News

Mason establishes partnership with Mexican university

In the Delegates Lounge of the Department of State, the Mason Enterprise Center (MEC) finalized a deal to take their business incubator model global. The deal formalized a partnership between the MEC and the Autonomous University of Nuevo León (UANL) to build economic prospects in Mexico and collaborative business ventures. The deal is a landmark as the first partnership formed under the Small Business Network of the Americas, a recently launched State Department program.

Updated: News Hub for the Provost Candidates

With the impending departure of Dr. Peter Stearns, who will step down to join the history department, the search is underway for a new provost. The Provost Search Committee has narrowed the search down to four candidates, each of whom will give a presentation to Mason faculty, staff, and students before the final decision is made.

Provost candidate David Wu delivers presentation to Mason community

In a presentation to administration and faculty, David Wu, a finalist in Mason’s Provost search, highlighted the need for universities to be responsive to trends in higher education. Out of 70 applicants, Wu, dean of the Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science at Lehigh University, was chosen by the provost search committee as one of the four finalists for the position.

Provost candidate Diane Chase delivers presentation to Mason community

The provost search committee presented Dr. Diane Chase as one of their four  finalists chosen for the position of university provost on  Feb. 4.

Chase, currently the executive vice provost at the University of Central Florida, is an anthropologist by training, who spent the session presenting her relevant credentials and experience, as well as answering the questions of the various Mason faculty members and staff in the audience. 

Mason introduces co-ed living options

Beginning in Fall 2014, returning students applying for on-campus housing will have the new option of “flexible housing” which allows students to live with the opposite gender.

Expected funding for Robinson demolition, renovation not included in state budget

Senior university administrators held a forum on Jan. 28th on the current budget situation at Mason as well as the implications as to what the governor’s proposed budget would be.

According to Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance, J.J. Davis, there are many internal and external factors  placing pressure on the way forward for the university, ranging from the presence (or lack thereof) of state support to the national conversation around student debt and affordability of higher education.

Poll: Masonlive update

A new update to Outlook and Masonlive has changed the appearance and layout of the webpage. Reactions on social media have been mixed.

Mason students honored for a fund to help homeless students

On Jan. 28, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized Mason seniors Yara Mowafy and Jordan Bivings for their efforts in setting up the Student Meal Assistance Fund at Mason.  

Mowafy and Bivings set up the assistance fund last November to assist homeless students by giving the students vouchers to be used at dining locations to help them get meals on campus.

"We're just trying to make it aware to students, that, you know, someone who's sitting next to you may not be able to afford to eat," Bivings said.

Delegate Bulova issues "Message to Mason"

Delegate David Bulova, a democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 37th District, recorded a “Message for Mason” January 27th for “Take it to the Hill”, a political talk show that airs on WGMU. In his message, Bulova discusses some of the upcoming issues facing the House of Delegates. In the wake of the former Governor Robert McDonnell scandal regarding campaign gifts, Bulova says the House will consider legislation requiring increased transparency for similar contributions.

New university policy regulates campus utility vehicles

The many golf carts zipping around campus are now being officially regulated for the first time thanks to the new University Policy 1131. The new policy, enacted earlier this month, covers the use of motorized utility vehicles (MUVs) on campus, including golf carts. MUVs, which are plentiful at  Mason, are vehicles that are not licensed by the State and not intended for road use. The policy covers the purchase, operation and maintenance of MUVs on campus.