Category: University Updates

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University Updates

University Announces Big Changes for Spring 2021

Earlier this week President Gregory Washington and Provost Mark Ginsberg announced several major changes to Spring 2021. Please check your student emails for full details. Here is a summary of those changes:

  • Spring break has been eliminated from the academic calendar.
  • The spring semester will begin one week later on January 25, 2021.
  • Increasing in-person classes by at least 10 percent for the spring, including a significant increase in introductory level classes. 
  • Expanding occupancy of residence halls and on-campus dining options, while maintaining safety requirements. 
  • Expanding on-campus activities in support of students, consistent with public health guidelines. 
  • Carefully bringing more employees back to campus and setting a goal to have employees on campus up to 50 percent of the time. 
  • Increasing capacity and frequency of testing for students, faculty and staff to identify asymptomatic cases sooner.
  •  Continuing to work with our partners in the school systems on solutions.
  •  Requiring flu shots for all residential students by close of business on Dec. 11, and strongly encouraging flu shots for faculty, staff and commuter students.

Provost Ginsberg also reminded student in his email that Tuesday, November 3 is a university holiday. In addition, beginning Monday, November 30, all courses will be conducted virtually.

Several days before the announcement, Student Government released a poll on social media and through our monthly newsletter in which we asked students for their preference on the elimination of spring break. Over 1,000 students submitted a response and the overwhelming preference was the total elimination and delayed start. Student Government is thankful to the administration for including student voices in the decision making process.

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University Updates

Introducing the Citation Diversion Program

Earlier this month Parking & Transportation released the brand-new Citation Diversion Program (CDP). This program allows students who were cited for parking violations to take a quiz to remove a monetary fine.

The level of care and communication that went into developing the CDP to educate students shows the level of care that Mason Parking Services takes in their everyday role at George Mason University. If it was not clear before, it should be clear now – Parking and Transportation wants to educate students before issuing a fine. Student Government’s role in the CDP began when Parking Services reached out to the Undersecretary of Parking and Transportation, Ethan Brown.

From here, Brown communicated with the Student Parking Board and held round-table discussions with the student-run board on how to ensure that a citation diversion quiz would be fair to students. This involved each board member taking the quiz, reviewing the verbiage in each summary page and the proceeding questions that correspond with the summary page. Through this review process, feedback was collected and submitted to Evan Cypher, Data Analyst at Parking Services.

With the feedback from Student Government leaders, Cypher was able to adjust verbiage, topics, length of questions, and answer choices to be fair for the student population. The end result was a well formed quiz, formulated for students to take the quiz in six sections: Parking Misconceptions, Permit Options, Citations, Appeals, Common Violations, and Promoting Transportation Resources. Each section begins with helpful information that provides clues to the questions that directly follow. Questions 24 and 25 of the 25 question quiz are multiple choice feedback questions, followed by an optional comment section.

According to Cypher, “From the CDP launch date on August 24, 2020 to current date (09/15/2020), 32 students have requested to take the Citation Diversion Program. The current percentage of students that have passed is 87.5% (28/32). The average score is a mean of 22.5 and median of 23. The average time spent completing the Citation Diversion Program is a mean of 37.47 minutes”

For more information, please visit https://transportation.gmu.edu/policies/citation-diversion-program/

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University Updates

Student Emergency Assistance Funding – Fall 2020

One Hundred Dollar Bill With Medical Face Mask on George Washington.

If you are in need of emergency financial assistance during the fall semester, please visit University Life’s emergency assistance page. Applications for emergency funding during Fall 2020 will be accepted from August 17 through December 11. Please read the page carefully to ensure you are eligible.

If you have questions about an award that has been posted on your financial aid account, please contact Financial Aid. We will respond as soon as possible. 

If you have questions about the COVID-19 emergency assistance funding process, please contact University Life. 

As always, Student Government is here to assist you. Do not hesitate to reach out to sg@gmu.edu.

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University Updates

COVID-19 Reopening Updates

On Monday, August 10, Mason’s president, Dr. Gregory Washington, released an email detailing important updates to the university’s reopening plan. To read the full email, please check your university email or visit this page. Below is a noninclusive list of some of those updates.

