Policies

This procedure pertains to all situations involving a Mason LIFE student where there exists an educational based need to contact a parent/guardian for programmatic concerns noted by Mason LIFE staff. While this notification link https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/ferpa-compliance/ outlines the university FERPA Compliance policy # 1122, the process below reflects the specific needs of the Mason LIFE community and will be followed each time. This procedure includes all Mason LIFE (ML) students, parents/guardians, ML staff and administrative personnel.

General categories when ML staff will initiate contact with families:

• Medical: Pain or illness not typical for student
• Finances: Commuter or transportation access
• Procedural Processes: Related to work or recreation where additional authorization is required (e.g. sports physical, TB testing)
• Behavior that significantly impacts the educational success of the student despite additional program support. These behaviors may put the student’s well-being, enrollment status, and/or safety at risk.
• Safety: On/Off campus requiring additional agency involvement (e.g. emergency first responder, fire and rescue, and any other law enforcement agency)
• Formal Processes: Title IX, GMU PD and or Student Conduct

The mission of Mason LIFE is to promote self-advocacy development, so to the extent possible, student-family interaction is the preferential form of sharing information. Therefore, where possible, the Mason LIFE student will be the primary responder to family/student concerns with the assistance of the Mason LIFE support staff.

Where possible, the following procedures should be followed:

1. Administrative Staff will notify student of the need to discuss a concern with parent/guardian
2. Student and staff will sign FERPA waiver (if necessary)*
3. Student will contact parent/guardian
4. Student will introduce the topic of concern to the parent/guardian as noted on the FERPA paperwork. Student may request assistance from staff and explaining the reason for the call.
5. Student, staff, and family discuss the topic of concern
6. Staff will document conversation, store the consent form using the approved confidential protocol, and complete all follow-up an appropriate manner
7. Staff will communicate outcomes by sharing pertinent information with appropriate staff

In situations where the student refuses to participate or it is not possible for the student to participate, Mason LIFE staff may contact families directly without involving the student.

* In certain situations, as permitted by FERPA, Mason Life staff may contact families without the consent of the student.

This procedure pertains to all situations involving a Mason LIFE student where there exists a substantial likelihood that the student will cause, in the moment or near future, serious harm to themselves or to others. The evidence employed is recent behavior, self-report from the student, or reported behaviors by the staff of Mason LIFE or the university.

While this notification link, https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/parental-notification/ outlines the university Parental Notification Policy # 1121, the process below reflects the specific needs of the Mason LIFE community and will be followed. This procedure includes all Mason LIFE (ML) students, Falls Church Fairfax Community Services Board (CSB) representatives via the Regional, Education, Assessment, Crisis Services, Habilitation (REACH) program, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and the George Mason Police Department (GMU PD).

Procedural steps to be taken:

1. Student receives the attention and support from ML staff due to the student’s inability to safely care for themselves or having the potential to harm others.
2. If imminent threat of physical violence is present, ML staff will call GMU PD. If no imminent threat exists, staff will call the ML Director or Core Administrative staff immediately to facilitate next steps.
3. Director or Core Administrative staff will notify REACH personnel: Emergency number (855) 897-8278. The Administrative staff will follow the notification chain of command so all parties are informed.
4. Student and ML staff will speak to REACH personnel regarding student behavior to discuss the situation and prepare for next steps.
5. If determined that the student needs to be transported, ML staff will contact GMU PD to request transport to Merrifield Center, Community Services Board at 8221 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031. If possible, a request will be made for a Certified Trained police officer to accompany the student to the CSB.
6. Selected ML administrative staff will meet the student at Merrifield Center, Community Services Board.
7. REACH staff will intervene, and conduct the evaluation of the student.
8. ML Director will conduct parental notification.
9. ML Director will notify Division Director of the situation.
10. ML administrative staff will complete an incident report to include the following:
    • Specific behaviors which meet criteria for transportation to CSB and parent notification
    • Name of ML staff members involved
    • Outcome of evaluation by CSB
    • Date and time of the call to parent/guardian and to Administrative Supervisor
11. ML will collaborate with REACH, student, and family to discuss treatment and educational options advised post-evaluation and/or treatment.
    • A student will be released from the facility to the family or designee.
    • After release, Mason LIFE will consult and conduct an individual assessment of the student with campus stakeholders (e.g., Support staff, instructors, professors, clinical therapists (on/off campus), GMU PD, Dean of Students and others).
    • Within one week of release, a virtual meeting will take place with Mason LIFE staff, and families and those who support students to discuss plans for a return to program or may include a temporary/ or permanent leave of absence.
    • A determination of return to the program, a temporary or a permanent leave of absence will be made during the meeting. If temporary absence is selected, a specific time for the leave of absence will be given. An option of online learning for foundational academics will be considered as an option for the student to participate in while on leave.
    • If it is determined that the student will temporarily leave the program, the student will not be allowed to live in university housing during the temporary leave.
    • A meeting will be held approximately one week prior to the specified temporary leave date of return, and Mason LIFE will consult again with those interfacing with the student. At this meeting, a decision of a return to campus will be determined.
    • When safety is an immediate concern, the director or designee may remove a student from the campus pending a decision on whether the student should be placed on leave.
    • This procedure does not govern any financial matters related to a student placed on leave of absence. A student placed on a leave of absence is encouraged to discuss financial matters with the Office of Student Accounts and, if applicable, the Office of Financial Aid.

