Category: Official University Communications

President Washington on moving forward after last week’s election

Fellow Patriots:

We have just come through an historic election, which has taught us a great deal about ourselves and our society that we will spend time processing. As happens from time to time, America appears to have made history again: More Americans than ever voted, nearly 150 million in all, despite the onerous pandemic amid historic racial tensions. And, if the results we now see withstand the remainder of the vote count and anticipated challenges, we will have elected the oldest president in history, and the first-ever woman and person of color to the vice presidency.

In the coming days, the vote will be celebrated, vilified, analyzed, and challenged in court. The best course of action for all of us is to process this election peacefully, thoughtfully, respectfully, and patriotically.

So now, fellow Mason Patriots, it is time to do what this nation has done throughout our history: heal, come together as Americans, and participate in the process from here. As Mason Patriots, we now must work together to create a greater campus as part of a greater society. This is a jubilant time for those who supported the winners, and a difficult time for those who supported those who did not win. The best thing we can do is regard each other as fellow Americans, and fellow Patriots in every sense of the word.

Patriots, I am so proud of how you have participated in the process. Now, let’s move from today to tomorrow and beyond as we do best – together.

I look forward to working with you to support our society going forward!

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington
President

Alternative Grading for Fall 2020 Semester

Dear Patriot:

The entire Mason community has needed to adjust and adapt to many personal and professional challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our university wants to ensure that all students have the opportunity for success this semester. In support of our students, a series of accommodations will be implemented to grading practices for the Fall 2020 semester. These accommodations are in response to a resolution unanimously adopted by Mason’s Student Government, and follow extensive dialog, careful deliberation and a recommendation by the university’s Faculty Senate and parallel consideration by the university’s Graduate Council.

The specific accommodations are:

Credit/Non-Credit Opt-In
Mirroring the model for alternative grades implemented for the spring 2020 semester, each undergraduate and graduate student registered in A-F graded Fall 2020 courses will be able to decide individually, on a course-by-course basis, whether they choose to receive a letter grade for the class or if they opt to receive an alternative grade that would indicate either receiving or not receiving credit for the class.With the exception of the Scalia Law School, this alternative grading practice will apply to all Fall 2020 courses, including courses that may already have been completed.

Students will need to make their choice no later than the start of classes for the Spring 2021 semester.

The default selection, if no action is taken by the student, will be A-F grading. For students who opt for alternative grading for a specific course, the submitted grade for that course will be converted by the University Registrar to an alternative grade. Faculty members will not have knowledge of the grading model selected by students.

Students who were grade sanctioned because of a decision by the Honor Committee, irrespective of the date of such a decision, may not choose the alternative grade mode for the affected course. Neither academic departments academic units, nor their administrators, may use the alternative grading model to change a course grade that was assigned to a student as a result of a decision by the Honor Committee.
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.For incomplete grades awarded for the Spring 2020 semester, the deadline for completing work for the spring semester was originally October 23, 2020, but has now been extended until the end of the Fall 2020 semester.

The Office of the University Registrar will communicate with eligible students, through their official Mason-issued e-mail address, instructions with information on how to select an alternative grade for a class. Information on the model for alternative grades, and the specific grading categories, will also be provided in the same communication that will be distributed by the University Registrar.

Students are encouraged to make careful and informed decisions regarding the grading categories that will be used to evaluate their coursework during this unique fall semester and to help reduce some of the stress associated with the COVID crisis.

It is important that students consider the potential impact of opting for the alternative grading system on financial aid, admission to graduate and/or professional programs, professional licensure and other possible implications of your choice. If you have questions about opting for an alternative grade in any of your courses, undergraduate students should consult with your Academic Advisor and graduate students should consult with your Program Coordinator and/or Mentor.

I hope that you are healthy, remain well and wish you success for the remainder of the fall semester.

All the best.