  • Courses will remain “as in” unless a faculty member’s circumstances have changed, in which case they may contact their respective supervisors.
  • All courses will transition online after November 30. This is to minimize the risk of transmitting both COVID-19 and influenza, which are expected to begin season surges around that date.
  • The academic calendar remains the same.
  • Residence halls will remain open throughout the semester.
  • Pre-move in testing is required for all resident students.At move in, students will require proof that they have completed the test.
  • Daily health checks are required for all who step on campus. Students can access this through Blackboard (at the top of the page click “Access the Journal”).

For a list of COVID-19-related FAQs, please visit this page.

Student Government is closely involved with COVID-19 reopening discussions. We are helping to produce the COVID-19 mandatory training, working on videos to discuss the importance of wearing a mask, and continuously meeting with administration to make sure we are on track with what’s going on. We plan to keep the student body updated by ensuring information about a safe return to campus is shared with you all.

Check out the latest video from George Mason about doing your part for a safe fall semester:

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University Updates

Safe Return to Rec at Mason

If you are anything like me, then you have been missing the gym the last few months. Luckily, recreation at Mason – yes, gyms included – has returned. However, there’s a few important detail you need to know before hitting the gym.

Mason Recreation published this short, 2-minute video detailing the steps they are taking for a safe return.

In addition, check out their latest message to the community. Here are some key things you need to know:

  • You need to make a reservation to use all workout facilities on campus. You can learn how to do that by watching this video.
  • You must complete a daily health screening before entering, and ideally before you come to campus. Students can access this by going to Blackboard and clicking “Access the Journal” at the top of the page.
  • Masks are required at all times, including while exercising.
  • Patrons will be provided a spray bottle and towel are should clean the equipment before and after each use.
  • Lockers and cubbies will be closed, so come changed and ready to exercise. You may bring a small bag with you to keep at all times.

Currently, all recreation facilities (except Skyline) are open under Level 1 precautions. You can view the full schedule here.

We hope you have a safe and fun time at the gym!

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University Updates

Mason’s Safe Return to Campus Plan

George Mason administrators have been working hard to plan for a safe return to campus this fall. Below are some of the key components of the plan. You may read the full plan here or learn more by visiting the Safe Return to Campus webpage.

Preparation for Opening Campus

  • Signs and Postings
    • The university will post signs and reminders for public health and safety precautions in accordance with Forward Virginia Guidelines and the Governor’s Executive Orders
    • Signs will be posted in key locations easily visible to visitors, faculty, staff and students, including (but not limited to) the following: parking lots, building entrances, common areas within buildings, elevator lobbies, entrances to classrooms and instructional spaces, any room with an occupancy change, at the start of queues or lines, state vehicles, Mason Shuttle stops, restroom entrances, restroom mirrors, and dining facilities
  • Unit/Department Safety Plans
    • Each unit/department Dean or supervisor must oversee the development of a Unit/Department Safety Plan that describes how the department will implement public health and safety guidance for activities that cannot be conducted at home or by telework
  • Communications
    • The university has established a Communications Working Group, led by the central communications team and with partners from across the university, that will establish standards, policies, and protocols for sharing information
    • The communications team has also created a Safe Return to Campus website on which current, vetted, and timely information is posted as it becomes available
  • Trainings
    • The university is providing training to all faculty, staff, and students on the precautions that the university is implementing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19
    • Training curriculum includes an overview of COVID-19 epidemiology, the safety measures the university is taking, and individual responsibilities students, faculty, and staff must meet when on campus
    • Student Safe Return to Campus Training will be administered through the university’s learning management system, MyMason. Students will be assigned training and will be notified of noncompliance

