What's going on with the GMU Chemistry Department?

It's 2022, one year after the original survey, and what's different?

More stories continue to come in, and we're collecting more information. If you have experiences or stories that you'd like to share, please send them to gmuchemistry@gmail.com and we'll be putting them together, like we did last year. There may not be another survey, but we'll reach out to you with more ways to get involved.

In addition to contradictory instructions and inconsistent grading in the labs (general and organic), there have also been people that have experienced sexism, or derogatory treatment. If you are comfortable sharing these stories, please send an email and we can coordinate a way to let you share your story anonymously.

On February 18, 2021 an open letter was sent to several faculty members of the George Mason University administration and College of Science Administration. The letter referenced the results of a survey that was conducted the week before, from students who were currently or previously were enrolled in online chemistry lab classes.

Although changes are promised, as of yet there are no commitments as to the type of changes that will be made, or any estimate at all of when they will be implemented.

While many changes could be made to make these classes more accessible to students that may require a greater investment of time, these are the immediate changes that are requested:

These are provided by EVERY other online class, with the exception of chemistry classes. As of now, a formal lab report is due each week from every student. There are changes to the existing lab manual that are to be made, as well as clarification on formatting details. While some lab instructors do make this document available, for those in classes where they are not posted or sent to the students, each lab report is marked down one or more letter grade for failing to follow these instructions--instructions that we request but are not provided.

For the second week in a row, the office hours of at least one lab instructor are not being held. Students are texting each other, wondering where the professor is, while we all are looking at this on our screens:

We are waiting for our lab instructor. We are waiting for more than one of the past five lab reports to be graded, while the due date for the sixth is approaching. We are waiting for someone to take action and provide us with the instruction that we have paid for, and expect to receive.

These are not unreasonable requests, and they are not unreasonable demands. At each step of the way we have yet to hear any commitment as to when we will be able to access the education that we need, we deserve, and for which we have paid.

The survey summary is posted here, and may be accessed from the menu at the top of this page.