Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
President’s Town Hall Meeting for Academic Units
This fall, George Mason University President Gregory Washington is hosting two 90-minute town halls to discuss the state of the university and to engage with faculty and staff.
The second town hall, for employees working in academic units, will take place on Monday, Nov. 6, from 1–3 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall.
For those unable to attend in person, the town hall will be livestreamed on Zoom. Please contact your respective unit leadership for the Zoom link and passwords.
The first town hall, for Mason employees working in nonacademic units, took place on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
Provost Search Listening Sessions
Mason faculty, staff, and students are invited to participate in one of the following three listening sessions on the Provost search process:
- Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 3–4 p.m., in-person on the Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, Cinema
- Thursday, Nov. 2, from 7–8 p.m. on Zoom
- Friday, Nov. 3, from 10–11 a.m. on Zoom
For more information about the search, visit the Provost search website.
Life Safety Fair
Learn about safety and preparedness at Mason’s annual Life Safety Fair on Friday, Oct. 27, on the Fairfax Campus, Merten Lawn, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include interactive exhibits and live demonstrations, including a drone demonstration, Mason Police's armored vehicle on display, a fire extinguisher simulator, and more.
Veterans Day Luncheon
Join the Office of the President, ROTC, and the Office of Military Services to celebrate and honor Veterans Day. Mason's annual Veterans Day Luncheon will take place on Friday, Nov. 10, at 11:45 a.m. on the Fairfax Campus in the Center for the Arts lobby.
Mason community members who have proudly served the country are invited and encouraged to attend. Veterans, George Mason University salutes you. Registration is required.
IT Security Awareness Training Deadline: Oct. 31
The deadline for Mason employees, including contactors, affiliates, and student wage workers, to complete the mandatory 2023 IT Security Awareness Training is approaching. Employees must complete the training by Tuesday, Oct. 31, to avoid having their NetIDs disabled, which interrupts their access to Mason’s IT services, including Patriot Web, Office 365, and Wi-Fi networks.
The training is assigned to all employees by Information Technology Services (ITS) in their MasonLEAPS accounts. To access the training, visit masonleaps.gmu.edu.
If you have issues accessing the training, contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or support@gmu.edu.
Careers in Student Affairs Week: Wellness Walks
The University Life Training and Development Committee invites Mason faculty and staff to celebrate Career Development in Student Affairs Week from Oct. 23–27.
Professionals in the field of student affairs understand the importance of self-care and building meaningful connections with colleagues. Discover a new dimension of career development at a Wellness Walk, taking place simultaneously across three campuses, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, from noon to 1 p.m.
Register to receive the meeting point for the walk at your campus. Contact Kerry Hentges with questions.
Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center: Annual Community Appreciation Week
The Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center’s annual Community Appreciation Week will be held Oct. 23–29. Throughout the week, there will be membership and daily admission discounts, an adult volleyball tournament, pickleball intro sessions, special events, classes, and more. On Friday, check out the annual Pumpkin Splash in the pool. Registration required. Learn more.
Join us as we celebrate the “Freedom Family” and new guests as they reach their personal health and wellness goals. The Freedom Center is located on Mason's SciTech Campus in Manassas. Contact freedomc@gmu.edu or 703-993-8444 with questions.
Prescription Drug Drop Box Available at Mason Police Headquarters
Do you have unused or expired prescription medications that you no longer 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 the Rappahannock Parking Deck.
Needles, sharps, and inhalers are not accepted. For questions, contact Lt. Michael Guston at mguston@gmu.edu.
MacOS Sonoma (14) Update
Information Technology Services (ITS) recently announced the release of Apple’s latest macOS, Sonoma (14). ITS is aware of incompatibilities and issues that may impact security tools and software (i.e., IBM SPSS and Vonage Contact Center) used across Mason. Therefore, ITS highly recommends that all Mason-owned Mac systems remain on macOS 12 Monterey or macOS 13 Ventura until more information is available.
Additionally, any Mac system running macOS 10.x presents a significant risk to the university. Beginning Monday, Oct. 30, systems still running macOS 10.x will be removed and blocked from the Mason network. If you require an exception, contact the ITS Support Center to initiate a request. Visit the ITS website for details.
Contact support@gmu.edu or 703-993-8870 for assistance.
Training and Professional Development
Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day
Every year, Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day offers a chance for professional and personal development. This year's event will include workshops, a lunch and resource fair, and a chance to network with colleagues. All Mason employees are invited to participate.
