Lobbying the board of visitors for more resources?

[2011WinOverVillanova]

Is there a way we as a fanbase could pull off an organized effort to lobby the BOV for more resources allocated to Coach Skinn and MBB?

 

[psyclone]

Here's a list of BOV members. There are some alums and I noticed that Shrivastava was past president of the Alumni Association.

Board Membership – Board of Visitors

bov.gmu.edu

 

[2011WinOverVillanova]

Here's a list of BOV members. There are some alums and I noticed that Shrivastava was past president of the Alumni Association.

Board Membership – Board of Visitors

bov.gmu.edu

@psyclone - what do you think of my idea? Do you think a coordinated effort sending emails for example will help?

 

[DRK331]

Here is the 5 year plan from GMU Athletics Director Marvin Lewis that "aims to enhance student-athlete experiences, strengthen resources, raise competitiveness, curate storytelling and engagement opportunities, and cultivate a championship culture"

“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George Mason’s competitive future

The George Mason assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics recently unveiled his vision with an ambitious five-year strategic plan called “Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” The plan aims to enhance student-athlete experiences, strengthen resources, raise...

www.gmu.edu

Mason fans can donate here:

https://securemason.gmu.edu/s/1564/GID2/16/19-giving.aspx?sid=1564&gid=2&pgid=651&cid=1709&bledit=1&sort=1&dids=877.905.827.847.29.35.42.39.166.40.41.38.30.26.71&appealcode=26AT10

 

[NewPatriot]

Here is the 5 year plan from GMU Athletics Director Marvin Lewis that "aims to enhance student-athlete experiences, strengthen resources, raise competitiveness, curate storytelling and engagement opportunities, and cultivate a championship culture"

“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George Mason’s competitive future

The George Mason assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics recently unveiled his vision with an ambitious five-year strategic plan called “Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” The plan aims to enhance student-athlete experiences, strengthen resources, raise...

www.gmu.edu

Mason fans can donate here:

https://securemason.gmu.edu/s/1564/GID2/16/19-giving.aspx?sid=1564&gid=2&pgid=651&cid=1709&bledit=1&sort=1&dids=877.905.827.847.29.35.42.39.166.40.41.38.30.26.71&appealcode=26AT10

It's astounding to me that the Baseball team doesn't have a donation bucket

 

[GMU1983]

https://www.extrapointsmb.com/p/here-s-what-it-costs-to-make-a-run-in-march-madness

 

[jkh1978]

https://www.extrapointsmb.com/p/here-s-what-it-costs-to-make-a-run-in-march-madness

But what about NIL comparisons?

 

[psyclone]

But what about NIL comparisons?

That same article complained that NIL/salary cap budget for players was very hard to get.

 

[2011WinOverVillanova]

Who would be interested in sending emails to the board of visitors urging more funding for the basketball programs? Respond if interested! I’ll reach out via private message and collect email addrssses from the interested folks. We’ll organize a group to get an email campaign going.

 

[2011WinOverVillanova]

BOV Raises Room-and-Board Fees by 4% | Fourth Estate

New members of the Board of Visitors are sworn in at Merten Hall during their meeting on Feb. 26. In one of their first actions as part of Mason’s governing board, they unanimously approved an increase in room-and-board. (Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate) Spanberger-appointed Board of Visitors starts ...

gmufourthestate.com

 

[GSII]

BOV Raises Room-and-Board Fees by 4% | Fourth Estate

New members of the Board of Visitors are sworn in at Merten Hall during their meeting on Feb. 26. In one of their first actions as part of Mason’s governing board, they unanimously approved an increase in room-and-board. (Sam Douglas / Fourth Estate) Spanberger-appointed Board of Visitors starts ...

gmufourthestate.com

Add another $100 and these on campus kids will have something to be proud of.

 

[psyclone]

BOV raises Student Fees 3.5%. No indication of how much of that goes to athletics.

"The BOV also voted to raise student fees by 3.5%—$132 for in-state and out-of-state undergraduates and graduate students and $98 for law students. Mandatory student fees support student engagement services and programs, student health and well-being, on-campus employment, athletics, recreational programs, transportation services, and other student-focused programs that contribute to the university’s welcoming environment."

George Mason Board of Visitors approves modest tuition and fees increase for 2026-27

The George Mason University Board of Visitors voted Thursday to increase tuition for the 2026-27 academic year, a response to rising utility costs, and the decades-long gap in state funding when compared with the university’s peers.

www.gmu.edu

 

[tblack33]

BOV raises Student Fees 3.5%. No indication of how much of that goes to athletics.

"The BOV also voted to raise student fees by 3.5%—$132 for in-state and out-of-state undergraduates and graduate students and $98 for law students. Mandatory student fees support student engagement services and programs, student health and well-being, on-campus employment, athletics, recreational programs, transportation services, and other student-focused programs that contribute to the university’s welcoming environment."

George Mason Board of Visitors approves modest tuition and fees increase for 2026-27

The George Mason University Board of Visitors voted Thursday to increase tuition for the 2026-27 academic year, a response to rising utility costs, and the decades-long gap in state funding when compared with the university’s peers.

www.gmu.edu

If a third of that is going to athletics then that’s a good start.

 

[psyclone]

If a third of that is going to athletics then that’s a good start.

Here's how the fees were distributed in 25-26:

https://studentaccounts.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/MandatoryStudentFeeAY25-26.pdf

 

[GSII]

Looks like our lobbying efforts here were recieved by the BOV. Well done everyone!

 

[mshin5]

Looks like our lobbying efforts here were recieved by the BOV. Well done everyone!

