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.
November Staff Senate Meeting
The November Staff Senate meeting will feature guest speaker Paul Allvin, vice president and chief brand officer, Office of University Branding.
November Staff Senate Meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 1
10 a.m. to noon
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – General meeting
11 a.m. to noon – Guest speaker
Updated location: Constituents are invited to attend in person on the Fairfax Campus in Peterson Hall, Room 1109, or join the meeting via Zoom.
The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at George Mason University.
$5 Friday for Faculty and Staff at Dining Halls: Nov. 3
On the first Friday of the month, Mason faculty and staff are eligible for a $5, all-you-care-to-eat lunch at all campus dining halls—Southside, Ike’s, The Globe, the new vegetarian dining hall (The Spot), and even The Commons in Front Royal. Valid Mason faculty/staff ID required. Check it out on Friday, Nov. 3.
For more information about dining on campus or how to sign up for a faculty/staff dining plan, visit Mason Dining’s website.
Winter Graduation Fair
The Mason Bookstore will sponsor a Graduation Fair from Tuesday, Oct. 31, through Thursday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. Purchase caps, gowns, announcements, rings, and other items; have photos taken in regalia; and find ceremony information all in one location.
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.
Vonage Phone System Implementation Update
Information Technology Services (ITS) is actively implementing Mason’s new telecommunications system, Vonage, Inc., on the Fairfax Campus. As ITS moves through buildings, impacted users will be notified of how to prepare and what to expect during the change. For more details, including the implementation schedule, visit the Telecom System Replacement Roadmap.
James Buchanan and Vernon Smith Seminar
The Mason community is invited to the Economics Department's first annual James Buchanan and Vernon Smith Seminar. This new series is designed to appeal to a broad audience and is named to honor the department's two Nobel Laureates and to recognize scholars who have made outstanding contributions to economics.
James Buchanan and Vernon Smith Seminar
Thursday, Nov. 2, 4–5:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts, Dr. Linda Apple Monson Grand Tier
Joseph Henrich, the Ruth Moore Professor of Anthropological Biology at Harvard University, is the featured speaker. He will discuss "Cultural Evolution, Collective Brains and Innovation." A reception will follow the presentation.
Halloween Kiosk Day is Tuesday, Oct. 31
Join shopMason in the Johnson Center food court on Tuesday, Oct. 31, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for Halloween Kiosk Day. The units of shopMason will be there with costumes, candy, giveaways, and a fun pumpkin judging contest you won't want to miss!
Parking and Transportation Holiday Donation Drive
Would you like to help someone in need? Parking Services is hosting its annual holiday donation drive to benefit the Patriot Pantry. From Monday, Nov. 6, through Wednesday, Dec. 13, reduce the cost of an outstanding parking citation by donating items at any Parking Services office to benefit the Patriot Pantry. For important details, visit transportation.gmu.edu/donation.
Training and Professional Development
ARIE Conference Proposals
Do you have an inclusive presentation that will bring about positive change? Session proposals are now accepted for the 2024 Access to Research and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) national conference! Proposals are due Fri., Nov. 3 and the conference will take place on March 18–19, 2024. Visit the website for more information about the Request for Proposals process.
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.
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, open to students, faculty, and staff.
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.
For Prospective Graduate Students: Personal Statements for Graduate School Applications
Thursday, Nov. 9, 4:30–5:45 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Register on Mason 360
Are your students (or perhaps you) preparing applications for graduate school? Prospective graduate students should consider this workshop to learn some strategies for researching, planning, organizing, and drafting personal statements.
Resources for You
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.
Cheuse Center Brings Ukrainian Poets to Mason Square
The Alan Cheuse International Writers Center will bring Ukrainian poets Ilya Kaminsky (whose poem “We Lived Happily During the War” went viral after the 2022 Russian invasion of Urkaine), Carolyn Forché, Lyudmyla Khersonska, and Boris Khersonsky to Mason Square on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. The poets will read and discuss their work from the anthology In the Hour of War at this free event, hosted in collaboration with Mason Exhibitions. Read more.
