Students in Need

There are several ways students may need assistance during their time here at George Mason, both academically and personally. Below are some of the most common instances you might encounter; here is a link to even broader resources you can point them towards: Supporting Students at Mason - Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning 

Disability Accommodations  

You may have students with disabilities who require an accommodation to complete the course (e.g., extra time on an exam, typed assignments, assigned note-taker). University Life’s Disability Services (DS) is here to assist such students. You should not try to make special arrangements yourself with a student. Instead, please direct such students to DS, which will work with them to create a plan for completing their courses. Affected students will then present you with a form from DS that outlines any accommodations the students require.  We ask that you follow DS’s recommendations. If you have any questions or concerns about the recommended accommodations, please follow up with DS.  

Early Alert Referrals

As a semester progresses, you may notice students who stop attending or become at risk of failing. To provide early intervention and help students get back on track, we encourage you to contact the appropriate program coordinator at any point in the semester to report these concerns:  

When submitting early alerts, please provide the following information:  

  • Student name and G number
  • Course number
  • Nature of concern (i.e. never attended, stopped attending, earned “F” on midterm exam)
  • Is it still possible for the student to pass the class?
    • Passing is considered “D” or higher for 100-400 level courses, and “B-“ or higher for 500-700 level courses. 
  • Your recommendations for the student
  • Any other relevant information

Additionally, please don’t hesitate to contact your program coordinator directly should you have questions about any policies or want to consult on a student situation. 

Writing and Communication Centers

If a student is looking to improve their written or oral communication, George Mason’s Writing Center and Communication Center are valuable resources at their disposal. Both centers offer one-on-one sessions with accomplished student consultants to help students hone their techniques at any stage in their process. Experienced and beginner writers/presenters can benefit from the resources offered by both centers, so we recommend you encourage your students to take advantage of the centers and their services.  

Classroom Disruptions

If you experience classroom disruptions caused by students that you find difficult to resolve quickly (a rarity), you should bring the problem to the attention of the appropriate program director.

If you observe concerning or threatening behavior in the classroom or on campus, report it to George Mason’s Threat Assessment Team by filling out this form or contact George Mason Police’s non-emergency line at 703-993-2810. If there’s an immediate threat of violence or other danger in the classroom, call 911.  

Personal Issues

Several campus resources exist for students going through personal issues. These include Counseling and Psychological Services, Office of Coalition Building and Diversity Education, Office of Access, Compliance, and Community, Mason Student Services Center, Student Support and Advocacy Center, and many others that can be found here. Please encourage students struggling with personal issues to seek out these resources.  

If you observe a student exhibiting worrisome behaviors or are concerned about their wellbeing, you can submit a referral to the SSAC, who will then attempt to contact that student to provide support. You are encouraged to speak to the student to let them know you are concerned; it's been found that if students are aware that someone is concerned and know that a referral has been submitted, it increases the likelihood they will respond to SSAC’s outreach and support.  

Crime, Mandatory Reporting, and Title IX

University employees are required to report crimes and concerning behaviors that are potential warnings of future violence to the appropriate university office/official in accordance with federal and state regulations. Reporting is necessary to help the institution intervene when necessary and appropriate and to accurately capture instances of violence to inform ongoing violence prevention efforts. If you observe concerning behavior, witness a crime, or have a crime disclosed to you, report it using this form: Report - Violence Awareness and Prevention

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities. As an adjunct faculty member, you are considered a non-confidential employee under Title IX. This means if a student discloses an incident of sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, or any other “Prohibited Conduct” outlined in University Policy 1202, you are required to submit a Title IX report to the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community.  

For more information, please see the resources below: