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George Mason University

George Mason University (GMU)

Background

George Mason University (GMU) began as the Northern Virginia branch of the University of Virginia in 1957. In 1972 it had grown to the point where it officially separated from its parent institution.1“George Mason University: Electronic Documentary History,” Archived August 22, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JulTj

During the 1990s it became a “magnet for right-wing money.” From 1992 through 1994, twelve libertarian foundations invested a combined total of $8.55 million in various academic programs and institutes of George Mason University. This funding helped establish (and continues to support) the University’s libertarian “study centers.”2“Moving a Public Policy Agenda: The Strategic Philanthropy of Conservative Foundations” (PDF), The National Committee for Responsible Philanthropy, July, 1997. Archived August 22, 2015. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Koch Industries, apart from providing significant funding to GMU, also has personnel connected to the university. Richard Fink, the vice president of Koch Industries, Inc., and the former president of the Charles G. Koch Foundation and the Claude R. Lambe Foundation, serves on the board of directors of the George Mason University Foundation and the Mercatus Center.

Besides teaching at the university from 1980-1986, Fink has also served on a number of boards at the university including the Institute for Humane Studies and the Center for the Study of Public Choice, the Board of Visitors, and the Student Affairs Committee.3 ”New BOV Members Begin Their Appointments,” The Mason Gazette. Archived March 7, 2009. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/H8XOg

Charles Koch himself is also a member of the Mercatus Center’s Board of Directors.4“All – Board of Directors,” Mercatus Center, George Mason University. Archived August 22, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/pOgtL

GMU Ties to Conservative Donors

Documents released in late April 2018 revealed George Mason University gave the Charles Koch Foundation a say in hiring decisions in exchange for donations, The Associated Press reported.5“Documents show ties between university, conservative donors,” Associated Press, February 13, 2018. Archived April 30, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/2u0g0

The documents were released to former GMU student Samantha Parsons under a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request after years of having similar requests denied. Parsons now works for the group UnKoch My Campus.6“Documents show ties between university, conservative donors,” Associated Press, February 13, 2018. Archived April 30, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/2u0g0

Then-GMU president Angel Cabrera said the agreements “fall short of the standards of academic independence I expect any gift to meet.” His admission came three days after a judge began looking into the university’s previous refusal to release documents.7“Documents show ties between university, conservative donors,” Associated Press, February 13, 2018. Archived April 30, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/2u0g0

The released donor agreements shed light onto million-dollar deals where the Koch Foundation would endow a fund to pay the salary for professors at the Mercatus Center. As part of the agreement, two members of a five-member committee could be chosen by donors to select the professor for the position. View an example of such an agreement, via The Washington Post.8“Documents show ties between university, conservative donors,” Associated Press, February 13, 2018. Archived April 30, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/2u0g0 9“Donor agreement between the Mercatus Center and George Mason University to fund a faculty position,” The Washington Post, April 30, 2018.

The Charles Koch Institute released a statement claiming the agreements were “old and inactive”:10“Documents show ties between university, conservative donors,” Associated Press, February 13, 2018. Archived April 30, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/2u0g0

“These old grant agreements at George Mason University did not allow us to cause the university to hire certain professors, nor did they allow us to make decisions regarding the curricula or research that professors pursued,” the document, entitled “Our Giving Principles,” claimed.11“Documents show ties between university, conservative donors,” Associated Press, February 13, 2018. Archived April 30, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/2u0g0

The revelations run counter to previous claims made by the University that Koch foundation grants did not influence academic freedom. For example, Cabrera had said in a 2014 blog post: “these rules are an essential part of our academic integrity. If these rules are not acceptable, we simply don’t accept the gift. Academic freedom is never for sale. Period.”12“Documents show ties between university, conservative donors,” Associated Press, February 13, 2018. Archived April 30, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/2u0g0

While heavily redacted, the documents also reveal some details of a $10 million donation from the Koch Foundation and a $20 million donation from an anonymous donor that occurred in conjunction with GMU renaming its law school after Antonin Scalia. While the donor is not named, Leonard Leo, executive vice president of the conservative Federalist Society, is mentioned as a representative.13“Documents show ties between university, conservative donors,” Associated Press, February 13, 2018. Archived April 30, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/2u0g0

“Private donors have been provided influence over faculty affairs at our public university,” Bethany Letiecq, president of the American Association of University Professors at GMU, said. “This is a violation of the public trust.”14“Documents show ties between university, conservative donors,” Associated Press, February 13, 2018. Archived April 30, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/2u0g0

Mercatus Center at George Mason University

GMU’s Mercatus Center has consistenlty lobbied against greenhouse gas emission policy, and is largely funded by oil companies and by Koch Industries.

Charles Koch the CEO of Koch Industries sits on the Board of Directors of the Mercatus Center, as well as Richard Fink, Executive Vice President of Koch Industries.15“All – Board of Directors,” Mercatus Center: George Mason University. Archived September 22, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/v7pWg

Reported in Nancy Maclean’s 2017 book Democracy in Chains, in January 1997 Charles Koch announced a $10 million gift to the new and enlarged James Buchanan Center, which would be housed at George Mason University. Koch said that the center would be a tool produce “real world” results.16Nancy Maclean. Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America, Viking, June 13, 2017.

Richard Fink had brought the Center for Study of Public Choice as well as the Center for the Study of Market Processes to GMU in 1980, with both later becoming divisions of the James Buchanan Center for Political Economy.17Nancy Maclean. Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America, Viking, June 13, 2017.

Fink oversaw that transition while still a director of the Charles Koch Foundation and executive vice president of Koch Industries.18Nancy Maclean. Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America, Viking, June 13, 2017.

Maclean wrote that many of the initial staff members of the center were not trained academics but rather “operatives, pure and simple, doing the take-no-prisoners work that operatives everywhere are paid to do.”19Nancy Maclean. Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America, Viking, June 13, 2017.

Shortly after being appointed to the Buchanan Center board, Wendy Lee Gramm wrote a fundraising letter in May 1998 to potential donors, pitching it as a vehicle to advance “personal liberty and economic freedom.”20Nancy Maclean. Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America, Viking, June 13, 2017.

