Latest Fourth Estate Articles

A pair of models pose for cameras at the BSA Fashion Show at Mason on March 29. (Jalynn Kirabo / Fourth Estate)

BY BASIL MUSTAFA, STAFF WRITER

The Black Student Alliance (BSA) combined flowing, colorful fabrics, a range of musical genres and fine-tuned choreography for their 2026 fashion show titled “Elemental Roots of Style” on March 29.

The show was directed by sophomore Mechanical Engineering major Starr Davis, who modeled in last year’s show. Embroidery and handmade designs accentuated strong pieces that told a story through flowers, fire and water to mimic the natural elements.

To start the event, models gathered around the runway in all black and struck poses as an emcee laid out the expectations for the show. After a short interpretive dance, the intro to The Weeknd’s “Dawn FM” played as models exited the runway in preparation for the rest of the performance.

The show began with a pair of models in black and white dresses adorned with an assortment of flowers. With an umbrella in hand, the model in white spun behind the model in black as a shower of red rose petals fell to the runway.

The energy picked up as the music shifted to afrofusion and a theme of general greenery. One highly accessorized model leapt across the runway wearing a knitted fishnet top followed by another in an all-green dashiki.

As heavy punk rock began to play, five models walked out, each alongside someone dressed in a red hooded cape. The hooded models surrounded the others before they all made their way off the runway.

A fire and brimstone motif was set ablaze with music that was tempered with more bass and distortion. A model in a wedding dress and red veil walked the runway with a model in a white suit shirt, fur boots and red threads. Their poses were done in quick succession to a raucous crowd.

F1lthy’s producer tag played in unison with the entrance of two models, one wearing a black tux with a red sash and the other sporting a black and red kurta. Their movements were synchronized as they stepped to the beat of “All Red” by Playboi Carti. 

Homage was paid to the late Luci4 as his song “Hey” played during the walkout of a model with an all-black fit.

Although the models began to recycle, the energy and outfits remained palpable. By the time the fire and brimstone section came to an end, the crowd was fully involved. 

During intermission, attendees themselves participated in a best dressed competition. Afterwards, two models began a bridal-like procession. One wore a red and white embroidered tuxedo and the other wore a dress and blue tophat.

A model poses on the runway during the oceanic theme at the BSA Fashion Show on March 29. (Jalynn Kirabo / Fourth Estate)

The show transitioned to an oceanic blue section, and accessories and jewelry shimmered in the reflection of the stage lighting. Models wore statement blue fabrics and walked to “Rock the Boat” by Aaliyah. 

The show ended with a brown, earthy theme. The highlight of the section featured a model wearing a brown dashiki paired with a partner wearing a short, ruffled white dress.

A model wears earthy tones for the elemental theme at the BSA Fashion Show on March 29. (Jalynn Kirabo / Fourth Estate)

Davis said that the fashion show was “one of the greatest leadership experiences [she’s] had” and that she built a familial connection with everyone involved with the show.

She also talked about her experience as a model at last year’s BSA fashion show and how that inspired her to direct her own show. 

Davis added that she really loves “Earth and all the different elements” and she incorporated different dance pieces because of her passion for dance.

“I really wanted to see if I could make my own personal visions happen,” Davis said.

Adjunct faculty and graduate student instructors at George Mason report concerns over low pay, limited job security and heavy workloads. (Detra Bell / Fourth Estate)

BY LORENZO IRAHETA-LEON, STAFF WRITER

A growing number of adjunct professors and graduate student instructors at George Mason are voicing dissatisfaction with their treatment by the university’s administration. 

janet e. dandridge, co-chair of the George Mason Provost’s Office Adjunct Faculty Committee and adjunct faculty in the School of Art, spoke on issues faced by the faculty. 

“The vast majority of complaints that are shared with me are about not being paid on time, being underpaid, not having benefits, unexpected workloads and having classes cancelled up to one week prior to the beginning of the semester,” she said.

At Mason, adjunct professors are hired on a semester-by-semester contractual basis, with no guarantee of renewal, limited access to benefits and no job security compared to their full-time counterparts. 

dandridge said “An adjunct who’s been working 23 years, teaching the same courses, has to sign a contract each semester for those same courses. It’s ridiculous,”

“Adjuncts are a unique bunch in the university. Usually, we are working full-time in our professions, and sharing real-world, real-time knowledge with students, which is invaluable.” she added.

For the majority of adjunct faculty in public Virginia universities, their income primarily comes from their professional work while also teaching at different schools. 

“I really want to emphasize that adjunct faculty contracts are per semester, they are three to four months long, you’re turning around every three to four months without knowing you’ll have a job,” dandridge said. 

When discussing issues that faculty face at Mason, dandridge highlighted primary university-wide shortcomings. According to her, the university does not provide adjunct faculty with a clear orientation to faculty resources upon being hired, pathways to share grievances and processes for resolving those grievances.   

“You are working in a university where you don’t have a voice. Who do you go to when leadership says this is an issue that you have to discuss with leadership? Aren’t you leadership? If there is no path, how do you resolve the problems you’re having?” dandridge said. 

George Mason has representative bodies for non-tenure faculty members, including the Adjunct Faculty Committee and the Graduate and Professional Student Association. 

Drew Leisner, a graduate student in the College of Science, said “We haven’t had the opportunity to talk to anyone higher than that in the administration. I know [that’s what] the graduate student government GAPSA is for, but I actually served on that a few years ago and I don’t really think it was very effective in that role.”

According to GAPSA, its purpose is to serve as a body for graduate and professional students to voice issues, advocate for the greater good and to create a stronger graduate community.

“We’ve met with the leadership in our department [who say] a lot about ‘oh we’ll make sure this will never happen again,’ and we were then able to get in touch with one or two people from the college who just then deflected all the blame back onto our department.” Leisner said. 

Graduate students’ primary pursuit is an advanced degree and a focus on research, but they often also have to teach classes in order to support their academic pursuits. They have been facing issues similar to the adjuncts’ issues, with the two groups’ complaints often overlapping. 

Peter McEachern, a PhD student in the Psychology department, said, “We’re expendable … we are expected to shoulder far more work than anyone realistically can. We do it because we have to, many of us are here because we are passionate about what we do and what we study.”

Adjunct professors have voiced similar complaints about overworking while also touching on the financial issues they face. 

“I love teaching, but just have to do so much of it that I can never really do as good of a job as I would like. Same with the research, my workload is just so insane that I can’t give my best to anything,” McEachern said. 

Mason’s stipend level is low compared to other public Va. institutions and Northern Virginia’s high cost of living,, especially for adjuncts and graduate and professional students. 

“I live in Arlington, so this is the highest cost of living area in the whole state, but as far as I’m aware, the average stipend level at George Mason is the lowest average stipend level for any public school in Virginia,” Leisner said.

The faculty’s financial struggles have brought up comparisons to Mason’s recent staffing and budget deliberations. 

“I went to the Board of Visitors meeting and Mason’s strategy to weather their budgetary issues was to stop hiring staff and to replace full-time staff that departed with part-time staff, while increasing enrollment,” McEachern said. “So basically just massively increase the work that we’re doing.” 

“We have a very well paid administration, but we have some of the biggest gaps in staffing for any public university in Virginia,” Leisner said. “I think there is definitely [space for] the administration to look at the budget and there are some holes that can be filled.”

George Mason’s administration did not respond to the Fourth Estate’s request for comment. 

The American Association of University Professors held a community town hall on state workers’ collective bargaining rights Feb. 28. The town hall centered around Mason’s and Va.’s collective bargaining bills SB378 and HB1263. 