Physical (Social) Distancing

  • People must maintain a minimum of six feet separation (approximately two arm lengths) from other people whenever possible and all university employees and students are eligible to receive two face coverings
  • Signs and floor markings are posted prominently to remind people of physical distancing
  • requirement
  • Maximizing telework options for employees to facilitate compliance with physical distancing requirements
  • Classrooms and instructional spaces have been modified such that seating has been spaced out to allow for six feet of distance between students and faculty have been allocated more space, up to100 square fee
  • Space Evaluations
    • The use of elevators should be avoided when possible to prevent proximity with others in an enclosed space. Should it be impossible to avoid using an elevator, the occupancy limit per car is two (2) individuals
    • Occupancy in public restrooms will be adjusted to support physical distancing requirements by marking every other stall, sink, or urinal as DO NOT USE
    • Staff meetings, departmental seminars, faculty meetings, graduate defenses, etc. should be held in virtual format, whenever possible
    • Events (including athletic events, conferences, ceremonies, and performances) must be approved by the Events Exception Committee
    • To promote physical distancing in atriums, lobbies, student centers, study spaces and other common areas, kiosks, furniture, work stations and other equipment have been removed or relocated; barriers have been added to kiosks and customer service areas as appropriate and the number of locker rental locations have been reduced

Face Coverings

  • University Policy 1415 COVID-19 Public Health and Safety Precautions – Face Coverings establishes the requirement for face coverings on university property
  • All university employees and students are eligible to receive two face coverings
  • The university will provide two reusable face coverings to Mason students, faculty and staff, or individuals may elect to use their own face coverings provided they meet the requirements for face coverings outlined in University Policy 1415 Public Health and Safety Precautions – Face Coverings and the Safe Return to Campus Plan
  • University Life will oversee the distribution of face coverings for students
  • Face coverings will be available for purchase in the book store and vending machines
  • When face coverings are removed temporarily for meals or other breaks throughout the day, they should be placed into a labeled bag for temporary storage
  • Face coverings should not be shared with others
  • It is the responsibility of the wearer to launder or hand-wash face coverings after each day of use
  • If you are around individuals who are not wearing a face covering, maintain physical distance of at least six feet. Remember that certain individuals are unable to wear a face covering due to certain medical conditions
  • Students who have a disability that may prohibit the use of face coverings should contact Disability Services (ods@gmu.edu or (703) 993-2474)

Enhanced Cleaning for Common Areas and Public Spaces

  • Housing Operations has primary responsibility for cleaning of HRL buildings on-campus, Sodexo is responsible for all dining hall operations (including cleaning), and LT (custodial services contractor) Services is responsible for cleaning of all other on-campus locations
  • High contact surfaces in common areas and public spaces in all campus buildings will be cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-approved disinfectant every two (2) hours during normal operating hours
  • Hand sanitizer dispensers will be installed at main building entrances and in elevator lobbies on all floors as necessary based on risk assessment

Classrooms

  • In an effort to limit disruption to classroom schedules, high contact surfaces in classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-approved disinfectant twice each day during normal operation hours, in addition to regular overnight cleaning
  • High contact surfaces in classrooms may include, but are not limited to: doorknobs/handles/push-plates, chairs, desks, lecterns, storage cubicles, demonstration tables, and AV Control remotes.
  • Sanitizing wipe dispensers will be placed in every classroom for students to disinfect individual student desks/chairs and for faculty to disinfect the lectern/table/AV controls at the end of every class.
  • Instructions on how to safely use sanitizing wipes will be provided to all students and faculty as part of the Safe Return to Campus Training.
  • Hand sanitizer dispensers will be installed in common areas inside classroom buildings.
  • Students will receive advance notice of schedule adjustments and the Mason community will receive a final communication that provides an overall view of instruction for the fall

Dining

  • High contact surfaces in dining halls restaurants and food service areas will be cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-approved disinfectant every hour during normal operating hours
  • Occupancy will be restricted to promote physical distancing. New occupancies will be based on health requirements, space assessments, and existing certificates of occupancy
  • To promote proper seating of tables and to eliminate people congregating in waiting areas, reservations for seating will be required
    • Reservations can be made online only via Yelp reservation website or applications
    • Reservations can be made for up to four people
    • Reservations are not required for grab-and-go or retail dining
  • All dining tables will be six feet apart. Additional or unused tables have or will be removed from the location to enforce physical distancing
  • Table bussers have been added as staff positions to disinfect tables and chairs after each seating and before another reservation is seated
  • All self-serve stations (except some beverage areas) have been eliminated and have been replaced with an attendant that will serve all food to guests
  • Microwaves and toasters will be removed from locations
  • Most retail dining locations will offer delivery and pick-up services utilizing Starship and Grub Hub
    • Customer movement will be managed utilizing one-way isles, floor decals, plexiglass barriers, and stanchions
  • For all dining locations on the Fairfax Campus, Mason’s Starship robot delivery service will be utilized to reduce traffic in dining establishments and promote physical distancing. Robots will be sanitized prior to each order and disinfected overnight

