Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Annual Statewide Tornado Drill on March 7
Mason employees are encouraged to participate in the Annual Statewide Tornado Drill on Tuesday, March 7, at 9:45 a.m. This regional emergency drill provides a good opportunity to review response procedures if a tornado warning is issued for one or more Mason campuses or sites. To prepare for the drill, review Mason’s guidance on severe weather and tornados.
This drill will be announced via Mason Alert email and text message and will conclude at 10 a.m. If you have any questions about how you, your department, or classroom can participate, contact Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management at seerm@gmu.edu or 703-993-8448.
Performance Self-Evaluation Learning Labs
Performance evaluation season is here. Human Resources is offering self-evaluation learning labs that will equip you with the tools and knowledge to strategize your career growth, advocate for your workplace wins, and foster a collaborative and constructive relationship with your supervisor.
Both virtual and in-person sessions are available. Contact leaps@gmu.edu with questions.
Board of Visitors Public Comment Session Scheduled for April 4
The Board of Visitors will conduct a meeting with an associated public comment session on Tuesday, April 4. This meeting will include a presentation by Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Deb Dickenson on Mason’s FY 2024 financial plan, including proposals for tuition and mandatory fees. Additional details on the meeting and the public comment process will be available on the Board of Visitors website by the evening of Monday, March 20.
2023 Celebration of Distinction: Nomination Form
The George Mason University Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Alumni Association Awards.
For more than 30 years, the Alumni Association has recognized outstanding alumni, student, and faculty accomplishments with five unique annual awards, including Alumnus/a of the Year, Alumni Service Award, Faculty Member of the Year Award, Senior of the Year Award, and Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award.
The deadline to nominate someone is Friday, March 10. For questions regarding the nominations process, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@gmu.edu or 703-993-8696.
Outdoor Lightning Alert System
Stay safe during severe weather. When lightning is within 10 miles of a George Mason University campus or site, all outdoor activities should be paused, and spectators and participants should seek cover.
All of Mason’s campuses and remote sites are covered by Mason’s lightning alert system. The system alerts those who have opted into receiving a Mason Alert when lightning is within 10 miles of campus. Lightning alerts on any campus can also be monitored at ready.gmu.edu/lightning.
An outdoor speaker system has been installed on the West Campus in Fairfax to cover the athletic and intramural fields. Questions about the system can be directed to seerm@gmu.edu.
Vision Series Lecture: Justice in an AI-Mediated Society
The next Mason Vision Series lecture will feature Mason Professor of Computer Science Sanmay Das on Thursday, March 9, at 7 p.m. The event will be livestreamed on GMU-TV.
In his presentation, "Justice in an AI-Mediated Society," Das will address the functions of artificial intelligence in helping society, as well as ethics and the controversies surrounding its use. Learn more and register.
Go for Gold! 2020 Olympic Karate Athlete Sakura Kokumai
Sakura Kokumai is a Karate World Bronze Medalist and Karate athlete for the USA team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Go for Gold! 2020 Olympic Karate Athlete Sakura Kokumai
Thursday, March 30, 2–3 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, Cinema
RSVP
Kokumai will discuss her lifelong mission of introducing American communities to Karate, her training regimen, experiences as an Asian American woman, her struggles competing in a sport dominated by men, and experiences as a victim of anti-Asian hate. Students will have the opportunity to join Kokumai in her Karate demonstration.
This event is sponsored by Mason’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, University Life, Department of History and Art History, and Department of Modern and Classical Languages. Contact Kirk Kanesaka with questions.
Nominations for the Jack Wood Award for Town-Gown Relations
The Jack Wood Award highlights the outstanding contributions of faculty, staff, students, businesses/not-for-profits, community members, and elected officials/staff who demonstrate leadership fostering mutually beneficial relationships between the university and the community.
This award honors former Mayor Jack Wood, who played an instrumental role in establishing Mason in Fairfax and establishing positive town-gown relations.
Awardees will be notified by April 10. The Board of Visitors will honor awardees on May 4.
Nominations are due March 24. Self-nominations are welcome. Community relations/outreach professionals are not eligible. Questions? Contact Traci Kendall, Government and Community Relations.
Mason Shuttles Updates
Shuttle Schedule Changes for Spring Break
Spring Break will bring significant modifications to the Mason Shuttle schedules. Details are available at shuttle.gmu.edu. A Spring Break schedule summary is also available. Contact 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu for assistance.
Transit Driver Appreciation Day: March 18
Mason Shuttles is celebrating Transit Driver Appreciation Day on March 18. It’s a wonderful time to celebrate our dedicated shuttle drivers. Help us say “thank you” by sharing kind words about your experiences on Mason Shuttles. Your email compliment will enter you into a drawing for a $20 Starbucks gift card. Read more details.
