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September 2007 |
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The "Mason Connection" is Mason's electronic newsletter, designed to keep you informed of the latest developments at the university. The newsletter is sent monthly when the General Assembly is in session and every other month when it is not in session. Mason Implements New Security MeasuresIn the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy this past spring, universities across the nation have been re-examining their campus safety policies. And Mason is no exception. Last month, the university introduced Mason Alert, a new information system designed to give students, faculty, staff, and members of the community immediate access to emergency announcements, notifications, and updates. Within four weeks, more than 10,000 students, faculty, and staff had signed up for the service. Once registered, individuals are able to receive messages by e-mail or text message over a cell phone or PDA. The messages can quickly relay information about security or safety threats, evacuations, severe weather, transportation issues, building closures, and delayed or early closings. Mason's Counseling and Psychological Services is also taking part in the safety initiative. It has begun a new program called "Gatekeepers," which is designed to train university faculty and staff to better identify persons who might be exhibiting disturbing behavior. It also provides faculty and staff with better skills on how to approach these people and effectively encourage them to seek professional help.
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In The NewsWednesday, August 29, Washington Post Local Economic Outlook Is Cloudy "Stephen Fuller, head of George Mason University's Center for Regional Analysis, is in demand these days. Uncertainty surrounding the mortgage industry credit crisis has many business leaders turning to the professor of public policy for clarity on the future of the local economy.. 'We're not in a recession and it's not like [the savings and loan crisis], but there is no quick fix,' Fuller said in an interview yesterday." Wednesday, August 29, USA Today Married Women Unite! Husbands Do Less Housework "In [a] study by researchers at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., and North Carolina State University in Raleigh, cohabiting men report doing more housework than married men, and cohabiting women report doing less housework than married women, although cohabiting men still do less than cohabiting women. Shannon Davis, an assistant professor of sociology at George Mason and the study's lead author, says the institution of marriage seems to have an effect on couples that traditionalizes their behavior, even if they view men and women as equals." Saturday, August 18, The Independent (UK) Whales and Dolphins Endangered by Wind Farms "The growth in offshore wind farms-a central part of the government's fight against global warming-poses a potentially devastating threat to whales and dolphins, a report says.. The report's lead author, Chris Parsons of George Mason University in Virginia, said, 'One of the problems with the noise issue is the myriad conflicts of interest. Many of the supposed independent scientists have received substantive funding, either directly or indirectly, for their organizations from the major producers of noise pollution.'" |
and readings for students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, the festival serves as a fun way to further children's literary education. Fall for the Book also publishes an annual anthology of student writing in partnership with the Northern Virginia Writing Project and Dominion Resources. 
and Direct Alerting System is designed to prevent the collision hazards that occur when an aircraft is anywhere it is not supposed to be. Runway incursions have resulted in some of the most catastrophic aviation accidents in history, and recent data from the FAA indicate that runway incursions are on the rise. As air traffic continues to increase, the need for a solution to prevent runway incursions is critical.