Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
May Staff Senate Meeting
The May Staff Senate meeting will feature Ken Walsh, executive vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff, to discuss Mason's strategic direction.
Wednesday, May 3
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – General Business Meeting
11 a.m. to noon – Guest Speaker
Constituents are invited to attend in person in Merten Hall, Room 1204, or via Zoom. Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu with questions.
Help Mason Choose a New Learning Management System (LMS)
Faculty and staff are invited to help Mason choose its new Learning Management System (LMS) through a series of in-person and virtual presentations from May 8–10. Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to ask the vendors questions—Canvas, Blackboard Ultra, and Brightspace—and then provide feedback. Those unable to attend will be able to watch recordings and still provide feedback.
- Canvas – Monday, May 8, from 9–10:30 a.m., Merten Hall, Room 1201, or via Zoom
- BrightSpace – Tuesday, May 9, from 9–10:30 a.m., Merten Hall, Room 1201, or via Zoom
- Blackboard Ultra – Wednesday, May 10, from 9–10:30 a.m. Merten Hall, Room 1202, or via Zoom
Patriot Packout
Patriot Packout (PPO), Mason's annual sustainable move-out initiative, starts on May 5. PPO volunteers collect like-new and gently used donations at the Fairfax Campus, SciTech Campus, and Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation during campus move-out.
Donations are redistributed to Mason Patriots and local community members in need, preventing useful items from ending up in the trash. This year's PPO donations support the Patriot Pantry, Trans Clothing Closet, Art Supply Sharing Closet, the First Gen+ Center, and Mason Parking and Transportation's bike and scooter programs, among others.
Visit the website for a list of accepted donations, campus donation schedules, and volunteer opportunities.
$5 Fridays at Ike’s and Southside
Every first Friday of the month, Mason Dining offers a discounted $5 lunch to faculty and staff at Ike's and Southside. The last spring semester date is Friday, May 5.
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Week at Patriot Tech
During the week of May 1–5, select Apple Macbooks, iMacs, and iPads will be on sale at Patriot Tech—on top of the already discounted education pricing. Computers and iPad Pros are $70–$250 off the current education price, and iPad Airs and Minis are $18–$34 off the current education price.
Did you know that full-time Mason employees can make a purchase by payroll deduction? To reserve a device today, review and complete the Apple Event Interest Form. More information about the payroll deduction option is included on the form.
Payroll deduction purchases must be made in person. Credit card purchases can be made in person or online at gmu.bncollege.com. Be sure to use your Mason email address, or your order will be canceled.
Contact ptech@gmu.edu or 703-993-4100 with questions.
OSCAR Excellence Awards
The Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR) will host its Celebration of Student Scholarship and Impact on Tuesday, May 9, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Center for the Arts. The event will showcase OSCAR undergraduate research across disciplines and announce the OSCAR Excellence Awards.
The virtual celebration will take place between May 8–12. Email questions to oscar@gmu.edu.
Share the Career Plans Survey with May Graduates
The Career Plans Survey collects data of new graduates' first destination after completing their degree, including full-time work, part-time work, further study, military duty, or significant service opportunities (e.g., Teach for America, Peace Corps, etc.). All May graduates (bachelor's, master's, law, and doctoral) are encouraged to complete the Career Plans Survey and share their success with Mason. Faculty and staff should encourage their graduating students to participate.
For questions, contact Stephanie Lampron, University Career Services.
The George Mason University Innovation Awards Reception
The George Mason University Innovation Awards Reception will be hosted on Tuesday, May 9, from 4–6 p.m. in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. This event recognizes some of the most innovative and entrepreneurial minds at Mason.
The event will feature welcome remarks from the Provost, followed by an exciting lineup of awards presentations. Awards include the Innovator of the Year Award, the Mason Start-up Award, and the Mason Licensed Technology Awards, recognizing current Mason researchers who have commercialized technologies. Additionally, the ICAP/ICORPS Recognition Awards and Disclosure and Patent Recognition Awards are also included.
Support your colleagues and learn about the exciting research at Mason. Network and connect with some of the most innovative minds at Mason. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to celebrate the innovators and entrepreneurs in our community.
Summer Parking Permits Going on Sale
Summer parking passes go on sale Thursday, May 4. Online sales only. Visit parking.gmu.edu for details. Reach out to parking@gmu.edu with any questions.
Parking and Transportation's Patriot Pack Out Donation Drive for Patriot Pantry
Would you like to help someone in need? Through Wednesday, May 17, at 4 p.m. 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 transportation.gmu.edu/donation.
Kaleidoscope: Spring 2023 Art and Design Senior Show
Kaleidoscope, the spring art and design senior show, runs from Monday, May 8, through Friday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Mason community is also invited to the closing reception on Saturday, May 13, from 6–8 p.m., which is free and open to all students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Refreshments will be provided.