“With its close proximity to Washington, D.C., the Buchanan Center is uniquely positioned to advance freedom … to the very people who’ll make a difference Gramm wrote.21Nancy Maclean. Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America, Viking, June 13, 2017.

Buchanan, amid frustrations with the Kochs political play with the Center—which had also resulted in an anonymous complaint letter to GMU and Buchanan suggesting, as a 501(c)(3) entity, the center’s solicitation “involves clear violations” of tax law due to “the blatant political activities of the JBC”—later divorced the center from the outreach programs of the Center for the Study of Market Processes, and the center moved to the Arlington campus of GMU. 22Nancy Maclean. Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America, Viking, June 13, 2017.

Examples of the political activity of the Buchanan Center included advertised “Chief of Staff Weekend Retreats” where, for example, sitting U.S. Supreme court Justice Antonin Scalia and “experts” from the Cato Institute, Reason Foundation, and similar think tanks would address “senior congressional staff” on “a variety of important policy issues.” 23Nancy Maclean. Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America, Viking, June 13, 2017.

Vernon L. Smith, who has been called the “father of experimental economics,” has worked as a professor of economics and law at GMU and worked together to develop what GMU describes as “Masonomics“ which it says is “known for its emphasis on public choice, public finance, constitutional political economy, institutional economics, Austrian economics, and experimental economics.” GMU named buildings after Smith and Buchanan in 2016. 24“VERNON L. SMITH Nobel Laureate in Economics 2002” (PDF). Retrieved from Chapman University. ,25“Masonomics Campaign Honors a Legacy of Ideas,” George Mason University, November 22, 2016. Archived August 7, 2019. Archive.fo URL:https://archive.fo/LBAHU, 26Buzz McClain. “Mason renames two buildings in honor of Nobel Laureates Buchanan and Smith,” George Mason University, November 16, 2016. Archived August 7, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/TvFVt

Stance on Climate Change

George Mason University appears to have a conflicted view on climate change, depending on where you look. For example, Bruce Yandle, Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Economics at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center (housed within the George Mason University) implied there may be benefits to climate change (PDF) in a 2007 Mercatus Center presentation:

“The assumptions do not lead us to conclude that we should venture forth and take costly action to reduce emissions. […] There is a matter of benefits and costs. Is it possible that global climate change is on balance helpful to human populations and the environment? And if not, is it possible that other actions we might take could be more beneficial to human populations and the environment than acting to reduce carbon emissions?”27Bruce Yandle. “Environmental Quality & Market Processes” (PDF), Mercatus Centre, March, 2007. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Here’s another example, in a 2001 “Public Interest Comment” (PDF) released by the Mercatus Center opposing EPA regulations:

“The evidence regarding global warming and human contribution to it is mixed, and as forecasts of anthropogenic warming get more refined, they predict less extreme warming.”28“Public Interest Comment on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Request for Comment on a Petition: Control of Emissions From New and In-use Highway Vehicles and Engines” (PDF), Mercatus Center Regulatory Studies Program. Archived August 22, 2015. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

However, a statement from George Mason University’s “Centre for Climate Change Communication” suggests that the evidence for man-made climate change is definitive:

“Climate change is the result of human actions and choices. Limiting climate change – and protecting people and ecosystems to the degree possible from unavoidable changes in the climate – will require significant public engagement in the issue so that difficult decisions can be made by members of the public and policy makers. Our center was created to conduct unbiased social science research that will facilitate such public engagement.”29“George Mason University Centre for Climate Change Communication,” ClimateChangeCommunication.org. Archived October 12, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/QQamv

George Mason University vs. George Mason University Foundation

According to correspondence with George Mason University (emphasis added):

“All philanthropic gifts are processed through the George Mason University Foundation, which is the non-profit arm of the university proper. This allows for the university and the donor to both see the greatest benefit from gifts, including tax deductibility (with some exclusions). There are some exceptions, such as contributions that support sponsored research, which would be handled by a designated office on the university side.

The Foundation only accepts gifts which are completely philanthropic — ‘no strings attached.’ For example, someone creating a scholarship and making a fully tax-deductible gift can have no say in which students receive the awards. The same thing is true for gifts in kind, such as books for the library or donated artwork; donors give up their full rights of ownership and control over that property in order for it to qualify as a tax-deductible gift. Any contribution that has any sort of ‘quid pro quo’ requirements or allows for the giver to direct the expenditure or use of their donation does not qualify for the tax deduction and will be handled by the appropriate university office. The size of the gift doesn’t matter; it’s the intent that IRS regulations address.”

References to the “designated office” would likely refer to donations going George Mason University as opposed to the Foundation, however these distinctions are not always clear in available 990 tax forms.

George Mason University Foundation 990 Forms

Koch Funding

Since 1986, George Mason University (GMU), and its associated institutes and centers, has received more funding from the Koch Family charitable foundations than any other organization.

Data below has been collected from data available in the Conservative Transparency database combined with original research from publicly available tax records. Note, this does not include significant additional funding to the Mercatus Center or Institute for Humane Studies.

Donor
YearCharles G. Koch Charitable FoundationClaude R. Lambe Charitable FoundationDavid H. Koch Charitable FoundationGrand Total
1986 $87,200$250,000$337,200
1987$8,308$72,825$370,000$451,133
1988$5,000$59,850$395,000$459,850
1989$186,400 $385,000$571,400
1990 $196,800 $196,800
1991$9,300$68,300 $77,600
1992$331,000$64,660 $395,660
1993$172,597$429,333 $601,930
1995$630,000 $50,000$680,000
1996$430,600$1,000,000$50,000$1,480,600
1997$3,146,000$325,000$50,000$3,521,000
1998$2,030,000 $2,030,000
1999$2,080,000 $50,000$2,130,000
2000$2,080,000 $100,000$2,180,000
2001$3,030,250 $3,030,250
2002$952,000 $952,000
2003$1,943,400 $1,943,400
2004$777,500 $777,500
2005$1,102,500 $1,102,500
2006$350,000 $350,000
2007$408,000 $408,000
2008$2,873,000 $2,873,000
2009$4,998,800$40,000 $5,038,800
2010$3,667,144 $3,667,144
2011$4,407,548 $4,407,548
2012$5,455,000 $5,455,000
2013$10,437,000 $10,437,000
2014$11,831,161 $11,831,161
2015$13,269,401 $13,269,401
2016$13,399,270 $13,399,270
2017$13,468,800 $13,468,800
2018$15,877,400 $15,877,400
Grand Total$119,357,379$2,343,968$1,700,000$123,401,347

George Mason University Funding

View the attached spreadsheet for complete funding for the George Mason University and related departments (.xlsx).