Housing

  • High contact surfaces in residence hall common areas and public spaces will be cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-approved disinfectant every two (2) hours during designated hours
  • Individual student bedrooms and in-suite bathrooms and kitchens are the responsibility of the occupants to clean
  • Hand sanitizer dispensers will be installed at main building entrances and in elevator lobbies on all floors
  • To minimize chances of an outbreak, maximum capacity of the residence halls has been reduced by 25% with no more than 2 people in a room. Students will be placed in single occupancy spaces, unless the student requests or approves having a roommate for the fall semester
  • HRL anticipates up to 4,500 students will reside on the Fairfax campus for the fall semester
  • All student staff will attend virtual training in August
  • All residential students will complete training in August. This training will cover daily health screening, what to do if feeling ill, physical distancing, face coverings, and hygiene practices
  • To retain their on-campus status, residents will be required to regularly complete and submit the SHS COVID-19 health questionnaire and complete the health and exposure screening daily
  • Residents will not be allowed guests within their spaces. Both non-Mason and Mason affiliated guests are prohibited from entering residential spaces
  • Residents will not be able to use cell phones in hallways and common bathroom areas
  • Residents must observe proper physical distancing measures at all times both in their room and in common spaces
  • Residence halls will have doors designated as entrance or exit-only to encourage one-way traffic
  • Elevator use will be limited and overall discouraged; when elevators are used, only two people per car are allowed, unless otherwise posted
  • HRL will continue the practice of only allowing residential students to have access on their ID card
  • Common spaces such as kitchens and lounges may be taken offline until deemed safe for common use by HRL, EHS, and/or the university
  • Due to the limited number of residents living on-campus and the residence halls used for occupancy, HRL will only operate two (2) 24/7 desk for the fall 2020 semester—at Piedmont/Tidewater and Eisenhower
  • The HRL Desks will suspend the practice of renting out board games, athletic equipment, HDMI cords, and other items that may result in the spread of the virus. Essential items such as loaner cards and keys will be frequently wiped down with provided cleaning supplies
  • Housing & Residence Life will create Virtual (only) Learning Communities (VLC) for the full academic year

Recreation Centers, Training Areas, Athletic and Exercise Spaces

  • Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) will welcome back student athletes in August. Skyline, RAC, and Aquatic and Fitness Center will resume operations in July and August
  • High contact surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-approved disinfectant every two (2) hours during normal operating hours
  • Equipment must be cleaned and disinfected after each use and equipment that cannot be thoroughly disinfected between uses (climbing rope, exercise bands, etc.) cannot be used. Additionally, activities that require more than one person (such as spotting for the use of free weights) is prohibited
  • At least ten feet physical distancing will be maintained between persons during all activities during individual practices, group exercise sessions, using exercise equipment, at check in, and in locker rooms
  • Equipment will be relocated or marked out of service if physical distancing cannot be accomplished
  • The total number of participants in group exercise and fitness classes will not exceed 30% of the max occupancy or more than 50 persons
  • Hot tubs, spas, splash pads, spray pools, and interactive play will remain closed until further notice in accordance with Executive Orders
  • The university’s indoor pools will open for lap swim, instruction, and diving only when deemed appropriate by the facility manager and so long as 10 feet separation can be maintained between swimmers within one lane and no lane exceeds three swimmers
  • Screening must be conducted before students, student athletes, faculty, and staff can enter recreational facilities

Events

  • The Events Exception Committee will perform risk assessments, as requested by the Event Coordinator, on specific events/gatherings through the fall semester
  • Event considerations will be based on location (indoor or outdoor), size and scope of the events, space requested which must allow for physical distancing, cleaning and sanitation of the space and number of expected attendees with special consideration of mission critical events
  • Events are limited to 50% occupancy of the event space
  • Events cannot exceed 150 participants to include organizers
  • Space must be configured to ensure six feed of physical distance
  • Face coverings must be worn while participating in the event
  • Events/gatherings cannot be open to the general public

