Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
November Staff Senate Meeting
The November Staff Senate meeting will feature guest speaker Jimmy Hazel, Rector of Mason’s Board of Visitors.
Wednesday, Nov. 3
10 a.m. to noon
Guest speaker will present 10–11 a.m. (general meeting to follow)
Hosted on Zoom
The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at Mason. Working closely with university administration, the senate addresses concerns that have an impact on the quality of work-life for the Mason community.
Constituents may submit questions for the guest speaker by Oct. 27. Visit the website to submit a question or comment.
4-VA@Mason Awards Collaborative Research Grants
Backed by a statewide initiative, 4-VA@Mason has awarded 11 grants to Mason faculty for the 2021–22 academic year, providing seed funding to launch innovations in education and original research.
The grants support studies to be conducted across various schools and departments from fine arts to computing to biology. Nine grants were awarded for new research, while two additional grants will fund extensions of projects initiated during the 2020–21 year.
The 4-VA@Mason Collaborative Research Grants are specifically designed to encourage the development of partnerships with the seven other schools in the 4-VA system. For more information, visit 4va.gmu.edu.
Submit Feedback on Mason's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) by Oct. 29
The university community is invited to provide feedback on the full draft of Mason’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Transformative Education through Anti-Racist Community Engagement.
The purpose of the QEP is to improve student learning or the student experience in a specific way over the course of a five-year evaluative period. Mason’s last QEP led to the creation of OSCAR and the significant presence of undergraduate research at Mason. The hope is to embed civic learning and anti-racist community engagement into the Mason student experience in similar ways.
Read more about the QEP. The deadline to submit feedback is Friday, Oct. 29.
Construction and Traffic Updates
The Construction at Mason website provides overviews of major construction projects, as well as the day-to-day impacts that arise from specific work and traffic changes. Check construction.gmu.edu for information about Mason’s current and upcoming projects, such as:
- Core Campus Project
- Institute for Digital InnovAtion
- University Master Plan
The Building Patriot Pride website (building.gmu.edu), which previously posted construction and traffic alerts, now redirects to construction.gmu.edu.
Visit construction.gmu.edu/stay-updated/latest-news for news and announcements.
Nominations for Mason Alumni Association’s Celebration of Distinction Due Nov. 1
Nominations are currently open for the Alumni Association's 2022 Celebration of Distinction, including:
- Alumnus/a of the Year Award
- Alumni Service Award
- Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award
- Faculty Member of the Year Award
- Senior of the Year Award
The process has been streamlined to make it easier to nominate a deserving individual. View the nomination criteria and requirements for each award. The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, Nov. 1. Self-nominations are accepted.
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.
Thanksgiving Service Changes on Mason Shuttles
The Thanksgiving holiday will bring changes to the Mason Shuttle schedules. View the modified schedules.
Find more information about Mason Shuttles at shuttle.gmu.edu. Contact shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.
Staying Safe: Traveling at Dusk
A reminder from Parking and Transportation that the days are growing shorter and it’s getting darker earlier. As we prepare to “Fall Back” on Sunday, Nov. 7, please keep in mind that it is difficult to see and be seen at dusk. Exercise care whether you are driving, biking, or walking.
Alternative Breaks 2022
Alternative Break Applications will be due starting Nov. 1, with experiences focused around mass incarceration, food justice, HIV stigma, and many other topics.
Alternative Breaks occur during spring and summer break in locations both domestic and abroad. These are led by student trip leaders in partnership with local community partners. Encourage students to apply today at alternativebreak.gmu.edu.
Contact Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL) at sail@gmu.edu with questions.
Training and Professional Development
Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group: Voter Suppression
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 of Black and Indigenous peoples' solidarity against white supremacy on Friday, Oct. 29, 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.
Resources for You
Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice Program
Like to bike? Live within biking distance of the Mason location where you work? Consider the Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice program and find joy in commuting to campus on two wheels.