The bills would lift the ban on public sector collective bargaining while excluding home care workers and higher education faculty. The two bills passed the Va. General Assembly, establishing statewide collective bargaining for public sector employees. 

As higher education faculty are currently excluded from the bills, university workers remain feeling underrepresented in their work. 

“I have a terminal degree in my field — I have 25 plus years of experience — I have been diligently and tirelessly doing what I can to help my students holistically,” dandridge said.

“I care about my colleagues and the experience we have, and what I want is [for the administration] to understand that I’ve invested so much time in what I do to get to pick where I can teach people effectively and the university is taking advantage of me,” she emphasized. 

“The Mason motto is ‘Altogether Different’, but it is not. It should say Mason is not altogether different; Mason is like any other exploitative institution,” dandridge said. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: janet e. dandridge requested her name to be uncapitalized.

The view from inside Tower Three looking at Chakaia Booker’s new exhibit “In the Tower: Treading New Ground” in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 2026. (Anisa Fox / Fourth Estate)

BY ANISA FOX, STAFF WRITER

In Tower Three of the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., there is a small, brightly lit room with walls adorned in car tires. 

The exhibit, titled “In the Tower: Treading New Ground,” opened last April and will run until Aug. 2, 2026. It features three installations by Chakaia Booker, an internationally renowned sculptor who uses reclaimed and otherwise discarded materials to create her work. 

The museum is located alongside other Smithsonian museums on 7th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. The exhibit is open daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and free to all visitors.   

Tower Three is situated behind several abstract art spaces featuring works such as a giant blue chicken by Katharina Fritsch on the building’s roof, the massive emotion filled squares by infamous painter Mark Rothko and graffiti-like creations by Jean Dubuffet in the east building adjoining the tower.

Climbing up the spiral staircase to the skylight-lit exhibit, viewers are invited to go up close with the installations and are welcome to feel them. The three heavy pieces measure up to 21 feet wide each. 

The works featured are titled “Acid Rain” (2001), “Echoes in Black” (1996) and “It’s So Hard to Be Green” (2000). The exhibit is the result of 40 laborious years of collecting, cleaning, hauling, cutting and shaping tires. Together the pieces tell a story of Earth’s fight against environmental threats. 

“Acid Rain” symbolizes the “destruction and creative possibilities of our interactions with the environment,” while “Echoes in Black” evokes a “landscape choked by industry,” according to the museum labels. 

“It’s So Hard to Be Green” symbolizes the difficulty of finding the best way to tackle environmental issues. 

Descriptions in the exhibit explain that for Booker, using reclaimed materials in her art allows her to make a statement about environmental destruction. Saving these materials from a landfill death — where they could release harmful chemicals into the environment — embodies her message.

“I saw and still see the recycling of old tires as a contribution to the resolution of the issues involved both realistically and symbolically,” Booker wrote in the exhibit label.

The view from inside Tower Three looking at Chakaia Booker’s new exhibit “In the Tower: Treading New Ground” in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 2026. (Anisa Fox / Fourth Estate)

As a viewer, seeing the pieces in person for the first time is striking. It’s easy to feel consumed by the art as if the swirls of the sculpted car, truck and bike tires are going to envelop you in their black. 

The exhibit is best experienced by sitting in front of each work to observe the very intentional cutting and molding of the tires and how each piece, despite being physically stagnant, contains a movement that carries breath away. Their significance is impossible to ignore. 

The National Gallery of Art remains a unique, free and family friendly experience in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. It makes otherwise hidden issues, artists and works of art accessible to a varied audience. 

Booker’s work is just one of many exhibits that evoke deep emotions and pose questions about the human experience. 

A sandwich, cheesecake and specialty drinks sit on a table at Haraz Coffee House in Fairfax, Va., on March 5, 2026. (Avi Terali / Fourth Estate)

BY AVI TERALI, STAFF WRITER

The hiss of the espresso machine, the low hum of conversation, the comfort of that first sweet sip — coffee shops are the heartbeat of college life. 

Coffee shops play an important role in the daily routines of many Mason students. Whether it’s grabbing a quick drink before class, settling in for a long study session or meeting friends between assignments, cafes around campus offer a mix of comfort, atmosphere and convenience. 

Several cafes near Mason stand out for their unique environments, quality drinks and reliable study spaces. 

Located on Main Street in Fairfax, Haraz Coffee House offers a warm and inviting atmosphere from the moment you walk in. The scent of cardamom and freshly roasted beans fill the air, and the staff greet customers with a genuine friendliness that immediately sets a positive tone. The interior blends modern design with traditional Yemeni influences – gold accents, patterned tiles and soft lighting – that create a cozy, elevated feel. 

Haraz is especially appealing for students looking to settle in with their laptops. The cafe provides ample seating, calm background music and a steady flow of customers. 

The menu ranges from ethnic dishes to modern cafe staples, offering everything from savory sandwiches to rich desserts. The mango matcha, one of their most popular specialty drinks, blends earthy matcha with bright mango for a smooth refreshing sweetness. 

“Haraz Cafe is really nice and has a clean aesthetic,” freshman Christina Tran said. “It has a polished look that feels modern.” 

Whether you’re studying for an exam or catching up on readings, Haraz offers a comfortable balance of energy and calm. 

Situated near the center of Old Town Fairfax, De Clieu is bright and open, with tall windows that bring in steady natural light and give the cafe a warm airy feel. The environment is lively, but never too overbearing for the quiet crowd. It attracts a mix of students, remote workers and families throughout the day. 

The menu includes sandwiches, crepes and specialty drinks, as well as their famous house-made syrups. The vanilla bean latte, one of the specialty drinks made with their house-made vanilla syrup, has a mix of sweet vanilla and bitter espresso which makes every sip simple but delicious.

Sandwiches, iced drinks and a layered dessert sit on a table at De Clieu Coffee & Sandwiches, a popular study spot in Fairfax, Va., on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (Avi Terali / Fourth Estate)

The location is also only a 15 to 20 minute walk from campus, making it a great option for on-campus students who are looking for a change of scenery.

With plenty of tables, reliable Wi-Fi and a layout that accommodates both solo work and group study sessions, De Clieu remains one of the most dependable study spots for Mason students. 

For those looking for a quieter, more intimate environment, Bakery Museum & Co. offers a refreshing change of pace. Tucked away from the busier parts of Fairfax, this cafe has an artsy, cozy interior that feels almost like a creative studio. Soft lighting, small tables and displays of baked goods create a warm, inviting atmosphere. 

The cafe specializes in fresh pastries, classic espresso drinks and seasonal matcha flavors, making it a great choice for students who want a study spot with a diverse menu. The calm environment also makes it ideal for those who prefer a low-key, slower-paced study spot. 

As an added bonus, Bakery Museum & Co offers a discount to Mason students who present their student ID at the register. 

Located next to Piedmont Hall on campus with another nearby location in University Mall, Dunkin’ Donuts remains a convenient option for students who need something quick and familiar. The atmosphere is fast-paced, with customers constantly moving in and out between classes. 

The bright lighting and steady foot traffic makes it less suited for long study sessions, but its affordability and speed make it a reliable stop for early-morning coffee runs or a last minute breakfast. 

Each cafe brings something different to the Mason community, giving students reliable places to work, meet friends or take a break. With so many options close to campus, finding a good cup of coffee is never difficult.

Festivalgoers crowd beneath cherry blossom trees at the Tidal Basin on March 28 in Washington, D.C. (Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

BY ALEXANDRA HENRIQUES, STAFF WRITER

On March 26, peak bloom for Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin began. While the trees only stay in peak bloom for anywhere from four days to a week, the Cherry Blossom Festival and cherry blossom sightseeing bring joy to the greater Washington area for over a month. 