Records are based on a combination of Conservative Transparency (CT) records and original 990 form research by DeSmog. Below values do not include funding to the Mercatus Center or Institute for Humane Studies.

* Note that not all funding records were available for verification by DeSmog.

DonorTotal
Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation$119,357,379
Donors Capital Fund$13,170,000
DonorsTrust$7,369,832
Searle Freedom Trust$7,127,759
Sarah Scaife Foundation$6,686,000
John M. Olin Foundation$4,965,471
The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation$3,424,400
Barbara and Barre Seid Foundation$3,132,000
Claude R. Lambe Charitable Foundation$2,343,968
The Carthage Foundation$1,895,000
David H. Koch Charitable Foundation$1,700,000
Earhart Foundation$1,119,297
Smith Richardson Foundation$676,543
Pierre F. and Enid Goodrich Foundation$515,000
Dorothy D. and Joseph A. Moller Foundation$490,000
Exxon Mobil$480,000
Dunn’s Foundation for the Advancement of Right Thinking$390,000
Judicial Education Project$350,000
Castle Rock Foundation$285,000
Atlas Economic Research Foundation$273,359
Armstrong Foundation$207,966
Thomas W Smith Foundation$200,000
The NRA Foundation$180,151
The Randolph Foundation$165,000
American Petroleum Institute$160,000
John Templeton Foundation$153,209
Philip M. McKenna Foundation$121,000
E L Craig Foundation$100,000
The Gordon and Mary Cain Foundation$87,000
The Whitcomb Charitable Foundation$83,000
John William Pope Foundation$80,000
PhRMA$75,000
Institute for Humane Studies$75,000
Adolph Coors Foundation$50,000
American Chemistry Council$50,000
William H. Donner Foundation$47,500
Charles and Ann Johnson Foundation$45,000
The Roe Foundation$42,500
The Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation$40,000
Aequus Institute$35,500
JM Foundation$29,000
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation$26,000
Charlotte and Walter Kohler Charitable Trust$25,000
Gilder Foundation$22,500
National Philanthropic Trust$20,000
CIGNA Foundation$20,000
Diana Davis Spencer Foundation$15,000
Bochnowski Family Foundation$15,000
Walton Family Foundation$10,100
Neal and Jane Freeman Foundation$10,000
Deramus Foundation$10,000
Brady Education Foundatoin$10,000
The Rodney Fund$6,000
Cato Institute$5,000
Mackinac Center for Public Policy$5,000
Milstein Family Foundation$1,000
George Mason University Foundation$720
John P and Kathryn G Evans Foundation$480
Grand Total$177,969,634

In April 2019 GMU announced that it would make changes to its financial disclosure rules after backlash to news that the Koch Foundation asserted influence in personnel decisions following multi-million dollar contributions to the school. 30Matthew Barakat. “George Mason tightens donor rules after uproar over Koch,” Virginia Lawyers Weekly, April 26, 2019. Archived May 10, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/JH8oe

Bethany Letiecq, a GMU professor who helped negotiate the new rules, told Virginia Lawyers Weekly:

“It’s been a really long campaign to reach a new level of transparency. It’s a real win for the public, and students and faculty.” 31Matthew Barakat. “George Mason tightens donor rules after uproar over Koch,” Virginia Lawyers Weekly, April 26, 2019. Archived May 10, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/JH8oe

GMU Departments & Programs

Public 990 tax forms listed a range of grants related to George Mason University. Here is a list of the departments and related foundations mentioned in records for GMU:

Center for the Study of Public Choice

According to tax records, the address for the Center for the Study of Public Choice is:

“George Mason University, 4400 University Drive Fairfax VA 22030”

The GMU Website describes the Center for Study of Public Choice as “a unique research institution at George Mason University, provides a single location where eminent scholars conduct innovative research, publish their findings and conclusions in a variety of print and electronic media, and teach the science of public choice.”32“About the Center,” George Mason University. Archived September 6, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WruTC

Led by Dr. Alex Tabarrok, the Center “builds on the groundbreaking economic and political science theories for which Buchanan was awarded the Nobel Prize in economics.”

“The Center serves as the institutional home for the Public Choice Research Program, which has developed and matured over the past half-century. Created in 1957 at the University of Virginia , the Center was initially called the Thomas Jefferson Center for Studies in Political Economy. In 1969, the Center was reconstituted at Virginia Tech under its present name. In 1983, the Center shifted its operations to George Mason University. The Center’s alumni include 148 doctoral students from George Mason, 113 from Virginia Tech, and 109 from the University of Virginia . From its historical association with three of Virginia ‘s major universities, the Center’s academic footprint is often dubbed the ‘Virginia School of Political Economy’.”

WLF Economic Freedom Clinic

The Economic Freedom Clinic is a project of the Washington Legal Foundation, and housed inside the George Mason University School of Law.33(Press Release) “Court Urged To Approve Restrictions On Law Clinic Activism,” Washington Legal Foundation, March 7, 2000. Archived September 8, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/OP8Kp

According to ExxonSecrets, WLF has been holding the Economic Freedom Clinic at George Mason University since 1999.34ExxonSecrets Factsheet: Washington Legal Foundation, WLF. Archived July 9, 2016.

George Mason Environmental Law Clinic

According to their website, “The Free Market Environmental Law Clinic’s purpose is to make lawyers and make (case) law. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable institution working alongside the George Mason University School of Law and other law schools.”

