From 2011 to 2014, the Charles Koch Foundation has given nearly $48 million to George Mason University.

For four years, the George Mason Faculty Senate has requested the details of the grant agreement with the Koch Foundation.  Alarmingly, the University has chosen to stymie the Faculty Senate rather than provide it the pertinent information it requires.  The Faculty Senate’s particular responsibility is to “formulate proposals on matters affecting the welfare of the University and on university-wide academic policy.”  It has been documented that professors at other public universities be required to support a Koch-funded program’s objectives, even if the program advocates a subjective philosophy.  By thwarting the Faculty Senate’s inquiry into the details of the grant agreement with the Koch Foundation, the University is preventing the Faculty Senate from fulfilling its responsibilities.

Furthermore, regardless of what the details of the grant agreement are, the University’s refusal to turn over the details goes against the University’s Mission, the Mason idea, and its Values.  By neglecting transparency to its Faculty Senate and its students, George Mason University is not “just” or “free.”  A lack of transparency does not foster diversity or accessibility.  Neglecting transparency thwarts innovation, freedom of thought and expression, and does not put students first.