George Mason University
universityPublic, research university,sea grant
| George Mason University link () Sourcewatch Website | |
|---|---|
| File:Gmuseal.svg | |
| Motto | Freedom and Learning |
| Formation | 1949 |
| Headquarters | Virginia,USA |
| Type | Public, research university,sea grant |
| Other name | Patriots |
| Virginia-based university heavily Koch-funded. Notable for hosting over 40 libertarian research centers and affiliates. | |
George Mason University is a Virginia-based public university near Washington, D.C. A "magnet for right-wing money" [1] and heavily Koch-funded[2], it is notable for hosting over 40 libertarian research centers and affiliates including the Institute for Humane Studies and the Mercatus Center.
History
The university began as the Northern Virginia branch of the University of Virginia in 1957. In 1972 it had grown to the point where it officially separated from its parent institution.
It became a "magnet for right-wing money" during the 1990s: from 1992 through 1994, 12 libertarian foundations invested a combined total of $8.55 million in various academic programs and institutes of George Mason University. It was this funding that help establish (and continues to support) the University's unrivalled set of libertarian "study centers", which aim to recruit and support young, free-market-oriented students - typically through paid-for "study trips", seminars, and placements.
Study Centers
The most influential of George Mason University's study centers are:
- Institute for Humane Studies (Charles Koch appears to be chairman of its Board of Directors)[ http://www.theihs.org/koch-summer-fellow-program/faqs#159 ]
- Mercatus Center (Charles Koch sits on its Board of Directors)[1]
- Center for Market Processes ("was a precursor to the Mercatus Center")
- Center for the Study of Public Choice
- Law and Economics Program and Center
Funding
In April 2016, GMU announced that the Charles Koch Foundation was contributing $10 million to its law school. This contribution came at the same time as a $20 million anonymous donation that was contingent on the school being renamed the Antonin Scalia School of Law.[3]
"Since 1985, George Mason University (GMU), and its associated institutes and centers, has received more funding from the Koch Family Charitable Foundations than any other organization."[2]
Between 2011 and 2014, the Charles Koch Foundation gave $48 million to GMU, the Associated Press has calculated.[4]
The Mercatus Center is currently the main focus of right-wing and libertarian funding. Between 1999 and 2001, the Mercatus Center was the third largest recipient of conservative foundation money (a position previously held by the Institute of Humane Studies). [2]
As of April 2011, George Mason University is listed among the funders of Princeton-based Climate Central[5], though this just reflects Climate Central's subcontracting on an NSF grant to GMU's Center for Climate Change Communication.[6]
References
- ↑ http://www.mediatransparency.org/recipientprofile.php?recipientID=413
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.desmogblog.com/koch-and-george-mason-university quote=Since 1985, George Mason University (GMU), and its associated institutes and centers, has received more funding from the Koch Family Charitable Foundations than any other organization--a total of $29,604,354. The George Mason University Foundation has received the most funding, $20,297,143, while the Institute for Humane Studies has been directly given $3,111,457, the Mercatus Center $1,442,000, and George Mason University itself has received $4,753,754.
- ↑ Lee Fang, "Law School Sells Naming Rights to Secretive Antonin Scalia Fan," The Intercept, April 1, 2016.
- ↑ Matthew Barakat, "George Mason University becomes a favorite of Charles Koch," Associated Press, April 1, 2016.
- ↑ http://www.climatecentral.org/about/funding/
- ↑ Ben Strauss email 2011-04-11; see reference on Climate Central page for detail.
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