Updates for the Spring Semester

Happy New Year, fellow Patriots:

I hope everyone had a restful and restorative winter break. As students come back to our campuses to start the spring semester, I have many updates to share, mostly regarding university leadership.

Board of Visitors

The highest profile change is in the membership of our board. Late last week the Governor's Office received the resignations of both Rector Charles "Cully" Stimson and Visitor Robert Pence, bringing the number of board vacancies to 12. I thank them for their service to George Mason University.

On Saturday Governor Spanberger filled all 12 appointments, many of whom are alumni of the university and of the board itself. With all board seats filled once again, the board can reorganize and resume regular operations at their next meeting, scheduled for February 26.

Office of University Counsel

In addition, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones made changes to the Office of University Counsel here at George Mason University, as Virginia law vests those decisions with the attorney general and not the university. I thank University Counsel Anne Gentry and Associate University Counsel Eli Schlam for their many years of dedicated service as our legal representatives. I will keep the community informed as next steps become clear for leadership and staffing in the Office of University Counsel.

Federal Inquiries

Amid the change, we return to campus with the various federal inquiries alleging antisemitism and discriminatory employment practices yet to be resolved. As we continue to work toward resolution on those matters, I want to reassure everyone that we continue to do what we always do: stick to our organizational values, and maintain laser-like focus on delivering our world class education to all who seek its challenge and opportunity.

Our Core Values

As always, our values guide our actions, particularly: putting students first, acting with integrity, functioning as a unified community, honoring freedom of thought and expression, and drawing on the fortifying strength of each other's diverse origins, identities, life circumstances, and viewpoints. These core values are what sustain us, and make George Mason truly all together different.

In this semester of change and renewal, I will be back in touch with updates as circumstances warrant.

Have a great semester, Patriots!

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington
President