“It feels like a special tradition that marks the arrival of spring,” junior Communication major Sirong Chen said. 

Taiko groups perform for the Cherry Blossom Festival on March 28 near the Washington Monument. (Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

From special exhibits and expositions at the Smithsonian museums, to street markets, parades and BloomFest at the Tidal Basin featuring live music and performances, there are many ways to enjoy the cherry blossom season. 

The most popular viewing destination is the Tidal Basin, which features over 3,500 Yoshino cherry blossom trees. 

Chen viewed the trees at the Tidal Basin, noting the beauty of the pink flowers and reflection on the water as some of the reasons the location is ideal for the season.

“My favorite part is how peaceful and dreamy everything feels … The whole atmosphere just feels really calming and beautiful,” she said. 

Mason sophomore An Nguyen has experienced the peak bloom of the cherry blossoms multiple times since she arrived in the U.S. in early 2024. Nguyen also viewed the trees around the Tidal Basin this year and said that visiting the cherry blossoms at sunrise or sunset is especially beautiful. 

“Just being able to see the cherry blossoms in bloom is my favorite part [of the season] … it feels really special to me,” Nguyen, an Art and Visual Technology major, said. 

Junior Forensic Science major Anya Mathur chose to view the cherry blossoms in Vienna’s Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. She said that she partially chose the location due to its proximity, a mere 25-minute drive from campus, as well as a desire to avoid the crowds in popular viewing points in D.C. 

This year was her second year viewing the cherry blossoms, though last year she experienced the festival at The Wharf on D.C.’s stretch of the Potomac River instead of the gardens.

“I think I preferred the botanical gardens because of how crowded it was in D.C.,” she said. “The botanical gardens were still busy, but not nearly as busy as The Wharf. The gardens also had much more greenery and it felt like a more natural environment than at The Wharf, so I thought it made for better pictures.” 

There are still plenty of ways to celebrate the season, with Sakura Matsuri, a Japanese street festival, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and Art Blooms at Mosaic, a local artist market with live performances and activities, all taking place this weekend. 

A household in Loudoun County with a lawn sign telling people to vote yes on April 21. (Isabella Pearlstein / Fourth Estate)

BY ISABELLA PEARLSTEIN, STAFF WRITER

Virginians will be given the opportunity to vote “yes” or “no” on a referendum that will temporarily amend Virginia’s Constitution to allow the General Assembly to redraw the state’s congressional districts. 

Early voting began March 6 and ends April 18. Election Day is Tuesday, April 21.

A referendum is a ballot measure that asks the population to vote on an issue proposed by a legislative body. In this case, the Va. General Assembly has proposed a constitutional amendment that would temporarily allow its General Assembly to redraw congressional districts.

According to the Va. Department of Elections, the ballot question reads: “Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginia’s standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?”

Current law explains the state can redraw its congressional districts every 10 years in line with the census. The districts are drawn by the Va. Redistricting Commission, a legislative body that is made up of eight legislators and eight citizens with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats.

Va. Democrats have already proposed a map that would give Democrats a 10-1 advantage in the state’s congressional delegation.

The proposed amendment comes after multiple other states have put forth efforts into redrawing their congressional districts. Texas, Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina have redrawn their congressional districts to create more Republican seats while California has redrawn theirs to create more Democrat seats, according to multiple outlets.

Va. Democrats released a proposed map of new congressional districts in February 2026 (Virginia General Assembly)

The redistricting efforts are a preemptive move to create more seats for both political parties to fill before the upcoming midterm elections this November. Any potential blue wave in the midterms could create serious roadblocks for Trump and his administration’s goals. If Republicans maintain control of the House and the Senate, Trump could continue with his legislative agenda.

Several political ad campaigns such as Virginians for Fair Elections have referred to the referendum as a way to “level the playing field in the upcoming congressional elections and protect our democracy for our kids and grandkids.” 

Virginians may have seen former President Barack Obama appear on the TV asking for voters to vote yes. 

An opposing flyer advertisement by Justice for Democracy PAC has also appeared in voters’ mailboxes.  The ad, which is not officially affiliated with Obama,  shows the former president’s earlier quotes against gerrymandering and urges to “Protect minority representation” by voting no on the referendum. 

A Justice for Democracy PAC advertisement using Obama’s past words to oppose the referendum (Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

Students who are registered to vote in Fairfax County can vote at early in-person satellite locations with more opening April 11. Students registered in the City of Fairfax can vote early at Fairfax City Hall. Students who live on-campus at Fairfax can register to vote at Merten Hall by updating their registration information.

To find other early in-person voting locations, visit the Va. Department of Elections website and find your locality. For voter registration information, look at the registration page on the Va. Department of Elections site.The deadline to register to vote in Fairfax County is April 14. The registration deadline for the City of Fairfax is 10 days before any general election.

George Mason University’s Board of Visitors gathered for their March 31 meeting in Merten Hall. (Grace Miller/Fourth Estate)

BY GRACE MILLER, STAFF WRITER 

George Mason’s Board of Visitors held a public comment meeting focused on the fiscal year 2027 proposed increases in tuition and fees on March 31. 

“We [faculty and staff] are carrying the burdens of our institution’s inability to garner adequate state funding year-over-year,” Professor and President of the George Mason Chapter of the American Association of University Professors Dr. Bethany Letiecq said during the public comment section.

Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dan Stephens, along with Executive Vice President of University Life Rose Pascarell, presented George Mason’s financial situation in comparison to other R1 public peer universities in Virginia to the BOV. 

When tuition, fees and state appropriations are combined, George Mason is the lowest funded of its peers.

In state appropriations alone, George Mason receives $10,544 per in-state student. Virginia Tech, the next highest funded peer, receives $12,212. William & Mary is the highest funded of the R1 peers and receives $15,510 per student from the state.

The BOV plans to focus on obtaining more state appropriations in future years. For FY27, the Virginia House earmarked $11 million for George Mason, whereas the Virginia Senate earmarked $7 million.

“It’s just going to take time and continued action,” said President Gregory Washington. 

Elisa Wolf, a PhD student, also commented. She criticized the university’s handling of her own and others’ Title IX cases and mentioned the university’s financial situation. 

“None of us as students really are in the position to be exploited by our institution that we are looking for quality education and a safe environment,” she said.

For FY27, the university is proposing a tuition increase of $360 for undergraduates and $504 for graduate students. This is a 3.5% increase on the in-state rate; for out-of-state students, it is a 1% increase for undergraduate students and a 1.4% increase for graduate students. George Mason is also proposing a $132 overall increase in student fees for all undergraduates and graduate students, but students at the Antonin Scalia Law School will see a $98 increase.

According to Stephens, George Mason’s peers are also asking for increases in tuition this year.

Despite the increase, there will still be about an $8 million operating deficit for FY27, assuming the Va. legislature appropriates $11 million, according to updated university figures since the March 24 tuition town hall. Every year, the education and general budget must be balanced per Va. state requirements, according to Stephens at the tuition town hall.

President Washington emphasized to the board that it is difficult to reach zero deficit due to fluctuations in projected enrollments and employment. 

“The budget is actually quite dynamic,” Washington said. “[This] is the data we know right at this moment. I can guarantee you a month, two months down the line, it’s going to be a different number, and those oscillations are in the millions [of dollars].” 

Auxiliary funds for services such as housing, dining and athletics can be used toward the deficit if there is a surplus. Some operating reserves — which are mainly unused state appropriations from previous years — will be used to cover the deficit for FY27. 

To some at the meeting, the use of funds in this way is not ideal. 

