Chapter I. University Organization

1.1 The Rector and Board of Visitors

Responsibility for the governance of George Mason University is vested by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Rector and Board of Visitors. Members of the Board of Visitors are appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth to serve fixed terms of four years. The Rector is a member of the Board, elected by the Board to serve as its chair.

Without limiting the generality of its powers, the Board of Visitors exercises its authority principally in policy-making and oversight. With the exception of meetings convened in executive session, meetings of the Board of Visitors and its committees are open to the public. The Board recognizes as official observers three senators appointed by the chair of the Faculty Senate to be its liaison representatives. These senators receive notices of Board meetings, agendas, and other documents concerning business to be considered by the Board, and report regularly to the Senate about Board meetings.