A Message from Sharnnia Artis
Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer |
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Greetings Patriots,
As we embark on a new academic year at George Mason University, it is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI). At ODEI, we are committed to advancing inclusive excellence by fostering an environment that is safe, welcoming, free of discrimination and harassment. We aim to ensure all perspectives are valued and encouraged, providing strategic leadership and oversight over the university's compliance with federal, state, and institutional non-discrimination laws. ODEI collaborates with various campus units to implement policies and initiatives that ensure access and opportunities for all. Together, we continue our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every individual feels valued, heard, and empowered to succeed.
On August 27, 2024, President Gregory Washington approved updates to University Policy 1201: Non-Discrimination and the accompanying Policy 1201 Grievance Procedure. Policy 1201 is administered by ODEI, and the policy applies to all George Mason University faculty, staff, students, contractors, and visitors. Policy 1201 emphasizes Mason’s commitment to providing equal opportunity and an educational and work environment free from any discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic.At the end of the newsletter is a brief summary of revisions to Policy 1201 and the Policy 1201 Grievance Procedures.
Be Brave and Bold,
Sharnnia Artis, Ph.D.
Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer
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Policy Updates: Summary of Revisions in
Policy 1201 and Grievance Procedures
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| Location of Revision | Revision |
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| Policy 1201 Related Law & Policy |
Addition of Executive Order 13899-Combating Anti-Semitism and Ch. 471 of the 2023 Virginia Acts of Assembly.
| | Policy 1201 §III |
Specifies that ODEI will consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism and examples as required by E.O. 13899 and Ch. 471 of the 2023 Virginia Acts of Assembly
| | Policy 1201 §III | Definitions of Prohibited Discrimination and other key terms added | | Policy 1201 §IV(D)(1-2) |
All non-confidential employees who become aware of possible Prohibited Discrimination must file a report with ODEI | | Policy 1201§IV(G) | Specifies that Supportive Measures can be offered to Complainants and Respondents via Policy 1201 | | Procedures §IX(A-B) | Elaborates on previous procedures and how ODEI addresses reports of prohibited discrimination | | Procedures §IX(E) | Adds ability for a party to appeal dismissal of a formal complaint | | Procedures §IX(G) | Specifies sources of evidence that investigator will consider for discriminatory intent, including use of racial slurs or epithets (race discrimination), usage of sex-based stereotypes (sexual identity discrimination), and the IHRA definition and examples (anti-Semitic shared national origin discrimination). | | Procedures §X |
Provides additional process for non-appealing party to review and respond to appealing party’s appeal. |
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Please feel free to contact the Equal Opportunity team via email at MasonEO@gmu.edu if you have any questions about Policy 1201 or the Grievance Procedures.
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If you would like us to present a briefing about our office to your organization, please let us know at MasonEO@gmu.edu. Our goal is to provide education and to better understand any concerns about discrimination or harassment in your educational and work environment. This MasonEO briefing will cover, at a minimum, DEI mission and organization, Mason nondiscrimination policies, types and bases of discrimination, rights and responsibilities, and reporting/complaints processing for students. Additionally, MasonEO is eager to field questions and discussion points that will inform future outreach efforts and informational campaigns.
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| Assistive Technology Initiative
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Lunch & Learn Workshops
The Assistive Technology Initiative will be hosting lunch & learn workshops (12:00pm-1:00pm) focused on ensuring commonly used digital resources are accessible to all members of the Mason community. The following workshops will be available:
- Document Accessibility 101 (Word and PowerPoint), Oct. 1st
- PDF Accessibility 101, Oct. 3rd
- Accessible Email Communications, Oct. 11th
Assistive Technology Quick Talks!
Interested in learning more about assistive technology and the types of software applications that can assist you with reading, writing, and taking more efficient notes? Starting Sept. 10th, the Assistive Technology Initiative will be hosting 30-minute quick talk sessions highlighting useful assistive technology features/tools to assist you with accessing your information technology resources.
The sessions are as follows:
- Built-in Free Dictation, Sept. 17th
- Using the Livescribe App, Sept. 24th
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Natural Reader on the Go, Oct. 1st
- Read&Write's Most Useful Tools, Oct. 8th
Self-Guided Digital Accessibility Courses
The ATI offers self-paced, web-based digital accessibility training courses to assist members of the Mason community with learning how to create accessible documents and websites. Earn an HR Impact Award ($$) and a digital badge for your efforts! To learn more about these offerings, visit the Document Accessibility Fundamentals course and Trusted Tester for Web Fundamentals course links.
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For more information and to register for any of these training events, visit the ATI’s Upcoming Workshops page.
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| ASPIRE - Pathway Workshops
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ASPIRE Learning and Development meets people where they are through pathways that provide opportunities for skill enhancement, knowledge acquisition, and career improvement. ASPIRE Pathways serve as transformative journeys that foster growth, learning, and relationship building.
Upcoming sessions:
- Compassionate Conversations, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm, Sept 19th
- Nurturing Cultural Awareness and Resilience, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm, Oct 17th
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The Story of Me, The Story of Us, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm, Nov 15th
- Cultivating Empathy, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Dec 3rd
To attend a Pathway workshop, visit our ASPIRE Learning and Development page and click on the corresponding link after each workshop title to register. (MasonLEAPS login required)
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Barriers to access on campus impact us all. We should all work together to keep Mason open and inclusive to all community members. Please abide by the dismount zones and ensure scooters are parked away from paths and walkways. If you notice any barriers to access, physical or digital, on campus please submit an ADA Accessibility Report. The ADA Office and Accessibility Team welcomes all reports, feedback, and comments in our efforts to maintain a safe, inclusive, and accessible campus.
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