Transportation

  • Mason encourages the use of transportation modes that limit contact with others (outside of household members). These modes include walking, biking (when distance permits), scooters and ride share with a regular group of individuals
  • University signage regarding physical distancing and other COVID-19 related information will be posted at shuttle stop locations and on shuttles
  • Individuals must wear face coverings and maintain physical distancing of at least six feet at shuttle stops
  • Seating may be reduced by up to 25% of maximum capacity with one rider per row, alternating sides of the shuttle and maintaining six-foot separation between riders
  • The shuttle driver will disinfect high touch points several times per shift using an EPA-approved disinfectant
  • If it becomes known that a person who has been on a Mason Shuttle tests positive for COVID-19, contact tracing will be conducted and the shuttle will be pulled out of service for a deep cleaning before being put back into use
  • Many parking options including daily permits have been made available for those as an alternative to using transit without having to commit to long-term parking permits
  • E-scooters are currently not in use, but plan to return to the Fairfax Campus in mid-August
  • Most permits are sold online, the customer either is mailed the permit directly from the permit manufacturer or can print a permit themselves. Additional mobile payment options will be added to minimize the need to use parking pay stations, but pay stations will be cleaned regularly

Travel

  • The University Travel Advisory Committee (UTAC) assesses risks for all university-sponsored or university-related domestic and international travel for faculty, staff, and students
  • The ability to travel is directly affected by the operating status of common carriers (e.g., air, rail, bus) as well as country-specific quarantine requirements and border closures
  • The Office of International Programs and Services will continue to support international students, both virtually and in-person. Additionally, housing will be available on-campus for students who have applied by the deadline. Per the CDC recommendations, students who are arriving to Mason for the fall semester from abroad may need to quarantine in accordance with current public health and safety recommendations
  • Some potential challenges include federal regulations regarding the number of online credits allowed for international students. Additionally, new students who are outside of the US may experience difficulty arriving by August, due to the number of US consular posts that are closed world-wide, the limited number of international flights, and other COVID-19 travel restrictions. The Office of International Programs and Services and the Office of Admissions are monitoring these issues carefully
  • The University Travel Advisory Committee (UTAC) will need to continue monitoring changes to Commonwealth of Virginia Executive Orders, CDC Warnings, and U.S. State Department Travel Advisories for updated guidance on travel to address the needs of the university. The committee will also monitor country-specific entry restrictions and quarantine requirements and flight limitations

Resources

  • University leadership is monitoring this situation and adjusting plans and procedures accordingly.  The most current information about the university’s precautions and plans, are available online in the Safe Return to Campus Plan:
  • Questions about student support and resources please contact University Life at Ulife@gmu.edu
  • If you are a residential student and have questions about housing arrangements or plans, please contact at housing@gmu.edu
  •  Requests for accommodations due increased risk as defined by the CDC should be directed to Disability Services at ds@gmu.edu
  • Please direct all questions about classes or academic issues to your academic unit or advisor
  • Counseling and Psychological Services: CAPS@gmu.edu
  • Student Support & Advocacy Center: SSAC@gmu.edu
  • Lastly, if you have specific questions about Mason’s response to COVID-19 or how the institution’s safety precautions apply to you, please contact Environmental Health and Safety at safety@gmu.edu
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University Updates

We Want to Hear From You Re: Fall 2020

Recently, Mason released the Tiger Team report. This report details potential learning options for Fall 2020.

Student Government and the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA) worked with university leaders to create a survey for all Mason students regarding Fall 2020 options. We want to hear from you!

Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey here.

Your answers are critical in informing university decisions moving forward.

Potential learning options for Fall 2020 (page 19, Tiger Team Report).
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University Updates

CARES Act Distribution Information

A double rainbow brightens the sky over the HUB, on the Fairfax Campus. photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

On Tuesday, May 12 the university sent an email providing students with information related to CARES Act distribution. The COVID-19 CARES Act is part of federal government COVID-19 emergency grants provided to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.