“Philosophically, I am against using reserves in that way. What we have done historically, is we have used our reserves primarily for large ticket items — things like capital investment [and] major purchases,” Stephens said.

The university is “highly efficient,” Stephens said, due to a faculty to student ratio of 0.18. 

“We are at the lowest level of funding per employee when you divide the total student population,” he said.

The Finance and Land Use Committee will meet on April 15 to review the proposed increases in tuition and fees, as well as the full budget for the university. The full BOV will meet the afternoon of April 30 to hold the final vote on the university budget.

Griffin Crouch finishes speaking at the Undergraduate Representative Body meeting on March 19. Crouch was elected as student body president on April 6 after serving as the chair of the government and community relations committee. (Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

BY RITHVIK HARI, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Mason’s Student Government announced the election results for the Undergraduate Representative Body for the 2026-27 academic year. 

Running unopposed, Griffin Crouch and Skylar Ringo were elected president and executive vice president. The ticket received 345 votes in favor, with 29 voting no and 42 abstaining. 

A total of 416 students submitted ballots, just a small fraction of the nearly 30,000 eligible undergraduate student voters.

“I am beyond thankful that George Mason students chose my running mate, Griffin Crouch, and myself to represent them as we soon enter the 2026-2027 school year,” Executive Vice President-elect Skylar Ringo said in a written statement to Fourth Estate. 

Skylar Ringo listens as debate continues at the Undergraduate Representative Body meeting on April 2. Ringo was elected as executive vice president on April 6 after serving as one of the Schar School of Policy and Government’s representatives. (Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

“My main goal is to ensure all students [in] our vibrant community are heard and seen with facilities and resources that are accessible and affordable for their overall future success.” 

Crouch and Ringo ran with the campaign slogan “Every Voice, One Mason.” Their ticket aims to tackle affordability struggles, defend DEI & students’ rights and support student life and wellbeing, according to their team platform.

“We want to lead with open minds and an open door,” Crouch said. “If you have any ideas, any complaints, anything you think SG should do better, we’re here [because] we want you to tell us. We want your advice. We want your input. We want your help. We don’t know everything.”

“We intend to have an administration that’s open to everyone, open to every idea, [that is] here to fight for every Mason student. We think student government is a tool to advocate, inform and empower, and everyone’s welcoming that mission,” Crouch continued.

Crouch is currently a junior majoring in Government and International Politics. He serves as the chair of the URB’s government and community relations committee. 

Ringo is currently a sophomore majoring in Government and International Politics. She serves as one of the Schar School of Policy and Government’s elected representatives in the URB and as the civic engagement liaison for the government and community relations committee. 

For more information on their campaign, visit their Instagram page. 

Protestors hold up their signs along Chain Bridge Road, near city hall, as cars drive by and honk in support, on March 28, 2026. (Isabella Pearlstein / Fourth Estate)

BY ISABELLA PEARLSTEIN, STAFF WRITER

Recently, the third string of nationwide “No Kings” protests made it to the City of Fairfax.

People of all ages and backgrounds joined together to display their outrage with the federal government. Protesters gathered with homemade signs, joined a community art project and sang songs of resistance to demonstrate against the Trump administration.

This is the third “No Kings” protest held since President Donald Trump took office over a year ago. Support and organization for the event came from Turning the Tables, an organization founded in 2025 that works to engage the Fairfax community in civics. 

Turning the Tables is part of Indivisible, a grassroots organization founded in 2016 that works to “stop the rise of authoritarianism in the United States,” according to their website. 

According to organizers, between 1,200 and 1,500 people turned out for the March 28 protest. Protestors lined up along both sides of Chain Bridge Road, from the Fairfax City Inova Emergency Room to Sager Avenue, showing off signs to people driving along the half-mile stretch of road. 

Several drivers honked their horns in response and gave a thumbs up with supporting cheers and waves. With every honk, protestors whooped and cheered.

Caitlin Schaefer, a rising Elementary Education major at Mason, held a bright green neon sign that read “No sleep till impeachment.” 

“It’s definitely important to show up no matter where you live, just to continue to protest, show that this is not acceptable behavior from Trump, his cabinet, to Congress, who are not [doing] much at all right now,” Schaefer said.

Protestors write and tie their “‘Why’ Knots” as part of a community art project on March 28, 2026. (Isabella Pearlstein / Fourth Estate)

Throughout the protest, demonstrators had the opportunity to participate in a community art project titled “Our ‘Why’ Knots.” Protestors walked up to event volunteers who had strips of fabric to write why they were at the protest and tie it to the netting. 

“We really wanted the voice of the community to be part of this day … everyday people expressing their concerns about what’s going on,” one volunteer said.

From left to right: Parker Coates, Sophia Burbridge, Hina Walters, and Lourdes Davis (Isabella Pearlstein / Fourth Estate)

A group of friends from Mason heard about the protest from their friend Sophia Burbridge, a sophomore Criminology Law and Society major. 

“We need to show our support. The more the merrier, we need to show that we’re mad and this is not just about politics, this is not just about who’s right and who’s wrong. This is about saving America, and this is about having a better future for our kids and our next generations,” said Burbridge, who found out about the protest on Instagram.

“I feel so deeply about what’s going on in this world, and it’s all so messed up, and I can’t do much by myself, but I know that showing up and showing my support for all these people is gonna help,” Parker Coates, a sophomore Criminology major, said.

The group described a positive atmosphere and sense of community at the protests.

“Despite the fact that it’s cold and windy, and we’re next to a busy street, everybody’s happy, everybody [has] turned out, and we stayed out … I’m just so happy to see how many people are also just as upset and angry as I am and willing to show it in peaceful ways and just to show up and make a difference,” Lourdes Davis, a sophomore Mechanical Engineering major, said.

The protest ended with a small rally of guest speakers who spoke against the current Trump administration and the political discourse of the U.S. Eric Scott, part of I Will Productions, led protestors in song before Rev. Drew Ensz from ARISE Campus Ministry spoke about standing up for immigrants and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Former ambassador Robin Matthewman followed. She spoke about global conflict and her time as an ambassador. Alex Norko, a Virginia resident, spoke about his activism against ICE in Loudoun County and how he hopes to bring it to Fairfax and get the community engaged.

Rev. Dr. Stephany Rose Spaulding, executive director of Politivist Action PAC, spoke about needing to fight for more than just democracy. 

“We must evolve in humanity,” she said.

Students raise flags at the end of the International Week Flag Parade on Tuesday, March 31, on Wilkins Plaza. (Katie Perschau/ Fourth Estate)

BY KATIE PERSCHAU, CULTURE EDITOR

Mason students participated in a parade around campus on Tuesday, March 31, to celebrate the wide range of cultures that are represented at the university for the 45th annual International Week celebration. Students represented their countries with flags flown throughout the festivities. 

The parade began on the SUB I quad, moving northeast to Merten Hall before looping back through campus to end on Wilkins Plaza. Paraders played lively songs and paused around campus for pictures and cheers.

They also passed through the Johnson Center, where flags hang from the balconies each year for the celebration. 

Flags hang from the balconies of the Johnson Center on Tuesday, March 31, to celebrate International Week at Mason. (Katie Perschau/ Fourth Estate)

Over 30 countries from five continents were represented in the parade, including China, Iran, Cambodia, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Slovakia. 

“I’m representing Nigeria because … I just think it’s kind of fun to represent and also to learn about other people’s cultures,” Morolake Okanlawon, a first year PhD student at Mason, said. “I used to do this in my undergrad, we had something similar. So now being in grad school, I was like ‘Oh yeah, this is one of the fun parts of being in school, to come together and feel like you’re a part of the world.’” 