Give it up to the Villanova dude. His emails definitely moved the BOV

 

[psyclone]

Give it up to the Villanova dude. His emails definitely moved the BOV

Before we give too much credit for lobbying for an increase, my sense is that student fees often go up a modest amount every year or so when they also raise tuition. Note--both tuition and also student fees were raised by the same % (3.5%).

Will the % of the student fees that goes to athletics stay the same, or will that increase?

 

[2011WinOverVillanova]

Give it up to the Villanova dude. His emails definitely moved the BOV

1. My username is a tribute to the 2011 win over Villanova. 2. Sometimes the smallest of actions when paired together can add up to something big.

 

[psyclone]

Excerpt from BOV meeting in April:

Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, shared successes from his department and brought along a special guest—men’s basketball coach Tony Skinn. Women’s basketball coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis will be a guest at a future Athletic Committee meeting.

Lewis reported significant increases in corporate sponsorships, fundraising (including $2 million on Giving Day, doubling last year’s total), ticket sales, and men’s basketball attendance.

To improve student turnout at athletic events, the university is creating the position of assistant director of student involvement for student fan engagement. According to the job posting, the role “focuses on fostering connections between students, student organizations, and athletic programs to build a vibrant, spirited campus culture.”

“Most schools don't have that,” Lewis said. “But it shows the shared commitment in engaging our students, creating a community for our students, and our investment at the university level to make that happen.”

Under Skinn, the Patriots have posted three consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in program history and amid a challenging recruiting environment. The team was co-regular season champion of the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2024-25 and has reached the NIT the past two postseasons. George Mason will enter the 2026-27 season seeking its first NCAA men’s basketball berth since 2011.

Skinn said the Basketball and Academic Performance Center for the men’s and women’s teams set to open in 2027 will be “transformational” for the program because it combines the team’s athletic and academic resources. The BAPC is a 27,870 square-foot addition and 14,341 square-foot renovation to the existing Recreation and Athletic Complex and will include a modern academic advising center for all George Mason student-athletes.

“Through men's basketball, I believe a return on investment reaches far beyond the game itself, driving enrollment, strengthening alumni engagement, fueling fundraising, elevating national relevance and deepening George Mason pride,” Skinn told the board. “That is what a successful basketball program can do for this university.”

Wrap up for April 30 BOV meeting

At its final meeting of the academic year, the George Mason University Board of Visitors saluted graduates from the Early Identification Program, received an update on the men’s basketball program from Coach Tony Skinn, and passed a six-year capital plan, among other actions, including approval...

www.gmu.edu

 

[psyclone]

Excerpt from BOV meeting in April:

Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics, shared successes from his department and brought along a special guest—men’s basketball coach Tony Skinn. Women’s basketball coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis will be a guest at a future Athletic Committee meeting.

Lewis reported significant increases in corporate sponsorships, fundraising (including $2 million on Giving Day, doubling last year’s total), ticket sales, and men’s basketball attendance.

To improve student turnout at athletic events, the university is creating the position of assistant director of student involvement for student fan engagement. According to the job posting, the role “focuses on fostering connections between students, student organizations, and athletic programs to build a vibrant, spirited campus culture.”

“Most schools don't have that,” Lewis said. “But it shows the shared commitment in engaging our students, creating a community for our students, and our investment at the university level to make that happen.”

Under Skinn, the Patriots have posted three consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in program history and amid a challenging recruiting environment. The team was co-regular season champion of the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2024-25 and has reached the NIT the past two postseasons. George Mason will enter the 2026-27 season seeking its first NCAA men’s basketball berth since 2011.

Skinn said the Basketball and Academic Performance Center for the men’s and women’s teams set to open in 2027 will be “transformational” for the program because it combines the team’s athletic and academic resources. The BAPC is a 27,870 square-foot addition and 14,341 square-foot renovation to the existing Recreation and Athletic Complex and will include a modern academic advising center for all George Mason student-athletes.

“Through men's basketball, I believe a return on investment reaches far beyond the game itself, driving enrollment, strengthening alumni engagement, fueling fundraising, elevating national relevance and deepening George Mason pride,” Skinn told the board. “That is what a successful basketball program can do for this university.”

Wrap up for April 30 BOV meeting

At its final meeting of the academic year, the George Mason University Board of Visitors saluted graduates from the Early Identification Program, received an update on the men’s basketball program from Coach Tony Skinn, and passed a six-year capital plan, among other actions, including approval...

www.gmu.edu

Also of interest from that article:

The six-year capital plan includes several proposed projects. It establishes the university’s capital requests to be submitted to the commonwealth for consideration. The plan is updated on an annual basis and approved by the Board of Visitors.

• Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB): Proposed as 150,000-square-foot building that will modernize and replicate the spaces within David King Hall and Planetary Hall to allow George Mason to repurpose or demolish the two antiquated facilities in accordance with the Master Plan.
• Costello College of Business Building: The approximately 150,000-square-foot building is anticipated to collocate the Costello College of Business operations. A new building would allow for technology-rich, experiential business education while significantly improving visibility and competitiveness.
• Baseball Stadium: Would address long-standing facility shortcomings and support the student-athlete experience and recruitment. The current facility has metal bleachers and no restrooms, lights, or concessions.
• High-Performance Training Center: Envisioned in partnership with a potential private partner to leverage shared investment and expertise.
• Field House: The current facility has exceeded its useful life and no longer meets current programmatic or building system standards.

The April 30 meeting documents can be accessed here. A video recording and transcript of the meeting is here.