C2M Deputy News Editor Frank Muraca

NoVa plays critical role in Obama victory in Virginia

After numerous candidate visits to George Mason University and the surrounding area, Mason students and the nation voted to reelect President Obama to his second term in office.

Nationally, media outlets projected Obama as the winner around 11 p.m. after projecting that he won Ohio, a key swing state in the campaign.

Obama went on to win Wisconsin, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Iowa,  Wisconsin and Virginia, all of which were considered swing states throughout the election. Romney won North Carolina, another swing state focused on during the campaign.

Inaugural community bike summit held at Mason

Bicyclists and transportation professionals held an inaugural summit at George Mason University to discuss ongoing projects and issues relating to bicycling in Fairfax County.

The Fairfax Bike Summit, sponsored by Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling, Mason, and Fairfax County, was held in the Hub on Oct. 27.

UPDATE: Mason prepares for Hurricane Sandy

UPDATE: Classes and administrative offices at Mason will be closed tomorrow and Tuesday morning because of Hurricane Sandy. "A decision on the operating status for Tuesday afternoon will be available by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday," according to an email sent through Mason Alert. Here is the e-mail in its entirety:

Mason transportation study receives criticism from smart growth group

A new study by the George Mason Center for Regional Analysis has received criticism from smart growth advocates who believe the study’s results put too much emphasis on road construction as a means for economic growth.

In early October of 2012, the CRA released a study that measured which forms of transportation would help lead to economic growth in the area.

The study projects that by 2040, $977 billion dollars in Gross Regional Product (GRP) will come from automobile use, $298 billion will be from transit, and $67 billion will be from biking and walking.

New freshmen and transfer students elected to student senate

(Photo courtesy of Mason Student Government)Last week, the student body voted to fill ten seats in the George Mason student senate.

“I am very pleased to learn that I arrived in second place when so many great candidates were in the running,” Aaron Yohai, a freshman, said in an email.

Forum held to discuss university construction projects with community members

At a forum on Oct. 3, George Mason University officials spoke with community members to answer questions about ongoing projects and issues.  

The forum was held a week after the Fairfax Campus Advisory Board meeting, where elected officials from the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County met with Mason to discuss collaboration across the campus perimeter.

President Angel Cabrera was in attendance at the forum to introduce himself to the community and to listen to the concerns they had with the university.

Mason and local elected officials meet to discuss new policies and projects

George Mason University staff and local elected officials met to provide updates on current projects between Mason and the community.

The Fairfax Campus Advisory Board, established in 2011, meets about four times a year to discuss ongoing projects and issues between Mason, the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County.

Cabrera discusses vision and future of university with Mason community

As part of an ongoing conversation with the George Mason University community, President Ángel Cabrera is holding town hall sessions on all three campuses in hopes of developing a comprehensive vision for the university.

Over the past week Cabrera held a series of town hall meetings that were meant to spur discussion and allow community input into what a new Mason vision would look like.

University lends official twitter account to students and faculty

On September 13th, George Mason University’s twitter account posted hints about a new project that would be released to its followers. 

“Announcement tomorrow at NOON on what our plans are for this account!” read one tweet from @GeorgeMasonU. “We can't wait to share! #MNP (Mason Nation Project).

Fenwick Library to double in size with new addition

Beginning this fall, construction will begin on an addition to Fenwick Library that doubles the size of the existing facility.

“We’re hoping to start late fall on the site-work itself,” said Brian Snyder, project manager for the addition.

Fenwick Library, originally built in 1967, is currently over 140,000 square feet. The addition will add another 150,000 square feet to what is already in place.