For Students

If you have a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as a cough, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath:

Do not attend classes, work or university events. If you are living on campus, please see the IGC health center. Avoid contact with others. Stay home except when seeking medical care.

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, and stay well hydrated/drink fluids.

Cover your cough, and avoid close contact with others.

If you are absent because of the above symptoms, must notify your professors before the beginning of scheduled class time about your absence. You will not be penalized for missing class, but you are responsible for meeting the course requirements during your absence. You may be asked to provide documentation that you consulted with a medical professional.

For more information, please visit the website for https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/corona/if-you-have-symptoms.

The situation with Covid-19 is dynamic and like many of you we had anticipated being able to start the fall semester with in person instruction based on the trends over the past few months. Unfortunately, circumstances changed over the past few days and since our first priority is the safety of our students and our Mason community, we made the decision to move online given the concerning increase in cases especially in the Seoul and Incheon areas. It is not a decision we made lightly and involved lengthy discussions by the Mason Leadership team in consultation with our risk management team. We recognize that this decision is disappointing and affects students but appreciate your understanding in ensuring that everyone remains safe during this unprecedented time.

Students should ensure that they have access to the appropriate technology required for online course work. Students can seek advice from the MK IT services if they are uncertain whether their technology is adequate.

We know that many of our students prefer the opportunity to be in the classroom and we would like to offer that option should the local circumstances improve and the government recommendation supports it. Because the nature of the pandemic is fluid, we have chosen to select a date that allows some stability and planning for both students and faculty but also provides the flexibility to safely return to campus when the opportunity allows for it.

October 16 is the middle of the semester and provides sufficient time for the possibility that conditions will change. We will be sure to provide relevant updates and our decision regarding the rest of the semester in as timely a manner as possible. 

Students have until September 7 to withdraw from their classes for a full tuition refund.  See the full refund schedule at https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/academic-calendars/fall-2020 and look under the heading “Important Dates.”

Mason's Office of Learning Services offers tips on how to be a successful remote learner.

Since Mason Korea offers some courses online in any semester, this resource is a useful one, whether or not covid-19 transmissions require a shift to hybrid or online education.

If you are having trouble with on campus network reliability please contact MK IT services.

MK students who planned to transition to Fairfax in Fall 2020 were permitted to meet the transition requirement by taking online courses from Fairfax while remaining in Korea. Currently, Mason does not plan to extend this exception to the transition requirement in Spring 2021. Students who are eligible for transition in Spring 2021 will be notified by email from the Office of Academic Affairs in Fall 2020 with guidelines for transition. Consult our Academic Advisor in the Office of Academic Affairs before making your plans.

Mason Korea recommends against all non-essential domestic or international travel. Students who travel internationally will need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return, and follow Korea’s current strict quarantine and testing protocol.

Quarantine will not be on campus but either at a government facility, or at the student’s domicile if the student is a resident of Korea or a Korean national. Any costs incurred would be the responsibility of the student. Failure to adhere to this protocol may result in automatic dismissal form the university, possible deportation for non-Korean citizens, and significant fines from the Korean government and possible jail time.

Note as well that US international students who leave Korea will need to reapply for their visas to reenter, and that we cannot guarantee their visas will be approved.

Currently, Mason does not plan to offer alternative grading in Fall 2020. You will be notified by email if alternative grading is resumed.

Mason suspended the Dean’s List in Spring 2020. Currently, Mason plans to resume the Dean’s List for Fall 2020. The Fall 2020 Dean’s List will be announced in Spring 2021.

Yes, we plan to resume student evaluation of instructors in Fall 2020.

Students should consult the university's Care and Conduct Coordinator, Joanna Park.

Currently, once students move out of the residence halls they will not be allowed to return this semester. Students who have not already moved in can receive a 100% refund after notifying IGC of their intent not to move into on-campus housing.  A 100% housing refund will available to students who have already moved in but are able to move out by Saturday, August 29 before 4:30 PM. Students who choose to check-out on Aug. 29 must submit the housing refund form by Wednesday, August 26.

Students for whom commuting to campus is possible may wish to move out under this 100% refund policy. Students for whom commuting may prove difficult may wish to consider remaining on campus until we get closer to the October 16th date, when Mason Korea can determine whether we will be able to offer hybrid or fully in-person instruction in the second half of the semester, or will remain fully online.

Should a drop in the number of covid-19 cases warrant it, IGC will consider a single opportunity for students to move back into the residence halls around mid-semester, but this possibility is not certain. IGC and Mason Korea will notify students of any changes to the policy as soon as possible.  In the meanwhile, however, students should assume that the policy remains the current one described above.

Mason Korea recommends against all non-essential domestic or international travel. Students who travel internationally will need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their return, and follow Korea’s current strict quarantine and testing protocol.

Quarantine will not be on campus but either at a government facility, or at the student’s domicile if the student is a resident of Korea or a Korean national. Any costs incurred would be the responsibility of the student. Failure to adhere to this protocol may result in automatic dismissal form the university, possible deportation for non Korean citizens, and significant fines from the Korean government and possible jail time.

Note as well that US international students who leave Korea will need to reapply for their visas to reenter, and that we cannot guarantee their visas will be approved.

Students are responsible for contacting their professors in advance of their absence and for completing all course assignments while absent from class.

Students who have to travel abroad because of an emergency, should see the office of student affairs for further advice on their situation.

GMUK’s Admissions is open for individual counseling sessions on campus as well as virtual meetings via Zoom or Skype. Please contact GMUK’s Admissions and Enrollment Team at 032-626-5021 for appointments and further information.

1. Leaving the Incheon International Airport: Upon arrival at Incheon International Airport (ICN), you should take a disinfected taxi(방역택시) and go directly to Yeonsu-gu public healthcare center for COVID-19 test. After you get a test, go to IGC campus taking the same taxi that you take from the airport.

2. Self-Quarantine Process: All persons flying into Korea regardless of country of origin are required to self-quarantine for 14 days and self-report through a self-diagnosis app for a 14 day period. Information about how to download the app and what is expected during the self-reporting period will be provided at the airport. If you want to check this in advance, click here: http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/selfcheck.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO HAVE YOUR SMARTPHONE READY TO DOWNLOAD SELF-DIAGNOSIS APP TO REPORT.

On-Campus Residents:

All on-campus residents will be temporarily assigned to a self-quarantine room for the 14-days. All meals will be provided by the Office of Student Affairs during self-quarantine. Students will not be allowed to leave their self-quarantine room under any circumstances. At the end of your 14-day quarantine, you will be allowed by IGC Housing to check in to your designated room.

If you have not submitted your Chest X-Ray TB Test, you will be permitted to self-quarantine on-campus, but will be unable to move into your permanent assignment until you have completed this requirement. At the end of your quarantine, the Office of Student Affairs will assist the student with obtaining the Chest X-Ray TB test.

For any questions regarding the Chest X-Ray TB Test, please contact the Office of Student Affairs (mksa@gmu.edu).

Off-Campus Residents:

The Ministry of Education now requires all university personnel—faculty, staff, and students—to self-quarantine and refrain from coming to campus for a two-week period.

The Incheon International Airport provides free Wifi connection. If you have any questions about the WIFI connection, you may inquire at the airport information desks.