Mason’s fourth annual Giving Day is focused on providing urgent assistance to students in need, under the banner of Patriots Helping Patriots. Watch a video message from President Holton. See how much money has been raised. Then, make your gift.
Category: Uncategorized
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.
Dear Patriots:
The university continues to monitor the coronavirus outbreak and take additional measures as appropriate. This is important as we focus our efforts around resuming the spring semester through alternative virtual instruction, supporting the small community of students who must remain on campus, and providing essential operations to support our mission.
As a result of our continuing focus on the safety of our community, the University will be closing our buildings to the general public for the foreseeable future. We also will be mandating telework for all faculty and staff except for those who need to work on campus to continue critical functions for the university as outlined below.
Building security and core functions
University buildings will be closed effective Wednesday March 25, except as otherwise provided. All exterior and interior doors will be locked. Faculty and staff will continue to have cardswipe and key access but must comply with the telework mandates outlined below.
Police and Safety Headquarters will remain open, with police patrolling the campus and facilities monitoring buildings. Southside Dining will provide grab and go dining service for those remaining on campus during hours listed here. Retail dining establishments with separate entrances will be allowed to remain open so long as they are complying with the Governor’s Executive Order limiting numbers of occupants and enforcing social distancing; more details are available here.
Mason library facilities, including Fenwick, will be closed starting Monday March 23. Library services will continue to operate, will expand virtual access as feasible, and will be available virtually to support faculty and students in accessing needed materials for online classes and assisting with other resources and services. For more details about library services and accompanying policy changes during this period, please see: https://library.gmu.edu/
SUB I will be closed to the public, but Student Health Services, the Mason Card Office, and the Cashier’s Office will be open on a limited access basis. In an effort to limit risk of infection, we ask students to call 703-993-2831 and speak with a nurse prior to coming in to Student Health Services. For more information, visit the Student Health Services page and click the Patient Notice link.
Faculty, staff, and students who wish to access the Mason Card Office should call 703-993-1004 to make an appointment. The Cashier’s Office will be accepting cash payments by appointment Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; please call Bill Cunningham, Assistant Director, Cashier’s Office and Account Management, at 703-993-2498 to schedule an appointment. All check payments should be mailed to GMU Cashier’s Office, 4400 University Drive, MS 2E2, Fairfax, Virginia 22040.
The HUB will be closed to the public. Packages from USPS , UPS, FedEx and Amazon will be delivered to the Mail Center in the HUB. Individuals with a valid Mason ID will be able to access the HUB via the ground floor (basement level) door across from the Shenandoah parking deck, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday for mail and package pickup.
If faculty and staff need more information or have questions about card access please go to https://masonid.gmu.edu/access/ or contact the Card Access Security Office at 703-993-3127, or contact [email protected] or Key Control at [email protected] or 703-993-2823. If you need to request access to a locked building please review the list to determine the appropriate contact.
Telework mandate
The university is mandating that all employees who can work remotely should do so, except those who must report in person to carry out key university functions, such as critical research, teaching including online instruction, supporting students allowed to remain on campus, health care, and administrative and other obligations that cannot be conducted remotely.
Deans, directors, unit leaders and managers have the authority to identify those who must report in person, those who can work remotely, and those who may need limited, intermittent access. They should share that guidance with their faculty and staff. Those who need access, including on a limited basis, to perform key university functions should coordinate with co-workers to allow for social distancing and of course should continue to practice careful hand hygiene.
Employees shifting to telework should return to campus before Wednesday, March 25 to collect whatever items they may need to work remotely for the remainder of the semester. Please practice social distancing during this time; you may need to schedule individual time in your department for employees to retrieve belongings.
If you have questions about leave, your ability to do your job remotely or your current job duties, please contact your supervisor and/or Employee Relations. If you have questions about Virginia Public Health Emergency Leave, please review the PHEL guidance and/or contact the HR Benefits Team.
Notification of confirmed cases in our community
We want to let you know about another confirmed coronavirus case associated with our campus. On March 14, we received notice from a student regarding their positive diagnosis of coronavirus. The public health department has since confirmed that case and has informed us that since the student had not been on campus since Feb. 25, to include during the infectious period, there is no risk to the campus community from this case.
As I stated in my last message on Friday, we do not anticipate sending messages about coronavirus testing or positive cases each time we learn of a new confirmed case associated with our university. Instead, please visit the university’s confirmed coronavirus cases webpage, which will be updated at 2 p.m. daily if there is new information to share.
Please continue to monitor the Virginia Department of Health for the latest information about the virus in Virginia and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for national and worldwide updates, and George Mason’s coronavirus website for the latest Mason information.
