Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Spring into Well-Being
Mason celebrates Spring into Well-Being from April 24–28. This annual celebration offers a series of events to enhance and support the well-being of the Mason Nation.
Check out the Midday Movement Fair on Merten Lawn, experience pet therapy at Dogs and Donuts, take a Mason Miles wellness walk, visit the Mason Day carnival, and more. See the full schedule of events.
Outstanding Achievement Awards Recipients
Human Resources is excited to announce the recipients of Mason's 2023 Outstanding Achievement Awards. In a year with a record number of nominations, the university acknowledges the outstanding contributions of our Mason community and encourages you to continue to focus on faculty and staff appreciation, recognition, and engagement as we “thrive together."
Join the awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 25, from 10–11:30 a.m. in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall (no RSVP is required). The ceremony will also be livestreamed by GMU-TV; the link to watch the ceremony will be posted on the Outstanding Achievement Awards website before the event.
Bike to Mason Days
Celebrate cycling at Mason! Whether you bike to campus regularly for school or work or are contemplating starting to bike, this event is open to all Mason cyclists. Check out the Bike to Mason Day at your campus:
- SciTech: Tuesday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Colgan Front Patio
- Mason Korea: Wednesday, April 19, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
- Mason Square: Wednesday, April 19, 3–7 p.m., Plaza
- Fairfax: Thursday, April 20, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Merten Lawn
There will be food, resource information, and fun giveaways. For planning purposes, RSVP. Questions? Contact transpo@gmu.edu.
Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day
Mason is gearing up to welcome junior Patriots to campus on Thursday, April 27, for a fun-filled day. Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day is a great opportunity for kids to learn more about Mason and explore our campuses. Take a campus tour with Admissions, gather at Fenwick Library for story time, learn to grill with Mason Recreation, play games with University Life, complete a waste audit with University Sustainability, visit the Freedom Center, and much more.
Employees who plan to invite the children in their life to campus should complete the online consent form by April 21. Contact engagehr@gmu.edu with questions.
Mason Vision Series – America’s Mental Health Crisis: How Can We Prevent Youth Suicide?
The next installment of the Mason Vision Series will be held on on Monday, April 24, from 7–8 p.m. featuring Christianne Esposito-Smythers, who will discuss America's Mental Health Crisis: How Can We Prevent Youth Suicide?
Parents and families are struggling to locate the right kind of help for adolescents and young adults who are experiencing mental and behavioral health issues such as stress and suicidality. Esposito-Smythers will educate listeners on how to seek the right kind of treatment for youth suicidality and what to look for in a provider, outline preventative measures that people can take, offer resources, and discuss the work that she is conducting to the increase availability of culturally responsive, evidence-based treatment services for youth and families.
The Mason Vision Series will be livestreamed through GMU-TV. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in the discussion by submitting questions via email (gmuprov@gmu.edu) or Twitter using #VisionSeriesMason. RSVP.
Summer Mason Shuttles Updates
The summer Mason Shuttles schedules and service summary will be posted later this week at shuttle.gmu.edu. Summer service begins on Monday, May 22, and is Monday–Friday only. Updates for summer include:
- Regular spring service on the West Campus shuttle will end on Friday, May 5. From May 8–17, there will be one bus on the West Campus route with service every 40 minutes. May 17 is the last day of West Campus service until fall.
- West Campus permit holders may park in the general lots on East Campus for the summer starting on Thursday, May 4, at 8 p.m.
- The On-Demand shuttle will not operate during the summer. The last day of spring service for On-Demand shuttle is Sunday, May 14.
- The last weekend for service on Gunston Mason and the Fairfax/SciTech routes is May 20–21. Service on these routes will resume in the fall.
Contact 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.
Contemporary Student Graduation Celebration
The Mason community is invited to join Contemporary Student Services and others across the university to celebrate at the Contemporary Student Graduation Celebration on Friday, April 21, from 6–8 p.m. in The Hub Ballroom. Students can bring friends, family, and any in their support space to celebrate their accomplishment. There will be refreshments, a photo opportunity, a graduation cord ceremony, and more.
Contemporary students are those who are adult learners (age 25 and older), off-campus students, transfer students, married/widowed/divorced, veteran and military-affiliated, took three or more years off from college, pregnant or parenting, or previously in the foster care system/foster care alumni. RSVP.
Honors College Spring Exhibition and Awards Ceremony
The Mason community is invited to the Honors College Spring Exhibition and Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Hub Ballroom on the Fairfax Campus.
The Honors College Spring Exhibition (11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) is an opportunity for Honors College students to present the research and civic engagement projects they have been conducting. During the Awards Ceremony (12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m.), individuals will be recognized for research, service, and engagement. RSVP.