Mark R. Ginsberg, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President

Notice of New Title IX/Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy and Procedure

Dear Patriots,

George Mason University has implemented a new Title IX/sexual and interpersonal misconduct policy and procedure for employees and students in response to new federal Title IX regulations – Policy 1202: Sexual and Gender Based Misconduct and Others Forms of Interpersonal Violence. In May of 2020, the U.S. Department of Education issued new regulations mandating how colleges and universities must investigate and adjudicate sexual misconduct cases under Title IX, the federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities. As a result, all educational institutions that receive federal funding, including George Mason University, were required to update their policies related to sexual and interpersonal misconduct by August 14^th, 2020.

George Mason University continues to take sexual and interpersonal misconduct seriously and is committed to providing an inclusive, safe, and welcoming educational and working environment for all members of its community. The University’s goal is to meet its responsibilities in a manner that ensures compliance with federal law while best fulfilling our commitments to safety, wellbeing, and equity.

The new policy includes a single procedure for handling allegations of sexual misconduct in both student and employee cases. The updated Title IX website provides additional information regarding resources and the new policy and procedure, which were effective August 14^th, 2020.

Under the new policy, conduct of a sexual nature that previously constituted a violation of University policy will continue to constitute a violation of University policy. The University will also continue to address reports of misconduct falling outside the jurisdiction/scope of federal Title IX regulations.

Other important aspects related to GMU’s Title IX/sexual and interpersonal misconduct policy include:

University policy continues to apply to off-campus sexual misconduct between two members of the University community when the conduct has continuing adverse effects on or creates a hostile environment for an individual while on the University’s campus or other property owned or controlled by the University or in any University employment or educational program or activity.
The preponderance of the evidence standard (more likely than not) continues to apply in student and employee matters.
A complaining party has the option to request a formal resolution process. The formal resolution process includes an investigation and a live hearing with the opportunity to cross examine (conducted by parties’ advisers).
Parties who do not wish to participate in the University’s formal resolution process may have an option to participate in a voluntary informal resolution process.
Individuals may obtain supportive measures (such as No Contact Orders, academic support, safety planning, or housing changes) through the Title IX Coordinator regardless of whether they initiate or participate in a formal or informal resolution process.

To report sexual misconduct, discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex or gender in any of the University’s education programs or activities or to obtain assistance with support measures, please contact the University’s Title IX Coordinator or complete the online reporting form: https://diversity.gmu.edu/titleix-webform.

Angela Nastase, University Title IX Coordinator
Compliance, Diversity and Ethics, 373 Aquia Building
4400 University Drive, MS 2C2
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 993-8730
[email protected]

The Title IX Office continues to remain open, functioning remotely or via appointment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit GMU’s Title IX website for more information. For immediate safety concerns, please call 911.

Sincerely,

Angela Nastase, JD
Title IX Coordinator
Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics

Mason’s Next Quality Enhancement Plan Topic Selected

Dear Fellow Patriots:

I am pleased to announced that Mason’s Reaffirmation Leadership Team, with input from the Mason community, has chosen Transformative Education through Equity and Justice: Anti- Racist Community Engagement as the university’s next quality enhancement plan (QEP) proposal. The QEP, which is an important component of our upcoming reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), specifically focuses on improving student learning/student success. The topic reflects on the strengths of the original Civic Engagement proposal, addresses opportunities for qualitative improvement in student success, engages academic and co-curricular communities across Mason, and positions our students and faculty to respond to current social issues.

Members of the QEP Development Committee, led by co-chairs Kristen Wright (Director of Civic Engagement) and Dr. Justin Sutters (SACSCOC Faculty Fellow and Director of Mason’s Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education program), now begin the process of developing the specifics of a comprehensive five-year plan. The five-year QEP will be rooted in Mason’s mission, driven by our institutional assessments, and connected to our Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence initiative. Information and progress updates are located on the QEP website. Because the success of our QEP hinges on the engagement of the entire Mason community—faculty, students, staff, and administrators—I hope you will all contribute as involved partners as we move forward.

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington
President