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Catalog Index Search the 2000-2001 Catalog: |
General Policies
Statement on Equal Opportunity and Affirmative ActionGeorge Mason University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action institution committed to the principle that access to study and employment opportunities afforded by the university, including all benefits and privileges, be accorded to each person—student, faculty, or staff member—on the basis of individual merit and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, sex, or age (except where sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification). George Mason maintains a continuing affirmative program to promote equal opportunity and to identify and eliminate discriminatory practices in every phase of university operations. Furthermore, affirmative action is taken to ensure that opportunities afforded by the university are fully available to persons with disabilities, women, disabled and Vietnam veterans, and minorities. The university makes every reasonable accommodation to enable students or employees with disabilities to undertake work or study for which they qualify. As required by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the university is committed to the broad application of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. Students and employees should bring problems or questions regarding EO/AA/sexual harassment policies to the attention of his/her supervisor, academic dean, department chair, the vice president for University Life, the student ombudsman, the director of Human Resources, a trusted faculty or staff member, the Women's Studies Research and Resource Center, or the vice president and university equity officer, Mason Hall, Suite D105, (703) 993-8730. Employees with disabilities may contact the ADA specialist in Mason Hall, Room D111, (703) 993-8857 or (703) 993-8787 (TDD). Students with disabilities may contact the Disability Resource Center in SUB I, Room 234, (703) 993-2474. Conduct within the University CommunityThe George Mason University community respects and protects the individual dignity, integrity, and reputation of all its members. All students, faculty and staff must comply with the conventions and regulations of university life that are necessary to maintain order, protect individuals and property, and fulfill the purposes and responsibilities of a university. This includes ensuring our commitment to high standards of civility and decency toward all. Students enrolling in the university assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the university's function as an educational institution. The Code of Virginia (Section 23-9.2:3) confers upon the university the responsibility for maintaining order within the university and the right to exclude those who are disruptive. The Office of the Judicial Administrator is administratively responsible for supervising student conduct on campus. A system of courts administers nonacademic discipline. In addition to these courts, the student Honor Committee, described in the "Academic Policies" chapter, is responsible for adjudicating violations of the Honor Code that relate to academic matters. Questions regarding student conduct should be directed to the Judicial Affairs Office, Student Union I, Room 302, (703) 993-2884. Immunization RequirementsUniversity policy requires that all students show documented evidence that they are immunized against certain communicable diseases. Immunizations that are required before registration for classes are as follows: Tetanus/diptheria: last booster within 10 years Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR): two doses for anyone born after 1956; both doses must have been administered after 1967 and after the first birthday orlaboratory report of titer for the MMR, if immunization records are unavailable. (Enclose copy of report.) Highly Recommended/Optional Tuberculosis screening Hepatitis B series of three injections Meningococcal vaccine Records of immunization are to be sent to the Student Health Center,
SUB I, MS 2D3, or faxed to the center at (703) 993-4053. If you have
questions, or need additional information, call (703) 993-2836.
(Adopted by the Board of Visitors, May 1990) Revised August 10, 1998 The abuse of drugs and alcohol by members of the George Mason University community is incompatible with the goals of the university. By defining standards of behavior and by providing educational programs to create an awareness of drug- and alcohol-related problems, the university attempts to prepare individuals to act responsibly. Those in need of assistance in dealing with such problems are encouraged to seek the confidential help of the university's Drug Education Services. Drugs
Alcohol
Notice to All State Employees The federal Drug-Free Workplace Act requires that we inform you that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace. The workplace consists of any state-owned, controlled, or leased property, or the site where state work is performed. Any employee who violates this prohibition will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge and/or will be required to satisfactorily participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program at the discretion of management. As a condition of employment, each employee must abide by the terms of this prohibition and notify his/her supervisor of any criminal drug statute conviction occurring in the workplace no later than five days after such conviction.