No Need to Call an Ambulance

• if we know the student has seizure disorder, and
• if the seizure ends in under five minutes, and
• if consciousness returns without further incident, and
• if there are no signs of injury or physical distress.

However, the support staff must inform the next level of supervisor and the student’s family will be contacted.

An Ambulance Should Be Called

• if the seizure has happened in water.
• if we do not know if the person has seizure disorder, as this is the first time.
• if the seizure continues for more than five minutes. • if a second seizure starts shortly after the first has ended.
• if the person has another condition such as diabetes or heart disease.
• if consciousness does not start to return after the shaking has stopped.
• if the person has any difficulty breathing after the seizure.

The support staff must inform the next level of supervisor IMMEDIATELY and the student’s family will be contacted.

During the Seizure Activity

First aid for epilepsy is basically simple. The goal is to keep the person safe until the seizure stops naturally by itself. These are the key things to remember:

• Keep calm and reassure other people who may be nearby.
• Don't hold the person down or try to stop his movements.
• Time the seizure with your watch.
• Clear the area around the person of anything hard or sharp.
• Loosen ties or anything around the neck that may make breathing difficult.
• Put something flat and soft, like a folded jacket, under the head.
• Turn him or her gently onto one side. This will help keep the airway clear. Do not try to force the mouth open with any hard implement or with fingers. It is not true that a person having a seizure can swallow his tongue. Efforts to hold the tongue down can cause injury.
• Don't attempt artificial respiration except in the unlikely event that a person does not start breathing again after the seizure has stopped.
• Stay with the person until the seizure ends naturally.
• Be friendly and reassuring as consciousness returns.
• Always stay to help the person get home.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/first-aid-for-seizures/

This procedure includes all Mason LIFE (ML) students, staff and faculty members, and pertains to all situations involving a Mason LIFE student related to needing assistance of a staff member. In the event that a student is seeking help, (non-imminent), the following chain of command will be exercised.

Student has identified the need to seek guidance from staff/faculty pertaining to an academic, social/emotional, employment, housing or any other issue/concern:

Procedures to follow:

1. Student communicates the need for assistance to a staff member.
2. Staff determines the situation as non-imminent/or not (if imminent, follow parental notification policy)
3. Staff acknowledges the student’s concern and directs them to the appropriate staff member with guidance on an appropriate time to seek assistance. (e.g. student will seek assistance from a staff member associated with the component involved). Student will use point of contact listed on their schedule and will follow chain of command should issue go unresolved at any point.
4. Staff will provide student with support/guidance
5. If additional support is needed, staff will provide information to administrative support and seek guidance
6. Administrative staff will provide student support as needed
7. Administrative staff will communicate outcome of the meeting and share pertinent information with staff as appropriate.

This policy pertains to Student Academic Progress (SAP) for all Mason LIFE students throughout their 4 years at George Mason University. Students completing the Mason LIFE program will graduate with a Certificate of Completion (non- credit bearing) within a catalog concentration, and receive a work specialty. The Certificate of Completion is only awarded to those students who have made satisfactory academic progress (SAP).

There are five total programmatic components considered as integral to the overall SAP. Four of the required components include: Foundational Academics, Exploration Academics, Employment, and Community Involvement (CI). The fifth and optional component is Housing.

