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
Homecoming 2021: Brave, Bold, and Coming to You
Join the Patriot Activities Council, Mason Athletics, Student Involvement, and the Alumni Association for Mason's week-long Homecoming celebration!
Check out the complete list of in-person and virtual events.
Highlights include:
Day of Service
Wednesday, Feb. 12
Give back at the annual Homecoming Food Drive and Blood Drive.
Women’s Basketball vs. St. Bonaventure
Friday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m.
EagleBank Arena
Men’s Basketball vs. Duquesne
Saturday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m.
EagleBank Arena
Local Discounts
Visit fairfaxcityconnected.com/masonhomecoming for a list of businesses offering great discounts throughout Homecoming 2021.
Visit homecoming.gmu.edu for more details.
Patriot Learning Pod
Mason's Patriot Learning Pod is open, with spaces available!
George Mason University is providing the Patriot Learning Pod (PLP) as a proctored, self-study learning environment for children of faculty, staff, and students.
The PLP provides a safe place for children to do virtual schoolwork while their parents come to work at Mason’s Fairfax Campus.
The cost is currently $15/session with code PLP_EARLY. Morning and afternoon sessions are open now through May 31.
Learn more and register at plp.gmu.edu.
Promote Your Events on the Marquee and Today@Mason
Are you planning a virtual event that is open to the Mason community and beyond? If so, consider advertising your event on the Braddock Road Marquee (electronic signboard) and Today@Mason (university calendar).
For more information about requirements and guidelines, visit the Braddock Road Marquee page.
Check out current events on Today@Mason. Only events scheduled in 25Live can be displayed on the university calendar.
Questions? Contact Thomas Carter, University Information, at marquee@gmu.edu or gmutoday@gmu.edu.
Mason Meeting Free Week
Spring break has traditionally provided faculty and staff a departure from the daily and weekly rigors of the semester. As no such hiatus will occur this semester, the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Senior Vice President have collaborated with Mason’s Faculty Senate leadership and come up with a suggestion that will provide the opportunity for some necessary “refreshing” during the semester.
March 8–12, which had previously been allocated for spring break, has been designated as Mason Meeting Free Week. Unless there is a critical need to do so, faculty and staff are encouraged not to schedule regular and routine meetings during that time period.
Mason Meeting Free Week will provide an opportunity for faculty and staff to take time to refresh despite ongoing classes, open residence halls and student support services, and other activities taking place across the university.
Mason Vision Series Returns This Spring
The Office of the Provost has renewed the Mason Vision Series, which sheds light on the real world research and creativity that takes place every day on Mason's campuses.
A Vision for American Policing Reform
Monday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m.
Livestreamed through GMU-TV
RSVP
Speaker: Cynthia Lum, professor of Criminology, Law and Society, and Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy
Spring Career Fair
Mason's Spring Career Fair will be hosted virtually Feb. 17–18 from noon to 4 p.m.
This campus-wide fair will include organizations offering internships and full-time jobs. Mason students and alumni are welcome to attend.
Participants will engage in group and individual video/text chat with employers. Students are encouraged to research employers in advance.
Registration is required and opens on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, Feb. 17, at noon.
Visit careers.gmu.edu for details.
Mason Shuttle On-Demand: New Pilot Program
Mason Shuttles is offering an on-demand shuttle service on and around the Fairfax Campus. This is a shared ride service with designated pick-up and drop-off locations on the Fairfax Campus and at nearby locations off-campus.
Service hours are Monday–Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m.
Parking and Transportation hopes Mason students, faculty, and staff will try out this new service. Visit the website for details.
Questions or comments? Contact shuttle@gmu.edu.
Training and Professional Development
Supervisor Boot Camp
Supervisor Boot Camp 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 Zoom sessions over the course of 10 weeks. Sessions will be hosted from 9 a.m. to noon between Feb. 11 and April 8.
Participants must supervise at least one employee. Space is limited, and registrations are first-come, first-served.
Contact Margaret Vu at mvu20@gmu.edu to reserve your space.
Resources for You
Fidelity 1-on-1 Consultation Sessions
Fidelity will continue to host virtual or telephone one-on-one consultation sessions through March. During the sessions, Ron Seegers, Fidelity retirement planner, can address your retirement planning questions and concerns, review your investment strategy and portfolio allocation, and discuss other related topics. Upon request, the consultant can also produce annuity income projections.
Virtual/telephone consultations are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on these upcoming dates:
- February 16 and 26
- March 11 and 26
Go to fidelity.com/reserve to reserve your appointment.
Mindful Mason Moments: Weekdays at Noon
Take a mindful break in your day and contribute to your well-being through Mindful Mason Moments.
These free, online mindfulness sessions take place at noon every weekday through May 14. Monday–Thursday sessions end at 12:30 p.m., and Friday sessions end at 12:20 p.m.
Mindful Mason Moments are open to students, faculty, and staff.
Visit go.gmu.edu/MindfulMason to join any session.
TIAA Financial Seminars
Looking to learn more about your finances?
TIAA is hosting several financial well-being seminars. Check out the flyer to learn more.
Faculty/Staff Parking Options
Information on daily, short-term, and semester parking permit options for faculty/staff is available on the Parking and Transportation website.
Contact 703-993-2710 or email parking@gmu.edu with questions.
Mason Arts at Home: Upcoming Performances
Visual Voices Speaker Series: Wendy Red Star
Thursday, Feb, 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Virtual
The School of Art Visual Voices Colloquium is a professional lecture series that invites nationally recognized visiting artists and designers to speak about their work and the world of art and design to students and the community at large.
Raised on the Apsáalooke (Crow) reservation in Montana, Wendy Red Star’s work is informed by her cultural heritage and her engagement with many forms of creative expression, including photography, sculpture, video, fiber arts, and performance.
Mason Cabaret: Sing Happy! The Music of Kander & Ebb
Sunday, Feb. 14, at 4 p.m.
Virtual Event
Composer John Kander and Lyricist Fred Ebb created some of the most iconic shows on Broadway, including Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Woman of the Year, and Curtains, just to name a few. Through a pre-recorded digital performance, the Mason Cabaret celebrate this powerhouse team with a program of their most memorable show tunes and popular songs made famous by America’s biggest stars. "New York, New York," anyone?
For more about Mason Arts at home, check out the calendar.
"This? Or That?" Well-Being Game
Would you choose this? Or that? Join the fun with your colleagues on Human Resources and Payroll's Instagram stories by playing the limited-time well-being game, "This? Or That?"
Each Thursday for eight weeks, check out well-being themed polls that pit your favorite well-being options against each other.
Join the fun and get some well-being ideas! Play at @GMUHRandPayroll.
Reminder: No DMV2Go Scheduled at the Fairfax Campus
A reminder that due to COVID-19, there are no scheduled visits by DMV2Go at the Fairfax Campus for 2021.
Mindful Mondays by Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is offering Mindful Mondays—classes designed to help you combat stress and build resilience.
Offered to members and non-members alike, upcoming sessions include topics like Stress and Emotional Eating and Getting Healthy Sleep.
See the flyer for more information and registration.
Questions? Contact worklife@gmu.edu.