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
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.
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.
Mason Partners for Safety: Ride with Mason Police
Mason Police have teamed up with Parking and Transportation to put safety at the forefront when riding a bike, scooter, skateboard, or other personal transportation device.
On Thursday, Oct. 28, join them for two opportunities to learn about riding safely:
- Information Fair, noon to 1:30 p.m.: Stop by the information fair on the Merten Lawn. While safety is the focus, Mason and community organizations will also be in attendance to share information and resources.
- Ride around Patriot Circle, 1:30 p.m.: Bring your bike, scooter, skateboard,etc. to the Merten Hall parking lot, where Mason Police will lead a ride around Patriot Circle demonstrating how to ride safely.
Register to attend. Interested in tabling? Reach out to transpo@gmu.edu.
Annual Socktober Collection
Participate in Mason's sixth annual Socktober Collection to benefit the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. The pandemic didn’t slow us down in 2020, and we donated more than 1,000 pairs of new socks. Let’s exceed that number in 2021!
New socks can be purchased through the Amazon Wishlist (go.gmu.edu/socktober2021) and shipped to the address associated with the list.
While we do not have campus drop-off locations this year, please reach out if you would prefer to deliver your donation in person to the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being.
Questions? Contact Katie Clare at kclare@gmu.edu.
Training and Professional Development
New Mason 101 Sessions Available!
Mason 101 is a one-time, two-hour workshop for Mason staff and faculty to learn more about the history, organization, resources, and future of George Mason University.
All fall 2021 sessions are hosted on Zoom. Upcoming dates include:
- Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity for staff and faculty (particularly adjunct faculty) with later hours of availability.
- Friday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon
- Friday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m to noon
Mason 101 is an excellent opportunity for newer members of the Mason community, as well as longtime employees looking to learn more about resources and the latest information.
Sign up is available at masonleaps.gmu.edu:
- Log in with your Mason ID
- In the search bar, type "Mason 101" and press the Return/Enter key
- On the screen that opens, click "Mason 101"
- Click on an available Mason 101 date
- Click the "Request" button next to your preferred date
For questions or more information, contact Philip Stamper, University Information, at pstamper@gmu.edu or 703-993-5308.
Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group: Fall Program
The Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group is grounded in the knowledge that it is not a question of whether we are racist, but rather, how racism is expressed and experienced in ourselves, our lives, our behaviors, and our institutions. The group explores materials that allow us to critically question and consider our roles as artists, thinkers, citizens, and creatives in a society founded on racist values and practices. The reading group will continue to focus on anti-Black racism and its effects on society.
The next meeting will discuss the topic "Racism in Sports" on Friday, Oct. 15, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Visit the website for more details.
Contact Kristin Johnsen-Neshati, College of Visual and Performing Arts, at kneshati@gmu.edu with questions.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Information Technology Service (ITS) will observe National Cybersecurity Awareness Month throughout October. Learn new tips and tune into the virtual speaker series.
ITS will send daily tweets with online safety and security tips. Follow @GeorgeMasonITS.
Scheduled events include:
- Sherif Hashem, College of Engineering and Computing, will discuss cyber strategies and policies on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 3 p.m. (Zoom)
- Tom Winston, director of intelligence content at Dragos, will discuss Ransomware on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m. (Zoom)
- Live Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. The IT Security Office staff will host this forum at lu/gmu_it_security.
For additional information, visit its.gmu.edu or send an email to itsoinfo@gmu.edu.
Join Mason Speakers: Connecting the Campus to the Community
George Mason University’s speakers’ bureau is comprised of almost 100 faculty and staff who volunteer their time to speak to community groups, businesses, and nonprofits interested in learning about a wide variety of topics and Mason-based research.
Mason Speakers serves as a direct link between the campus and the community, providing the opportunity to share your expertise with the citizens who support our institution.
To join, visit masonspeakers.gmu.edu and click on “Become a Speaker.” All arrangements for speaking engagements are handled by the Office of Community and Local Government Relations.
Questions may be directed to Traci Kendall at 703-993-8846 or tkendal2@gmu.edu.
Resources for You
Suit-Up Mason Runs Through Oct. 31
Get dressed for success with the annual JC Penney Suit-Up Mason event, which runs Sept. 20 through Oct. 31. This is a completely virtual mega-sale on career wear just for the Mason community. How to shop:
- Step 1: Text GMUSUITUP21 to 67292 to get your extra 30 percent off discount code.
- Step 2: Visit jcpenney.com/m/suit-up to find discounted items.
Visiting Filmmakers Series: Disclosure with Sam Feder and Stacy Goldate
On Thursday, Oct. 28, the Visiting Filmmakers Series is excited to welcome director Sam Feder and editor Stacy Goldate to Mason to discuss their ground-breaking documentary, Disclosure, which explores media depictions of transgender individuals.
This event will be hosted in-person at the Johnson Center Cinema, with an online option available to those who prefer to view the Q&A portion of the event virtually.
For more details and to register, visit the website.
Bicycle Commuting 101: Online Seminar
Bicycling to campus can be fun and great for your well-being. Join Delia Johnson, College of Visual and Performing Arts staff member and a League of American Bicyclists certified instructor, for Bicycle Commuting 101. Delia will share information to help you feel more confident about getting to campus on two wheels.
Bicycle Commuting 101
Tuesday, Nov. 16, at noon
Hosted on Zoom
Register
This session is open to faculty, staff and students. Zoom link will be provided upon registration.
Contact Mason Parking and Transportation at transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
Family Series: The Magic of Bill Blagg Live!
Saturday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m.
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Witness the impossible with top illusionist Bill Blagg in his mind-bending and hilarious magic show, The Magic of Bill Blagg Live! The whole family will rub their eyes in disbelief as the “Houdini Times Ten” (NBC), makes objects disappear, teleports across the theater, levitates in mid-air, and so much more. Recommended for ages eight and up.
Mason Artist-in-Residence Sphinx Virtuosi: Tracing Visions
Sunday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m.
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
Welcome Mason Artist-in-Residence Sphinx Virtuosi, the chamber orchestra dedicated to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in classical music. Prepare to stretch beyond the usual notions of the classical music canon with a dynamic program of music by women and composers of color. With this program, Sphinx Virtuosi contemplates our country’s present division and through creative expression, offers ways to evolve together toward a more just and equitable future.