Staying Safe: Traveling at Dusk
A reminder from Parking and Transportation that the days are growing shorter and it’s getting darker earlier. As we prepare to “Fall Back” on Sunday, Nov. 5, keep in mind that it is difficult to see and be seen at dusk. Exercise care whether you are driving, biking, scootering, skateboarding, or walking.
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.
Reminder: 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.
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, “The Will to Change: Has Our Learning Transformed Us?” on Friday, Nov. 3, from 1–2:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
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.
R&B Groove Thang featuring The O'Jays and The Whispers
Friday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, EagleBank Arena
The O’Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio. The O’Jays are an R&B institution and continue to perform today, and two of the original members—Eddie Levert and Walter Williams—remain with the group today. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, The Whispers' music takes the form of a boogie, soul and funk style. They have been inducted into the Hall of Fame and were recipients of the Pioneer Award in 2008.
Virginia Opera: A Taste of Opera
Matinee Idylls
Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 1:30 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Enjoy a soaring selection of operatic delights performed by talented members of Virginia Opera. Experience your favorite local opera celebrities in an intimate performance that includes famous arias and duets from the greatest hits of opera, in addition to Broadway showtunes and other diverse and exciting repertory.
Visiting Filmmakers Series: BAD PRESS with filmmakers Rebecca Landsberry-Baker, Joe Peeler, and film subject Angel Ellis
Film at Mason
Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, Cinema
Join the Visiting Filmmakers Series for a free screening of the new documentary BAD PRESS, followed by a live Q&A with filmmakers Rebecca Landsberry-Baker and Joe Peeler and the film's subject, Angel Ellis. An enthralling tale that unfurls with the energy and suspense of a political thriller, BAD PRESS is a timely and unprecedented story about the battle for freedom of the press and against state-censored media.
Mason School of Theater: fallen
Nov. 16–19, multiple performances
Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building, TheaterSpace
Based on Euripides' The Trojan Women, fallen is a new play by Theresa Marie Ohanian. This poetic, poignant show is a feminist reimagining of the original Greek text set in a fast-paced, absurdist, post-war setting. The surviving women of Troy are on sale to the highest bidder. As they are forced to perform to raise their worth, the women revolt. Dark and haunting, this twist on the classic is plucked from history and thrown into the survivor stories of today.
Sonia De Los Santos
Hylton Family Series
Saturday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Latin GRAMMY-nominated artist Sonia De Los Santos brings her uplifting voice and sound to families of all backgrounds. As she reflects on her own experiences of growing up in Mexico, moving to another country, and developing connections to her heritage, she inspires all of us to find gratitude in one another, curiosity in our world, and light within ourselves. A big-hearted message—fused with Latin American rhythms and North American folk traditions—is sure to make the entire family smile and dance. Recommended for ages 4–10.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra with Renée Fleming
Saturday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Renée Fleming, one of the most celebrated singers of our time and a 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree, joins the Fairfax Symphony for an exclusive evening featuring the exquisite Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss. This special co-presentation with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra also includes Strauss’s Don Juan, Wagner’s “Prelude and Liebestod” from Tristan and Isolde, and Fleming’s performance of beloved arias and show tunes.
Steep Canyon Rangers
Saturday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Steep Canyon Rangers is a GRAMMY Award-winning, genre-defying sextet that has spent nearly two decades reshaping the sound of Bluegrass, mixing elements of pop, country, and folk rock to create a sound all its own. The band became a household name after touring with banjoist and comedian Steve Martin. Today, the ensemble continues to tour extensively (without Martin), while expanding their style into country, jam, and Americana.
B – The Underwater Bubble Show
Family Series
Sunday, Nov. 19, at 4 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Embark on an underwater adventure and discover a realm inhabited by seahorses, dragonfish, starfish, mermaids, and other whimsical creatures! This lavish production combines acrobatics, dance, music, visual effects, and lots of bubbles to create an aquatic world that must be seen to be believed. The story follows Mr. B, a man who happens upon a magical aquarium that appears inside his briefcase, and finds himself exploring the sea within, where he learns a valuable lesson about the importance of relaxation.