Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
Faculty and Staff Are Invited to Winter Graduation Ceremonies
The Mason community is invited to attend the 2021 Winter Graduation Ceremonies for George Mason University on Thursday, Dec. 16, in EagleBank Arena. To accommodate all graduates and their families, two ceremonies will be held:
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10 a.m.: College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Schar School, Carter School, College of Visual and Performing Arts, Antonin Scalia Law School
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2 p.m.: School of Business, College of Engineering and Computing, College of Health and Human Services, College of Education and Human Development, College of Science
The Doctoral Ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Faculty and staff are also invited to participate as marshals in the Patriot Procession on Dec. 14–15 at EagleBank Arena.
Winter Break Building Access
The university will be closed for winter break from Monday, Dec. 20, at 6 a.m. through Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, at 6 a.m. All academic and administrative buildings (with some exceptions) will be on lockdown throughout this period.
Some employees and students may require access to locked buildings during this time. Those needing access to buildings with mechanical locks must submit a Winter Break Access Form via the forms page on the Mason Police website.
Buildings equipped with electronic access will be programmed to lock down by the Card Access Security Office (CASO), but will still be accessible to those with card access. If you need card access, contact 703-993-1004 or caso@gmu.edu.
Climate Action Plan Town Hall
The Mason community is invited to attend the university’s second Climate Action Plan (CAP) Town Hall to suggest ideas, offer feedback, ask questions, and learn more about the CAP process.
Attendees will hear from Natalie Burls, associate professor of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences and director of the Climate Dynamics Program, as she discusses the scientific basis for urgent climate action.
Climate Action Plan Town Hall
Wednesday, Dec. 15
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Register
Reminder: Parking and Transportation Holiday Donation Drive
Would you like to help someone in need? For the 14th year, Parking Services is hosting a holiday donation drive. Through Wednesday, Dec. 15, make an in-person donation at any Parking Services office to benefit the Patriot Pantry and reduce the cost of an outstanding parking citation by $15, $20, or $30.
For important details, including the donation/credit framework, visit the website.
ITS Support Center Winter Break Hours
In observance of winter break, the Information Technology Services (ITS) Support Center will close on Friday, Dec. 17, at 5 p.m. and resume normal business hours on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 at 8 a.m.
If you have an emergency while the ITS Support Center is closed, call 703-993-8870 and listen to the prompts to be connected to a representative. Up-to-date information regarding alerts is available on the ITS alerts page.
Spring 2022 Parking Passes
Spring 2022 parking pass permit sales will begin on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 (online only). Visit parking.gmu.edu for details. Faculty and staff using payroll deduction for their parking permits do not need to take any additional action.
Welcome2Mason Funding Requests Due Jan. 5
Hosting an event during Spring Welcome2Mason is a great opportunity for your office to meet new students, showcase your department, and inform students of changes. The Welcome2Mason committee is now accepting funding requests for events held from Jan. 23 to Feb. 5, 2022. If your department is hosting an event or would like to submit a funding request, complete this form.
The deadline to be considered for funding is Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022, at 5 p.m. Units will be notified of funding the week of Jan. 14.
Mason360 will be our students’ primary resource for information about events. All events wishing to be included in the Welcome2Mason schedule and included on the website must be added in Mason360 and include Welcome2Mason a “co-host." Read more details.
Updates can be found on the Welcome2Mason website. Email questions to welcome@gmu.edu.
Mason Shuttles and Winter Break
Winter break brings major changes to the Mason Shuttle schedules. Check out the details.
Contact shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.
Training and Professional Development
The Power of Moments
Many of the defining moments in students affairs are the result of accident or luck—but why would we leave our most meaningful, memorable moments to chance when we can create them?
Join University Life on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. for The Power of Moments, a hybrid event that will help supervisors leverage moments to enhance their supervision style and create memorable experiences for staff.
This event is co-hosted by the University Life Supervision Collective and the Awards and Recognition Committee, part of University Life Professional Development.
Register to attend virtually or in-person.
Workshop: Promising Pedagogies to Support First-Generation Students
In collaboration with the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, the First-Gen+ Center will host the third session of its faculty/staff development series, Supporting First-Generation College Students in the Classroom and Beyond:
Promising Pedagogies to Support First-Generation Students
Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Registration required
Attendees will engage with evidence-based practices to support them in preparing spring 2022 syllabi that are inclusive of first-generation student needs and ways of learning. The one-hour workshop will offer simple tips that can make a big difference to your students.
This session will be hosted by Shelley Reid (Stearns Center) and Graziella Pagliarulo McCarron (First-Gen+ Center and School of Integrative Studies).
Contact stearns@gmu.edu with questions.
Mini Course: Designing Your Syllabus
In this mini course, faculty will design a syllabus that promotes student success and engagement by making goals and assignments clear and relevant for students. Faculty will create or revise existing student learning outcomes, align them with assessments with clear criteria for grading and organize course content to maximize student learning.
Jan. 5–14, 2022
Noon to 1 p.m.
Online Facilitator: Crystal Anderson, Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning
Register
Participants can earn a Level 2 credential for Educational Resource Development in Stearns Continuing Professional Development program.
Resources for You
Men's Basketball Watch Party at Patriots Pub and Grill
Come out and enjoy the excitement of Mason Nation at alumni-owned Patriots Pub and Grill for the Patriot Perks Watch Party on Dec. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy 20 percent off, free prizes, giveaways, and food and drink specials!
Ridesharing Campaign Evaluation Survey
With holiday shopping in full swing, a $100 visa gift card could come in handy. Faculty and staff who complete the Ridesharing Campaign Evaluation Survey will be placed in a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card while helping Mason Transportation Services and Vanpool Connect evaluate the recent ridesharing communication campaign.
The results of this survey will be used to develop new services that will improve transportation communication and services for Mason employees. Thank you in advance for your participation.
"It's Mason's Time!" T-shirts Available for Purchase at the Bookstore
Straight from President Washington’s investiture speech, a limited run of “It’s Mason’s Time” t-shirts are now available for purchase in-store only at the campus bookstore. Get them while they last!
Contact Aliya Rinaldi, Operations and Business Services, at arinaldi@gmu.edu with questions.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
Mason Artist-in-Residence: Camille A. Brown & Dancers
Saturday, Jan. 22, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Called “one of the most sought-after choreographers of her generation” by The New York Times, Camille A. Brown is reclaiming the cultural narratives of African-American identity through dance. Now, her Bessie Award-winning company, Camille A. Brown & Dancers take the stage at the Center for the Arts for the first time. Her bold work taps into both ancestral stories and contemporary culture, capturing a range of deeply personal experiences. A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier (located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby) 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Fantastic Fantasies
Sunday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Take an extraordinary journey through classical music with this family-friendly Keyboard Conversations® performance. Learn the compelling stories behind each piece and then enjoy each work played in its entirety. An interactive question and answer session will conclude this program.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko, music director
Kian Soltani, cello
Saturday, Jan. 29, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Celebrate the diamond jubilee anniversary of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with a program featuring one of the world’s most sought-after cellists, Kian Soltani. Under the direction of Vasily Petrenko, RPO is recognized as one of the world’s most forward-thinking and boundary-pushing symphony orchestras. This stunning concert of cherished works is the perfect performance to reconnect with live, classical music. A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, (located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby) 45 minutes prior to curtain.