More about the program:
- Four tiers of financial support are tied to the number of rides per quarter. Join the program for as few as five rides per quarter.
- Earn complimentary parking passes.
- Ride more than 10 miles each way to work and earn a distance bonus.
- Ride at Tier 2 or Tier 3 all year and receive funds for a complimentary bike check.
- You may use this program in conjunction with Commuter Choice.
Conditions apply. Please note that this program, unlike Commuter Choice, is taxable per the IRS. But don’t let that stop you; check out the details at bike.gmu.edu.
Route Planning: Biking to Mason
Live within biking distance of Mason? Planning a commute for this autumn, or maybe next spring?
Mason has volunteers who can help find a biking route that is comfortable for you. For details and regions covered, visit the Bike Volunteer Program page. More ideas are available on the Community Biking Resources page.
Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
A Concert Presentation of FOOTLOOSE
School of Theater
Multiple Dates, Oct. 28–31
Center for the Arts
Based on the 1984 film of the same name, FOOTLOOSE the musical celebrates the exhilaration of youth, the wisdom of listening to one another, and the power of forgiveness. Kick off our new season with exuberant singing and dancing as everybody cuts footloose!
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra: Swingin’ with the Met
Saturday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Calling all Jitterbugs! Come celebrate the Big Band Era with the coolest cats in town, Northern Virginia’s own Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. Artistic Director and alto sax virtuoso Jim Carroll leads this distinguished ensemble of the most remarkable jazz performers in the metro region, who will perform music from the libraries of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Kenton, Benny Goodman, and more.
Mason Symphony Orchestra Concert
Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
The Mason Symphony Orchestra is comprised of outstanding string, wind, and percussion players from throughout the School of Music.
Mason Choirs Fall Concert
Dewberry School of Music
Saturday, Nov. 6, at 4 p.m.
Center for the Arts
George Mason University choirs are under the direction of Lisa Billingham. The choral ensembles perform a wide variety of music each semester, ranging from classical styles to multi-cultural works and popular music.
Jerusalem Quartet
Featuring Pinchas Zukerman, violin/viola; and Amanda Forsyth, cello
Sunday, Nov. 7, at 4 p.m.
Center for the Arts
GRAMMY Award-winning conductor, violinist, and violist Pinchas Zukerman, and Canadian Juno Award-winning cellist Amanda Forsyth join forces with the Jerusalem Quartet for a trio of radiant Romantic-era works by Bruckner, Dvořák, and Brahms. Highly accomplished and much in demand in their own right, the husband and wife duo of Zukerman and Forsyth create a sextet with the four Israeli artists in a dazzling display of virtuosity. Widely recognized as one of the top international chamber ensembles, the Jerusalem Quartet has left its mark on stages worldwide.
Fall: New Dances
School of Dance
Friday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Step out of this cool autumn weather and into a performance filled with diverse choreography and talented dancers. Join us in supporting the School of Dance as we present Fall: New Dances.
Virginia Opera: La Bohème
Concept and Adaptation by Keturah Stickann and Bruce Stasyna for San Diego Opera
Saturday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Virginia Opera, the official opera company of the Commonwealth of Virginia, returns to the Center for the Arts with a condensed version of Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème: Rodolfo Remembers. This stunning production is the perfect way to reunite with opera and to welcome newcomers to the art form.
The War and Treaty: A Concert Celebrating Veterans and the Arts
Sunday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Drawing on traditional folk, country, R&B, and spirituals, The War and Treaty have earned praise for their dynamic and passionate performances. Named Americana Music Awards 2019 Emerging Act of the year, this husband-and-wife duo of Michael Trotter, Jr., and Tanya Blount will dazzle in their debut at Merchant Hall, performing songs from their two acclaimed albums, Healing Tide and Hearts Town. The powerhouse couple bring their very relatable struggles to their music including Trotter’s battle with PTSD as an Army Veteran.