Author Archives: Laura Scudder

About Laura Scudder

Laura Scudder is the Copy Chief of Fourth Estate for the 2021 fall semester. She is majoring in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and minoring in Sustainability Studies, and can be found on Twitter @laurascudds.

University Provides Updates on Fall Semester

Mason holds town hall on reopening, launches website  BY LAURA SCUDDER, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF In a town hall held on Wednesday, June 24, Interim President Anne Holton and other university administrators answered questions from the Mason community and discussed Mason’s reopening plan…

Mason Professor Tweets Racist Stereotype

Controversial tweet from Economics professor Robin Hanson is under review by university BY: LAURA SCUDDER, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF  Mason Associate Professor of Economics Robin Hanson received backlash Wednesday after tweeting a racist stereotype in relation to the upcoming Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth is…

Students Receive Refunds for Mason Services

Director of Parking and Transportation offers explanation on parking refunds BY LAURA SCUDDER, NEWS EDITOR Mason refunded students on housing, dining and parking last week via direct deposit and check. Those who have outstanding balances on their accounts will see…

Transparent GMU Reacts to New Donor Agreements Bills

Two new House Bills call for university donor relations to be made public BY ALLISON SCANLAN, STAFF WRITER Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed bills HB 510 and HB 1529 on March 2 and April 6, respectively, both of which aim…

Last Week in the News

Monday, April 20  Israeli leaders agree to form an emergency unity government, leaving Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister for now.  U.S. crude oil futures fall below $0 for the first time in history.  An Ohio prison is now the largest…

Interim President Anne Holton Holds Virtual Town Hall

Holton answers questions surrounding the university’s coronavirus response BY LAURA SCUDDER, NEWS EDITOR Interim President Anne Holton held a livestreamed town hall event on Friday, April 17, explaining that Mason’s future decisions surrounding the coronavirus will be based on public…

Coronavirus Cases in the Mason Community

University website lists confirmed cases; emails explain reporting guidelines BY LAURA SCUDDER, NEWS EDITOR There are currently 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Mason community, per the university’s coronavirus website. So far, the cases consist of 10 students and…

Last Week in the News

Monday, April 13 Virginia Gov. Northam makes Election Day a state holiday and expands early voting. At least 16 dead as tornadoes tear through the South. Senator Bernie Sanders endorses former vice president Joe Biden for president. Tuesday, April 14…