George Mason University
PAE-8: Support Programs for Under-Represented Groups

The Office of Diversity Programs and Services (ODPS) at George Mason University (Mason) supports Mason’s diverse student and faculty population. Throughout the year, ODPS sponsors a variety of programs for students and faculty, including lectures, concerts, awards, and seminars. The office works specifically with African Heritage, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific American, American Indian, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning populations. ODPS advocates for students rights by coordinating the following services: -Academic Appeals -Bias Incidents Reports -Classroom Climate -Collaborate with other university offices to ensure equal treatment of underrepresented groups -Community Building -Grade Disputes They coordinate training opportunities which include Diversity Workshops and Seminars, Mentoring Program Development, Safe Zone Program for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Resources (LGBTQ) allies and manage the Student Transition and Empowerment Program (STEP). Another program is Brother to Brother, Sister to Sister that engages students about relationships across gender lines. They also organize several national cultural celebrations, such as, the American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Black History Month, Middle Eastern & South Asian Cultural & Religious Events, Hispanic Heritage Month, MLK Celebration, and PRIDE Week. As part of George Mason University's continuing commitment to upholding the letter and spirit of the laws that ensure equal treatment of people with disabilities, the university maintains the Office of Disability Services. Under the administration of University Life, the center implements and coordinates reasonable accommodations and disability-related services that afford equal access to university programs and activities. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is available to serve all students with disabilities, including those with cognitive (e.g., learning, psychological, and closed head injury), sensory, mobility, and other physical impairments. Exam accommodations provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity as their inclusive peers to reflect the knowledge they have gained during a particular subject’s course of study. All students who have a need for materials in an alternative format, if they qualify, may request this service through the ODS. ODS also provides Sign Language interpreting/transliterator services for eligible students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. These services are also available for faculty, staff and campus events. The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) has been host and home to thousands of students, researchers, and faculty members from around the world. The OIPS assists students with international regulatory and visa matters; academic advising services and social and cultural programming. The OIPS is a "one-stop shop" for all new incoming international students. They can check-in with OIPS and receive all the necessary information they need upon arrival at George Mason University, including class schedule and catalogs, campus telephone directories, housing, transportation, on-campus jobs, immunization, health and insurance information, counseling services, career services, English Language Institute free language workshops, etc. Students can also sign up for OIPS trips and find out more about international student programs for the academic year.

The Association of Black Faculty, Administrators, and Staff (ABFAS) promotes the well-being of the Black community at Mason. They promote the recruitment of Black faculty, administrators, staff, and students; assist in the recruitment and retention of Black undergraduate and graduate students; encourage equitable utilization of Black faculty, administrators, and staff throughout the university community; and organize and maintain a support network for Black faculty, administrators, staff, and students.

The Association of Black Faculty, Administrators, and Staff (ABFAS) promotes the well-being of the Black community at Mason. ABFAS Members visited the White House in 2011. ABFAS celebrated Black History Month event at George’s (February 18th, 2011): The ABFAS members hosted Celebrating the Educators - Sharing the Legacy in support of Mason's Black History Month festivities. Dr. Peter Stearns, University Provost, opened the evening's festivities and Dr. Mark Hobson, Dept. of Communication, served as keynote speaker for the event.