Reminder: Charter Buses on Campus
If your department is hosting an event with any number of charter buses on campus, please coordinate their visit with Parking Services. Even one charter bus needs to be accommodated for drop-off, pickup, and parking.
Charter buses should not be advised to pick up or drop off at Rappahannock River Lane or the Sandy Creek Transit Center. Both locations are transit hubs, and there is not sufficient space to allow charter bus access.
Parking Services is happy to work with you to find a location and make arrangements. Include them in your event planning process. Contact separk12@gmu.edu or 703-993-2065.
Training and Professional Development
Faculty Writing Retreat in May
Register for the Summer Faculty Writing Retreat running May 15–17, offering both in-person and online attendance. This event offers an active approach to uninterrupted writing time, a chance to learn from guest speakers, and a supportive community of peers to boost writing productivity. Learn more.
Undocumented and Refugee Student Success Summit
The Mason community is invited to attend the Undocumented and Refugee Student Success Summit on Saturday, April 29, at the Johnson Center Bistro from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Register by April 21. The summit will address humanitarian and immigration issues, as well as college access and attainment disparities for students who have undocumented and refugee statuses. Contact firstgen@gmu.edu with questions.
Spring Forward with a Workplace Coach
Could you use a thought partner to help support your personal or professional goals? Are there areas in your life or career where you desire change? Coaching is a personalized growth opportunity based entirely on your agenda. Mason’s workplace coaches are here to help you achieve change based on your most important priorities.
Ready to have a conversation with a coach to assist you in identifying a plan of action to reach greater well-being, success, and fulfillment? Simply want to learn more about workplace coaching at Mason? Visit the program website to get started.
University Life Student Success Symposium
Mason faculty, staff, and graduate students are invited to register for the 2023 University Life Student Success Symposium. The pre-conference will be held Monday, June 5, and the symposium will be held Tuesday, June 6.
The 2023 UL Symposium invites attendees to engage with the “why” in our work as practitioners of student success. The symposium will provide attendees with interactive and engaging experiences to focus on the new and continued work of student affairs professionals in the ever-changing and evolutionary nature of higher education.
Resources for You
Vegan and Vegetarian Options Growing with Mason Dining
Did you know that nearly 50 percent of all food options available at Mason's resident dining locations are vegetarian? Vegan and vegetarian options from Mason Dining help meet the needs of our students and also benefit the environment.
Visit the Mason Dining homepage for a guide to eating vegan on campus, presented by Mason student Wen Nguyen.
Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice
Do you live within a few miles of campus and think biking to work could be good for your well-being? All faculty and staff are eligible to participate in the Bike Commuter Choice Program. The program has four tiers of support. The more you ride, the greater the financial incentive.
The introductory tier requires just five rides per quarter. For details, visit bike.gmu.edu and select the Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice Program.
Need some help finding a route? Check in with our bike volunteers. Questions? Email transpo@gmu.edu.
Contacting Parking Services via Landline on Campus
The main phone number for Fairfax Campus Parking Services is now using a call center. To reach the main number from a landline on campus, you will need to dial the full 10-digit number: 703-993-2710.
Even though it is an on-campus phone number, you can no longer reach the main number for the office by dialing the five-digit extension, x3-2710. All other Parking and Transportation extensions remain unchanged.
Contact Parking Services at 703-993-2710 or email parking@gmu.edu.
Participate in a Research Study on Parenting and Social Media
Are you a parent who has shared information about your child/children on social media? Would you like to be paid to discuss your experiences?
If so, consider taking a one-minute screener survey to determine if you are eligible to participate in a focus group with other parents.
This study has been approved by Mason's Institutional Review Board (IRB #202735-1). Contact Breonna Riddick with questions.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, April 22, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
The Center for the Arts is proud to co-present a soaring classical music program by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, featuring George Li performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Music Director Christopher Zimmerman and the orchestra bookend the evening with a pair of Sir Edward Elgar’s rousing masterpieces, graduation staple Pomp and Circumstance, March No. 1 and Symphony No. 1. Don’t miss this inspirational program from one of the premier regional orchestras in the country.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Chopin and Grieg—A Musical Friendship
Sunday, April 23, at 2 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Romance is in the air in this Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel concert. From Chopin’s stirring polonaises and dreamy nocturnes to Grieg’s enchanting and humorous Lyric Pieces, be swept away by the music and the histories of these two beloved Romantic composers. An interactive question-and-answer session will conclude this program. This performance is appropriate for all ages.
Family Series: The Passing Zone
The Passing Zone Saves the World!
Sunday, April 23, at 4 p.m.