Students representing Latin American countries pose for a photo after the flag ceremony on Tuesday, March 31. (Katie Perschau / Fourth Estate)

At the end of the parade, students representing each country were invited on a stage outside the Johnson Center for recognition. Many participants wore traditional clothing from their cultures.

The parade and flag ceremony were followed by a festival that included snacks, giveaways, activities and prizes.  

International Week is an important tradition at Mason that brings together students from different backgrounds for a week of colorful cultural expression.

The annual celebration comes at a time when international undergraduate and graduate student populations are decreasing partly due to concerns about visa applications and travel restrictions. 

Other activities for the week include the International Dance Competition, Photo Competition and sports tournaments. 

Ikram Foundation staff, donors, supporters and scholarship recipients gather at the organization’s fundraising dinner Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Falls Church, Va. The annual event brings together the community that makes the foundation’s mission possible. (Kanwal / Films by Kanwal)

BY JUMMANA ALZAHRANI, STAFF WRITER

There is a particular kind of courage it takes to start over. 

In a small office in Herndon, Virginia, a few miles from Mason’s Fairfax campus, a quiet experiment in second chances has been unfolding for the past decade. Ikram Foundation, established in 2014, provides educational grants to divorced and widowed Muslim women pursuing degrees and certificates across the country. The connection to Mason runs deep as every member of the foundation’s staff is a Mason alum.

For 15 of those women, that support has meant the difference between dreaming of a degree and actually earning one at Mason. 

For the women the foundation serves, this naming is intentional. 

“Ikram is derived from the Arabic root ‘karamah,’ which translates to dignity, honor and generosity,” Executive Director Somayyah Ghariani said. “It is the same word used when the Quran speaks of the inherent dignity bestowed upon all children of Adam.” 

Ghariani said it speaks to the belief that dignity is not something a woman loses when she loses a husband. It is something she carries within her, something that education can help her fully realize and pass on to others.

Ghariani knows the university well. 

“I’ve been in this area in northern Virginia for over 20 years now,” Ghariani said on the Muslim Philanthropy Podcast in 2021. “I went to school at George Mason University. I got a bachelor’s degree in communication and psychology, and after that I started my journey with Muslim nonprofits here in the Northern Virginia area.”

The foundation’s mission is specific because the need is specific.

“Ikram Foundation’s a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,” Ghariani explained on the podcast. “We’re located in Herndon, Virginia … and our mission is to empower divorced and widowed Muslim women with education.” 

“So we provide educational grants specifically to divorced and widowed Muslim women all across the United States.”

According to records provided to Fourth Estate, the foundation has supported 15 beneficiaries who attended Mason. They came from Syria, Sudan, Pakistan, Palestine, Algeria, Morocco and the United States. 

They are mothers and immigrants, women who have lost partners and women who have left them. They studied mathematics, civil engineering, cybersecurity and childhood education. They are, in many ways, beginning again. 

For the women Ikram Foundation serves, this journey often comes with added layers of complexity. In many cultural contexts, a woman’s identity can become closely tied to her role as a wife, and when that role ends through divorce or widowhood, she may face social isolation or quiet judgment from within her own community. The stigma is not rooted in Islam itself, but in cultural expectations that can leave women without the support systems they once relied on.

Some find themselves navigating family disapproval or financial uncertainty at the very moment they are trying to rebuild. Returning to school in this context becomes more than an academic pursuit. It is an act of reclaiming independence and dignity. 

Being a divorced or widowed woman pursuing higher education often means carrying a weight that others do not always see. It can mean sitting in a classroom after putting children to bed, studying during lunch breaks at work and wondering if the money will run out before the semester ends. 

Ghariani and her team see this weight. Program Director Saman Quraeshi, who first came to the foundation as a client herself, said the organization built itself around the belief that these women are worth investing in, not despite their struggles but because of the strength those struggles have forged. 

“We don’t just write checks,” she explained. “Every dollar that leaves our hands carries the weight of someone’s trust behind it. We have an obligation to be honest with that money and to stretch it as far as it will go.” 

It is this belief that guides how every scholarship is funded, every dollar is accounted for and every woman is supported from application to graduation.

That trust has ripple effects. A woman who receives a scholarship and completes a degree becomes an example. Her children watch her study, persevere and graduate. Other women in her community see what is possible, which can lead to collective impact.

“This financial grant represents more than just education to me,” Fatmeh Kassem, a single mother and survivor of domestic violence, said. “It is a pathway to independence, stability and the ability to financially support my children on my own.” 

The women Ikram supports are not abstractions. They are the Sudanese mother studying civil engineering while her children do homework beside her. They are the Algerian woman earning a paralegal certificate, building a new life in a new country. They are the Pakistani student pursuing early childhood education, pouring into other children the care her own have witnessed her fight for.

Through the Ikram Foundation, a scholarship is never just a scholarship. By investing in one woman’s education, the organization invests in everyone her life touches. 

The misspelled sign labeling Innovation as “Innnovation Hall” pictured Feb. 10, 2026. (Nathan Ferraro / Fourth Estate)

BY JOSEPH TRIOLO, STAFF WRITER

Eagle-eyed students were met with an extra “n” on their way to classes at Innovation Hall earlier this semester. The newly redone sign outside the main entrance read “Innnovation Hall.” 

The typo comes amidst recent efforts by George Mason University to update signage along the lines of their new brand image.

Back in 2024, the university unveiled a new logo based on the monogram of George Mason. In an article released by the university, Vice President and Chief Brand Officer Paul Allvin, was quoted saying, “This is a new look for a new era with new expectations of American higher education.” 

“The rebrand reintroduces Mason as elite yet never elitist, prestigious yet eminently accessible, confident in blazing a fundamentally new path for public higher education in the 21st century and beyond,” Allvin said.

With the new brand and logo, the university began redesigning wayfinding signs around campus. 

“Plans to update the aging color palette were already underway, and the university’s rebrand offered the ideal moment to move forward,” said University Environmental Graphics Designer and Sign Program Manager John Forgy in an email to Fourth Estate.

This process began in late 2025, according to Forgy.

“Although errors are rare, once identified, they were quickly reprinted and replaced within four days, at no cost to the overall budget,” Forgy wrote in response to attention garnered by the typo. 

The project has been funded through “previously allocated university maintenance budgets,” and will have the added benefit of saving the university on future expenses according to Forgy.

“In fact, the new paint is less expensive than the previous type, helping to reduce long‑term maintenance expenses,” Forgy said.

Despite the saved costs, some of the updated signs have sustained significant wear and tear. Outside the SUB I, one of the new signs was spotted on a slant and was missing the outer part of its leg. 

A broken sign outside of SUB I pictured on March 31, 2026. (Joseph Triolo / Fourth Estate)

“While the team conducts thorough post‑installation inspections, community attention has already proven helpful,” Forgy wrote. 

When asked how the community can continue to help, he said, “Students and George Mason community members can assist by reporting any damaged or missing signage through the Facilities & Campus Operations work order system.”

Trump’s name appears in the Epstein files over 30,000 times, yet the focus is on other popular names. (Detra Bell / Fourth Estate)

BY EMMA G. SCHAIBLE, NEWS EDITOR

I was sitting in class when I overheard two girls claim that Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist, was in the Epstein files. I was immediately taken aback. I turned on my computer, pulled up the Epstein files, and searched Malala’s name. There were 19 hits. 

Needless to say, I was shocked. How could someone so prominent in the fight for women’s rights show up on a list that has done so much to hurt them?

I started reading. The first mention? A simple article from Intelligence Squared covering an event in 2017. The second was an announcement of Malala receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. More emails revealed that Epstein and his associates had joked about becoming the Executive Director of the Malala Fund.