Spring 2023 Parking Permits to be Pro-Rated Starting March 13
If you have not purchased a semester permit yet and need to do so, beginning March 13, you will see pro-rated permit pricing for Spring 2023. Check the details for faculty/staff, resident students, and off-campus students.
Contact Parking Services at 703-993-2710 or parking@gmu.edu with questions.
Training and Professional Development
UndocuAlly Trainings
Faculty and staff are encouraged to take UndocuAlly Training to understand the history of undocumented communities, past and present legislation, and the lived realities and barriers our undocumented communities are fighting.
The UndocuAlly training team aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for undocumented immigrants through education and advocacy. This training is facilitated by student trainers who are skilled and informed on the experiences of undocumented students, current policy and legislation, as well as allyship and opportunities for advocacy at Mason and beyond.
Upcoming training dates:
- Friday, March 24, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (virtual)
- Tuesday, April 18, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, Bistro (in-person, lunch provided)
Learn more and register. Contact undocua@gmu.edu with questions.
Register for a Safe Zone+ Program Workshop
Mason’s Safe Zone+ Program, facilitated by the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, strives to create a safer, more welcoming, and inclusive campus environment. Safe Zone+ is an evolving education and ally development program. Currently, it consists of four workshops that help participants on their own allyship development journeys.
Mason community members are invited to sign up for a spring 2023 Safe Zone+ Program workshop. All are welcome to attend.
Learn more about the program. Contact lgbtq@gmu.edu with questions.
Additional Sessions of Mason 101 Available
New to the Mason community? Looking to update your Mason knowledge? Sign up for Mason 101!
Mason 101 is a one-time, two-hour session that shares the history, organizational structure, and resources of George Mason University, including a virtual tour of all Mason sites and updates on the future of Mason. Upcoming training dates:
- Friday, March 10, from 10 a.m. to noon (hosted on Zoom)
- Friday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, Merten Hall, Room 2001 (in-person)
- Friday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to noon (hosted on Zoom)
Visit the website for registration information. With questions, contact Philip Stamper at 703-993-5308.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Join Disability Services and the University Life Supervision Collective Committee for facilitated conversations focusing on neurodiversity in the workplace. This session will occur on Wednesday, March 8, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Johnson Center Bistro.
By attending this session, participants will better understand neurodiversity and develop strategies for fostering an inclusive workplace for neurodiverse employees. If there is anything we can do to make this workshop more accessible to you (i.e., accommodations), contact Kim Dao.
Free Webinar: Well-Being at Work
Join Mason’s next free Leading to Well-Being Speaker Series webinar, “From Self-Care to We-Care: Insights from CEOs, Employees, and Health Care Professionals,” on Wednesday, March 29, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
This session will feature business leaders Laura Hamill and Michael McCarthy, who help host the Happy at Work podcast, where they interview organizational leaders, human resources professionals, and positive psychology researchers about creating more positive workplaces. Register today.
Intersectionality 101 Trainings
Mason’s Women and Gender Studies Center is offering a basic training for students, faculty, and staff interested in applying intersectional theory to their work. Throughout this online module, participants will learn about intersectionality and how it can be applied in various areas of social justice work.
Intersectionality 101 Training
Tuesday, April 4, 4:30–7 p.m.
Register
Contact wgst@gmu.edu with questions.
Resources for You
Prescription Drug Drop Box Available at Mason Police Headquarters
Do you have unused prescription medications that you no longer use or need? Visit the Mason Police Department lobby to drop off medications in the CVS Drug Drop Box available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Mason Police and Safety Headquarters is located on the Fairfax Campus, in front of Rappahannock Parking Deck. Needles or sharps of any kind are not accepted.
For questions, contact Lt. Michael Guston at mguston@gmu.edu.
Bicycling Resources
Registration Open: Bike to Mason Days
Celebrate cycling at Mason! Whether you bike to campus regularly for school or work or are contemplating starting to bike, Bike to Mason Day is open to all Mason cyclists.
- SciTech: Tuesday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Colgan Front Patio
- Mason Square: Wednesday, April 19, 3–7 p.m., Founders Plaza
- Mason Korea: Wednesday, April 19, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
- Fairfax: Thursday, April 20, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Merten Hall Lawn
There will be food, resource information, and fun giveaways. For planning purposes, let us know you are coming. Register at bike.gmu.edu.
Learn to Ride a Bike
Want to learn to ride a bike? The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling, Mason Parking and Transportation, and the City of Fairfax are offering an Adult Learn to Ride class on Saturday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Parking Lot C. Cost is just $10. Bikes and helmets provided. The class is open to residents of Fairfax County/City of Fairfax and Mason students, faculty, and staff. Space is limited. Find more details and register.
Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group
The College of Visual and Performing Arts welcomes the Mason community to the Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group, which meets on Fridays from 1–2:30 p.m.