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center
Workshops will center around the theme, "Mapping Your Future: Discovering Mason's Treasure." Supervisors are encouraged to provide flexibility for their teams to attend.
This year's keynote speakers will be Lewis Forrest and Sheldon Tate, presenting "Navigating Transition: How to Get from Where We Are to Where We Need to Be.” Based on William Bridges's book, Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change, this session will share a unique perspective on how those experiencing change—or facilitating change experience for others—can best approach it.
November Manager Meetup: Burnout
Engaging in conversations surrounding staff burnout and moving forward with your team is challenging throughout all sectors of the workforce. The impact of burnout can be felt throughout the organization, highlighting the interconnectedness of staff and the need to recognize the importance of individual and organizational health.
Join the University Life Supervision Collective on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 2–3 p.m. for the November Manager Meetup focusing on the Gallup article, "Uncomfortable (but Necessary) Conversations about Burnout," and conversations on how to move forward. Participants will engage in discussion and strategize how to support themselves and others in moving forward to meet the needs of the workplace. Participants are asked to read the brief article in advance. Register to attend.
UndocuAlly Training
The First-Gen+ Center collaborates with UndocuMason, a student organization that creates an inclusive environment for undocumented students through education and advocacy, to provide UndocuAlly Training to the Mason community.
This training teaches about the history of undocumented communities, past and present legislation, and the lived realities and barriers facing undocumented communities. The UndocuAlly Training team aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for undocumented immigrants.
Upcoming trainings will be hosted in-person on the Fairfax Campus in Merten Hall, 1201:
Fiscal Transformation Bootcamp: From Surviving to Thriving
Do you find Mason’s fiscal policies and procedures complicated? Do you ever feel tangled in the web of workflows and tasks? Then join finance, operations, and administrative community members for the Fall 2023 Transformation Boot Camp: From Surviving to Thriving.
Many processes can be governed by multiple policies, involve various systems, and require coordination across many offices within the university. The Fall Fiscal Transformation Bootcamp will attempt to “pull back to the curtain” on many of these procedures, demystify processes, and provide the opportunity to learn from subject matter experts.
Attendees may participate virtually on Nov. 13–14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sessions will also be recorded and made available online for later viewing.
This unique professional development opportunity will provide a chance to refresh or update important information, provide a better understanding of processes and procedures, develop and encourage university best practices, and more. The agenda and information on all sessions will be available soon on the Fiscal Services website. Registration is available in MasonLEAPS.
Upcoming Writing Center Workshops
Check out the full list of upcoming Writing Center workshops. These are open to students, faculty, and staff. Some highlights:
Online Resources for Improving Word Choice and Grammar in Academic Writing
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 3:30–5 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Register on Mason 360
Participants will learn to use a variety of online tools for improving word choice and grammar in academic writing.
Strategies for Structuring and Writing Reviews of the Literature
Thursday, Oct. 26, from 2:15–3:30 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Register on Mason 360
Participants will learn about the main purposes and features of lit reviews, and they will explore methods for analyzing how lit reviews function in their own disciplines and genres of writing. This workshop is part of the two-day Grad Recon event, organized by the Office of Graduate Student Life.
Strategies for Revising a Draft
Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 4:30–5:45 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Register on Mason 360
This workshop focuses on techniques to check drafts for big-picture concerns such as content development, line of argument, and organization, and it also provides some strategies for proofreading and editing. Attendees will find this workshop most valuable if they bring a printed copy of their first or second draft of a course assignment.
Resources for You
Thanksgiving Regional Transportation
Mason offers affordable transportation for the Mason community to regional cities for the Thanksgiving holiday. Destinations include Virginia Beach, Richmond, Philadelphia, and New York City. Buses will leave on Tuesday, Nov. 21, and return on Sunday, Nov. 26. For a complete list of destinations, departure times, and pickup locations, visit the Mason Transportation website.
Mason Shuttle Changes for Thanksgiving Break
The Thanksgiving holiday will bring changes to the Mason Shuttle schedules. Details are posted on the Mason Shuttles website.
Gowns for Grads
Are you a recent Mason grad? Would you like to donate your cap and gown to a student who needs it? The Gowns for Grads program provides graduation regalia to Mason students who are unable to purchase it for themselves.
Regalia may be dropped off on the Fairfax Campus in Student Union Building I (SUB I), Suite 4211, or sent via mail. Get the details and find out more ways to support the program.