The email stated that per federal guidelines, students are only eligible to receive CARES Act funding through option one or option two as outlined below.

  1. COVID-19 CARES Act awards will be allocated proactively to students with the highest urgency as determined by Financial Aid.
  2. Supplemental funding will be allocated to students who apply through the COVID-19 Student Emergency Assistance Funding process.

The eligibility guidelines for the COVID-19 CARES Act awards proactively allocated by Financial Aid are as follows:

  • Students must be Title IV eligible;
  • Students must not have been enrolled in a fully online program prior to the pandemic;
  • Students must be currently enrolled as a graduate or undergraduate in good Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP);
  • Graduate students must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,576 or less;
  • Undergraduate students must have an EFC of $9,999 or less, with unmet financial need of $1,000 or more;
  • Students must have filed a valid/complete FAFSA;
  • Students must have accepted all the financial aid offered to them.

Additionally, according to the email, IF YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR A COVID-19 CARES ACT AWARD OR DID NOT RECEIVE AN AWARD FROM THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE but you still require financial support due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can apply for emergency funding by visiting the COVID-19 Student Emergency Assistance Funding information page and application.  CARES Act funding is just one of the funding sources used to make emergency awards.

There will be additional opportunities to apply for emergency funding for summer and fall semesters.  Information is forthcoming. The university will distribute emergency funding as quickly as possible.  Further clarification is available by reading CARES funding FAQs.

If you have questions about an award that has been posted on your financial aid account, please contact finaid@gmu.edu.

If you have questions about the COVID-19 emergency assistance funding process, please contact University Life at ulife@gmu.edu.

As always, if you have feedback related to this update, please email sg@gmu.edu.

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University Updates

Deadline to Opt-In to Alternate Grading via Patriot Web Now May 11

Update (May 11, 15:45): The university Registrar has sent an email to students alerting them of the change. Please check your student email for more information. Additionally, the Change of Grade Mode Request form can be found here.

The deadline to opt-in to alternative grading (XS, XP, XN) on a course by course basis through Patriot Web has been changed to Monday, May 11. According to the Registrar’s Office, students may still opt-in past May 11 (until May 20) but will be required to fill out the Change of Grade Mode Request form for each course. Please see additional details on the Registrar’s official site.

Update (May 9, 14:30): The Chairman of the Senate Academics Committee, Moses Hunsaker, received word from Dr. Bethany Usher, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, who had the following to say regarding the change:

We haven’t actually changed the date you can ask for the alternative grade, but we have had to change the process. May 11 is the first day that faculty can submit grades. Once a professor submits a final grade, the Patriot Web system won’t allow a change in the grade type. At that point, you can still ask for the change to the COVID-19 alternative grading system by using the form that the Registrar has posted, and it will be processed by them.The final date that you can choose to use the alternative grading system is May 20, but there will be a grace period of a few days after to allow students to get the form turned in.

Again, you still have until May 20th to choose the alternative grade, but because of the way that the Patriot Web system works, we had to use the form to give students maximum flexibility. Please feel free to let students know this through your email lists and social media. 

Email exchange between Moses and Dr. Usher on May 9.

Update (May 9, 21:30): We have spoken with the University Registrar, Doug McKenna, and we have advocated that a student-wide email be sent out to address the mass confusion.

Student Government will continue to explore the situation and provide relevant updates as needed. If you have any feedback or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

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University Updates

Fall Registration is Open

Patriots –

Registration for the Fall 2020 term has opened, with Honors College and Graduate students registering May 1.

Fall 2020 Registration Dates

To find your specific registration time or for more details about fall registration, click here. The opening comes weeks after administrators delayed registration due to the uncertainty surrounding the fall term. Many students are reporting last minute changes to their classes, so be sure to plan ahead and check Patriot Web often.

Despite fall class registration starting, many students are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding the status of classes in the fall: online or in person? At this time the university has not given a concrete answer, but university administrators are consulting students, faculty, and staff (as well as public health officials) to determine the best route to go.

We will continue to keep you updated as Student Government learns more.