It is registered with a separate EIN (45-1602963) and lists the following address on their website:35“Contact Us,” The Free Market Environmental Law Clinic. Archived September 8, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zkHnD

The Free Market Environmental Law Clinic

9033 Brook Ford Road
Burke, VA 22015

The above address is registered to David Schnare’s residence in Virginia. Schnare was formerly general counsel to the Energy and Environment Legal Institute (formerly American Tradition Institute), a group that with a core mission The Guardian described as “discrediting climate science and dismantling environmental regulations.”36“Motion to Revise Order and for a Continued Stay,” Civil action No. CL-11-3234 in the Circuit Court of Prince William County. Retrieved from UCUSA.org. 37Suzanne Goldenberg. “American Tradition Institute’s fight against ‘environmental junk science’,” The Guardian, May 9, 2012. Archived March 15, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7c0zi

George Mason University Department of Economics

The GMU Economics Department has developed a particular approach to economics, which they have dubbed Masonomics. According to their website, “Masonomics trusts that the presence of liberty and basic human rights will enable people to create a political-economic system characterized by economic growth, stability and rule-of-law.38“About the Department,” George Mason University Economics. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/rJleq

George Mason University Econ Journal Watch

According to the Econ Journal Watch (EJW) website, “EJW legally exists within the Atlas Economic Research Foundation. ISSN: 1933-527X.”

“EJW watches the journals for inappropriate assumptions, weak chains of argument, phony claims of relevance, omissions of pertinent truths, and irreplicability (EJW also publishes replications)”

At least one 990 tax form (Atlas Economic Research Foundation, 2008) identifies it as the “George Mason University Econ Journal Watch” with the EIN of 94-2763845 (This EIN is registered to the Atlas Economic Research Foundation.) Many of the contacts including Editors, Co-Editors, and Advisory Council members for the EJW are located at George Mason University.39“Who Is EJW,” Econ Journal Watch. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/9oDTV

George Mason University ICES

The George Mason University Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science (ICES) is housed inside the George Mason University Department of Economics. ICES was founded by Dr. Vernon L. Smith and “brings together faculty from economics, law, computational science, neuroscience and engineering.”40“About the Department: Experimental Economics,” George Mason University Economics. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/EfhmK

Vernon L. Smith is a past Professor of Economics and Law at George Mason University (2001 – 2008), and has affiliations with a number of right-wing think tanks. He serves on the Board of Directors at the Mercatus Center. He has been an Adjunct Scholar at the Cato Institute, member of the Academic Advisory Council for the Institute of Economic Affairs (UK), and past president of the Association for Private Enterprise Education.41“VERNON L. SMITH” (CV). Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

George Mason University Institute on Political Journalism

The Institute on Political Journalism is a program sponsored by the Fund for American Studies and hosted at the George Mason University Arlington campus. The program is focused on the study of free-market principles as they apply to journalism and communications. The program description is below:42“Political Journalism & Communications,” DCInternships.org. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/MAzsi

“When you picture your future, do you see yourself covering the campaign trail, reporting on current events or developing a strategic marketing plan for a corporate client? If so, the Institute on Political Journalism (IPJ) is the program for you. Employers are looking for recent graduates with experience, and the best way to stand out after graduation is to complete an internship and make connections now.

With IPJ, you are guaranteed an internship with a newspaper, online publication, public relations firm, television, or radio station. In the classroom, you’ll study free-market principles and the importance of a free, fair and accurate press.”

George Mason University Law and Economics Center

The George Mason University Law & Economics Center was formed in 1974 with the mission to “be a nexus for academic research and education that focuses on the timely and relevant economic analysis of legal and public policy issues confronting policy makers worldwide.”

According to their website, the Center’s vision is “that if policymakers understand economics, they will be more likely to make sound decisions that support the rule of law and the free enterprise system, thus advancing innovation, job creation, and economic growth.”43“About Us,” The Law & Economics Centre. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7KwKw

Greenpeace’s ExxonSecrets reports that the George Mason University Law and Economics Center received at least $385,000 from ExxonMobil since 1998.44ExxonSecrets Factsheet: George Mason University, Law and Economics Center, GMU, LEC. Archived March 31, 2016.

George Mason University School of Public Policy Research

The George Mason University School of Public Policy (SPP) started in 1990 as an institute inside the George Mason University, and expanded to became a separate school in July of 2000.

According to one description, “The unparalleled quality of the teaching team appeals to more than just exceptional students. It also encourages substantial financial support from major corporate partners and policymakers in all levels of private and public organizations, in the form of grants, contracts and direct contributions. The School is committed to finding new ways to direct these resources back into the community, applying the theories and research developed in the classroom to help make a better world.”45“George Mason University School of Public Policy,” Masterstudies.com. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/qO91m

International Foundation for Research in Experimental Economics

The International Foundation for Research in Experimental Economics (IFREE) is a 501(c)(3) public foundation established in 1997 by Dr. Vernon L. Smith to support research and education in experimental economics. The group’s mission statement is “To advance the understanding of exchange systems and the testing and application of market-based institutions.”46“About IFREE,” ifree. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/x7M6d

While it maintains a separate EIN (86-0879713), publicly available tax records have listed IFREE with a shared an address at George Mason University (and, in some cases, the Mercatus Center). For example, according to a 2001 990-PF form of the Earhart Foundation, IFREE’s address was the following:

IFREE at Mercatus Center
George Mason University
3301 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 450

According to their website, IFREE is currently located at 2122 E. Camino El Ganado, Tucson, AZ 85718.47“About IFREE,” ifree. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/x7M6d

IFREE’s Board of Directors has a number of connections to GMU including Tyler Cowen (General Director, The Mercatus Center and Holbert C. Harris Chair of Economics, George Mason University), Kevin A. McCabe (Professor of Economics and Law, George Mason University), and Bart Wilson (Department of Economics, George Mason University).48“IFREE thanks its previous and current Board of Directors,” ifree. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cE6JD

