The Registered Student Organization Fellowship is awarded annually to a Tier 2, academic or service-oriented Registered Student Organization (RSO) at George Mason University to provide a space for community building with the University Libraries and within the RSO. In addition to having available space for RSO meetings, the Fellowship awards funds for library-centered events or programming. Any RSO with an academic or service-oriented mission is eligible and encouraged to apply. The selection committee will be especially interested in Fellowship applications with a vision for how they might collaborate with the University Libraries during the academic year.
The RSO Fellowship provides:
- Weekly access to a library room for organization meetings (capacity of up to 20 people) for the fall and spring semesters during the evening (after 4:30pm).
- Up to $1,500 of funding for library-focused events or programming, e.g. speaker honoraria, library collections, or supplies for an RSO event aligned with the University Libraries strategic goals.
The RSO Fellowship application deadline is September 30, 2024.
The 2024-2025 RSO Fellowship will be announced by October 14, 2024.
Application Guidelines
The application proposal should be brief (2-3 pages), in 12-pt. font. Although there is no required format for the application, it will facilitate the work of the selection committee if the following points are clearly addressed:
- Summary of your RSO’s mission and vision with a clear description of how your RSO is academic-focused or service-oriented.
- Description of how you will use the library space.
- Vision for how your RSO and the University Libraries will partner.
- Proposed budget for the funds awarded with the Fellowship.
Additionally, your application should be accompanied by two statements of support, via the Qualtrics forms linked below:
- Your RSO’s faculty advisor or other Mason faculty member statement of support.
- A statement of support from a faculty or staff member of the University Libraries who will act as your liaison to the University Libraries throughout the Fellowship.
Submission Procedure
Only one proposal per RSO. One electronic copy of the proposal should be forwarded to library@gmu.edu. Applications are considered complete only after the application and two statements of support are submitted.
Evaluation Procedure
The selection committee consists of three librarians or classified staff members of the University Libraries. The Dean of Libraries and University Librarian appoints all evaluators. After reviewing all applications, the selection committee will submit their recommendation to the Dean of Libraries and University Librarian for the final decision. Before the fellowship is awarded, the University Libraries will verify that the RSO is in good standing with George Mason University’s Student Involvement office.
Requirements of the Fellowship
As a recipient of the RSO Fellowship, you commit to:
- Adhering to Library community standards and expectations, group study room use policies, and any other applicable Library policies.
- Providing feedback to the University Libraries twice a year (fall and spring semesters) based on the request of the Libraries, e.g. a brief survey, a brief focus group discussion with your RSO, etc.
- Depositing relevant RSO records to the University Archives to record the history of your organization and your partnership with the University Libraries.
If the RSO Fellow uses Fellowship funding to purchase library collections, all library research materials and/or digital tools acquired on behalf of the Fellow will remain the property of the University Libraries.
For additional information, please write to Maoria Kirker at mkirker@gmu.edu.