George Mason University
PA-14: Wellness Program

Well-Being University Initiative: A well-being university intentionally cultivates in its community members the knowledge and skills necessary for thriving together. As a well-being university, George Mason University is promoting and supporting an environment providing students, faculty, and staff with educational, co-curricular, and professional development experiences, helping individuals assess quality of life and values with the goal of cultivating a well-lived life. Through the Well-being University Initiative, the Mason community has access to: 1) BurnAlong, a pioneering online platform that offers on-demand well-being classes. 2) Mason’s Resilience Badging Challenge. 3) Free online well-being assessments. 4) the Patriot Experience.

Academic and non-academic staff: All health plans offered at Mason to employees and their dependents have employee assistance programs (EAPs). Included are up to four sessions at no charge for such services as mental health, alcohol or drug abuse assessment, child or elder care, grief counseling and legal or financial services. Moreover, employees may participate in Walking Wednesdays, Let’s Move Mason, and the State of Virginia’s CommonHealth program.

Students: Student Health Services provide care for a range of needs, including diagnosing and treating injuries and illness, providing immunizations, managing chronic health concerns, and conducting physical exams. A nurse advice line is available when the clinic is closed. Counseling and Psychological Services provides confidential personal and academic services to students. Individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, consultations, and community education programs are offered. Additionally, Counseling and Psychological Services supports the Peer Empowerment Program, which provides trained peer support to Mason students through programs, mentoring, and direct advising. The Student Support and Advocacy Center helps students develop and maintain healthy lifestyles by addressing some of the most challenging issues, such as stress management and body image, they may face during their collegiate years. Lastly, the Student Support and Advocacy Center also serves as the central resource for assisting students who are encountering barriers to their academic success and personal growth.

George Mason University is committed to providing a safe, healthful, and pleasant learning and working environment for Mason students, faculty and staff. The purpose of this policy is to address the use of all tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, as well as ensure compliance with the Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act and Virginia Executive Order 41. Virginia Executive Order 41 states that smoking is not permitted within buildings, facilities, enclosed structures, or vehicles owned, leased or rented by the University.[1]

1. Executive Order 41 applies to parking garages, covered walkways, temporary enclosed structures, trailers, and tents, as well as structures placed on state-owned property by contractors or vendors.

2. Smoking is not permitted outdoors within 25’ of any building or facility entrance/exit (including parking garages, loading docks, etc.), outdoor air intake, operable window, or covered walkway. Smokers are required to use ash urns to dispose of their smoking material waste and should not litter on state-owned property with smoking material waste.

3. Smoking locations should not impede traffic flow in or out of buildings and should be in a location where smoke cannot drift into office, class or living spaces.

4. Faculty, staff, student and visitor smokers are required to comply with Office of Housing and Residence Life policies and guidelines as they relate to smoking.

Well-Being University Initiative: https://wbu.gmu.edu/

Human Resources Wellness: https://hr.gmu.edu/worklife/index.php?t=7

State of Virginia’s CommonHealth: http://www.commonhealth.virginia.gov/commonhealthvirginia.htm

Student Health and Wellness: https://www2.gmu.edu/student-life/health-and-wellness