Since 2011, the Center for the study of Neuroeconomics at George Mason University has hosted IFREE-sponsored workshops at their Arlington campus.49“High School Workshops at George Mason University,” ifree. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/HvKcs

James M Buchanan Center for Political Economy

The James M. Buchanan Center for Political Economy no longer appears listed on the GMU website, however it is archived on the web as of 2009 where it is described as “an education and research organization at George Mason university emphasizing the interdisciplinary study of economics, law, and the humanities.” The Center was named in honor of its Advisory General Director, Dr. James M. Buchanan.50“Who We Are,” James M. Buchanan Center at GMU. Archived March 31, 2009. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/QTHiH

James M. Buchanan was the director of the Center for Public Choice until his death in 2013. According to an article in The New Yorker, the Mercatus Center merged with the Center for Public Choice in 1998 to become the James M. Buchanan Center for Political Economy.51Jane Mayer. “Covert Operations,” The New Yorker, August 30, 2010. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UahNu

Mercatus Center

The Mercatus Center is a rightwing think tank located at George Mason University. It is a sister organization to the Institute for Humane Studies. Its origin is described as being founded initially at Rutgers University by Richard Fink and then relocated to GMU in 1980. It was previously known as in the Center for Market Processes and the Center for the Study of Market Processes.52“History and Timeline,” Mercatus Center: George Mason University. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/S7AIS

The Mercatus Center was formed in the mid-eighties with an influx of funding from Koch Industries, which still finances the center today. Charles Koch and Richard Fink serve on its board of directors. In 1999, the organization was renamed the Mercatus Center and promoted itself as “the world’s premier university source for market-oriented ideas—bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems.”53Jane Mayer. “Covert Operations,” The New Yorker, August 30, 2010. Archived September 20, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/UahNu

The Mercatus Center believes that a gap exists between economic understanding and real-world decision and policy making. Its mission is to bridge that gap and to provide policy makers with the economic tools to make sense of today’s most pressing issues.”54“About,” Mercatus Center, George Mason University. Archived April 11, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/KaKTs

The Wall Street Journal has called the Mercatus Center “the most important think tank you’ve never heard of,” and SourceWatch identifies the Mercatus Center as “one of the best-funded think tanks in the United States.”55Rey Banks. “Mercatus Center Quietly Wields Influence,” The Mason Gazette, August 11, 2004. Archived August 24, 2007. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0938U 56“Mercatus Center,” SourceWatch. Accessed September 20, 2015.

Greenpeace’s ExxonSecrets reports that the Mercatus Center at George Mason University received $330,000 from ExxonMobil since 1998.57ExxonSecrets Factsheet: Mercatus Center, George Mason University. Archived March 9, 2016.

Institute for Humane Studies

The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) was founded by F.A. “Baldy” Harper in 1961 and has been associated with George Mason University since 1985.58“Who We Are,” Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived September 21, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JR1O6 Charles Koch began working with IHS in the 1960s and has led it or controlled it since the 1970s.

The mission of the IHS is “to support the achievement of a free society by discovering and facilitating the development of talented, productive students, scholars and other intellectuals who share a commitment to liberty and who demonstrate the potential to change significantly the current climate of opinion to one more congenial to the principles and practices of freedom.”59“Who We Are,” Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University. Archived September 21, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JR1O6

According to SourceWatch, the IHS acts as “a libertarian talent scout, identifying, developing, and supporting the brightest young libertarians it can find who are intent on a leveraged scholarly, or intellectual, career path.” In addition to the funding it receives from the Koch Family Foundations, the Institute for Humane Studies also receives donations from conservative foundations such as the Carthage Foundation, the Sarah Scaife Foundation, and the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.60“Institute for Humane Studies,” SourceWatch.

George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication

The George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communications describes its mission as to “conduct unbiased public engagement research – and to help government agencies, non-profit organizations, and companies apply the results of this research – so that collectively, we can stabilize our planet’s life sustaining climate.”61“Welcome,” George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication. Archived September 21, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/aOYQp

The Center has published a range of reports on Climate Change. Below is a list of the team (as of September, 2015) at the GMU Center for Climate Change Communication.62“Our Team,” George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication. Archived September 21, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/FFCje

Director

  • Edward Maibach

Mason Faculty Researchers

Affiliate Researchers

  • Do Kyun Kim
  • Erik C. Nisbet
  • Jagadish Thaker
  • Lauren Feldman
  • Matthew Nisbet
  • Melinda Weathers
  • Sol Hart
  • Stephen J. Farnsworth
  • Anthony Leiserowitz
  • Ashley Anderson
  • Brittany Bloodhart
  • Ding Ding
  • Hilary Schaffer Boudet
  • Post-Doctoral Researchers
  • Bob Drost

Mason Doctoral Students

  • Justin Rolfe-Redding
  • Jenell Walsh-Thomas
  • John Kotcher
  • Neil Stenhouse
  • Raphael Mazzone

