Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Conclusion of Mason's 50th Anniversary Celebration and Use of 50th Anniversary Logo
Mason's 50th anniversary celebrations came to a close in December. Starting in January 2023, Mason offices and employees should discontinue the use of the 50th anniversary mark on websites, publications, email signatures, and other collateral.
Visit brand.gmu.edu for information on brand guidelines, visual style, and more. Have questions about accessing or using the brand guidelines? Contact Creative Services at creative@gmu.edu.
New Telecommunications Vendor Update
In August, Information Technology Services (ITS) announced the selection of Mason’s new telecommunications vendor, Vonage, Inc. Since the announcement, ITS has successfully rolled out the new system for all Mason Call Centers and is moving into the next phase of the project: faculty and staff phones.
ITS has met with Telecom Coordinators to coordinate a phased-approach implementation, which will kick off in early 2023. In the coming weeks, Telecom Coordinators will validate details with phone users (work location, phone numbers, etc.) in preparation for switching to the new system. ITS will provide additional updates and resources in the coming weeks.
Reminder: Mason Shuttles in January
Schedules for the Mason Shuttles have been adjusted for January (before classes begin). See an overview or check the individual route schedules at shuttle.gmu.edu.
Please note that there is no shuttle service on Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Contact 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.
ITS Support Center January Hours
Starting Tuesday, Jan. 3, the ITS Support Center will have modified hours until the start of the spring semester:
Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Normal business hours will resume on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.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.
Shop on AmazonSmile and Support Mason's Patriot Pantry
Shop through Amazon Smile, and Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of your eligible purchases to support the Patriot Pantry. Be sure to search and select “George Mason University Foundation” as your charity of choice, and funds donated will be routed to the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund. Find out more at go.gmu.edu/PantryAmazonSmile.
Spring 2023 Parking Passes
Spring 2023 parking permit sales begin online only on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 10 a.m. For more information, visit parking.gmu.edu. Note: Faculty and staff using payroll deduction for their parking permits do not need to take any additional action.
Nominations Open: Rick Holt Active Transportation Advocate Award
The Rick Holt Active Transportation Advocate Award honors Rick, the "Mason Bike Dude,” who passionately advocated for and encouraged active transportation at Mason and beyond. Nominations are open for this award. The recipient will be recognized at the Outstanding Achievement Awards in April.
If you know a faculty or staff member who embodies Rick’s enthusiasm and commitment, we encourage you to submit a nomination. Important details are posted on the Mason Transportation website.
Contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.
Training and Professional Development
Research and Scholarship Orientation Set for Jan. 18
Faculty are invited to attend the third annual Research and Scholarship at Mason orientation and refresher, sponsored by the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Impact, on Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom.
The program is designed to help faculty become more familiar (or refresh their familiarity) with the grant lifecycle process at Mason and the resources available to assist faculty in obtaining external funding for their research, scholarship, and creative work.
Anti-Racism and Inclusive Teaching: An Introduction to Developing More Inclusive Educational Spaces
Are you ready to integrate inclusive teaching throughout your instructional spaces? Would you like to explore techniques and build tangible plans for your classes? In this workshop, participants will explore some of the definitions and terms often found in conversations about creating more inclusive classrooms.
Anti-Racism and Inclusive Teaching: An Introduction to Developing More Inclusive Educational Spaces
Tuesday, Jan. 17, from 2–3 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
This workshop is hosted by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning.
Course Proposal Workshop: Mason Core Focus
The Mason Core Committee is seeking course proposals for courses in the revised Global Contexts category and the new Just Societies flag. Courses planning to run in the inaugural fall 2024 semester will need approval by fall 2023, so it’s not too early to start.
Join us for a review of the new learning outcomes, a guide to the proposal process, and the opportunity to compose a first draft of your proposal and get some early feedback. Small stipends are available for all participants.
Course Proposal Workshop: Mason Core Focus
Thursday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. to noon
Hosted on Zoom
Learn more about Mason Core courses or contact masoncor@gmu.edu for more information.
New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop
The New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. via Zoom. The workshop is designed to meet the unique needs and challenges that adjunct faculty face, support their transition to campus, and develop practical strategies for success with students.
The workshop will include a broad overview of working at Mason, introductions to important policies, and sessions to enhance teaching skills for online and in-person classes. Registration is required.
The workshop is co-sponsored by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning and Human Resources and Payroll.
Calls for Proposals: 4-VA@Mason Collaborative Research Grants
Mason faculty interested in piloting a novel research project in conjunction with colleagues at one of the seven other 4-VA schools in Virginia are encouraged to respond to the annual 4-VA@Mason Collaborative Research Grants calls for proposals.
The application link for the proposals will be posted on the 4-VA@Mason website. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 28, with funding available July 1.
Interested faculty can review associated policies and procedures and read previous successful proposals on the 4-VA@Mason grants page. Contact Elizabeth Gillooly with questions.
Deadline Extended: Apply to the Emerging Leaders Supervisor Series
The deadline to apply to the Emerging Leaders Supervisor Series (ELSS) has been extended to close of business on Friday, Jan. 6.
ELSS is a 15-month cohort program designed to provide support as you develop and practice new leadership skills with your team while deepening your understanding of Mason policies. In addition to the curriculum, participants work with assigned workplace coaches to set goals related to their growth as a leader. Each participant will complete a developmental project and will have the opportunity to work with peers across the university to learn more about the institution and to build a network of fellow supervisors.
Applicants must be Mason faculty or classified staff and must supervise at least one employee who is faculty or classified staff. This cohort will run from February 2023 to May 2024. All sessions will be held in person; fully remote applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
To apply, visit Human Resources and Payroll's Organizational Development and Learning page.
Free Well-Being Leadership Webinar: Beating Burnout and Boosting Resilience as a People Leader
Learn three key, science-backed steps to address burnout and increase resilience in your people in a free webinar from Jacinta Jiménez, author of The Burnout Fix. Join the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from noon to 1:15 p.m. for “Beating Burnout and Boosting Resilience as a People Leader,” part of Mason’s Leading to Well-Being Speaker Series.
Register today. Contact cwb@gmu.edu with questions.