Remember to practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, take time to get outdoors, and get sufficient rest. We remain focused on our core education and research missions along with our commitment to keep our community safe, and thank you all for your cooperation toward those ends.
Sincerely,
Anne Holton
Interim President
Dear Mason Patriot,
Our top priority remains the health and safety of you, our students. We know you have questions and concerns and we thank you for your continued patience as we have created a plan about residency and move out.
In order to minimize the risks to students and in light of the university’s decision to extend alternative virtual instruction for the remainder of the semester, we will begin to close the residence halls for the semester to all but those with exceptional circumstances. We will complete the process outlined below by 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.
- Effective immediately and through Wednesday, March 25, residents will be able to access their space to retrieve basic belongings. If you have what you need, there is no need or requirement for you to return.
- Please ensure that good social distancing measures are adhered to during this time to retrieve belongings.
- Departing residents will not have access beyond Wednesday, March 25 for the foreseeable future.
- Please note that the stated timeframe above is not a formal moving out period. Students will have the option to return to their residences after Monday, April 13 to formally move out, once the university has a better sense of the situation and we can allow for appropriate social distancing.
- Use this parking pass when removing belongings between now and March 25th or moving out of the halls after April 13th.
Requests for an exemption
Students who need to stay past Wednesday, March 25, will be required to show exceptional circumstances. Based on the guidance we’ve received, we know that by greatly reducing the number of students in residence, we will reduce risk and we can more easily manage social distancing and health concerns that may emerge.
The Mason Housing Portal will make request for exemption forms available starting Wednesday March 18. Please note: all students seeking an exemption must file a new request form.
Approvals will be granted within 24-48 hours and will be granted in exceptional circumstances where it is impossible for residents to return home. Examples include:
- International students whose residence is outside the U.S. who are unable to return home
- Student employees who have been identified as critical to on-site operations
- Students who must continue in an internship, clinical placement, or practicum which requires on-site presence
- Students whose personal circumstances prevent them from returning home. Examples include:
- Absence of an off-campus home
- Home is quarantined
- Home presents a safety/health threat to self or others
- Students for whom returning home would prevent them from accessing courses remotely because of inability to access internet/technology capability at home – please note the university will be working with these students to eliminate these barriers and will expect them to return home when they have been addressed.
All requests must include supporting documentation where necessary, including:
- Names of supervisors with contact information for verification
- Any correspondence supporting your request to stay
Students who are not approved will need to depart campus by Wednesday, March 25. Please know that our top priority is the safety and well being of our residents.
Limited Services and expectations after March 25
To keep our community safe, all residents who are approved to remain on campus should understand the following conditions and limitations:
- Dining options and hours will be limited, as will other services and HRL desks will have modified hours and services. Public safety officers will continue be on campus.
- No programming or events will be held in the halls during this time.
- You should limit travel to the minimum necessary and practice good hygiene and social distancing for the safety of yourself and those around you.
- Guests will not be permitted in the halls during this time.
- We may need to make room changes or moves at any time to ensure health and safety.
- If you are tested for COVID-19 you will be moved to a location for isolation for a minimum of 14 days or until cleared by health professionals.
- If you are exposed to COVID-19, you may be moved in order to facilitate a 14-day quarantine.
We know we can count on students to comply with these rules as well as all those in the student code of conduct which will continue to apply during this time.
Formal Moving Out Period
Beginning the week of April 13, we anticipate creating a staggered move-out schedule through the end of the semester. This will allow for appropriate social distancing for a safe move-out process. More specific details will come out once we have more information. We regret that requests to move out in the meanwhile cannot be accommodated.
Refunds
At this time, we are exploring ways to refund students not returning. We realize this action prompts several questions and concerns and we will be following up with more communication soon to address this. Please continue to check your Mason email.
We thank you for your patience while we work together to navigate the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19. You are in our thoughts and we wish you nothing but the best during this time. We are so proud of our resilient Mason Nation and thank you for your patience, resilience and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher J. Holland
Chief Housing Officer
Did you know, 3 million students drop out of college for financial reasons every year due to a crisis of less than $500? At Mason, we are proud to be home to over 37,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds, many of whom face overwhelming financial obstacles while in school. And when our students are in need, Mason Nation answers the call. That’s why University Life, College of Health and Human Services and the Schar School of Policy and Government are working together on Giving Day to secure donations that will address the immediate needs of Mason students.
Join us on Giving Day, April 2, and make a gift to the UL Student Emergency Assistance Fund which provides resources to students experiencing an unexpected crisis, whether that be related to food and housing insecurity or another financial challenge.
Together, let’s ensure that every student with the ability to succeed at Mason has the opportunity to do so.