Center for the Arts
The Passing Zone has been wowing audiences for decades with hilarious, award-winning performances. In their latest show, The Passing Zone Saves the World!, they deliver a pulse-pounding and funny performance combining juggling, comedy, and daredevil stunts. Their interactive performance will have the whole family in fits of laughter and gasping for breath as they showcase their zany blend of juggling, dangerous stunts, and comedy. Recommended for ages eight and up.
Mason Jazz Vocal Night
Dewberry School of Music
Monday, April 24, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Join Darden Purcell, the Mason Jazz Voice Studio, and Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble for an evening of swinging standards and classic hits from the Great American Songbook.
Mason Wind Symphony
Dewberry School of Music
Tuesday, April 25, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
The George Mason University Wind Symphony, led by Director of Bands William L. Lake, Jr., is a select ensemble comprised of outstanding wind, brass, and percussion players in the School of Music and the university. The ensemble’s mission is to study and perform the best literature available for wind band, while emphasizing soloistic and orchestral performance practice. The Wind Symphony ranks among the finest collegiate wind bands in the commonwealth and performs the best of new band literature.
Jazz Combos Concert
Dewberry School of Music
Wednesday, April 26, at 8 p.m.
de Laski Performing Arts Building, Room 3001 (Rehearsal Room)
Directed by jazz pianist Wade Beach, these exploratory groups provide students opportunities in improvisation, composition, and arranging as well as small ensemble performing experience. The Mason Jazz Combos perform several times a semester and are open to music and non-music majors, instrumentalists, and vocalists of all musical abilities.
Mason Opera presents Die Fledermaus
Dewberry School of Music
Saturday, April 29, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 30, at 3 p.m.
Harris Theatre
Mason Opera presents Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II. Since it’s 1874 premiere at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, Austria, this tale of comical antics and mistaken identities has delighted audiences all over the world, remaining a constant favorite across the decades. This semi-staged presentation will see the interior of Mason’s own Harris Theatre transformed to evoke the glorious style of Theater an der Wien, with the Mason Symphony Orchestra performing live with the talented young artists of Mason Opera with a special appearance by Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, serving as the production’s narrator.
Mason Artist-in-Residence: Indigenous Enterprise
Indigenous Liberation
Saturday, April 29, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Indigenous Enterprise is on a mission to share their heritage and culture through explosively authentic dance and song. Comprised of dancers from Native American and Canadian tribes and Nations, this group first stunned crowds at the Sydney Opera House in 2018. Indigenous Liberation invites its audience to revel in the pageantry, history, and kaleidoscope of colors in a celebration of what lies at the heart of these traditions. This performance is appropriate for all ages.
American Roots Series: Wicked Sycamore
Saturday, April 29, at 8 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
The all-female ensemble Wicked Sycamore brings their tight vocal harmonies, instrumental prowess, and mischievous edge for a contemporary folk concert grounded in traditional roots, Americana, and bluegrass. Let Wicked Sycamore charm you with their original music that spans the genres, ranging from the playful and lighthearted to the soulful and introspective.
International Jazz Day
Dewberry School of Music
Sunday, April 30, at 7 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Share the vibrancy and vitality of jazz music with Mason Jazz students and faculty. International Jazz Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts on all continents to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future, and impact. Various Mason Jazz ensembles will perform in this celebratory and educational event.
University Singers Concert
Dewberry School of Music
Tuesday, May 2, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Under the direction of Lisa Billingham, the University Singers is a select choral ensemble at Mason dedicated to the performance of advanced vocal chamber music ranging from Renaissance to contemporary and commissioned works.
Jazz Steel Pan, Latin American, and Braddock Road Ensembles Concert
Dewberry School of Music
Wednesday, May 3, at 8 p.m.
de Laski Performing Arts Building, Room 3001 (Rehearsal Room)
The Steel Pan Ensemble (directed by Victor Provost), Braddock Road Brass Band (directed by Graham Breedlove), and Latin American Ensemble (directed by Juan Megna) perform their spring concert. These specialty groups within the Jazz Studies Department allow students to focus on genre-specific music from around the world. From traditional brass bands of New Orleans to musics of the Caribbean, including Calypso and Soka, to the Brazilian sounds of Bossa Nova and Samba, these ensembles showcase the beauty and breadth of global artistry.
Spring: Dance Innovations
School of Dance
May 5–6 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Harris Theatre
Mason choreographers showcase new works performed by the Mason Dance Company.
A Concert Presentation of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
School of Theater
May 5–7, multiple performances
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang explore life's great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes, and celebrate the joy of friendship.
Mason Symphony Orchestra Concert
Dewberry School of Music
Sunday, May 7, at 7 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Join the Dewberry School of Music for their spring finale concert featuring the Mason Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Soo Han.