The Alcohol and Other Drug Policy, composed of these four sections, outlines subject matter pertaining to university regulations on substance use and abuse. This policy is annually distributed to all employees and students as a means of informing the campus community of alcohol and other drug laws, health risks, and campus and community resources. University regulations regarding the Alcohol and Other Drug Policy have been developed by a committee of faculty, staff, and students. This policy statement is available in Drug Education Services in Student Union I, Room 252D. This policy is also distributed through the student and faculty/staff handbooks and the university's two newspapers: Broadside and the Mason Gazette.
Parking PolicyAll faculty, staff, and students who park in lots owned or operated by George Mason University must display a valid decal or day pass, or must park in the Parking Deck and pay an hourly or daily rate. The Parking Deck is located on Mason Drive off Patriot Circle. Visitors and guests must park in the Parking Deck or at a meter, unless special arrangements have been made through Parking Services. Decal and day pass enforcement runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Metered parking is designated for short-term use and is monitored from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Broken meters are considered closed parking spaces, and any vehicles parked in such spaces are subject to citation. Restricted areas such as yellow curbs, crosswalks, sidewalks, landscaped/barricaded areas, loading zones, handicapped spaces, and fire/emergency lanes are monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To avoid receiving a substantial fine, students, faculty, and staff should purchase a decal as soon as they drive onto the campus. Three types of parking decals are available: yearly, semester, and summer. Day passes are available for faculty, staff, and students with valid George Mason IDs. Decals and day passes may be purchased at the Parking Services sales office, located in Room 1014 in Student Union II. The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and until 5 p.m. on Friday. Handicapped parking is available at a number of convenient locations at George Mason University facilities. A DMV handicapped permit must be presented to obtain a George Mason handicapped permit. A DMV permit alone is not sufficient for handicapped spaces in university lots. A visitor with a DMV tag/permit may park in the Parking Deck at prevailing rates or purchase a day pass and park in a handicapped space on campus. If no handicapped space is available, a metered space may be used for up to four hours. Parking in or blocking access to a handicapped space carries a fine at the prevailing rate. Some parking lots have designated spaces reserved for special permit holders, or for service and repair vehicles. Please read all signs posted at entrances to the parking lots. For additional parking information, call the Parking Services Office at (703) 993-2710. Motorist Assistance Program The Motorist Assistance Program is available at the Fairfax Campus from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Call the Parking Services MAP line at (703) 993-2715 to access this service. MAP is designed to assist drivers who have minor car problems. Trained MAP personnel are available to help with dead batteries. MAP personnel also can contact lockout or towing services at the owner's request and expense.
Sexual Assault PolicyThe following policy applies to all members of the George Mason University community: students, faculty, administrators, staff, contract employees, and visitors. The university is committed to providing an institutional environment where all persons may pursue their studies, careers, duties, and activities in an atmosphere free of the threat of unwelcome and unwanted sexual actions. It strongly condemns sexual offenses and will not tolerate sexual offenders. Sexual assaults are serious violations of the university's student judicial code, faculty standards, and university employee policies. They are crimes under state law and are punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. In addition, these actions are subject to civil suit for damages. The university will respond promptly, fairly, and decisively to all reports of sexual assault. Members of the university community accused of these actions will be subject to university disciplinary procedures when the alleged incident has occurred on campus or when the action has occurred off campus and materially affects the learning environment or operations of the university. Sexual assault includes the attempt or act of rape (sexual intercourse without consent, both by a stranger and acquaintance), forced sodomy (oral or anal sex), or forced penetration by a foreign object, including a finger. Nonpenetration sexual assault includes the act of touching an unwilling person's intimate parts such as genitalia, groin, breast, or buttocks or the clothing covering these parts, or forcing an unwilling person to touch another's intimate parts. The above acts constitute sexual assault when they are committed against a person's will as evidenced by refusal of consent or through the use of force, threat, or intimidation, or against a person who, by virtue of mental incapacity or physical helplessness, is unable to give or withhold consent. This includes, but is not limited to, incapacity or helplessness caused by alcohol or other drugs. Intoxication of the assailant shall not diminish the assailant's responsibility for sexual assault.