Key People

Leadership

NameYear Description
—01020304050607080910111264“University Leadership,” George Mason University. Archived April 2, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/umAsk13141565“University Leadership,” George Mason University. Archived September 21, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/P7ZTg161718—
Linda Harber YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYVice President, Human Resources and Payroll, and Chief Human Resources
Mark Ginsberg YYYYYYYYDean, College of Education and Human Development
Paul Liberty YYYYYYYVice President, Government and Community Relations
Zofia Burr YYYYYYYDean, Honors College
Ángel Cabrera YYYYYYUniversity President
Frank Neville YYYYYYChief of Staff, Vice President of Communications and Marketing
Kenneth Ball YYYYYYDean, Volgenau School of Engineering
Rose Pascarell YYYYYYVice President, University Life
Janet Bingham YYYYYVice President, University Advancement and Alumni Relations
Kevin Avruch YYYYYDean, School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Mark Rozell YYYYYDean, Schar School of Policy and Government
Peggy Agouris YYYYYDean, College of Science
Rick Davis YYYYY YYYYDean, College of Visual and Performing Arts
Henry Butler YYYYDean, Antonin Scalia Law School
Julian R. Williams YYYYVice President, Compliance, Diversity, and Ethics
S. David Wu YYYYProvost and Executive Vice President
Sharon Cullen YYYYDirector, Presidential Administration
Michelle Marks YYYYYY YYYVice President for Academic Innovation and New Ventures
Jennifer (J. J.) Davis YY YYYSenior Vice President for Administration and Finance
John G. Zenelis YYYYYY Y YYYUniversity Librarian and Dean of Libraries
Brad Edwards YYYAssistant Vice President, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Deborah Crawford YYYVice President for Research
Steven K. Lee YYYPresident, Mason Korea
Kimberly Eby YYYYYYY YAssociate Provost, Faculty Affairs and Development
Julie Zobel YYYY YAssistant Vice President for Safety, Emergency and Enterprise Risk Management
Cody W. Edwards Y YAssociate Provost for Graduate Education
Marilyn Smith Y YVice President of Information Technology, CIO
Pam Patterson Y YAssociate Vice President, University Life
Bethany M. Usher YAssociate Provost for Undergraduate Education
Brian Walther YUniversity Counsel
Carl Rowan, Jr. YChief of Police
Christopher J. Maier YChair, Staff Senate
David B. Moore YAssistant Vice President & Chief Budget Officer
David Burge YVice President, Enrollment Management
Edward Dittmeier YUniversity Auditor
Frank Strike YVice President, Facilities
Germaine Louis YDean, College of Health and Human Services
Janette Kenner Muir YAssociate Provost, Academic Initiatives and Services
Keith Renshaw YFaculty Representative
Lisa Kemp YAssociate Vice President and Controller, Fiscal Services
Marc Fournier YAssistant Vice President of Business Services for Auxiliary Enterprises
Mark Smith YExecutive Director, State Government Relations
Maury Peiperl YDean, School of Business
Robert Matz YInterim Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Sean Mallon YAssociate Vice President for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Thomas R. Prohaska YYYYY Dean, College of Health and Human Services
Deborah Boehm-Davis YYYY Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Anne Magro YY Interim Dean, School of Business
Mason Songdo YY Campus Leadership
Renell Wynn YYY Vice President, Communications and Marketing
Sarah Nutter YY Dean, School of Business
Steven L. Lee Y President, Mason Korea
Elizabeth BrockYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Associate Vice President and Controller, Fiscal Services
Peter N. StearnsYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Provost and University Professor
Thomas O’ConnorYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Assistant Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
William ReederYYYYYYYYYYYYYY College of Visual and Performing Arts
Daniel Polsby YYYYYYYYYY School of Law
James Olds YYYYYYYYYY Director, Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study
Thomas Calhoun YYYYYYYYY Vice President for Facilities
Thomas Moncure YYYYYYYYY University Counsel
Vikas Chandhoke YYYYYYYY Vice President, Research and Economic Development
Karen Gentemann YYYYYYY Associate Provost, Institutional Effectiveness
Kris Smith YYYYYYY Associate Provost, Institutional Research & Reporting
Corey Jackson YYYYYY Vice President, Compliance, Diversity and Ethics
Goodlett McDaniel YYYYY Associate Provost, Distance Education
Anne Schiller YYYY Vice President, Global Strategies
Gregg Toney YYYY Assistant Vice President, Auxiliary Enterprises
Guilbert Brown YYYY Assistant Vice President, Budget & Planning and Chief Budget Officer
Kathleen Johnson YYYY Assistant Vice President, Regional Campuses
Kenneth Hubble YYYY Internal Audit & Management Services
Yehuda Lukacs YYYYYYYY YY Associate Provost, International Programs
Claudia Rector YY YY Assistant Provost, Academic Affairs
Renate Guilford YY YY Associate Provost, Enrollment Planning & Administration
Janette Muir YY Faculty Committee Representative
Matthew Zingraff YY (Interim) President and Provost
Mike Laskofski YY Associate Vice President, Research Operations
Wayne Sigler YY Vice President, Enrollment Management
Annie Hunt Burriss Y Chief Executive Officer, Prince William Campus
Eric Heath Y Chief of Police
Jana Hurley Y Assistant Vice President, University Life
Patricia Carretta Y Assistant Vice President, University Life
Joy HughesYYYYYYYYYYYYY Vice President, Information Technology
Jack Censer YYYYYYY College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Andrea Bartoli YYYYY School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Jorge Haddock YYYYY School of Management
Edward Rhodes YYY School of Public Policy
Drew Tracy Y Interim Chief of Police
James L. Laychak Y Development and Alumni Affairs, Interim Co-Manager
Laura Gleason Y Development and Alumni Affairs, Interim Co-Manager
Alan G. MertenYYYYYYYYYYYY President
J. Thomas Hennessey, Jr.YYYYYYYYYYYY Chief of Staff
Linda A. SchwartzsteinYYYYYYYYYYYY Vice President, Enrollment Services and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Lloyd GriffithsYYYYYYYYYYYY Volgeneau School of Engineering
Maurice W. ScherrensYYYYYYYYYYYY Senior Vice President
Michael LynchYYYYYYYYYYYY Chief of Police
Shirley S. Travis YYYYYYY College of Health and Human Services
Jennifer Murphy YYYYY Associate Provost, Research & Economic Development
Marc Broderick YYYYY Vice President, University Development and Alumni Affairs
Betty Jolly YYYY Director, State Government Relations Betty Jolly
Roger Stough YYYY Vice President, Research and Economic Development
Sandra Scherrens YYYY Vice President, University Life
Christine LaPaille YYYYYYY Vice President, University Relations
Andrew Flagel YYYYYY President’s Council
Thomas G. Calhoun YYYYY President’s Council
Thomas M. Moncure, Jr. YYYYY President’s Council
Peter Pober YYY Faculty Committee Representative
Maurice William Scherrens Y President’s Council
Donna KiddYYYYYYYYYY Associate Vice President for Budget and Planning
Kingsley HaynesYYYYYYYYYY School of Public Policy
Lawrence D. CzardaYYYYYYYYYY Vice President Regional Campuses
Maurice (Morrie) William Scherrens YYYYY President’s Council
Martin FordYY YY Acting Dean, College of Education and Human Development
Ann Schiller Y Associate Provost, International Projects
Stanley E. TaylorYYYYYYYY Vice President Metropolitan Relations
Richard J. Klimoski YYYYYYY School of Management
Jeffrey Gorrell YYYYYY College of Education and Human Development
Menas Kafatos YYYYYY President’s Council
Sara Cobb YYYYYY Director, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Camille Hazeur YYYYY Assistant to the President/Director, University Equity and Diversity Services
John Spaldo YYYYY Assistant Vice President for Operations
Sandra Hubler YYYY Vice President, University Life
J. Thomas Calhoun YYY President’s Council
Matt Kluger YYY Vice President for Research and Economic Development
Suzanne Slayden YY Faculty Representative
Anasari Zaid Adib Y Acting Vice President for Ras al Khamah
David W. RossellYYYYYYY Associate Provost for Personnel and Budget
James A. StamppYYYYYYY Director of Capital Finance
Judith JobbittYYYYYYY Vice President, University Development & Alumni Affairs
Keith BusheyYYYYYYY Assistant Vice President and Chief Safety Officer
Judith Marshall Jobbitt YY President’s Council
Marilyn Sanders Mobley Y Associate Provost for Educational Programs
Sharon Siverts Y Vice President for Ras al Khamah
Daniele StruppaYYYYYY College of Arts and Sciences
Marilyn Mobley-McKenzie YYY Associate Provost for Educational Programs
David Kuebrich Y President’s Council
Christopher T. HillYYYYY Vice Provost for Research
Jeffrey A. BrandwineYYYYY Associate Vice President for University Counsel, Legal Affairs
Reid HerlihyYYYYY Vice President for Facilities
Carlos Sluzki YY College of Nursing and Health Science
Helen J. AckermanYYYY Vice President, University Relations
Karen RosenblumYYYY Vice President, University Life
Mark F. GradyYYYY School of Law
Earl G. IngramYYY Vice President, University Equity Officer
H. Randall EdwardsYYY Executive Vice President
Julie ChristensenYYY Associate Provost for Educational Programs
Kenneth BumgarnerYYY Associate Vice President for University Services
Sheryl BeachYYY Associate Provost for General Education
Peggy J. Maddox Y College of Nursing and Health Science
Steve LaNasa Y Acting Assistant Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Linda WestphalYY Assistant Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Rita M. CartyYY College of Nursing and Health Science
Sandra CheldelinYY School of Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution
W. Murray BlackYY School of Computational Sciences
Teresa DomzalY School of Management