Graduating students may apply for assistance by Friday, Nov. 3. Students are encouraged to include detailed responses to the application questions. Contact Caroline Simpson, Contemporary Student Services, for more information.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Reddit Thread
Information Technology Services (ITS) will host an Ask Me Anything (AMA) Reddit thread on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 1–3 p.m. as the final event for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Staff from the IT Security Office will answer questions and offer advice to the Mason community about cybersecurity. Join the thread.
Also, tweets about cybersecurity awareness and the importance of staying cyber smart can be found throughout the remainder of the month on the ITS's X page.
Disability and Neurodivergence Alliance Affinity Group
The Disability and Neurodivergence Alliance (DNA) Affinity Group will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at noon. This group is open to faculty, staff, post-docs, and doctoral students. Contact Amy Ayres or Millie Rivera for Zoom links and registration.
First-Generation (First-Gen) Affinity Group
The First-Generation (First-Gen) Affinity Group will have an in-person social gathering on Tuesday, Nov. 7, on the Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, George’s room. The event is sponsored by the First-Gen+ Center. Those interested in attending can drop by between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Assistive Technology Initiative
The Assistive Technology Initiative (ATI) is committed to ensuring all members of the Mason community are provided with equivalent access to all information and communications technology (ICT) resources on Mason campuses. They provide direct assistive technology assessment, training, and support services to individuals with disabilities who require immediate technology solutions. ATI also works closely with campus partners to develop and implement a broad, comprehensive ICT accessibility plan. Learn more.
Employee Discount: Pet Insurance
Do you have a Patriot Pet? Virginia state employees are eligible for a discount on Spot pet insurance. Visit the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management website for details.
HallowZines Workshop
Have you ever wondered what a zine is? Do you like archives? Do you love Halloween and the forces of spookiness and fun?
Join University Libraries on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from noon to 3 p.m. In Fenwick Library, Room 2001 (Main Reading Room) to celebrate with HallowZines, a crafting session where participants will learn how to makes zines.
In conjunction with the Virginia Archives Month theme, “Community Made: Zines and Self-Published Material,” HallowZines is an opportunity to learn and get crafty by making your own zine, contribute to a group zine (which will be archived in the Special Collections Research Center), or just learn and have fun.
No zine experience necessary. Materials and snacks will be provided. Costumes welcome! RSVP.
Change Up Your Commute with MasonCommutes.com
Save time behind the wheel and spend less on your commute. Ridesharing also reduces CO2 emissions—and that saves a lot more than time and money. Create an account at masoncommutes.com.
Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group
The Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group will hold its fall meetings on Fridays from 1–2:30 p.m. Kritikos engages topics, such as writing about the arts, critical studies, translation, the artist in society, and art as speech. Learn more.
Join them for the topic, “Algorithmic Justice: Racism and AI,” on Friday, Oct. 27, from 1–2:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Washington Commanders: Virginia State Employee Day and Discounted Tickets
The Washington Commanders will celebrate Virginia State Employee Day at FedExField on Sunday, Nov. 19, against the New York Giants. Bring friends, family, and colleagues to enjoy a fun-filled day at the stadium.
Discounted tickets are also available for the game against the Philadelphia Eagles (Oct. 29). Learn more and purchase discounted tickets.
$5 of the proceeds from each ticket will be donated directly to the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC), the commonwealth's only annual workplace giving program.
Biking Resources
Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice Program
Consider the Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice program and find joy in commuting to campus on two wheels.
- Four tiers of financial support are tied to the number of rides per quarter. Join the program for as few as five rides per quarter.
- Earn complimentary parking passes.
- Ride more than 10 miles each way to work, and earn a distance bonus.
- Ride at Tier 2 or Tier 3 all year, and receive funds for a complimentary bike check.
- This program can be used in conjunction with Commuter Choice.
Conditions apply—the big one is that the program, unlike Commuter Choice, is taxable per the IRS. But don’t let that stop you; check out the details at bike.gmu.edu.
Bicycle Commuting 101
Bicycling to campus can be fun and great for your well-being. Join Delia Johnson, a League of American Bicyclists certified instructor, for Bicycle Commuting 101 on Thursday, Nov. 9, at noon via Zoom. During this session, Johnson will share information to help you feel more confident about getting to campus on two wheels. This session is open to faculty, staff, and students. Register, and Zoom meeting details will be sent to you.
Route Planning: Biking to Mason
Live within biking distance of Mason? Planning a commute for this autumn? We have volunteers who can assist you in finding a biking route that is comfortable for you. For details and regions covered, visit the Biking Resources page and choose Bike Volunteer Contacts.
