The College of Visual and Performing Arts believes that the arts are vital in creating and strengthening community. Your gift makes a tremendous impact and a difference in the lives of Mason students and faculty, as well as arts lovers of all ages in the region.
Mason is monitoring the outbreak of coronavirus/COVID-19, following guidelines from the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health, and posting regular updates on this page.
Update May 13, 2022
Updated mask requirements for Commencement
Update April 5, 2022
Mason campuses are now mask-optional
Update March 10, 2022
Update March 4, 2022
Read the Dean of CVPA's letter regarding mask wearing at Mason.
Update: January 31, 2022
President Washington announces COVID Next Steps
Update: January 24, 2022
Update on COVID testing for faculty and staff
Update: January 17, 2022
Update on vaccines and boosters
Update: January 14, 2022
Mason provides N95 masks for Spring semester
Update: January 14, 2022
Booster, testing and Mask Updates
Update: January 14, 2022
Complete a Required COVID Test
Update: December 31, 2021
Mason announces booster shot requirement; spring semester classes to start as planned
Update: December 10, 2021
COVID won't be on break. Patriots, get your booster.
Update: November 1, 2021
COVID Safety Guidelines for the Thanksgiving Holiday Break
Update: September 21, 2021
New vaccination policy for audience members at the performing arts centers at Mason.
Update: September 8, 2021
Update on Mason's surveillance testing strategy
Update: August 16, 2021
A safe and successful semester is possible if we all do our part to fight COVID
Update: August 11, 2021
Mason's new masking requirements for all faculty, staff and students.
Update: July 22, 2021
Mason announces new vaccination requirements for fall semester
Update: June 28, 2021
Update: June 24, 2021
George Mason University is now entirely COVID-free
Update: June 2, 2021
Update on safety guidelines including mask wearing.
Update: May 26, 2021 - New Fall Guidelines
Update: April 21, 2021 - Vaccination Anticipation
As COVID vaccinations ramp up on campus, @George Mason University students and members of the #MasonNation share why they are getting the COVID-19 vaccine!
Update: March 26, 2021 - A Message of Hope
Update March 4
We are approaching the midpoint of the spring semester, and I’m pleased to say that our community continues to do a remarkable job of showing how to thrive during this pandemic. A crisis can be an opportunity to learn and lead, and we have done both.
President Washington: A promising outlook for the fall
Update January 28
Mason's saliva-based, rapid-result test is part of the university's comprehensive plan to track and control the virus on campus. @George Mason University announces it is introducing a rapid-result, saliva-based COVID-19 test that will greatly expand testing capabilities on its campuses this spring. The effort, led by Mason’s faculty, is part of a comprehensive program to better track and control the virus on campus. See the video.
Update: January 21, 2021
George Mason University is welcoming students back to campus on Jan. 25 for the start of the spring semester. Students, faculty and staff are asked to remember the steps that enabled Mason to have some of the lowest numbers of COVID-19 cases among Virginia's large universities during the fall. Learn more about what's planned. Watch the video.
Update: January 15, 2021
President Washington updates Spring 2021 plans
Update: January 5, 2021
Welcome back Patriots, let's tackle 2021
Update: December 1, 2020
Working together to keep Mason safe now and in 2021
Update: October 15, 2020
George Mason University’s active cases of COVID-19 remain low, thanks to everybody doing their part. Active cases and testing data are available on the COVID-19 dashboard. Learn more
Update: September 25, 2020
Mason Nation is always up for a challenge, and right now we are meeting it head on. Mason’s commitment to the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff is unwavering.
Update: September 22, 2020
Last week, George Mason University made the decision to test our most at-risk population—our residential students—to see if there was any significant impact from the Labor Day holiday. We're pleased to share that with 97 percent of those results in, we have seen a remarkably low rate of transmission: just 11 positive students out of more than 2,400 test results, or a 0.45 percent positivity rate. Read more.
Update: September 17, 2020
George Mason University this week is testing all 3,000 residential students for COVID-19, an effort intended to measure the impact of the Labor Day holiday and manage a likely spike in cases on campuses. Read more.
Update: August 25, 2020
As of the first day of classes Monday, Mason welcomed a record-high 6,863 new students in pursuit of an undergraduate degree—that includes first-time freshmen and those transferring from other institutions. Read what President Washington had to say about the start of the academic year:
President Washington welcomes incoming students to 'a start like none other'
Update: August 24, 2020 - Mason COVID Health✓™
Everyone planning to be on campus must complete the health check every day. Find out More.
Updates: August 22, 2020
President Washington gives updates on on COVID testing.
Update: August 10, 2020
Read President Washington's updates for a Safe Return to Campus
Update: July 28, 2020
Fall 2020 will look different at Mason, with decreased density on campus and more online learning. There will be opportunities for in-person learning for students who want to return to the Mason campus, and many other choices for learning online. In all cases, we are prepared to fully pivot to online learning, if public health factors make that necessary.
Read more about Fall learning options.
All faculty, staff, and student workers must complete Safe Return to Campus Training before returning to campus. Learn more.
Update: July 24, 2020
Read about the university's safe plan for the return to campus including steps to take before returning to campus and while back on campus:
Creating a safe environment requires everyone’s help
Update: July 14, 2020
The programs and schools within the College of Visual and Performing Arts, in conjunction with the Office of Admissions, will be hosting several virtual recruitment events throughout the summer and fall. Please visit the admissions website for the most up-to-date information.
Update: June 24, 2020 - Safe Return to Campus
Mason will start the fall semester as scheduled on Monday, August 24, with a mix of in-person instruction and expanded online classes. Please visit this resource guide to help plan activities and understand changes brought to our university in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For previous news stories see Mason's Campus COVID-19 Data page