To maintain satisfactory academic progress of all non-credit LIFE classes/component work cumulatively attempted, students must achieve an overall SAP of 67%. Passing grades are SA, SB, or SC (with the S standing for Satisfactory equivalent to) and recorded by the University Registrar’s Office. A non-passing grade is recorded as a UD or UF (with U standing for Unsatisfactory equivalent to) a D or F.

Students will be graded collectively in Foundational and Exploration coursework (Academics), Employment, CI, and Housing (if applicable). The SAP will be determined by calculating as follows: Academics (50%), Employment (30%), Housing (10%) and CI (10%). Should a student not reside on campus, CI will be weighted at (20%). Should a student receive less than 67% for the semester, they will have the following semester to earn a 67%. If in the next semester they receive a 67% or higher, they will remain in the program. Should they not earn a 67%, the following semester, they will be removed from the program, and the registrar and financial aid office will be informed.

Grades will be determined by utilizing the following scale:

Once given a point value for each component grade, points will be weighted by the component designated weight and added together for a total passing or failing SAP.

Participants must also meet certain timeframe requirements to earn their Certificate of Completion. The SAP Policy requires that the student must complete the program within 150% of the normal time frame of completion. The normal program completion time is 4 years, or 300 clock hours, and the program must be completed within 450 clock hours. Participants who do not meet the 67% qualitative equivalent requirement or the 150% timeframe requirement are no longer eligible for financial aid or for continuation in the full-time program.

Programmatic SAP components:

The first programmatic component is Foundational Academics (e.g., courses specific for those in the Mason LIFE program). All students must complete the following coursework outlined in foundational academics: Human Sexuality and Relationship Fundamentals, Developing SelfRegulation, Two sections of Employment, Independent Living, Literature, Writing, Mathematics, and Banking and Budgeting.

The second programmatic component is Exploration Academics. Students participate in university courses on a non-credit basis. The exploration course-load is based on the student and their goals, availability of courses selected, and individual students’ abilities. With successful completion of each university class, as noted by test scores, work products, and other academic performance assessments, the grade will be entered on their academic transcript. Students will complete a five-course comprehensive concentration. To receive a comprehensive concentration, students may either take 5 courses within one academic program (e.g., Sport and Recreation, Information Technology, or others) or take five courses within any academic unit(s) and earn a Certificate of Integrated Studies. In addition to the Comprehensive Concentration, a minor may also be earned by taking an additional 3 classes in one specific area. Foundational and Exploration coursework will be combined for an overall “Academic” component when determining the SAP.

The third programmatic component is the Employment. During the first year, students are enrolled in a classroom-based employment curriculum to refine resumes, develop appropriate workplace behaviors, and discuss options for employment experiences. After successful completion of the course, students will begin to work on and off campus, during their second academic year of the program. Students will earn a work specialty in a variety of identified industry domains.

The fourth required component is CI. Regardless of whether a student lives on or off campus, students are expected to become involved in one community event per week (on or off campus) at a minimum, and join one student based GMU club per year. Students who do not reside on campus, will have CI weighted twice the amount, or 20% of the total 100% for the determination of the SAP.

The fifth and optional area of concentration is housing. If students live on campus, they will be evaluated on independent living skills to include meal planning, preparation and cooking, cleaning, and laundry. Additionally, students will be assessed on the ability to live among the rules established by residence halls, their roommates, and the residence assistants while abiding by the Student Code of Conduct. This includes getting along with others, attending team building meetings, and advocating for one’s needs.

Then following process will occur when determining the SAP:

1. Each semester a grade of P (Pass- 67% or above) or F (Fail- 66% or below) will be awarded. Grades are awarded at the mid-term and final grade mark, as well as at the Person-Centered Planning meeting. Students will be notified if they have received an F at these times.
2. Should a student not meet SAP, and awarded a F, a meeting will be held with the student, and family, and the Mason LIFE staff to discuss possible strategies that may help the student mitigate the concerns for the remaining semester or following semester.
3. Students are given one semester after receiving a Failing grade to improve their SAP to 67% or above. Should the student not reach the necessary 67% SAP, the following semester, the student is no longer eligible for financial aid and termination of the program will be initiated.

This procedure pertains to all situations regarding Mason LIFE students where there exists a reported offense of a Sexual Assault, Sexual Exploitation, Interpersonal Violence, Stalking, Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment.

While this notification link, https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/sexual-harassment-policy/ outlines the university Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Inter- Personal Violence Policy # 1202, the process below reflects the specific needs of Mason LIFE community and will be followed.

