Student Government

Student government continues flash debate and lecture series

This fall, Student Government started up its Flash Lecture series after a successful trial of the program last spring.

Former student senator Donald Garrett to continue lawsuit against Student Government

Former student senator Donald Garrett was ordered by a judge to file an amended complaint against George Mason University’s student government.

OPINION: Business interests, academia and the fiscal realities of contemporary education

Academia and business, those star-crossed lovers, locked horns in two major educational crises this past year. First, the University of Virginia was thrown into turmoil when their Board of Visitors suddenly and brazenly fired and subsequently rehired the university president who, up to that point, had served less than two years. The second catastrophe came this past week in Chicago when negotiations between the Chicago Teachers Union and the mayor dissolved into a full-on strike by the teachers, leaving nearly 400,000 students out of school.

Student government explores new decision making policies

On September 7, the Student Senate created a task force to find new ways of representing the student body in forming university policies.

“The Student Senate of George Mason University supports the exploration of a shared governance model that brings students, faculty, staff, and administrators to the decision making table,” read the resolution passed by the Student Senate.

Even though student government represents the student body, it has no power to implement its policies.

Cabrera attends first student government meeting

George Mason University held its first student government meeting of the semester on Thursday. President Cabrera was in attendance to share his plans for the school.

Cabrera provided the attendees with a speech in which he emphasized the importance of leadership and defined his “new vision” for Mason. Cabrera explained how his goal is “one that we will all remember” in years to follow. He plans to develop a set of aspirations and to highlight achievements of Mason graduates.

Student Government debuts 'Flash Lectures'

Student Government is debuting a Flash Lecture series this semester, inviting professors and performers to deliver a 15-20 minute "lecture" to students on campus. The goal of the lectures is to engage students on different topics in an informal atmosphere.

Williams, Foster elected student body president and vice-president

Alex Williams and Jordan Foster win the elections for student body president and vice-president with 933 votes. Full results for the executive and senate races are posted within.

SG ballots go online without choices for student senators

The online ballot for Student Government’s Spring 2012 elections that went live early Monday morning excluded the section in which to vote for student senators. Now fixed, the ballot only presented students with voting options for student body president and vice president.

Less than 130 students were affected by the “irregularity,” according to Election and Disputes Commission chairman David Bier, who said Monday morning that the students who only got to vote for executive positions will be contacted about how they can still vote for student senators.

Weekly Rundown: 5 events for your week

No time to look through Today @ Mason or sift through Facebook event invitations? We've got you covered. Here are some events for the week to consider placing on your Google Calendar or iCal. (Or your traditional paper planner.)

Monday, April 2 and Thursday, April 5
Pride Week 2012: Season Opener

What it is: Join the Mason LGBTQ community and Pride Week Committee twice this week as they kick off Pride Week 2012 with two outdoor fairs featuring music and vendors.  Show the DC area that “Mason Pride is where PRIDE season begins.”

Why it’s our pick: Pride Week events will be occurring throughout the week, so be sure to check the LGBTQ Resources website for a full rundown of what’s happening!

Where: JC North Plaza, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Wednesday, April 4
SG Election Results Announcment

What it is: Find out who will be representing the Mason student body next year when the winners of the 2012 Student Government race for President, Vice President and Student Senate are announced this week.

Why it’s our pick: The announcement of the winners will finally bring this year’s tumultuous Student Government campaign season to a close.  Congratulate the winners and keep your eyes open for what they bring to the table over the next year.

Where: JC Atrium, 12 – 1 p.m.

Wednesday, March 4 Sunday, April 15
Ringling Bros. Circus: Fully Charged

What it is: It’s that time of year again!  The Ringling Bros. Circus is once again bringing the laughs, thrills and death defying stunts to the Patriot Center in a 10-day engagement that’s sure to provide boundless entertainment for children of all ages.

Why it’s our pick: The show should have something for almost everyone.  Remember that parking in the vicinity of the Patriot Center might be hard to come by while the circus is here.  Tickets are available through the Patriot Center box office and all other Ticketmaster outlets.

Where: Patriot Center, first show is April 4 at 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 5
Linguistics Film Series: The Linguists

What it is: The Linguists is a documentary that follows David Harrison and Gregory Anderson, two linguists seeking to document and study endangered languages before they go extinct.  The film explores the cultures and communities put at risk by the death of a language.

Why it’s our pick: Language is a key aspect of what makes us human, and when a language dies, unique knowledge and perspectives go with it.  Also, the spirit of Harrison and Anderson has been likened to that of Indiana Jones by the Hollywood Reporter, how is that not cool?

Where: Johnson Center room D, 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Thursday, April 5
Mason Players: Life of Galileo

What it is: The Mason Players are putting on German playwright Bertolt Brecht’s Life of Galileo in what’s sure to be a treat for theater, history and astronomy buffs alike.

Why it’s our pick: This is a chance to see a play by one of the most well-respected dramatists of the twentieth century.  Tickets are available for $15 and $10 through the Center for the Arts box office.

Where: Harris Theater, 8 p.m.

Student Government executive hopefuls state cases ahead of April 2 voting [VIDEO]

If you haven't taken the time to know who is running to represent the student body through Student Government as student body president and vice president, scroll down below for quick videos of each of the three eligible tickets. Each was given an opportunity to discuss who they are and why they're running ahead of this week's voting.