Dear students,
I am writing to update you on the COVID-19 situation. Please be assured that we have been monitoring the situation daily and conferring with the Fairfax campus and our IGC partners. Likewise, we continue to follow the recommendations of Korean and US authorities. Based on these consultations, and the current and expected course of the situation, we plan to continue classes online until April 6.
Students who do wish to drop from the semester may do so without financial penalty until March 13, which is an extension of the previously set deadline. Drops by March 13 do not affect the GPA and do not appear on a student’s transcript. IGC continues their policy of prorating housing costs; students who move out of the dormitory early will pay only for the amount of time they spent in residency.
For students at Mason Korea from the Mason US campuses, we are watching US government recommendations. Currently, the US State Department has not issued the advice that US citizens should leave Korea. Should the US advice change, we would take steps to ensure that every student could continue his or her education in another locale.
International students who decide to return to their home countries will need to adhere to the protocols established by those countries for what happens upon their return. US students should check for guidance from the US State Department. Students from other countries would similarly check for guidance from their ministries of foreign affairs or embassies.
Students in the Global Gateway program will need to contact GEO directly about their housing costs.
Look for news about how we will try to bring our campus community into the virtual world, through online groups and events. If you have ideas along these lines, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at mksa@gmu.edu.
George Mason continues to be an institution that supports everyone’s health and well-being. We appreciate your flexibility during what we know is a difficult time.
Additional information and resources can be found on the following section of our website: https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/corona
Sincerely,
Robert Matz (로버트 매츠)
Campus Dean
George Mason University Korea