1. ML Director receives a copy of Title IX report
2. ML Director seeks approval from Title IX to contact student
3. ML Director explains all written correspondence from Title IX office to student
4. ML Director will provide support to ML student for Title IX meetings as necessary
5. ML Director will involve parent/guardian at the request of the student. Should a parent/guardian be contacted, ML Director will complete an incident report to include the following:
   • General description of the call to the parent/guardian
   • Name of the person making the call
   • Name of the person notified
   • The date and time of the call to parent/guardian and to the admin supervisor
6. If contacted by parent/guardian, ML Director will answer general procedural related questions and provide Title IX Director contact information for specific case related information.

Title IX Coordinator
Compliance, Diversity and Ethics
(703) 993 – 8730

7. ML Director will provide ongoing support to ML student throughout the Title IX investigation

All Mason LIFE students are expected to abide by the GMU Student Code of Conduct http://studentconduct.gmu.edu/university-policies/code-of-student-conduct/, and may be referred to the Student Conduct for any violations of the Code. Students referred to Student Conduct may ask for a Mason LIFE administrative staff member to attend a hearing. Any resulting disciplinary action will follow in accordance with Mason policies to include the permanent or temporary expulsion of a student.

In addition to the Student Code of Conduct, Mason Life students are also required to comply with the following mandatory program expectations. Failure to meet these expectations may necessitate intervention from the Mason LIFE staff up to and including removal from the program.

The following areas have been identified as mandatory expectations:

1. Maintain Student Academic Progress: (See SAP policy)
2. Follow all housing procedures set forth by Mason LIFE Staff:
   • Adhere to established curfew
   • Complete off campus form when leaving campus
   • Respect personal boundaries (e.g., enter private rooms with invitation only)
   • Be respectful of others in the residence halls (e.g., volume of tv)
   • Communicate and inform support staff of location by utilizing sign out sheet
   • Maintain safe personal boundaries
   • Maintain a clean room and in shared spaces
   • Follow all contracts established
   • Follow all RHL policy and procedures
   • Communicate with staff as needed
3. Remain accountable to schedule and outreach
   • Follow outlined schedule to participate in all component requirements
   • Inform support staff if unable to attend class, work site or a scheduled housing/ or community involvement event
   • Verbal/Written: Use appropriate tone and volume when speaking to others
   • Answer, respond to, and participate in meeting invitations from support or administrative staff
4. Maintain safe academic and community interactions
   • Follow through with directives from support staff
   • Stay with Mason LIFE support staff (when assigned) and students when engaging in community-based events
   • Alert support staff if exhibiting difficulty and needing assistance (e.g., Students will refrain from requesting that support staff contact family members regarding nonemergency concerns.)
   • Maintain the ability to self-regulate behavior
   • Respect personal boundaries always
   • Interact safely and respectfully in all academic and non-academic environments
   • Manage requests for medical attention appropriately
   • Maintain appropriate hygiene and dress

If a student is unable to meet the expectations outlined, Mason LIFE, staff will engage in progressive steps to address the behavior (in addition to making referrals to Student Conduct if behavior violates the Code of Student Conduct). Based on the severity of the behavior, Mason LIFE staff may opt to use step one multiple times or may escalate to a higher step.

Step 1: Staff will give a verbal warning to the student and document the behavior in the student’s record.

Step 2: Student and staff will meet to discuss the concern noted. Staff will report the incident of concern and allow the student to voice their response. A discussion will take place that will outline the expected behavior, and if applicable strategies will be offered to the student to help the student. The student will be given the potential consequences should the behavior occur again. Pending the severity of the incident a family member can be notified. Depending on the severity of the infraction, consequences may include restrictions or limitations placed on the student or dismissal of the program at the director’s discretion.

Step 3: Student, Staff and family will be invited to meet and discuss the concern noted. Staff will report the incident of concern to all parties involved and allow the student to voice their response. A discussion will take place that will outline the expected behavior, the strategies offered at the time of the first infraction and if applicable additional strategies will be offered to the help the student. The student will be given the potential consequences should the behavior occur again. Depending on the severity of the infraction, consequences may include restrictions or limitations placed on the student or dismissal of the program at the director’s discretion.

Step 4: Student, staff and family will be invited to meet, and address the concern noted. Options at this time may include temporary or final dismissal from the program based on the severity of concern.