Mason Patriots,
This weekend, Northern Virginia is expected to enter Phase 1 of reopening. This is welcome news for our campus community. However, it also prompts questions of what’s next for George Mason University.
Currently, only essential instruction, research, and work associated with critical operations is occurring on campus. While most faculty, staff and graduate assistants will continue teleworking until further notice, after June 10 some faculty, staff and students who have sought and received permission to resume research in university facilities, both on and off-campus, and in the field, will begin this work. Colleagues who are engaged in planning for fall instruction/operations or workspace assessment may also be asked to return to campus as needed. Others with a need to be on campus after June 10 should consult their supervisors first.
Many university operations will remain unchanged through the summer. All summer classes are being delivered online, and all on-campus in-person events are cancelled through Aug. 8. A committee is looking at and will consider event requests on a case-by-case basis.
Mason has implemented an extensive planning and coordination organization consisting of a senior leadership committee and approximately 17 working groups with representatives from all segments of the university who are working to ensure a safe and phased return to campus. We expect to make tentative decisions soon about our plans for fall instruction, and will share more information with the entire campus community in upcoming days.
We understand that you may need to return to campus to collect items to teach or work over the summer. If you must visit campus, please reach out to your supervisor and arrange access to your workspace through the Card Access Security Office at 703-993-3127 or email Card Access, or contact the Key Control Team at 703-993-2823. Note that university buildings will remain secured through the month of June.
Please remain mindful of guidance to be “safer at home” and remain vigilant about implementing measures to contain the virus by washing your hands frequently, practicing physical distancing, and wearing a mask in public areas and university buildings.
If you have questions about what you should do if you think you have been exposed to the virus, please consult these guidelines, read our notification guidelines. All university faculty, staff, and students must notify the university of COVID illnesses or suspected exposure so that the university can assist with contact tracing and notify others who may have been exposed. For more COVID-19 employee resources, please visit Human Resources.
Please monitor Mason’s coronavirus webpage for the latest updates from the University, and be well.
Sincerely,
Carol Dillon Kissal
Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance