Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Volunteers Needed for University Commencement
Commencement is almost here, and University Events would love some additional help on the morning of Friday, May 20, to prepare for the ceremony.
Volunteers should arrive by 8:15 a.m. and will be provided with a continental breakfast in the Johnson Center Atrium. Volunteers will then assist with the graduation lineup on Wilkins Plaza from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m.
Volunteers will help graduates find their way to the correct place in line, guide the lines once the procession starts, help students make sure their regalia is on properly, and answer any questions. Maps and information packets will be provided.
Fill out the form to volunteer. You will be contacted with additional arrival and logistical information. Thank you for supporting our 2022 graduates!
Updating Hours and People Finder
As we prepare for the transition from spring semester to summer, offices and departments are encouraged to review their information posted at hours.gmu.edu and peoplefinder.gmu.edu. Each page has a link to submit updates, if needed.
The Hours of Operation page should reflect summer hours starting Monday, May 23. But, if you have a different start date in a change of hours for the summer, please include that in the notes section on the online submission form. Additional updates may be submitted at any point during the summer, as needed.
You may request a master list of all department employees listed in People Finder by contacting masondir@gmu.edu. This is the best way to complete a department-wide review of People Finder listings. Individual People Finder updates may be submitted through the People Finder update form.
50th Anniversary Exhibits
Two exhibits will open this month as part of Mason's 50th anniversary celebrations:
Past, Present, Future: Mason's Core Remains Constant, on the lower level of Horizon Hall, looks back at Mason with a showcase of photos captured by students working for Broadside, Mason's student newspaper from 1969 to 2014.
We Are Mason: A Student History uses images and physical objects to illustrate student life throughout the years, development of university traditions, growth of the campuses, and milestones in the institution’s history. An opening reception will be held Wednesday, May 25, 4–6 p.m. in Fenwick Library’s Special Collections Research Center Exhibition Area.
Register for the opening receptions. Both exhibits will run through December in the University Libraries' Special Collection Research Center (SCRC).
Parking and Transportation End-of-Spring Semester Donation Drive for Patriot Pantry
Would you like to help someone in need? Make an in-person donation to benefit the Patriot Pantry at any Parking Services office through Friday, May 20, and reduce the cost of an outstanding parking citation by $15, $20, or $30.
For important details, including eligible donation items and the donation/credit framework, visit the Parking and Transportation website.
Reminder: Summer Shuttle Service
Mason Shuttles summer service begins on Monday, May 23. Service will be Monday–Friday only. The Burke VRE shuttle will not operate after May 20 until further notice.
Schedules are posted at shuttle.gmu.edu. Contact shuttle@gmu.edu with questions. Please note:
- The spring 2022 schedules are in effect through Friday, May 20, except West Campus (which ended spring service on Friday, May 13).
- Graduation Weekend Service for Sandy Creek/Metro will be in effect May 21–22 only from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last departure from Vienna Metro at 9:30 p.m.). No other weekend service is available.
- There is no shuttle service on Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day.
MOTHER: A Photographic Exhibition
Mason Exhibitions Arlington, in partnership with Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA), presents a concurrent photography exhibition, MOTHER, on view at Mason Exhibitions Arlington from April 1 through May 28.
MOTHER explores the idea of motherhood from a diversity of female perspectives and features a majority of female celebrated artists.
Visit masonexhibitions.org for programming details and to register for gallery events. Mason Exhibitions Arlington is located at 3601 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia (two blocks from Mason Square, formerly the Arlington Campus).
Bike to Work Day
Celebrate the Washington region’s Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 20. Start your day off cycling. Pit stops will be provided all over the Virginia, DC, and Maryland area. For details and to register, visit biketoworkmetrodc.org.
Training and Professional Development
ARIE Seed Funding Initiative Proposals Due June 30
The Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact (ORIEI) and the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force announce the first annual ARIE Seed Funding Initiative. The funding will support research, scholarship, and creative activities addressing the myriad issues on the theme of anti-racism and inclusive excellence. Projects may be either highly scholarly or highly practical/applicable. Read the full Call for Proposals.
Proposals are due Thursday, June 30. Two tiers of funding will be available (up to $25,000 and up to $50,000) for a period of 12 to 18 months. A virtual informational Q&A will be held on Wednesday, May 18, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Email questions in advance to resdev@gmu.edu. The session will be recorded and posted on the Research Development website. Award recipients will be announced Monday, August 15.
Resources for You
Metro Orange Line Platform Work
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Platform Improvement project continues on the Orange Line, with five stations closed from May 28 to September 5 (New Carrollton, Landover, Cheverly, Deanwood, and Minnesota Ave).
Free shuttle bus service will be available at the closed stations. Visit the WMATA website for detailed service information.
Vanpool Formation: Loudoun County to Fairfax Campus
Are you a full-time Mason employee living in Loudoun County and working on the Fairfax Campus? Would you like to have your commuting costs reimbursed up to $280/month (tax-free), avoid doing all the driving, park for free at Mason, and reduce carbon emissions?
If so, consider vanpooling. Parking and Transportation has developed a short vanpool match survey.
More detailed information about vanpooling is available on the Parking and Transportation website. If you have questions about vanpooling—whether you live in Loudoun County or not—contact transpo@gmu.edu.
Movie Nights at the SciTech Campus
The SciTech Campus will host a series of movie nights throughout the year to celebrate Mason’s 50th anniversary. All movies begin at 7:30 p.m.:
- Friday, June 10, ET: The Extra Terrestrial, Verizon Auditorium
- Wednesday, July 1, A League of Their Own, Hylton Performing Arts Center
- Friday, August 26, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Hylton Performing Arts Center
- Friday, October 7, The Hunger Games, Verizon Auditorium
Register for all movies in Mason360.
Mason Square Commuting Opportunity: Sustain and Save
Mason Square (formerly the Arlington Campus) 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 Mason Square to using transit, carpooling, biking, or another sustainable option.
Participating individuals must commute into the office at least eight days a month. For more information, visit the website. Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.