Board of Visitors

NameYear
—98990001020304050607080910111266“Board of Visitors,” George Mason University. Archived September 15, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0fSVQ13141567“Board of Visitors,” George Mason University. Archived September 21, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/l1imM1617
David S. Anderson YYYY YYYY
Edward Douthett YYYYYY
Karen Alcalde YYYYYY
Kimberly O. Dennis YYYYY
M. Siddique Sheikh YYYYY
Robert F. Pence YYYYY
Stuart Mendelsohn YYYYY
James H. Finkelstein YYY
John Jacquemin YYYYY
Peter Pober YY YYYY
Anne Gruner YYYY
Charlene Douglas YYY
Kelly McNamara Corley YYYY
Tom Davis YYYY
June Tangney YY YYY
Alan Abramson YYY
Claire Dwoskin YYY
David Gallay YYY
David Petersen YYY
Jill Nelson YYY
Jon Peterson YYY
Justin Van Buren YY
Keith Renshaw YYY
Khushboo Bhatia YY
Larry Kerschberg YY
Mahfuz Ahmed YYY
Shawn Purvis YYY
Stephen M. Cumbie YYY
Tracy Schar YYY
C. Daniel Clemente YYYY
Mark F. McGettrick YYYY
Nancy Mitchell Pfotenhauer YYYY
Anthony R. Jimenez YYY
B.G. Beck YYY
Reginald J. Brown YYY
Steven P. Mullins YYY
James W. Harvey YY
Robert F. Smith YY
Mark Houck YYYY Y
Estela Blaisten-Barojas Y
Jordan Foster Y
Katy McQuiston Y
Priscilla Regan Y
Kathleen M. deLaski YYYYYYYY
Carol Kirby YYYY
Edward J. Newberry YYYY
Alexander Williams YY
Gerald Hanweck YY
Martin Perlin YY
Michael Nickens YY
Faye S. Taxman Y
Steven Harris-Scott Y
Steven Scott Y
John Knox Singleton YYYYYYYY
Ernst Volgenau YYYYYYY
Charlie H. Mills, III YYYYYY
Janette Muir YYYY
Richard Coffinberger YYYY
Terri Cofer Beirne YYYY
Toni-Michele Travis YYYY
Lovey L. Hammel YYY
Phillip Buchanan YYY
Vincent F. Callahan YYY
Mark C. Lowham YY
Danielle Miller Y
David Arditi Y
David-Imad Ramadan Y
R. Carter Pate Y
Denny Garcia YYYYYYYY
Long Nguyen YYYYYYYY
William Soza YYYYYY
Anne K. Altman YYYY
Glenn C. Lewis YYYY
C. Gibson Dunn YYY
David Lieu Y
Gleason Rowe Y
Sudhakar Shenoy YYYYYYYY
Byron F. Marchant YYYYYY
D. Jean Wu YYYY
James Bennett YY
Suzanne Slayden YY
Aline Sandouk Y
Audit Committee Y
Deidra Bailey Y
Carol Merchant Kirby YYYY
Harry F. Hopper, III YYYY
Bryan Painter Y
Gopal Krishnan Y
Kate Pisano Y
William Page Johnson, II YYYY
Anouck McCall Y
Lindsay M. Straley Y
Leonard Pomata YYYYYYYY
Sidney O. Dewberry YYYYYYY
Katherine Clark YY
Nicholas Hamilton-Archer Y
Nishant Kolaskar Y
Richard FinkYYYYYYYY
Gary Shapiro YYYY
Bernard Tomsa Y
Cailan Nichols Y
Edwin J. Feulner, Jr.YYYYYYY
Edwin Meese III YYYYY
Dorothy Gray YYYY
Mel Chaskin YYYY
Teresa Klaassen YY
Deepa Menon Y
Jessica Tiahrt Y
W. Scott McGearyYYYYYY
John Herrity YYYY
Manuel H. Johnson YYYY
Brendan McMurrer YY
Saweda Bright YY
James HazelYYYYY Y
James C. Miller III YYYY
Robert Scott LaRose YYYY
Horace CooperYYYY
William KristolYYYY
Sarah Streett YY
Daniel Harvey Y
Robert W. Lauterberg Y
David N. OlsonYYY
Joann Pasquale DiGennaroYYY
Robert T. Lauterberg YY
Gerard Stegmaier Y
Adam J. SuttonYY
Edwin Meese, IIIYY
Janice S. GolecYY
M. Constance BedellYY
Marvin R. MurrayYY
Richard Kelsey Y
Alam E. HammadY
Lawrence Brown, Jr.Y
Michele McQuiggY
Paula J. DobrianskyY
Ronald A. RobinsonY
Bijan Jabbari Y
Bob Witeck Y
Christian Suero Y
Emanuel F Petricoin Y
Lisa Zuccari Y
Nathan Pittman Y
Paul Houser Y
Wendy Marquez Y