Sexual Harassment PolicySexual harassment is unacceptable conduct and is not condoned in any form at George Mason University. This policy is part of the university's efforts to maintain learning and work environments free from sexual harassment. While this problem can seriously affect all members of an educational community, sexual harassment can be particularly devastating for our student population. A sexual harassment experience can affect a student's emotional well being, impair academic progress, and even inhibit the attainment of career goals. This problem can likewise affect employees and applicants for both employment and admission to the university in the same manner. Therefore, George Mason University must move to eliminate this problem from the community. It is generally agreed that what constitutes and defines sexual harassment can vary under particular circumstances and events. Nevertheless, using the definitions of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, the university defines sexual harassment as follows: "Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute harassment when (1) submission to or rejection of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's academic performance or employment; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for decisions about academic evaluation, employment, promotion, transfer, selection for training, performance evaluation, or selection for academic awards or benefits, etc; (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or work environment or substantially interferes with a student's academic or an employee's work performance." While the definition quoted above reflects the historical fact that the majority of sexual harassment complaints involve a male harasser and a female complainant (or victim), the definition applies equally to female harassers and male victims as well as same-sex harassment. George Mason University is committed to eliminating sexual harassment from the campus while ensuring basic protection for all parties. The Office of the Vice President and University Equity Officer (a.k.a. Equity Office) is specifically charged to assist in the investigation and resolution of allegations of discrimination and harassment including sexual harassment. Further, the office exists, in part, to ensure that members of the campus community understand their responsibility to create and maintain an environment free from discriminatory actions and behaviors. For more information, contact the University Equity Office at (703) 993-8730 or (703) 993-8787 (TDD).
Stalking Policy(Effective February 1, 1999) This policy applies equally to all members of the George Mason University community: students, faculty, administrators, staff, contract employees, and visitors. The university is committed to protecting the right of all individuals to pursue their intellectual, vocational, and personal interests without harassment or interference. The university is also committed to providing an environment in which visitors to and members of the campus community are treated with dignity, respect, and regard for their welfare and learning needs. George Mason University defines stalking as any behaviors or activities occurring on more than one occasion that collectively instill fear in the victim, and/or threaten his or her safety, mental health, or physical health. Such behaviors and activities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
*These offenses may result in additional criminal charges. Stalking behavior will not be tolerated. Incidents occurring on or off campus are subject to university discipline when such actions materially affect the learning environment or operations of the university. Stalking is a crime under Virginia state law. Incidences of stalking outside the Commonwealth of Virginia may be admissible in court if they are relevant to the case and may be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor or a felony. Legal options available to victims of stalking include reporting to the local police, seeking a remedy through civil proceedings, and/or utilizing the campus judicial process. For more information on stalking issues or this policy, please contact Sexual Assault Services at (703) 993-4364.
Individuals with Disabilities PolicyThe university is committed to complying with the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 by providing
reasonable accommodations for applicants for admission, students, applicants
for employment, employees, and visitors who are disabled. Applicants
for admission and students requiring specific accommodations for a disability
should contact the Disability Resource Center at (703) 993-2474 or the
University Equity Office at (703) 993-8730. Applicants for employment
and employees should contact Human Resources at (703) 993-2600 or the
University Equity Office. Students and employees are responsible for
providing appropriate documentation and for requesting reasonable accommodation
in a timely manner.
The unauthorized possession, storage, display, or use of any kind of ammunition, firearms, fireworks, explosives, air rifles, air pistols, or other lethal instruments are prohibited on university property. Any questions regarding this regulation should be directed to the chief of police at (703) 993-2840. Smoking is not permitted in any building on campus. Bike racks are provided at various on-campus locations for the convenience of students who bike to and from campus. For resident students, there are bike racks in the residential complexes. Bikes and skateboards are not permitted on sidewalks, stairs, ramps, footpaths, or grassy areas of the campus or inside university buildings. No pets, except those assisting people with disabilities, are permitted in university buildings at any time. In addition, pets that are on campus grounds must be on a leash and under supervision at all times. Solicitors and salespeople, except on official business with the university, are not permitted on the campus without prior approval of the University Services Office.
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