Faculty/Staff Announcements
Have something to share? Review announcement guidelines and submit an announcement from your unit through the online form.
Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
New Contact for Employees with Questions Related to COVID-19
Employees with questions related to employee health/medical, vaccination appointments, vaccination documentation uploads, employee vaccination exemptions, and specific Mason policies should contact vaccine@gmu.edu.
Employees should not contact Student Health Services with these concerns.
Fall Shuttle Schedules Coming Soon
Parking and Transportation is finalizing the fall shuttle schedules, which will be available this week at shuttle.gmu.edu. Check out a summary of the fall operating schedules.
Note: Fall shuttles will operate at 90 percent seating capacity, and face coverings will continue to be required on all shuttles regardless of vaccination status, in keeping with public transit guidelines.
Mason Shuttles will operate on a summer schedule for most of August. Two routes are in service this summer: Fairfax to SciTech (on a reduced schedule) and the On-Demand Shuttle, which serves stops on and around the Fairfax Campus. The CUE bus is operating on its regular schedule with service to Vienna Metro. View the summer shuttle schedules at shuttle.gmu.edu.
Questions? Contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu.
Reminder: Parking Permits and Payroll Deduction
Are you a full-time faculty/staff member who is planning to return to campus and wants to reinstate your payroll deduction permit?
If so, complete a Payroll Deduction form for your campus: Fairfax/SciTech or Arlington.
Questions? Contact Parking Services at 703-993-2710 (Fairfax), 703-993-8007 (Arlington), or 703-582-4698 (SciTech).
Updating People Finder
Is your contact information up to date in People Finder, Mason’s online directory? Take a look at peoplefinder.gmu.edu.
To update an existing listing or create a new listing, submit a request through the online form.
For department-wide updates, University Information can provide a spreadsheet of all employees currently listed in a particular unit. Contact masondir@gmu.edu to request a master list to review and update.
For questions, contact University Information at masondir@gmu.edu.
Save the Date: Welcome Back, Mason Nation!
It's time to celebrate being back together on campus and reconnecting with fellow faculty, staff, students, alums, and community friends. Plan to join in the fun and festivities at a welcome back celebration like no other, with plenty of treats and surprises!
Friday, Aug. 20
Starting at 11:30 a.m.
Fairfax Campus, Wilkins Plaza
At 1:15 p.m., participants will enthusiastically cheer on our new students by marching together to EagleBank Arena for New Student Convocation, from 2 to 3:15 p.m.
Bring your excitement and wear your Mason gear to show your spirit as we welcome our newest students and revel in finally being back on campus. More details coming soon.
Campus Maps and Directions
Are you providing campus maps to new students or employees? Find the most recent versions at maps.gmu.edu.
The website also includes driving directions to Mason's campuses and sites.
Contact Philip Stamper at pstamper@gmu.edu with questions.
OSCAR Virtual Celebration of Student Scholarship
Save the date for the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research’s (OSCAR) Summer Virtual Celebration of Student Scholarship on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 5 and 6.
Support Mason’s student scholars who have worked hard all summer by viewing their pre-recorded presentations and asking them questions. Students represent colleges and programs across the university community and have worked on both faculty research questions as well as their own research.
For details, visit the OSCAR website.
Training and Professional Development
Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference: Sept. 20–24
Save the date for the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning’s annual Innovations in Teaching & Learning (ITL) Conference from Sept. 20–24. ITL brings together Mason instructors from across disciplines to share teaching strategies through lively virtual interactive workshops and panels.
This year's keynote speaker is Tia Brown McNair, vice president for diversity, equity, and student success and executive director for the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers at the Association of American Colleges and Universities. McNair will share her insights and expertise on fostering equity and inclusive excellence in higher education.
McNair is lead author of From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner Knowledge for Racial Justice in Higher Education. Free access to the e-book is available courtesy of University Libraries.
Register and find out more at stearnscenter.gmu.edu/itl.
New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop
The New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop is coming up in August and will be hosted virtually. Save the date for Saturday, Aug. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration is open online. Participants should register to ensure they receive communications and updates from Faculty Affairs and Development.
For more information, including resources and a sample schedule, visit the New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop website.
Reach out to facaffs@gmu.edu with any questions.
Resources for You
Save the Date: Abandoned Bike Sale
Parking and Transportation will host an Abandoned Bike Sale on Friday, Sept. 24, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in Parking Lot C on the Fairfax Campus. Approximately 85–90 bikes will be available for sale.
This year will be a little different than past sales. To space out customers, an online registration page will be available to sign up for a time to visit the sale. Walk-in customers will not be permitted.
One bike will be available per customer. Details will be posted at bike.gmu.edu when available.
Contact 703-993-2828 or transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Washington Nationals to Host Mason Day on Sept. 17
Join Mason alumni, students, parents, employees, and fans as the Washington Nationals host George Mason University Day on Friday, Sept. 17. The game against the Colorado Rockies begins at 7:05 p.m. Purchase tickets today.
The first 1,500 fans who purchase a ticket through this offer will receive a limited edition Mason/Nationals co-branded bobblehead. A button on the base plays the Mason fight song when pressed! Details regarding Mason Day and bobblehead pick up will be emailed to all special ticket event buyers 24 hours prior to the game.
To purchase a group of 13 or more, email John Manzoian or call 202-640-7723.
Reminder: SmarTrip Cards and WMATA Improvements
Metro (WMATA) is installing new fare gates at Metro stops over the next year. The new fare gates will not accept older SmarTrip cards (purchased before 2012).
If you are a current or future participant in Mason’s Commuter Choice program, visit transportation.gmu.edu/commuter-choice for information on how to check your SmarTrip card and replace it if needed.
CommonHealth Rx Impact Webinar
When used properly as prescribed, opioids can provide much needed relief during the healing and recovery process. Unfortunately, abuse or uninformed use of opioid medications can lead to addiction and have devastating effects.
Many of us are not well versed in talking with our health care providers about pain management. It is important for every patient to ask questions when getting a new prescription.
This webinar offered by CommonHealth will discuss the effects of prescription drugs on the youth population, adults and workplace exposure, the older population, proper disposal, as well as beneficial alternative treatment approaches to discuss with your health care provider.
CommonHealth Rx Impact Webinar
August 11 at 1 p.m.
Register
Contact worklife@gmu.edu with questions.
Mason Study Abroad Week: Sept. 20-24
The Global Education Office (GEO) invites the Mason community to participate in Mason’s Fall 2021 Study Abroad Week, featuring virtual and in-person events from Sept. 20–24.
Virtual sessions will run throughout the week, culminating in the in-person Mason Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the SUB I Quad. This is GEO’s largest recruiting event of the semester.
Complete the registration form by Wednesday, Sept. 1. For details, visit the GEO website or email geopr@gmu.edu.
Is Rideshare for You?
Fall semester will be here before you know it. If you're commuting to campus, you may see traffic increasing if your commute includes a major highway or arterial.
We can't keep you out of traffic, but maybe you can reduce your time at the wheel. Parking and Transportation invites you to consider ridesharing—either car or vanpool. Mason has collaborated with regional partners to compile a resource blog on ridesharing.
Additionally, look for the virtual Rideshare Drop-In Sessions to continue via Zoom in August and September. Details will be posted at transportation.gmu.edu when available.
Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.