If any single word could describe this semester ́s town hall meeting, the second under Dean Matz ́s supervision, it would be ̈new¨. From promises of new faculty to the potential of new systems for tuition payments, the administration of George Mason Korea provided a lot of reasons for students to be optimistic about the future. However, students simultaneously echoed concerns from the town hall of the previous semester, leaving some concerns without clear resolution. On September 25th, members of the student body and administration filled the student lounge as Dean Matz began the Fall Semester Town Hall.
Learning a critical lesson from the previous semester ́s town hall, an event that could easily be described as confusing and hectic, Dean Matz laid a clear framework for how the town hall would unfold. Creating time segments for each major concern: academics, student life, and finances; the Campus Dean was able to address a collective set of concerns at a single time. Starting with academics, the Campus Dean announced that the campus was in the process of hiring at least five new faculty members to fill critical roles in the global affairs and economics program. He made it clear that he was prioritizing the hiring of new professors to help increase the number of classes available to students. This was followed by the announcement of the possibility of a new ¨half semester” program that would last 7.5 weeks. The academics section of the town hall provided students many reasons to be confident in the future of the school. However, as the topic transitioned into student life, the future of life on campus came into question.
To say there was dissatisfaction with the living spaces on campus would be an understatement. From a lack of support for Residential Advisors (RAs) to problems for international students in getting the mandatory TB X-ray examination - a new requirement for the fall 2019 semester - to even claims of roaches in the dorms, there were a myriad of problems noted for students when working with the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) Foundation. While the administration and Campus Dean attempted to help quell these concerns with promises of assistance, the students appeared discontent with the lack of a complete solution to the living situation on campus. Dean of Student Affairs Marcel was able to resolve these complaints by explaining that he had already begun regularly meeting with the IGC Foundation, a firm plan to resolve the concerns of students.
While the academics section could be described as optimistic and the student life section as pessimistic, the finance section of the town hall could only be described as confusing. The question on everyone's mind was that of Flywire, a new payment system to make tuition payments easier. 30 minutes, and many questions later, it appeared as if everyone was more confused by the system than before the start of the meeting resulting in the administration calling for new options in tuition payment systems in the future for students. Only a day later, the administration sent out a survey form in regards to the Flywire systems to understand the general opinion among the student body.
Concluding the town hall with a barrage of questions on issues such as sustainability, activism, and school identity, Dean Matz and his administration put support behind the idea of students becoming more active in their pursuits, a ¨American university culture ̈ as defined by the Associate Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management, Kelley Chung. This goal of student activism fit in line with Dean Matz's opening speech of the town hall in which he reaffirmed that George Mason University should act as an American university in the Korean peninsula.
Overall, the second town hall under the supervision of Dean Matz acted as a clear improvement when compared to the Spring semester town hall. As a sign of his adaption to the new environment, Dean Matz was able to add a level of organization that was missing from previous town halls. Where there was chaos at the previous town hall, this town hall remained controlled and well organized. Where there were concerns, the administration provided genuine empathy and understanding. Where there was confusion, the Campus Dean provided a clear vision for the future and a path towards improvement. Put together, the Fall 2019 town hall provided students a reason to be optimistic about the future of the university.
Written by Matthew Mandell | Staff Writer
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