Upcoming Arts Events and Performances at Mason
Mason Exhibitions: Faces of Resilience
Fairfax Campus, Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery
Faces of Resilience is on view until Nov. 3. The exhibit features work by artists who are currently and formerly incarcerated at a maximum-security prison in Pennsylvania.
Visual Voices Lecture Series with Sherrill Roland
Mason School of Art and Mason Exhibitions
Thursday, Oct. 26, at 4:45 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Enterprise Hall, Room 80
Sherrill Roland’s interdisciplinary practice deals with concepts of innocence, identity, and community, reimagining their social and political implications in the context of the American criminal justice system. For more than three years, Roland's right to self-determination was lost to a wrongful incarceration. After spending 10 months in prison for a crime from which he was later exonerated, he returned to his artistic practice, which he now uses as a vehicle for self-reflection and an outlet for emotional release.
Jazz Workshop Concert
Dewberry School of Music
Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
The Jazz Workshop explores the intersection of improvisation and composition in the tradition of the great dance and studio jazz bands. Enjoy rare and beautiful arrangements by jazz legends from many eras of jazz history. New original compositions by Mason students and faculty will be featured.
ASL Storytime with Arlington Public Library
Friday, Nov. 3, at 4–5 p.m.
Mason Exhibitions Arlington (3601 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia)
Arlington County Library will lead a story time with books that shine a light on disabled stories. An American Sign Language Interpreter will be onsite.
Fall: New Dances
Mason School of Dance
Friday, Nov. 3, and Saturday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Step out of the cool autumn weather and into the theater for a concert of diverse choreography performed by talented dancers.
Weaving Demonstration with Arlington Weaves
Saturday, Nov. 4, noon to 2 p.m.
Mason Exhibitions Arlington (3601 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia)
Arlington Weaves will bring portable looms for fiber art weaving and demonstrate paper weaving. Materials will be provided. Arlington Weaves is a program supporting individuals with disabilities. Participants within the program learn to weave and produce handcrafted woven art, including color tote bags, pencil cases, and more.
Disability Film Festival
Saturday, Nov. 4, from 2–4 p.m.
Mason Exhibitions Arlington (3601 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia)
Join Mason Exhibitions Arlington and ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia for a film screening of short films and one feature film documenting the various lives of those who identify as disabled, promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities.
Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens: American Railroad
Sunday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Returning for their second of three years as a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Silkroad Ensemble presents American Railroad, an initiative that maps American music through the various immigrant communities involved in building the late-1800s Transcontinental Railroad. Artistic Director and 2023 Pulitzer Prize-winner Rhiannon Giddens joins the ensemble for this performance, which is told through the stories and sounds of African American, Chinese, Irish, Mexican, and Native American communities. Traditional instruments cross paths with fiddles, bones, tambo, and banjo to remind audiences of America’s intricately interwoven history.
Mason Jazz Vocal Night
Dewberry School of Music
Monday, Nov. 6, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, 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. Special guest high school choir to be announced at a later date.
Mason Jazz Ensemble Concert
Dewberry School of Music
Thursday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
The Mason Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jim Carroll, performs its fall 2023 concert. This concert will bring attention to a famous commentary by John Steinbeck about jazz music, with selections from the rich tradition of jazz improvisation and composition.
Virginia Opera: The Barber of Seville
Saturday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Figaro, wily barber and wingman extraordinaire, invites audiences to laugh and cheer in this beloved masterpiece, Gioachino Rossini’s delightful bel canto and operatic comedy, The Barber of Seville, presented by Virginia Opera. Audiences of all ages will recognize the music of Rossini’s tale of bribery, deception, disguise, and true love. The music for this production is provided by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
Seven Voices: A Tribute to Patsy Cline
American Roots Series
Sunday, Nov. 12, at 4 and 7 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Honoring Patsy Cline, Jess Eliot Myhre of the Bumper Jacksons has assembled a group of talented local artists for a genre-spanning evening dedicated to one of the most influential and acclaimed vocalists of the 21st century. Artists from across the D.C. area are teaming up to pay tribute to the First Lady of Country with classic renditions of her songs, as well as re-imagined versions with new instrumentation and creative arrangements. Note: Free for veterans and servicemembers (up to two tickets each with ID). Free tickets are limited and only available in person at the Hylton Center Ticket Office.