Graduate

If you have general questions about graduate studies at CVPA or need assistance with the CVPA graduate studies application process, please contact the CVPA Graduate Admissions Coordinator, 703-993-5576 or via email Coordinator-artsgrad@gmu.edu.

Advising Appointment Scheduling

The School of Art Graduate Advisor is Robert Yi. To schedule an appointment please e-mail ryi6@gmu.edu. Also listed are important advising scheduling policies:

Cancellation of Appointments

Situations arise that may create a need to reschedule or cancel an appointment. Please cancel your appointment online or email your advisor at least two hours before the scheduled time. Please respect the advisor’s time as they will return the courtesy if they need to reschedule.

Appointment No-Show Policy

This policy is not meant to be disciplinary, but to be fair and equitable to all students. During peak advising periods, appointment times are premium. If you do not notify your academic advisor two hours in advance that you are unable to keep an appointment, your absence will be noted as a “no-show.” Advisors will then give priority to students who keep their appointment times. Repeat offenders will not be able to schedule appointments until the end of the peak-advising season.

Late Appointment Policy

If you are 15 minutes or more late for an advising appointment, you will need to reschedule.

Learning Outcomes

By participating in academic advising at GMU you will:

• Reflect on goals and motivations in order to take ownership of educational choices.
• Engage in a process of self-reflection, self-discovery, and self-awareness.
• Learn how to be a self-advocate and how to locate and utilize available resources such as the Learning Services, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Office of Disability Services (ODS), Assistive Technology Initiative (ATI), and Writing Center.
• Improve your decision-making and problem solving skills by asking questions.
• Be empowered to take responsibility for your choices and learn from those choices, actions, and outcomes.
• Develop the ability to connect learning across the curriculum and to integrate learning and experience.
• Develop a deeper sense of social responsibility and ethics by thinking about your relationship to the world and the community, both during and following college.
• Be able to identify and communicate the transferable skills gained through your educational experiences.
• Develop the skills and commitment needed to seek out opportunities for lifelong learning.

Advisor and Advisee Roles and Responsibilities

Advisor

• Provide an encouraging and supportive environment for students to share their goals, concerns, and interests.
• Actively listen to questions and concerns and assist in development of decision-making skills, self-evaluation skills, and educational plans.
• Understand and effectively communicate George Mason University degree requirements.
• Assist students in making informed course decisions utilizing PatriotWeb and Degree Evaluation tools.
• Refer students to appropriate campus resources, organizations, and faculty/staff members as needed to facilitate academic performance and enhance your college experience.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records as outlined in the University Catalog.
• Create a safe, positive environment to freely explore ideas and interests regarding personal, academic, and career goals.
• Uphold the values, policies, and procedures of their schools, departments, and George Mason University.

Student

• At least once per semester, schedule regular and timely appointments with their advisors.
• Attend advising appointments as scheduled.
• Ask questions about the role institutional policies and procedures, general education requirements, academic programs, and student services are apart of the academic experience.
• Explore campus services, such as Learning Services, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Office of Disability Services (ODS), Assistive Technology Initiative (ATI), Writing Center, Math Tutoring Center,
• Explore extracurricular activities in order to facilitate your academic achievements.
• Regularly review their academic progress utilizing GMU advising tools (Degree Evaluation/DegreeWorks) and assume responsibility for meeting academic requirements.
• Craft educational plans based on assessment of abilities, aspirations, interests, and values. Be thoughtful of your educational plan. Set short-term and long-term goals for achievements.
• Read both print and electronic university communication and respond when required.
• Assume responsibility for all decisions and actions that may impact academic and career options.
• Be aware of your rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

This is a federal law that gives protection to student educational records and provides students with certain rights. These rights include:

• Inspect and review their educational records;
• Request the amendment of inaccurate or misleading records;
• Consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their educational record;
• File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by an educational institution to comply with this law

See more information at the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Communication Protocol

E-mail communication via a student’s college-issued e-mail account is the mandatory method of communication at George Mason University. Due to privacy regulations, the advisor will communicate solely through your college-issued account. While some inquiries may be resolved through e-mail correspondence, most situations benefit from scheduling a face-to-face appointment for further discussion.

Advisors are available to answer some questions via e-mail.  E-mails to advisors are professional communications, so please include: first name, last name, and G-number.  An advisor will return your message within three business days. Advisors cannot advise over the phone due to FERPA regulations.