Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
President Washington’s Investiture on Oct. 21: Last Day to Order Regalia is Sept. 30
The Mason community is invited to attend the Investiture of Gregory Washington as George Mason University’s eighth President on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m. in EagleBank Arena.
Faculty can register here. Students, staff, alumni, and community members can register here.
This event will stream live on GMU-TV.
Faculty are encouraged to process in the ceremony in full regalia. The deadline for faculty to order regalia through the University Bookstore is Thursday, Sept. 30. To rent regalia, email sm366@bncollege.com or visit the bookstore on the Fairfax Campus. For those who have never rented through the bookstore: provide your height, cap size, degree earned, and which college/university you attended. There will be a luncheon starting at 11 a.m. and reception immediately following the ceremony for those who process in the ceremony.
Visit the Investiture website for the latest event information. University administration is closely monitoring the status of COVID-19 and the impact of variants. To maintain safety for all, event plans may be modified if circumstances warrant.
Save the Date for the Winter Wellness Flu Shot Clinics
Mark your calendars! Winter Wellness Flu Shot Clinics will be hosted at the Fairfax, SciTech, and Arlington campuses on the following dates:
- Fairfax Campus: Thursday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
- SciTech Campus: Tuesday, Oct. 19, noon to 1 p.m. in Colgan Hall, Room 110H
- Arlington Campus: Tuesday, Oct. 26, noon to 1 p.m. in Van Metre Hall, Room 210
The flu shot clinics will follow all safety and social distancing protocols. Shots will be offered by appointment only.
Human Resources and Payroll will share information on alternative options if you are not able to attend one of the above flu shot clinics. This will include a list of locations where Kaiser Permanente members can receive the flu shot.
Stay tuned—more details and registration information will be available soon.
Questions? Contact worklife@gmu.edu.
Happy Heart Walk
Bring your walking shoes! It's time for the annual Happy Heart Walk on Sept. 29 at noon. Join fellow students, faculty, and staff to promote heart health. You may participate in-person or virtually.
Join the walk in-person at one of the meeting locations. Complete the Mason COVID Health Check and obtain a GREEN status before attending the event in person.
Or, join the walk virtually on Facebook Live by visiting the Human Resources and Payroll Facebook page.
Whether you’re participating in-person or virtually, share your Happy Heart Walk photos on Twitter or Instagram with #HappyHeartWalk, and @GMUHRandPayroll may reshare them.
No need to register. View the flyer for more details. Questions? Contact Tamira Colbert at tcolber2@gmu.edu.
Fall Career Fair
The Fall Career Fair is coming up, offering students two opportunities to meet with a variety of employers. Encourage your students to participate on the following dates:
- In-person event on Sept. 29
- Virtual event on Oct. 6 from noon to 4 p.m.
Registration links will be emailed to students. A variety of employers hiring for all majors and degree programs will be attending both dates.
For more details, visit careers.gmu.edu/prepare-fair. Contact Bernadette Davey, University Career Services, at bdavey@gmu.edu with questions.
October Staff Senate Meeting
The October Staff Senate meeting will feature Mason Innovation Commission co-chairs Ken Walsh (chief of staff) and Keith Renshaw (psychology department chair and former Faculty Senate chair). The commission has made eight strategic recommendations, at least two of which directly affect staff.
Wednesday, Oct. 6
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Guest speakers
General meeting will follow from 11 a.m. to noon
Zoom Meeting: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/93999749658?pwd=UGRZMXdJbFpXaXpRdmRhdG1wMXMyZz09
Passcode: SS123
Call in: 301-715-8592 or 267-831-0333
Webinar ID: 939 9974 9658/ Passcode: 224754
The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at George Mason University. Working closely with university administration, we address concerns that have an impact on the quality of work-life for the Mason community. The work of the senate is accomplished through open and continuous communication with its constituents. Contact the Staff Senate.
Changes to Shuttle On-Demand Schedule
To respond to the peaks of requested service while staying within current budget parameters, Mason Shuttles has revised the availability of the Shuttle On-Demand. Late-night demand for the shuttle has been very limited, and service hours will be reduced to increase the number of buses available in mid-afternoon and early evening.
