Fourth Estate
Shari Arison’s winter commencement address protested
|Around 75 graduates and audience members walked out during the winter commencement protesting the ceremony’s commencement speaker, Israeli-American billionaire-businesswoman Shari Arison.
The student group that organized the walkout, Students Against Israeli Apartheid, listed its grievances against Arison and her business conglomerate in an open letter coauthored by recent graduate Tareq Radi (’13) and Professor Craig Willse. The letter criticized the university for honoring Arison “given the central role the Arison Group plays in Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid state.”
Five higher ed problems that will face Virginia’s next Secretary of Education
|As Anne Holton, wife of Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, prepares for her new job as Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth, she'll be faced with a number of issues ranging from early childhood development to university research funding. Here are a few challenges that she'll find in Virginia's higher education system:
1. Meeting the financial needs is becoming a huge problem
Editor's Blog: Virginia officials to study "Pay It Forward, "Pay It Back" program
|In an online forum with Virginia21, a non-profit lobbying group that focuses on higher education issues, State Senator John Edwards spoke about a new tuition model that may alleviate some of the burden of college tuition.
General Assembly to address burdensome interstate online education regulations
|Incorporating online education into Mason’s academic programs was a key component of the strategic plan that was adopted in December of last year.
Proposed state budget could provide support to Mason’s growing financial aid problem
|Every year, Virginia undergraduates who demonstrate financial need get a part of their tuition covered by the student financial assistance program (VSFAP).
The amount of money allocated to financial need students has actually been rising steadily over the past few years. In 2007, $108 million was slated for the program, and about $150 million was allocated in 2012.
[PREVIEW] George Mason vs. VCU -- Men's Basketball
|George Mason men’s basketball opens Atlantic 10 conference play against long-time rival Virginia Commonwealth University today at 7 p.m. in Richmond, VA at the Siegel Center.
VCU at a glance
The Patriots (7-7, 0-0 A10) and the Rams (12-3, 0-0 A10) meet for the first time since the 2011-2012 season. VCU leads the all time series, 31-18, with the Rams taking the last two meetings between these two teams.
Cabrera expresses opposition to Israeli academia boycott
|George Mason University President Ángel Cabrera recently joined a multitude of other university administrators in the Washington D.C. region in opposition to the American Studies Association academic boycott of Israel.
Editor's Blog: Mason's Board of Visitors donates overwhelmingly to Republican candidates
|Conversation about last year's gubernatorial election was partly dominated by the role of campaign finance. Both major candidates raised a large amount of money, including millions from out-of-state donors, to help fund highly partisan campaigns for governor.
[PREVIEW] George Mason vs. Old Dominion -- Men's Basketball
|Mason men’s basketball travels to Norfolk, Virginia on Saturday to take on Old Dominion at 7 p.m. at the Constant Center.
Coming off an 80-77 win over the University of Pennsylvania on Thursday night at home, Mason (7-6) looks to keep their two-game winning streak alive as they face off against this former Colonial Athletic Association conference foe in their final non-conference game of the season. The Monarchs left the CAA to join Conference USA this year.
Old Dominion at a glance
Editor’s Blog: Top higher education bills to watch in the upcoming General Assembly session
|The Virginia General Assembly will convene its 2014 legislative session on January 8th. The session, which only lasts until the beginning of March, is a whirlwind of policy debate that affects all Virginians. As a public university, George Mason University is heavily influenced by decisions made by state policymakers. This year, there are a number of bills that could impact Mason and its students. Here is a brief roundup of some of those bills:
1. Restrictions on out-of-state enrollment