University Policies

Criminal Background Investigation:  A review of the employee’s records to include Social Security Number Search, Credit Report (if related to job duties), Criminal Records (any misdemeanor convictions and/or felony convictions), and the Sex Offender Registry and the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control of The US Department of Treasury) Terrorist Watch list.

Employee:  A person who is hired by George Mason University to perform a service in exchange for salary or wages.

Employment/Orientation Process:  The process of completing an employment application (through e-Work at Mason) and/or the orientation meeting conducted by Human Resources and Payroll.

Fair Credit Reporting Act:  The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), enforced by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), is designed to promote accuracy and ensure the privacy of the information used in consumer reports and investigative consumer reports.  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which enforces the FCRA, treats criminal background investigations as investigative consumer reports.

New Employee:  A person who has never been employed by George Mason University.

OFAC Terrorist Watch List:  A list that identifies individuals (and foreign countries) targeted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") of the US Department of the Treasury as terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, and those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Rehired Employee:  A person who has been employed by George Mason University previously and has had a break in service.  The person may have been in a selected position, a designated sensitive position, or may not have been in either.  NOTE: A typical 9-month faculty contract is not considered a break in service.

Selected Positions:  Positions identified by University management that have access to significant levels of cash or negotiable securities; significant responsibility for the execution or approval of financial transactions; privileged access to highly sensitive data or critical data processing systems, unsupervised access to university, employee or student property, including positions located in the university dormitories with access to student rooms and/or positions having responsibilities in safety, law enforcement, child care, medical services or medical research, homeland security, and/or fiscal areas, and/or those with significant data and resource access, and positions that have access to or responsibility for significant quantities of hazardous materials.

Transfer:  A situation when an employee moves to another department or changes job duties that move an employee into a selected position.