Connect2Mason
VIDEO: Connect2Mason speaks with vice president of facilities
|On April 22, Connect2Mason sat down with Tom Calhoun, vice president of facilities at George Mason University. He discussed the future of the relationship between the university and the community and the biggest challenges Mason faces in terms of growth.
Terra Secundum: Environmental engagement through the arts
|For the first time in George Mason University’s history, The Office of Sustainability, in collaboration with Northern Virginia Community College, showcased student’s unique artwork, musical scores and spoken word centered on themes of sustainability and ecology.
The event took place on Monday, April 22 to kick off Mason’s Earth Week.
Terra Secundum, which translates to "second earth,” invites the Mason community to learn more about the importance of sustainability, applicable not only to our generation, but to the next.
Cycling enthusiasts ride in sixth annual Bike to Mason Day
|In case you hadn’t marked your calendars, April 23 was the annual Bike to Mason Day. The event is a six-year-old tradition celebrating George Mason University's cycling culture and encouraging more sustainable forms of transportation. Mason’s Office of Sustainability and Office of Parking and Transportation worked together to encourage students to seek out alternative ways of getting to and from campus.
Fairfax passes 1-cent increase in tax rate, closes budget gap
|Faced with reduced federal government spending, a $169 million budget gap and sequestration, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a compromise budget for the 2014–2015 fiscal year.
The budget presented by Fairfax County Executive Ed Long initially proposed a 2-cent increase in the real estate tax rate, but the board ultimately decided on a 1-cent increase. According to a county press release, the increase will cost the average county homeowner an additional $216 in real estate taxes.
Cabrera addresses students' concerns in recent AMA
|Among recent efforts to engage students with the GMU faculty, the George Mason University sub-reddit featured an AMA on Friday, April 19 hosted by President Ángel Cabrera.
Kendrick Lamar plays at Mason with the help of PAC
|One of the biggest events at George Mason University each spring semester is Mason Week, especially it’s spring concert. The week is celebrated at the university with a slew of events. For this year’s spring concert, the Patriot Activities Council (PAC) will be hosting hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar at the Patriot Center. Recording artist Kendrick Lamar was named “The Hottest MC in the Game” by MTV this year.
Solar Maximum 2013
|Most people think weather is just a term on Earth, but weather is everywhere. Weather even takes place outside of Earth, in space. A typical type of space weather involves solar flares. Did you know that on April 11, the most powerful solar flare of the year erupted from the sun? And did you also realize that there was a temporary radio blackout from it? Maybe you heard about the sudden Aurora Borealis of the east coast?
Prince William lab helps fight bioterrorism
|During the week of April 17, 2013, a man mailed ricin-laced letters to a congressman and the president of the United States. Ricin is highly toxic and is often fatal to humans. While no one was injured in the incident, it was highly reminiscent of the 2001 anthrax letters that killed five and stunned the nation.
In lieu of these attacks, new facilities were created between 2001 and 2005 to investigate bioterrorism and to fortify national defense against viral agents. One of these facilities was the National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases (NCBID), founded in 2001 and located at George Mason University’s Prince William Campus.
First members inducted into historical Phi Beta Kappa honor society
|After years of work to bring a chapter to George Mason University, the Phi Beta Kappa honor society held its first induction ceremony on April 17, accepting 125 students, four alumni and 139 charter faculty members.
“It was a wonderful ceremony, combining the installation of our chapter and the induction of the first cohort of students,” said Marion Deshmukh, president of the Omicron Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, in an email.
Women's lacrosse falls to William & Mary, 16-12 despite Hilderbrandt's strong performance
|A stellar performance by senior Allie Hilderbrandt was not enough for the George Mason University lacrosse team to overcome William & Mary on Senior Day for its first Colonial Athletic Association win this season. Hilderbrandt scored career-high six goals, but the Patriots lost 16-12..