarell
Vice President for University Life