It seemed like her name’s appearance was purely a consequence of her fame. 

The Epstein files are a partially released collection of millions of documents, images, videos and emails detailing the life and activities of infamous child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed in November 2025 resulted in the release of more than 3 million pages and thousands of videos, images and emails. 

His emails have received the most attention. 

The release of the Epstein files has spiked much online discussion, specifically on social media, which provides little to no fact-checking. From influencers acting like lawyers to biased news outlets cherry-picking the names that benefit their party, online discourse about the files has become a classic case of “you can’t believe everything you read on the internet.” 

By blindly believing what people online are talking about without doing our own research, we risk mischaracterizing and criminalizing innocent people.

Malala joins a series of names mentioned in emails between Jefferey Epstein and his associates without evidence of a personal relationship. This list includes prominent women such as Emma Stone, Rihanna, Megan Rapinoe and many others. The truth is, anyone who was in a news headline from 2009 to 2019 is at risk of appearing in the Epstein files, purely because he had email subscriptions to major news outlets.

Jon Stewart, the Daily Show host, appears in the Epstein files as well. In an email to his executive producer, Barry Josephson, Epstein wrote “somebody like Jon Stewart could host/narrate the biographical part,” referencing an idea for an exclusive new stand up routine for Epstein to host. 

Stewart acknowledged the mention in true Daily Show fashion. 

“I am offended. Somebody like Jon Stewart? Or Jon Stewart? My point is, do I have the offer or is this an audition?” he said.

Some mentions, although not all, have faced consequences for their actions. Economist Larry Summer resigned from his tenured job as a professor at Harvard University following heightened scrutiny for socializing with Epstein. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton have become central figures in the U.S. House Oversight Committee’s investigation. 

King Charles III stripped his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, of his remaining royal titles, including Prince and Duke of York, following the scrutiny of his ties to Epstein. 

There are plenty of people in the Epstein files who committed the heinous crimes riddled throughout, but a mere mention should not indict the individual. By focusing too much on the names solely mentioned in newsletters, the attention is no longer on true criminals. 

The greatest way to honor the victims in the Epstein files is to make sure they are not forgotten.  However, we must be mindful of how we talk about anyone related to the Epstein files. 

Coverage of the Epstein files is an important lesson to us all: we cannot believe everything we see on the internet. Make sure you do not perpetuate the spread of misinformation. 

Read the Epstein files. Don’t read the Epstein files. But if you’re going to talk about sensitive topics, do your research.

Executive Vice President of University Life Rose Pascarell speaks at the tuition town hall on March 24 in Merten Hall. (Grace Miller / Fourth Estate)

BY GRACE MILLER, STAFF WRITER

A $492 increase in undergraduate tuition and fees has been proposed by George Mason administration for fiscal year 2027. 

In a tuition town hall held by Student Government on March 24, Executive Vice President of University Life Rose Pascarell and Interim Chief Financial Officer Dan Stephens explained the changes.  

The proposed tuition increase is $360 for undergraduates and $504 for graduate students, with no increase for the law school. This indicates a 3.5% increase for in-state students, both undergraduate and graduate. It is a 1% increase for out-of-state undergraduates and a 1.4% increase for out-of-state graduate students. 

Student fees are proposed to increase by 3.5% overall, which is $132 for undergraduates and graduates. Stephens said the increase is designed to “keep affordability measures” for both in-state and out-of-state students. 

“It’s going to be done in a very equitable way, which I appreciate about the way we handle our money with tuition alone,” said Declan Rees, a second-year Philosophy major and chair of the Administrative and Financial Affairs Committee for Student Government, which arranged the town hall. 

Even with the proposed increases in tuition, the university will have an operating deficit of about $4 million. The deficit will be covered by the university’s reserve funds, which are mostly composed of unspent state appropriations from previous years. 

Stephens described the university as “fiscally prudent.” 

“We do have [reserves]. We just cannot operate forever [on them],” he said.

The university has been implementing a new budget model initiative to address “consistent overspending” since spring 2025. The FY27 budget is “exploring technology improvements … and refining the model based upon each year of performance,” according to the university’s Fiscal Services.

Va. House bill HB30 sets aside $11 million for George Mason, while Va. Senate bill SB30 allocates $7 million to Mason for FY27. 

“President Washington is constantly advocating in Richmond,” Stephens said. 

Even if the university received $11 million, it would take a 4.5% increase in the in-state tuition rate to balance the budget without dipping into the reserves, according to university figures.  

The increase responds to factors including a lack of state appropriations, rising utility costs, Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program costs and increases in state-mandated employee benefits.  

At the town hall, Pascarell and Stephens emphasized George Mason’s rank as a top 50 public university, its R1 status and employment rates after graduation. 

“What is amazing about the Mason success story is the fact that all of those accolades… were accomplished by a university that faces significant funding challenges when compared to our peer schools within the state,” Stephens said. 

“Peer schools” refers to public R1 universities in Virginia. Compared to its peer schools, George Mason receives the least funding between tuition, mandatory student fees and state appropriations. George Mason currently receives $10,544 in state appropriations per student for full-time enrollment, compared to Virginia Tech’s $12,212, the next highest peer. 

The highest funded peer, William & Mary, receives $15,510 per student. 

The proposed figures at the town hall are not finalized, as the Board of Visitors will have the final say. 

NEXT STEPS:

• The BOV hosted a public comment session March 31 in Merten 1201 at 9 a.m.
• The Finance and Land Use Committee will meet to assess the tuition increase April 15. The meeting is public and will be livestreamed.
• The full board will hold a final vote on the proposed tuition increase and FY27 budget at their public April 30 meeting.

Fenwick Library on March 26 under normal operation since the March 13 bomb threat. (Emma G. Schaible / Fourth Estate)

BY EMMA G. SCHAIBLE, NEWS EDITOR

George Mason students on spring break across the country received an urgent Mason alert warning of a bomb threat near Fenwick Library and calling for evacuation of the area Friday, March 13. 

Mason Police and other law enforcement provided an “all clear” three hours later; the case remains under investigation. Upon receiving the threat, Mason Police evacuated the library and conducted a thorough search. The library remained closed for the rest of the day.

Similar to six other Virginia colleges and universities who received threats, Mason had received the threat via an email. The threats came just one day after a shooter attacked a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps group at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Mason Police explained that hoax threats have become more common nationwide in the last few years. These calls are referred to as “swatting,” where a person makes a false report to emergency services to trigger an armed law enforcement response to a public area. 

Dispatchers are trained in recognizing and managing active threat incidents, with every call treated as legitimate until deemed otherwise. 

Mason Police was assisted by several other public safety partners, including Fairfax City Fire & Rescue and the Fairfax County Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit. Other federal law enforcement teams also assisted. 

In a written statement to Fourth Estate, Mason Police reminds students to “be alert to suspicious behavior and report any concerns or observations to police immediately.” 

Students should expect security officers, cadets and Mason Police EOD K9 teams on routine patrols both inside and outside of buildings. K9 units can be recognized by their green uniforms.  

“Being alert and responsive community members is the biggest way you can help police keep the campus safe,” Mason Police continued. 

Mason Police can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on all campuses by calling police dispatch at 703-993-2810 or texting through the RAVE Guardian safety app.

The 2026 Antisemitism Report Card shows the university’s overall grade remained unchanged despite progress being made, according to university officials. (Detra Bell / Fourth Estate)

BY RITHVIK HARI, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

The Anti-Defamation League published its annual Campus Antisemitism Report Card in early March, evaluating 150 institutions across the United States. Despite making strides in disclosed administrative actions and in campus conduct, George Mason’s grade remained stagnant in the 2026 report, maintaining its C grade from the previous year.