The show will take place on the Fairfax Campus in the Art and Design Building.
P3 Center 10th Anniversary Forum
Join Mason’s Center for Transportation Public-Private Partnership (P3) Policy on Wednesday, May 3, at Mason Square for its 10th Anniversary Forum. The forum engages with industry leaders and the academic community to discuss pressing issues surrounding P3s for highways, transit, and the future of mobility. Register for this free event.
Keynote speakers include W. Sheppard Miller III, Virginia secretary of transportation, and Arlando Teller, assistant secretary for tribal affairs, United States Department of Transportation.
People of Mason Square: Anne Holton
All are invited to listen, laugh, and hopefully learn something new at the event series People of Mason Square. Each week, hear a conversation with a different personality from Mason Square. Guaranteed to be fun, informative, and entertaining—and interactive!
Come to the plaza at Mason Square on Tuesday, May 2, at noon to hear from Anne Holton, professor of public policy and education, and former interim president of George Mason University. Registration available, but not required. This event is hosted by University Life Mason Square.
Summer Mason Shuttles Updates
The summer Mason Shuttles schedules and service summary are posted 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.
Training and Professional Development
2023 Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Seed Funding
The Office of Research Innovation and Economic Impact, in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, is excited to announce the second annual ARIE Seed Funding Call for Proposals.
This seed funding emerged as one of the recommendations from the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force’s research committee and is funded by the ARIE Initiative. This funding will support research, scholarship and creative activities addressing the myriad issues on the theme of anti-racism and inclusive excellence. For more information, visit the website.
Summer Professional Development Series: Enhance Your Online and Hybrid Courses
The Office of Digital Learning is excited to host a series of professional development opportunities for faculty of all ranks and levels to enhance their online and hybrid courses. Join them this summer to explore a diverse set of projects, thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, enhance engagement, and foster collaboration across disciplines. Seize this season and create lasting projects that support our growing digital landscape. Register by May 12.
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.
Registration is open through May 30. Contact the planning team at ulprodev@gmu.edu with questions.
Resources for You
Employee Perks and Incentives Page
Human Resources is excited to announce the brand-new Employee Perks and Incentives page, a one-stop shop for information on all the benefits, discounts, and complimentary resources that come with being a Mason employee.
The page includes information on health insurance, retirement, and leave; tuition exemption and student debt relief; discounts on and around campus; family and personal care resources, and more.
Virginia529 Seminar: Saving for Education
Thinking about saving for education? Join Virginia529 for a special webinar on Wednesday, May 17, at 11 a.m. via Zoom.
Saving for future education expenses for a child, a grandchild, or even yourself can seem overwhelming. In this seminar, you’ll learn how an Invest529 account can help you save for tuition and other costs, take advantage of tax-free earnings, and meet your savings goals.
As a bonus, Mason employees who attend this webinar will receive an exclusive offer: a $25 gift code to open a new Invest529 account. Register to attend.
Instruments in the Attic
Instruments in the Attic makes music education accessible through community connection. The program, offered by the Mason Community Arts Academy, recycles used instruments donated by generous community members to music programs and students in need—locally, nationally, and internationally.
Instruments in the Attic accepts instruments of all types and conditions. Upon donation, instruments are assessed based on repair need and are categorized accordingly. If an instrument ends up being beyond economical repair or no longer musically capable, our program recycles the instruments in creative ways so that no donation goes to waste. For more information about the donation process, visit the website.
Mason Discount for WWE Supershow at EagleBank Arena
EagleBank Arena is offering the Mason community discounted tickets to the WWE Supershow on Sunday, July 15, at 7:30 p.m. The Mason discounts include $10 off the $55/$45/$35 tickets, or $5 off the $20 tickets, and no fees.
The discount is only available in-person at the box office. Must present valid Mason ID; limit of four discounted tickets per Mason ID. The EagleBank Arena box office is open Tuesday–Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and Friday/Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
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.
Mason School of Dance: May Studio Series
Tuesday, May 9, at 7 p.m.
de Laski Performing Arts Building, A301 (Dance Studio)
Studio Series is an intimate black-box experience showcasing new dances by George Mason University's School of Dance.
Dewberry School of Music: Honors Recital
Saturday, May 13, at 7 p.m.
Harris Theatre
Join the Dewberry School of Music for their spring finale concert featuring the Mason Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Soo Han.
CAMMO Voices
Saturday, May 13, at 8 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
CAMMO Voices joins with Mason’s Veterans and the Arts Initiative to present a concert that honors our servicemembers and families. The celebration includes music honoring Mother’s Day from the American Military Spouses Choir, made up of military spouses from all branches and from across the United States. Feel the healing power of music infused with a message of hope and community when CAMMO Voices takes to the stage. This performance is appropriate for all ages.