Faculty/Staff Announcements
Have something to share? Review announcement guidelines and submit an announcement from your unit to efiles@gmu.edu.
Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
Mason Finance Gateway
The new Mason Finance Gateway is scheduled to go live in February and will replace the current Travel Request System (TRS) and most manual reimbursement forms (i.e., Food and Beverage reimbursement, Payment Requests for reimbursement).
Employees are required to complete the Mason Finance Gateway Navigation training prior to receiving access. This 30-minute online training provides an understanding of how to navigate the new system.
To access the training, go to masonleaps.gmu.edu and log in with your NetID and password. Locate the training under the “Required Training” tab. Users must complete this training before Feb. 15. Refer to the Training Guide for assistance.
Review the Gateway webpage for an overview of benefits, what to expect, and resources to get started.
Contact fscomm@gmu.edu with questions.
Outstanding Achievement Awards Nominations
The Outstanding Achievement Awards honor Mason’s faculty and staff across many award categories and celebrate their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the university.
You are invited to nominate a colleague for an award by the March 5 deadline.
Visit the Outstanding Achievement Awards website for more details. Note: Departmental awards may have different deadlines.
The Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony is scheduled for April 13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location is TBD.
Questions? Contact awards@gmu.edu.
Mason Shuttles Update
A few reminders from Mason Shuttles:
- A valid Mason ID is required to ride Mason Shuttles.
- Due to COVID-19, non-Mason riders (guests) are not permitted to ride on Mason Shuttles until further notice.
- All other COVID-19 procedures remain in place for the spring (e.g. face coverings, reduced vehicle capacity, seating from the back of the vehicle to reduce passing each other, and social distancing on board and while waiting).
Only the Fairfax/SciTech and Gunston Mason routes will operate during the spring semester. These routes will run Monday–Friday only, with no weekend service, starting Monday, Jan. 25. The Fairfax/SciTech route has departures every 75 minutes.
In partnership with Reston Limousine, Mason Shuttles is piloting a compressed natural gas (CNG) transit bus on Gunston Mason this semester.
The CUE bus is maintaining its regular schedule with departures from Rappahannock River Lane. All CUE bus routes end at Vienna Metro. The quickest CUE routes between Mason and Vienna Metro are Gold 1 (from Metro) and Gold 2 (from Mason).
Questions? Reach out to Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu.
Auto Enrollment for Accounts Payable Direct Deposit
In an effort to provide more efficient and cost-effective payment processing, Fiscal Services will routinely enroll all Mason employees in Accounts Payable Direct Deposit for travel and business expense reimbursements.
Fiscal Services will automatically match the Accounts Payable Deposit to the employee's primary Payroll direct deposit account. No change will be made to employees who have self-enrolled in Accounts Payable Deposit already.
The Accounts Payable Direct Deposit Guide provides instructions for employees to view and make changes to their current account in Patriot Web.
Contact Accounts Payable at acctpay@gmu.edu for assistance or questions regarding this process.
Employee of the Month Nominations
Do you work with an incredible Mason administrative/professional faculty member, classified staff member, or wage employee who goes the extra mile, collaborates with their colleagues, and supports the university?
Nominate them for Mason’s Employee of the Month award!
Additional information can be found on the Employee of the Month page.
For questions, contact awards@gmu.edu.
Training and Professional Development
Register for Supervisor Boot Camp
The Supervisor Boot Camp program provides essential information, resources, and contacts to supervisors who are new to Mason or new to supervising.
The updated, virtual format includes five three-hour sessions over 10 weeks from 9 a.m. to noon. Sessions run Thursday, Feb. 11, through Thursday, April 8. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom.
Participants must supervise at least one employee. Space is limited. Registrations are first-come, first-served.
Contact Margaret Vu at mvu20@gmu.edu to reserve your space.
Is Your Online Course Ready for Spring 2021?
Mason faculty and GTAs: Are you teaching fully online this spring? Get ready with this Stearns Center Digital Learning webinar about our Quality Assurance Checklist and Guidelines for Online Courses on Friday, Jan. 22, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
The checklist provides guidance for designing, building, and teaching quality online courses. It also helps you make sure that your online course includes essential quality components and is ready to go for the spring semester.
Successful completion of this webinar may be used toward the Stearns Center’s new Continuing Professional Development Program.
Questions? Contact stearns@gmu.edu.
Resources for You
Support Group for Working Mothers
The Support Group for Working Mothers at Mason is one way faculty, staff, and students can come together, discuss the issues confronting working mothers, and perhaps motivate changes on campus.
The group will kick off its 19th year of network meetings on Thursday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. via Zoom: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/91081740443?pwd=SG5Kem5uSUlRMGNybGhCWmdkRStDUT09
If you are interested in sharing stories and being part of an informal organization of working mothers, consider attending a meeting. Visit the website for additional meeting dates and more information.
Contact Heather Aleknavage at haleknav@gmu.edu with questions.
Fidelity Retirement Planning Consultation Sessions
Fidelity will continue to host virtual/phone one-on-one consultation sessions through March 2021.
During the sessions, Ron Seegers, Fidelity retirement planner, can address retirement plan questions and concerns, review investment strategy and portfolio allocation, and discuss retirement planning or other related topics. Upon request, the consultant can also produce annuity income projections.
Virtual/phone one-on-one consultations are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the following dates:
- Jan. 21 and 29
- Feb. 16 and 26
- March 11 and 26
Go to fidelity.com/reserve to reserve an appointment.
Rx Racial Healing Circle
Mason students and employees are invited to build racial awareness, well-being, and community together in an upcoming Rx Racial Healing Circle.
Join online on either of the upcoming dates:
- Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: wellbeing.gmu.edu/events/11659
- Thursday, March 11, from 9 a.m. to noon: wellbeing.gmu.edu/events/11660
For questions or more information, contact Sherrene Delong at sdelong4@gmu.edu.