The group holds a commitment to relationship-building, awareness, reimagining, transformation, and action around anti-racist practices, racial justice, the creation of conversations, as well as systems of compassion and healing. The group continues to focus on anti-Black racism and its effects on society.
Join the meeting on Friday, Mar. 10, for the following topic: “adrienne maree brown: We Will Not Cancel Us." Spring semester meetings will occur through March 31 (no meeting March 17). This event is free and open to the public.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
Virginia Opera: La Traviata
Saturday, March 11, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 12, at 2 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Featuring one of the most demanding, sumptuous, and recognizable scores of all time, Virginia Opera concludes its season with Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata. Verdi’s three-act tragic and romantic opera follows a sophisticated courtesan, Violetta, who falls in love with a man she cannot have, Alfredo Germont. La Traviata will hold you spellbound from the first to last note. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
KODO—One Earth Tour 2023: Tsuzumi
Saturday, March 18, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Experience the power, grace, and joy that KODO’s athletic percussionists bring to the stage in their much-anticipated 40th anniversary performance: Tsuzumi. As masters of the ancient art of Japanese taiko drumming, KODO bewitches audiences with visually stunning performances that combine raw athleticism and refined percussive virtuosity. This performance is appropriate for all ages.
Dervish
Sunday, March 19, at 4 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Take a musical journey along Ireland’s rugged and wild coastline with traditional Irish music icons, Dervish. The internationally acclaimed ensemble includes some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians, including Cathy Jordan (vocals and drums), Shane Mitchell (accordion), Liam Kelly (flute/whistle), Brian McDonagh (mandola/mandolin), Tom Morrow (fiddle), and Michael Holmes (bouzouki). This performance is appropriate for all ages.
Visual Voices Lecture Series with Koyoltzintli Miranda-Rivadeneira
School of Art
Thursday, March 23, at 4:45 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Koyoltzintli Miranda-Rivadeneira is an Ecuadorian-American artist and curandera from Queens, New York, who investigates Indigenous ways of relating to the land through photography, video, ceramics, and sound. The artist captures a multifaceted exchange between herself and the land, achieving levels of intimacy as both a creator and a subject, an intimacy that is often withheld through the Westernized lens of photography and video’s history of colonial bias.
Mason Dance Company Gala Concert
School of Dance
Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Dance enthusiasts are invited to witness talented dancers perform spectacular works from world-renowned choreographers this spring during the 2023 Mason Dance Company Gala Concert performances. This highlight of the season showcases School of Dance students in four thrilling and technically demanding works choreographed by some of the biggest names in dance. Held prior to the March 25 Dance Gala Concert performance, the Mason Dance Fête is an intimate benefit event to showcase Mason dancers and the Gala Concert program. Guests of the Fête are invited into rehearsal studios to see sections of the soon-to-be-performed works, as well as insights about the choreographer and the work itself.
Enchantment Theatre Company Presents The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon
Family Series
Sunday, March 26, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.*
Center for the Arts
*The 4 p.m. performance will be sensory-friendly.
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon follows the zany adventures of an inventive young boy. Harold creates the world he wants to explore using nothing more than a big purple crayon and his sky’s-the-limit imagination. Combining life-size puppets, pantomime, dance, magic, and original music, The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon will delight and amaze. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Mason Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Workshop: Big Band Showdown
Dewberry School of Music
Monday, March 27, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Join the Mason Jazz Ensemble (director Jim Carroll) and the Jazz Workshop (director John Kocur) for an evening that celebrates the hot sounds and swinging beats of the Big Band era.
Mason School of Theater: The Hunchback of Seville
Multiple dates, March 30 through April 8
Harris Theatre
At the turn of the 16th century, Christopher Columbus has just returned from the New World with gold in his pockets and blood on his hands. Maxima Terriblé Segunda, the brilliant, adopted sister of dying Queen Isabella, is living out her life locked away in a tower…until it is decided that the future of the country is in her nerdy, reclusive hands. In a bitingly funny and madcap take on Spanish history and colonialism, Maxima weaves her way through mountains of prejudice, politics, religion, and the horrors of history.
Cirque FLIP Fabrique: Muse
Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 1, at 2 p.m.
Center for the Arts
In this all-new, high-energy production, the seven acrobats of FLIP Fabrique don high heels, then football shoulder pads, to dazzle audiences of all ages. This performance combines breathtaking artistry and athleticism. Prepare for whimsy and wonder as mighty women, elegant men, and gravity-defying humans rejoice in who they are. Recommended for ages eight and up.
Daniel Hope and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra: America
Sunday, April 2, at 2 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Violin luminary Daniel Hope returns with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra to reveal the charisma of American music. This concert celebrates the country’s most recognizable tunes from across the 20th century. With new classical and jazz arrangements by Paul Bateman, Hope illuminates the American spirit. The acclaimed musicians of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra create the perfect partnership with Hope's violin mastery. This performance is appropriate for all ages.