While George Mason University officials press on with their ludicrous $30-million hotel and conference center plans, more questions are emerging about the University’s ability to manage its existing infrastructure and support its existing students. The most recent story, as reported by WTOPNews.com, has the university on the receiving end of a lawsuit for gross violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
April Cave, who is confined to a wheelchair following a car accident a few years back, specifically requested a 1st floor dorm room when enrolling at GMU. The university, however, apparently thought it would be funny to put her on the 4th floor instead. Not only did the school assign April to a 4th floor dorm room, but they made zero accommodations for her evacuation in the event of an emergency. In November of last year, when the building’s fire alarm went off, April was left to fend for herself. The alarm was a false one (as they often are in dorm buildings at GMU), but the school’s utter negligence—while not surprising—is inexcusable.
Pam Cave, April’s mother, wrote an excellent letter to the editor that appeared in the Washington Post on Sunday. It’s unfortunate that GMU, an academically strong school, is hobbled by such incredible, persistent mismanagement.