According to their website, the ADL is dedicated to fighting “all forms of antisemitism and bias.”

The report card grades universities on an A through F scale, determining the grade by evaluating factors such as administrative policies, Jewish life on campus and campus conduct and climate concerns. 

Mason received a “Corrections Needed” grade partly because the university has not taken a clear stance on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Campaign — an international movement that seeks to pressure and delegitimize Israel through diplomatic, financial, academic, professional and cultural isolation, according to the ADL.  

The ADL also flagged perceived levels of anti-zionist activity within student government, student groups and faculty and staff activity as a reason for the grade.

The ADL recognized Mason’s progress in the publicly disclosed administrative actions category, where the league said the university advanced from meeting expectations in 2025 to exceeding them in 2026.

The report card also noted that the Jewish life on campus was excellent, but identified that Mason does not have a Jewish Alumni Group or a group supporting Jewish employees. 

Among Washington, D.C., area institutions, Mason and the University of Maryland at College Park both earned C grades, while George Washington University and Georgetown University each received B’s. American University and Johns Hopkins University topped the regional rankings with A grades.

The share of institutions earning an A or B climbed from 41% in 2025 to roughly 58% in 2026 according to an ADL press release. The release also emphasized that just because institutions are getting higher grades, that doesn’t mean antisemitism on college campuses is gone. 

Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL’s CEO, spoke in the same press release. 

“Universities that have taken a comprehensive approach — reviewing policies, clarifying expectations, and strengthening enforcement — are seeing meaningful progress,” he said. 

However, Mason’s Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell, argued that “ADL’s oversimplified methodology leads to a misleading conclusion, which we find problematic …”

“They’ve arbitrarily given us a C grade,” she wrote in an email to Fourth Estate. “We disagree.” 

“In Mason’s case, the ADL rates Jewish life on campus as ‘excellent,’ administrative transparency as ‘above expectations,’ and campus climate concerns as ‘medium’ (based on information that is older than their stated rating period),” Pascarell wrote.

Mason Hillel’s Executive Director Dawn Savage said that “countering antisemitism is a core part of the work that Mason Hillel is engaged in every day.”

“As the central address for Jewish life on our campus, we will continue to work with campus administrators to make George Mason University a welcoming and safe place where Jewish students and all students can receive a world-class education without fear of hate, antisemitism or a hostile learning environment,” Savage said. 

“We are grateful for our partnership with campus administrators and their dedication to supporting the Jewish community at Mason.” 

As part of its evaluation of campus climates, the ADL also pointed to specific student organizations it believes contributes to concerns about antisemitism. The ADL describes the Students for Justice in Palestine organization as “a network of anti-Zionist student groups on university campuses across the U.S.” 

The ADL also claims that the national chapter of SJP and individual chapters of SJP have “justified and/or glorified the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel.”  The Mason chapter of SJP did not respond to a request for comment.

The ADL attributes grade improvements at certain universities to those institutions adopting its six key recommendations for combatting antisemitism in higher education. 

“Nonetheless, along with our campus partners, we are committed to creating a thriving Jewish community where students feel welcome and safe and can successfully pursue their academic and social interests,” Pascarell said. 

“We invite the ADL to become more familiar with Mason and our Jewish students and to work with us to publicly support and highlight our efforts.” 

Mason’s stagnant grade reflects a broader national discussion about how universities balance inclusion of all students while also ensuring each student remains safe and feels respected. The ADL notes that while institutions are making strides, higher grades serve as a measure of an institution’s will to address antisemitism, not a sign that the problem has been solved.

Roughly half of George Mason’s instructional staff is made up of adjunct faculty. Non-tenured faculty make, on average, $14,000 a semester in the U.S. and face increased job instability compared to their tenured counterparts. (Detra Bell / Fourth Estate)

BY LEEN EL-ALI, STAFF WRITER

Instructors are an integral part of each university student’s academic life. To the average student, interaction between them and their instructor is standard procedure: attend a lecture, submit the assigned homework, study for an exam and repeat. It’s a routine that doesn’t elicit much thought. 

But what many students don’t realize is that — beyond the two-hour lectures — their instructors face a world of struggle and exploitation. 

The issue lies in the university system’s over-reliance on contingent faculty to facilitate educational instruction. According to the American Association of University Professors, the term contingent faculty “includes both part- and full-time faculty who are appointed off the tenure track.” 

This encompasses all instructional faculty who are hired by the university with no guarantee of a permanent job.  

The conditional nature of contingent employment, its poor compensation and the absence of university support places immense pressure on educators. 

This pressure can go so far as to drive them completely out of academia. The American Federation of Teachers found that over 66% of the contingent faculty members surveyed contemplated leaving academia from 2020 to 2022. 

Among the most pressing issues driving educators out is the unstable nature of the job. Contingent employment is a type of “casual labor” that employers seek out on an as-needed basis. In the same survey, three out of four respondents stated that their “employment is only guaranteed for a term or semester at a time.” This breeds a grueling cycle of job insecurity.  

That insecurity pressures educators to adjust their lives in order to hurriedly accommodate for a teaching gig. When asked how far in advance respondents were notified of their employment before the semester, almost 22% said they were notified only two weeks or less in advance. 

Dr. Simone Kolysh, an academic coach and a former adjunct instructor at the City University of New York, said they “started using the word precarious” to describe what it feels like to be subjected to such unstable employment conditions. 

When given these last-minute offers, they said they felt “desperate and unsure as to whether [their] entire schedule will even work” for both the semester and their personal life. 

Kolysh said they pursued a contingent faculty position in order to support themselves through their graduate degree.  

Dr. Kolysh’s case is not unique — in fact, many contingent faculty members are graduate students who are financially dependent on their contingent employment. The instability of their livelihoods is made even more outrageous when graduate students are expected to juggle an unpredictable employment status and last-minute contractual offers on top of their own academic pursuits.  

Kolysh stated that in order to pay for their graduate degree, they would have to teach “four or five courses a semester.” Kolysh did this while also attending “four to five classes” for their own degree. This brings to light another flagrant issue posed by the system — shocking underpayment.

Contingent instructors are paid based on the number of courses they teach. The amount of compensation is adjusted based on how many credits the course is worth. In 2025, the average pay per credit hour for adjuncts in the United States was $1,166. In total, a full-time course load – four three-credit classes – would make about $14,000 a semester. 

This compensation is egregious considering that the average cost of living for a family of four in the United States is $80,352. A former adjunct professor in Atlanta who asked to remain anonymous expressed his frustration with “how much work instructing [was] in relation to the pay.” 

He disclosed that during his time as an adjunct, he would be compensated a mere $7,000 for teaching three courses a semester.

Adjuncts at George Mason University are no strangers to underpayment. At the George Mason School of Business, an adjunct instructor in the spring semester of 2022 would receive $5,775 for teaching a 3-credit undergraduate course — only $23,000 a semester for a full-time course load. 

When asked about his compensation, a former adjunct professor at Mason who asked to remain anonymous stated that he was compensated only $16,000 for four courses.

American universities over-rely on contingent faculty. According to the American Association of University Professors, over 68% of university and college faculty members held contingent positions in 2023. 

This accounts for a majority of higher-level educators in the United States. At George Mason University, over 47% of the university’s instructional labor is made of adjunct positions. 

Education is the very foundation on which the university is built on. Students attend these institutions with the prospect of receiving an education, and contingent faculty members are doing the heavy lifting in providing students with one. It is shameful to know that the people keeping our institutions running — the foundations upon which our universities are built — are being underpaid, over-worked and exploited. 

