Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.15
Liaison Amber Saxton
Submission Date Jan. 8, 2021

STARS v2.2

George Mason University
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.75 / 3.00 Greg Farley
Director of Sustainability
University Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Shared governance bodies

Does the institution have formal participatory or shared governance bodies through which the following stakeholders can regularly participate in the governance of the institution?:
Yes or No
Students Yes
Academic staff Yes
Non-academic staff Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal participatory or shared governance bodies:
Faculty Senate: The Faculty Senate has the fundamental general responsibility to speak and act for the General Faculty on matters affecting the University as a whole. The Faculty Senate has the particular responsibility to formulate proposals on matters affecting the welfare of the University and on university-wide academic policy. These constitute the primary advice of the Faculty to the Administration. The Faculty Senate is the principal faculty advisory body to the President and the administration.

Staff Senate: The Staff Senate, is a body of peers, classified and nonstudent wage employees, at George Mason University. It’s purpose is threefold. First, as an advisory body, it hears from staff and works toward finding appropriate avenues to address concerns. Second, it values its constituents through appreciation events and recognition programs. Third, it educates staff on matters that have an impact on their work-life. Paramount to all our work is engaging with staff.

Student Government: Student Government is a permanent standing entity which receives its legitimacy and authority as representatives of the entire student body. The Student Government of George Mason University advocates the interests of the student body, educates the University community with regard to the state of the institution, and represents the interests of each student. The Student Government of George Mason University will serve as a liaison to the administration, faculty, staff, and University community.

Part 2. Campus stakeholder representation in governance

Total number of individuals on the institution’s highest governing body:
19

Number of students representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
2

Number of academic staff representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
2

Number of non-academic staff representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
0

Part 3. Gender equity in governance

Number of women serving as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
9

Percentage of official members of the highest governing body that are women:
47.37

Website URL where information about the institution’s highest governing body may be found:

Part 4. Community engagement bodies

Does the institution host or support one or more formal bodies through which external stakeholders have a regular voice in institutional decisions that affect them?:
Yes

A brief description of the campus-community council or equivalent body that gives external stakeholders a regular voice in institutional decisions that affect them:
Fairfax Campus and Community Advisory Board: An advisory board established to share information among Fairfax City, County, and University on issues of mutual concern and provide recommendations on those issues from varying perspectives.

Mason/Community Forum: A town hall collaboration with the City of Fairfax and the Braddock District to share with the community happenings at the university and throughout the surrounding area that may interest or impact them, including construction and events. Town halls alternate location between the City and the Braddock District.

Emma: An email notification system set up currently for the Fairfax and Arlington Campuses to share information about university activities that may interest or impact the community.

https://relations.gmu.edu/community-relations/programs-and-services/good-neighbor-program/

Optional Fields 

Number of people from underrepresented groups serving as official members of the institution’s highest governing body.:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s governance structure is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.