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George Mason president warns of lost international students and grant funding, urges state support
Summary
George Mason President Gregory Washington told a Senate subcommittee that visa restrictions and terminated federal projects cost the university millions and weakened research activity; he asked for continued support from state government.
George Mason University President Gregory Washington told the Senate education subcommittee that the university has faced significant revenue and research disruptions tied to fewer international students and terminated projects. "We are down more than 700 foreign graduate students this year," Washington said, estimating the campus lost "more than $30,000,000" in tuition revenue tied to those students.
Washington said 53 projects were terminated, producing a net loss he estimated at about $16,000,000, and that roughly two-thirds of the terminated projects were connected in some way to diversity, equity and inclusion work or associated funding streams. "We are still in litigation with the federal government," he added, describing a period of heightened scrutiny but noting support from regional business groups and chambers of commerce.
Washington also characterized George Mason as underfunded on a per-student basis among Virginia's R1 research institutions and urged state support to stabilize operations and retain faculty. "Without support from every branch of state government, our challenges will continue," he said.
Senators asked clarifying questions about the nature of terminated grants and the relationship to DEI-focused programs; Washington said some grants were cut after agencies reorganized or programs ended (for example, projects tied to USAID), and that some terminations were tied to broader federal policy changes.