Proper compensation, health benefits, and job security must be guaranteed for contingent faculty members at George Mason and beyond. Knowledge is the foundation of any functioning society, and our educators are the key to this knowledge. 

We must ensure their invaluable work guarantees them the basic right to live.  

The George Mason club archery team is pictured at the 57th USA Archery Indoor Nationals near Harrisonburg, Va. (Clair Ward / Club Photographer – GMU Club Archery)

BY ETHAN NAVARRO, STAFF WRITER

Many Patriots unwind from daily stress by competing in fast-paced club sports, drawn to high energy and quick-decision action. By contrast, the GMU Club Archery team practices a thoughtful discipline where focus and patience outweigh speed. Each shot requires precision, consistency and confidence. 

Members of the club explained how personal discipline, team support and lessons of the sport contribute to their success at Mason. 

Archery looks glamorous in film and TV, but its real-world practice is rooted in repetition and composure. 

“No one is inherently born to do archery,” Tiya Maroboina, the team’s current president, said. “People think it takes natural talent but it actually takes work. You learn from failing and the little wins can feel more rewarding than the big ones.”

Maroboina noted archery’s impression as a careful or even an intimidating sport doesn’t help public perspective on its safety. 

“In the media it looks kinda scary, but it’s actually safe and low-injury,” she said. “Most issues are about form or equipment, not accidents, and in fact, even bowling is more dangerous.”

There’s certainly more than meets the eye with this sport. At a competitive level, archery is defined not just by physical conditioning but also by improving mental focus. The team’s training emphasizes refining posture, technique and timing until it becomes second nature.

“Archery is 30% physical, almost like golf, but is 70% mental,” Coach Dean Villanueva said. “It’s a difficult skill to learn, putting yourself in that state of mind consistently.”

Villanueva joined the team after retiring from coaching another archery club in Northern Virginia, bringing both years of experience and a holistic approach to teaching.

“I ask how they slept, how they’re eating and how they feel — not just how they’re shooting on the range,” he said. 

That attention to well-being and balance, he believes, translates into life skills. He also relishes the challenge of coaching students with varied skill levels. 

“I focus on bringing everyone up, so they can compete alongside the top archers,” he said.

For junior Al Rahman, the sport dismantled his previous assumptions. 

“It’s like when you watch basketball and think ‘I can do that easily!’” he said. “Then, when you’re on the range, you realize how much focus and effort it takes.”

Club archers are students first, scheduling practices and committing to tournaments around classes. Another member, senior Kyle George, said he learned to treat archery as his leisure time. 

“School comes first, so we try to schedule everything around that,” he said. “It’s part of the process and eventually archery became my leisure time outside classes, so it’s not stressful for me. Sometimes, we’ve done homework at tournaments.”

Maroboina acknowledged the early strain of balancing responsibilities, but stated that her support network — both inside and outside the club — has made it easier to balance her commitments. 

“It was a bit emotionally taxing at first, but making new friends on the team allowed me to enjoy it more,” she said.

The team continues to welcome brand new archers. However, they face logistical issues, with practices being held off-campus at Bull Run Shooting Center, nearly 14 miles away. 

An approximately 25-minute commute to practice demands punctuality and greater planning from the team. The range is rented through maintaining positive connections, but not officially dedicated to the team. 

Maroboina and Villanueva said the club is working hard to coordinate practices at an outdoor facility or to request for a practice space at the university.

With only 13 club bows and limited range time, the group can outgrow their practice window.  Still, members are quick to welcome both newcomers and experienced shooters.

“At tabling events, people ask if it’s okay if they’ve never shot before,” Maroboina said. “We tell them, ‘Of course!’ We’ll teach you.”

With Villanueva leading them to self-improve in this manner, team morale stays high no matter what. 

“We lost but we also won — seeing everyone give it their best and having a fun time,” he said, recalling a scrimmage against James Madison University.

George, the senior, mentioned off-range moments like playing basketball with teammates or shared trips to spots on campus as his favorite memories. Rahman fondly recalled eating post-practice spicy chicken nuggets with his club friends at Wendy’s. 

For many, these friendships and the tight-knit community keep them coming back. 

“There was actually a time I didn’t like archery,” George said. “But this club brought me back. My dad even drove eight hours to bring me my bow just to be with the team.”

Club members share an ambitious spirit and motivation to grow. 

“We’re focused on being a competitive club,” Rahman said. “We want to keep competing in bigger competitions — local and national!”

Maroboina highlighted the club’s official status with USA Archery’s collegiate program, citing it as a credential that brings both recognition and opportunity. 

“Our biggest goal is growing the team, finding a larger indoor facility as well as a good outdoor one,” she said. “The potential of our team in representing Mason is great.”

Villanueva looks to the future with optimism, emphasizing a legacy of talented students and the next generation of archers. 

“We have great people in this club today,” he said. “I want to make sure we retain that and grow it in the years to come.”

For Villanueva, the message is simple regarding students curious about the sport: give it a shot. 

“How do you know if you don’t try?” Villanueva asked. 

For those who choose to take up archery, it becomes more than just a sport. In closing, Villanueva said, “You can take the arrow out of the bale but you can’t take the arrow out of the heart.”

New members of the Board of Visitors are sworn in at Merten Hall during their meeting on Feb. 26. In one of their first actions as part of Mason’s governing board, they unanimously approved an increase in room-and-board. (Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate)

BY SAM DOUGLAS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

George Mason’s Board of Visitors met on Feb. 26, voting to increase the price of room-and-board at the university by 4%. 

The housing rate for a traditional double room will rise from $8,390 in fiscal year 2026 to $8,730 in fiscal year 2027. Concurrently, the rate of an Independence meal plan will rise from $6,050 in FY26 to $6,290 in FY27. Room-and-board rose by 3.5% last fiscal year.

The motion to improve the 4% room-and-board increase passed unanimously, and was the first major decision for the board since 12 new visitors were appointed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

According to Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Julie Zobel, the increase allows the university to keep up with external housing options such as The Main on University and will help cover the costs of operating the residence and dining halls.

“The proposed housing increase allows us to keep pace with inflation and cover the costs of operating and staffing 40 residence halls in an environment where costs continue to rise,” Zobel explained.

Even with the increase, she stressed that Mason still prioritizes affordability.

“When compared with our peers for room and board, George Mason is the most economical option in the Commonwealth,” she said.

The increases come as the university continues to deal with financial fallout from recent federal government decisions involving immigration, resulting in a decrease of international student and graduate student enrollment.

President Gregory Washington said that even as Mason’s undergraduate population continues to grow, the loss of graduate students is hurting the university. 

“That has a fiscal outcome for us,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Mason projects to host 40,500 students on their Fairfax campus in the fall, and the current number of undergraduates is the largest in school history.

A potential increase in tuition rate is expected to be discussed at the board’s public comment session March 31 and voted on at the full board meeting April 31. Mason was one of the only public universities to not increase in-state tuition for FY26, instead voting to increase student fees by 2.5% last May.

In his president’s report, Washington highlighted the difficulties the university is facing, dividing them into four categories: demographic, fiscal, political and technological.

“This is the most difficult time we’ve had in our history,” he stated.

The university continues to deal with lawsuits from the federal government, as well as technological advancements in artificial intelligence. 

“We were one of the most scrutinized institutions in the country. I expect that some level of scrutiny will continue. And as a family, we will have to manage through that scrutiny together,” Washington said. 

The board also discussed potential improvements to athletic facilities on campus. Currently in progress is a 30,000 square foot Basketball and Academic Performance Center addition to the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC). The project broke ground in spring 2026 and will be finished by the end of 2027.