George Mason University Foundation

According to the GMU Foundation’s most recent 990 form (2014):

  • Terri C Beirne — Trustee
  • Robert E Buchanan — Trustee
  • Antonio J Calabrese — Trustee
  • W Jeffrey Carlton — Trustee
  • Kendal E Carson — Trustee
  • Dennis J Cotter — Trustee
  • Dorothy S Gray — Trustee
  • R Paul Gray — Trustee
  • James W Hazel — Chair
  • Najaf S Husain — Trustee
  • Jeffery M Johnson — Treasurer
  • Janet Bing ham — Trustee/President
  • Mahfuz Ahmed — Trustee
  • Kay W Lewis — Trustee
  • Gene L Frogale — Trustee
  • James A Meriwether — Trustee
  • Tim H Meyers — Immediate Past Chair
  • John R Muha II — Trustee
  • J D Myers II — Trustee
  • Louise C Nelson — Trustee
  • John T Niehoff — Trustee
  • Dolly C Oberoi — Trustee
  • Joseph J O’Brien — Trustee
  • Dale B Peck — Trustee
  • John Paul Phaup — Trustee
  • Benjamin H Graham — Trustee
  • William l Ridenour — Secretary
  • Donna P Shafer — Trustee
  • Samuel R Strickland — Trustee
  • Michael R Waple — Trustee
  • Thomas G Woolston — Trustee
  • Amir Hudda — Trustee
  • M Yaqub Mirza — Trustee
  • George C Newstrom — Vice Chair
  • John D Fa — Trustee/ Director of Real Estate
  • Angel Cabrera — Trustee
  • David A Roe — Trustee/Chief Op Officer
  • Kenneth S Ball — Trustee
  • Deborah Boehm-Davis — Trustee
  • Jeffrey A Smith — Trustee
  • Michael P Toth —Trustee
  • Russel L Ray Jr — Trustee
  • C Daniel Clemente — Trustee
  • Mary Van Leunen — Controller

Other People

According to SourceWatch, the following individuals are also associated with the university. Also see DeSmog‘s Mercatus Center profile for more information.68“George Mason University,” SourceWatch.

Actions

March 2016

The George Mason University School of Law renamed itself after Justice Anotnin Scalia. The new full name of the Arlington, Va., school will be the Antonin Scalia School of Law at George Mason University, reports the Wall Street Journal.73“George Mason University Renames Law School After Justice Antonin Scalia,” The Wall Street Journal, March 31, 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jkr8L

The Wall Street Journal also reports that George Mason University’s name change was announced along with two donations totaling $30 million, inluding a $10 million grant from the Charles Koch Foundation.74“George Mason University Renames Law School After Justice Antonin Scalia,” The Wall Street Journal, March 31, 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jkr8L

February 2012

Edward Wegman, a statistics professor at George Mason University has been under investigation by GMU for numerous issues regarding his published Wegman Report including potential plagiarism. (See FOIA Facts Series below).

The first charges were laid by University of Massachusetts professor Raymond Bradley who filed a complaint against Wegman in 2010, noting that portions of the report and the CSDA study appeared lifted from one of his textbooks and Wikipedia.

A report by John Mashey found Wegman’s report to be guilty of falsifications, misrepresentation and fabrications that could give rise to a charge of academic misconduct. When Wegman tried to publish the report in the peer-reviewed journal of Computational Data and Statistics Analysis (CSDA), it was rejected due to possible plagiarism from Wikipedia and textbooks.75John Mashey. “John Mashey on Strange Scholarship in the Wegman Report,” Deep Climate, September 26, 2010. Archived September 21, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/gk0Ye

George Mason University was criticized by Nature for its slow review process, but after 2 years has released their verdict.76Richard Littlemore. “Nature Scolds GMU over Wegman Inquiry,” DeSmog, May 26, 2011.

Provost Peter Stearns said that one investigation committee unanimously found that “no misconduct was involved” in the 2006 Congressional report. “Extensive paraphrasing of another work did occur, in a background section, but the work was repeatedly referenced and the committee found that the paraphrasing did not constitute misconduct,” he said in the statement.77Dan Vergano. “University reprimands climate science critic for plagiarism,” ScienceFair, February 22, 2012. Archived September 22, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xkkdG

George Mason University Contact & Location

As of May 2016, George Mason University listed the following contact information on its website:78“Location,” George Mason University. Archived May 13, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6VioT

George Mason University
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 703-993-1000

DeSmog Reporting on George Mason University

FOIA Facts Series:

View John Mashey’s complete May, 2013 report (Updated) — “FOIA Facts: Ed Wegman, Yasmin Said, George Mason University,” or view individual reporting below.

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