Overview of March 20 Board of Visitors meeting

The George Mason University Board of Visitors made several changes at its last meeting on March 20 (photo courtesy of George Mason University).

Dining contract delayed

At a March 20 meeting, the Board of Visitors delayed a final decision to its ongoing dining contract negotiations. The university had been deciding whether or not to renew Sodexo’s contract or to choose a new company, Chartwells.

As of December 2012, Sodexo has been working with Mason for 25 years.

A dining company has been selected, though the university is still negotiating a contract. Due to time limitations, the Board gave President Ángel Cabrera the authority to sign the final contract.

An official announcement of the decision is expected within the next 30 days.

Changes to faculty promotion and tenure

The Board also approved new changes to faculty promotion and tenure guidelines. Traditionally, the board is the final decider in tenure candidates, who go through committee review. The proposal establishes a single committee that will handle all cases for that year rather than on a case-by-case basis. Both the faculty and the provost will appoint members. Under the new system, the president will make the final decision.

Room and board rate changes

For the 2014 fiscal year, the Fairfax Campus annual room rate increase will range anywhere from 3.2 to 3.5 percent. On the Prince William Campus, rates will increase 3 percent, and 3.26 percent on the Smithsonian-Mason Front Royal Campus.

Changes to student representatives appointments

Mason students have two non-voting members on the board. The board officially adopted new rules for how students are appointed to the board. When an undergraduate student is elected president of student government, they are automatically placed as a member of the board. Likewise, the sitting president of Mason’s Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA) will also have a seat.

Student Body President Alex Williams and Graduate Student President Steven Harris-Scott are the current representatives.