Dear Patriots,
Your health and safety are our highest priories, and we continue to monitor the coronavirus outbreak around the globe and in the region. While there are no known cases on our campus, we are aware of a number of confirmed cases in Virginia and the Washington, D.C. region. With this in mind, we are taking a number of precautionary measures to limit exposure and minimize risk.
Mason to extend spring break, then move to virtual instruction
To limit exposure on our campus, Mason is extending spring break by an additional week through March 20. This will allow students and faculty to prepare for virtual alternative instruction and reduce close contact on campus.
When spring break ends, most classes will be conducted through virtual alternative instruction, from Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3. Students will be contacted by their faculty with additional details about virtual learning. The university will continue to monitor and reevaluate the situation prior to April 3. If an extension of virtual learning is needed, we will adjust as determined and communicate that with you.
We are also committed to ensuring that our students will successfully complete their coursework this semester, and will work to create tailored plans for those instances where virtual instruction is not a sufficient solution.
Students encouraged to stay off campus, but residence halls remain open
We know that one of the most powerful ways to minimize the spread of coronavirus is limiting interaction in close spaces. For that reason, we encourage students who are home to stay home during this time. We will continue to keep residence and dining halls open for students who cannot return home. Specific details will be sent to all residential students on Thursday. More information about student services, student centers, and the library will be forthcoming.
Mason to remain operational during this time
The university will remain open, and faculty and staff are expected to continue working during this period. In fact, for some, constraints on their time will increase, particularly as we work to shift classes to virtual instruction. I appreciate everyone’s patience as we move through this uncharted territory.
Of course, if you feel unwell, please stay home. And some faculty and staff may need to telework, particularly those who have medical vulnerabilities that put them at high risk. I encourage supervisors to work with faculty and staff who request flexible work options due to medical susceptibility to coronavirus.
If you are returning from a level 3 travel restriction country, or have been instructed by the health department, please follow guidance from the CDC about self-quarantine, whether on or off-campus.
The Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning and ITS have resources for faculty to migrate to virtual alternative instruction and for staff to be telework-ready as necessary. Instructional continuity plans can be found on the Stearns Center website, and VPN information is available from ITS. Guidance on telework is available from Employee Relations. Deans, directors and department heads have been in contact with their teams to ensure continuity of operations during this time.
As a reminder, the university also has suspended university-related domestic and international travel through April 10 for students, faculty and staff, and has cancelled study abroad-related travel for the semester. In addition, we strongly encourage our campus community to postpone or forgo nonessential personal travel during this time.
Moving forward
We are currently evaluating additional options, including cancelling events. We anticipate sending more information about events and other university business this week, and we encourage you to reach out to organizers to check the status of those events.
As you know, this situation is changing rapidly and we will continue to send information often. I want to urge everyone to monitor their email. Students, if your family members want to receive these emails, please make sure they sign up for the Mason Family Flash newsletter. In addition, please utilize other university information channels, including the university’s coronavirus website and the university’s switchboard, which can assist in directing calls about Mason’s response to the coronavirus. The number is 703-993-1000.
All of these decisions are being made with the health and safety of our campus community in mind. Remember to take time to practice good self-care and focus on what you can do to remain healthy: frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds, getting enough rest, eating healthy and drinking plenty of water.
We appreciate your patience and flexibility during this time as we navigate this evolving situation, and we will continue to provide regular updates through email and through the website.
Sincerely,
Anne Holton
Interim President
Sophomore Shelby Adams said she works every day to make George Mason University a more inclusive learning environment.
“I try my very best to be a resource because I care about people and want people to feel like they have a place on this campus and feel as though they are supported,” she said.
But the criminology, law, and society major from Lorton, Virginia, went a step further.
While more and more people are earning college degrees in Virginia and across the country, the number of “traditional” college students, those 18-22 and living on campus is shrinking.
George Mason University, Virginia’s most diverse public research institution, is at the forefront of serving these evolving student populations with its pioneering model of assisting students’ critical needs with streamlined services and a support system that focuses on student success.
As part of the continued evolution of the university’s centralized student services model, the Mason Student Services Center will manage all walk-in traffic for the Registrar’s Office.
Beginning Monday, March 9, any student needs that would have previously been taken care of by a member of the registrar’s staff on the second floor of Student Union Building (SUB) I will now be served at the Mason Student Services Center in SUB I’s lower-level lobby.
Mason Nation showed up in force to celebrate Homecoming 2020. Festivities included decorating contests, an arts festival, beer and wine tastings, two tailgates, and men’s and women’s basketball games.
Photographers Ron Aira, Ian Shiff, Sean Hickey and John Boal captured it all