Service hours for the Shuttle On-Demand changed on Monday, Sept. 27:
- Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Saturday/Sunday, 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Note: Rides must be requested by 10:30 p.m. for pick-ups between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m.
West Campus and Vienna Metro will only serve as pick-up/drop-off locations for the Shuttle On-Demand from 7:30–11:30 p.m. Monday–Friday and during all regular service hours on Saturday/Sunday. Please use the fixed route shuttles until 7:30 p.m. Monday–Friday.
Visit transportation.gmu.edu/shuttles/on-demand-shuttle for more information. Contact shuttle@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828 with questions.
Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K: October 15–18
Strengthen your well-being, have fun, and support Mason students by running or walking the Mason Nation Thriving Together Virtual 5K anytime from Oct. 15–17. Participating in the 5K is free, and we encourage those who are able to donate to do so. All proceeds will directly benefit Mason students in need.
The 5K will celebrate Mason’s Family Weekend and Exercise is Medicine Month. Anyone from the Mason community and beyond can participate. All participants will be entered to win prizes. Learn more and register at mason5k.gmu.edu.
Training and Professional Development
Student Loan Repayment Information Session for University Employees
This virtual session will discuss student loan repayment and ensure university employees are prepared when the COVID deferment on student loan payments expires in January. This session is open to all Mason faculty and staff, whether you have debt or just want to learn more.
Student Loan Repayment Information Session for University Employees
Tuesday, Sept. 28, noon to 1 p.m.
Register
Presented by Shannon Osborne, assistant director of financial well-being with Mason's Student Support and Advocacy Center, in partnership with Human Resources and Payroll.
Contact fwb@gmu.edu with questions.
Resources for You
Sustain & Save Program for Arlington Campus Faculty and Staff
Are you a faculty/staff member who commutes on I-66 to the Arlington Campus during tolling hours?
Mason has partnered with Commute66 to help faculty and staff who currently pay tolls on I-66 take advantage of Sustain & Save. This program provides $100 per month to employees who switch their commute from driving and parking at the Arlington Campus to using transit, carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, or another sustainable option.
Conditions apply. Review the details. Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Webinar: Understanding Your Immune System
There has never been a more important time to understand our immune systems. This course will explain the importance of the immune system and how it functions. Separate facts from fiction and learn practical steps to strengthen your immune system.
Anthem Webinar: Understanding Your Immune System
Friday, Oct. 1, at noon
Join the webinar
This webinar is offered by Anthem. For questions, contact worklife@gmu.edu.
Recruiting Vanpool Riders from Fairfax to the Arlington Campus
Are you a full-time employee who lives in the Fairfax area and works on the Arlington Campus? Would you like to have your commuting costs reimbursed up to $270/month (tax-free), not have to do all the driving, park free at Mason, and reduce carbon emissions?
If so, consider vanpooling. Parking and Transportation is continuing its vanpool outreach and has developed a short vanpool match survey for a possible Fairfax to Arlington vanpool. Complete the survey to participate.
Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
Mason Artist-in-Residence: CARTOGRAPHY
Co-created by Kaneza Schaal and Christopher Myers
Saturday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Five young refugees set out searching for a new place to call home in this “stunning” (The New York Times) and timely theatrical work. Inspired by the artists’ creative work with refugees worldwide, this interactive performance charts a new map for its characters using visual arts, storytelling, and filmmaking. CARTOGRAPHY creates an onstage virtual storm that rises up in response to the actors’ voices, uses cell phones to depict memories being made, and features live sculpture creation to represent their journeys.
Carly Harvey’s Kiss & Ride
Sunday, Oct. 3, 4 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center (Outdoor Performance)
Hylton on the Hill
2021 Wammie Award-winning artist Carly Harvey leads the energetic ensemble Kiss & Ride in a lively fusion of original music, blues classics, and unique arrangements of pop favorites for their Hylton on the Hill outdoor performance. Based in Washington, D.C., Carly Harvey’s rich and emotional sound calls to mind Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, Nina Simone, and Ella Fitzgerald. Carly Harvey’s Kiss & Ride project is intended to extend blues to wider audiences and bridge the age gap between blues aficionados by combining current music with blues arrangements in the same set with blues standards, blues funk, and soul—bursting with her original sound, too.