Visiting Scholars Information

Welcome!

The School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR/ ICAR) welcomes Visiting Scholars from around the world. As conflict analysis and resolution is an interdisciplinary field, we encourage active engagement in various research, education, and practice components within the School. Participation in the public activities and events of the School during the period of stay is encouraged. To be a Visiting Scholar, you will need to have an advanced degree, a research agenda, and be sponsored by a faculty member. 

 Click here for more information about GMU and S-CAR. 

1.      S-CAR welcomes Visiting Scholars whose project complements current ongoing commitments of the School or of an individual faculty member.

2.     Therefore Visiting Scholars are invited to identify – prior to their submitting their proposal - the host faculty member with whom they wish to collaborate during their period of stay and possibly beyond.

3.     The person applying for a Visiting Scholar position will be responsible to manage her/his immigration documentation.

4.     The US Citizenship and Immigration Service (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis) requires that the following basic living expenses (excluding health insurance) must be covered:

$1,500 per month/$18,000 per year for J-1 visa holder with no dependents
$  500 additional per month/$6,000 per year for spouse (J-2 visa holder)
$  300 additional per month/$3,600 per year for each child (J-2 visa holder)

In addition, the Visitor regulations specify a minimum level of health insurance coverage:
•    Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
•    Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
•    Exchange Visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000
•    A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

5.     If a scholar needs a visa, the Chair of the Visiting Scholars Committee  may assist with the US international department to facilitate visa issue process (completes required forms and corresponds with the Scholar). Foreign visiting scholars from Visa –waiver countries who are planning to stay over 90 days WILL need a visa to be able to have a Fellowship at GMU. Click here for more visa information.

6.     Visiting scholars are cordially invited to present results of the project to S-CAR community and to publish a S-CAR Working Paper.

The procedure for the appointment of a Visiting Scholar includes a written expression of interest. This will need to include:

• An updated CV
• A written confirmation of the faculty member host
• The written approval of the Chair of the Visiting scholar committee
• The written approval of the Dean of the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution

All Visiting Scholars must be financially independent. When possible, S-CAR is pleased to offer office space, secretarial help and proper administrative services (i.e. - photocopying, phone, computers.). Library access is always guaranteed.

The host faculty member's obligations are as follows:

• Provides logistical support for scholar regarding arrival and housing
• Informs the Chair of Visiting Scholar committee one week in advance regarding the date of Scholar’s arrival
• Facilitates meetings with the Visiting Scholar, provides advice, and introduces the guest to colleagues
• Helps to organize a presentation by the Visiting Scholar

Upon arrival, the Visiting Scholar will need to complete the necessary forms to become formally part of the Mason community. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Getting the University ID and library access (and parking pass if needed):

To obtain University ID, a visiting scholar needs to obtain a "G number", which is often issued by Mr. Jeremy Peizer, S-CAR's Financial Manager.  Please prepare the following documents for Mr. Peizer :  (1) The S-CAR offer letter, (2) Your Social Security Number or Tax ID number, (3) Evidence of your address in the US.

International scholars need to complete forms at the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS, 4300 Student Union Building I, Fairfax campus, Phone: (703) 993-2970) before visiting Mr. Peizer.

  
Obtaining an E-mail Address:

Accounts are created about a day after a new GMU employee or affiliate is put into the system and given a G Number. Users must visit: http://password.gmu.edu to activate their account by selecting Option 1 to Activate their Patriot Pass Account. This password is also used for Patriotweb (GMU's adminatrative website), Email, MESA (GMU computer servers), and other University systems.  To authenticate, they must use their G Number and PIN.  The PIN is based on the user's birth date in the following format: mmddyy. For assistance, please contact 703-99-8870 or [email protected]
 

Health Insurance:

The Visitor Health Insurance Plan can be purchased with a credit card before the Scholar’s starts their placement.  The Aetna Scholar Health Insurance must be purchased using credit card after receiving a G#, which is issued by GMU after arrival.  The Aetna Scholar Health Insurance is purchased through our Student Health Office. The information on all Health insurance plans can be obtained from the Chair of Visiting Scholar committee.
 

Housing and Transportation:

Located off of the west end of the orange line between Virginia Square-GMU and Clarendon Metro, S-CAR is accessible by metro, bus and car (though parking is limited and paid parking passes are required). Students and Visiting Scholars often find housing in the neighborhood through the Washington D.C. craigslist.    They often try to locate themselves near the orange or blue lines of the metro, and in the Virginia-Square, Clarendon, Ballston, Court House, Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom/Georgetown areas. Apartments in the area can be expensive, though shared rooming houses and short-term housing is cheaper and more available.