Off-Campus & Community

Virginia gubernatorial candidates discuss higher ed issues with students

This year’s gubernatorial candidates took the opportunity to speak with student leaders from across Virginia about higher education issues.

On July 11, candidates spoke with a handful of students in a Google Hangout hosted by Virginia21, a non-profit lobbying group that focuses on higher education issues. The organization’s mission statement is “to educate the leaders of tomorrow by showing them how to make a difference today.”

Construction projects to finish for the fall

As members of a campus that is constantly changing, George Mason University students are anxiously wondering what their campus will look like in the fall.

Mail Services to improve speed of service

There are few students on George Mason University’s Fairfax campus that do not know the agony of waiting in line at the mail room.  More often than not, the line weaves around the mail stacks and along the hallway as students wait to receive their packages.

UPDATE: University makes headway on efforts to donate unused meal plans

After months of planning and discussion with various university departments, George Mason University is making headway towards implementing a program that would allow students and faculty to voluntarily donate their unused meal plans.

Student Government unanimously passed a bill on Thursday, April 18 in favor of implementing the Patriot 2 Patriot program proposed by sophomore Yara El Mowafy.

VIDEO: Connect2Mason speaks with vice president of facilities

On April 22, Connect2Mason sat down with Tom Calhoun, vice president of facilities at George Mason University. He discussed the future of the relationship between the university and the community and the biggest challenges Mason faces in terms of growth.

Cycling enthusiasts ride in sixth annual Bike to Mason Day

In case you hadn’t marked your calendars, April 23 was the annual Bike to Mason Day. The event is a six-year-old tradition celebrating George Mason University's cycling culture and encouraging more sustainable forms of transportation. Mason’s Office of Sustainability and Office of Parking and Transportation worked together to encourage students to seek out alternative ways of getting to and from campus.

Fairfax passes 1-cent increase in tax rate, closes budget gap

Faced with reduced federal government spending, a $169 million budget gap and sequestration, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a compromise budget for the 2014–2015 fiscal year.

The budget presented by Fairfax County Executive Ed Long initially proposed a 2-cent increase in the real estate tax rate, but the board ultimately decided on a 1-cent increase. According to a county press release, the increase will cost the average county homeowner an additional $216 in real estate taxes.

Fairfax County Public Schools announces new superintendent

Garza will replace Jack Dale as superintendent of the Fairfax County Public Schools system (photo courtesy of FCPS).

After a nearly yearlong search, the Fairfax County School Board has decided on a new superintendent to replace Jack Dale, who will be leaving the position after nine years.

Karen Garza, a Texas native who has held positions as a schoolteacher, principal and administrator over the past 26 years, was chosen to replace Dale.

According to an article in the Washington Post, members of the Fairfax County School Board believed Garza to be “uniquely suited to lead Fairfax” because of her history as a teacher and administrator in different environments. 

Garza received her doctorate from the University of Texas and currently serves as superintendent of the Lubbock Interdisciplinary School District in Texas.

Mason students propose “pop-up developments” for new Silver Line stations

With the final pieces of the Metro Silver Line project being completed, students at George Mason University’s School of Public Policy are looking for ways to draw people to the new Metro stations.

While the Silver Line was being planned, Fairfax County officials used the opportunity to propose changes to the Tysons Corner area, taking steps to increase its residential population and business presence, and to make the area more pedestrian friendly.

Former news anchor Jim Lehrer speaks at Mason

At a discussion on April 10, former news anchor Jim Lehrer spoke at George Mason University about his experience in journalism, and his views of the industry.

Lehrer served as both an executive editor and an anchor on Public Broadcasting Services’s Newshour.

Jack Censer, dean of College of Humanities and Social Sciences, moderated the discussion, which was sponsored by the CHSS, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Mason Wrestling Team.

Lehrer was invited to speak at Mason by his great nephew, Matthew Stull, a wrestler at Mason.