Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Faculty and Staff Appreciation Days at the Mason Bookstore
Stop by the George Mason University Bookstore for Faculty and Staff Appreciations Days from Tuesday, Dec. 12, through Thursday, Dec. 14. Receive 20% off logo clothing, gifts, and bags with your faculty/staff Mason ID. The discount also includes clearance clothing. Visit the bookstore on the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center or at Mason Square.
Reminder from Information Technology Services: Preparing for Winter Break and the Holiday Season
Information Technology Services (ITS) reminds Mason employees and students to remain cautious during the holiday season and consider the following preparations before leaving for winter break.
- Turn off all nonessential devices, including computers, servers, printers, and monitors in your offices and on-campus residences. If you telecommute, log out of systems you are not using.
- Clean up any unnecessary files stored on your computer or the MESA M:drive. After the winter break, ITS will move forward with the project to migrate data off the MESA M:drive. Get more information about the project.
- Report any phishing or suspicious emails to the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or support@gmu.edu.
Read the full announcement, including ITS Support Center hours and guidance for staying safe online.
University Winter Break Lockdown
The university will be closed for Winter Break from Monday, Dec. 18, at 6 a.m. until Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at 6 a.m. Buildings equipped with electronic access will be programmed to lock by the Card Access Security Office (CASO) but will still be accessible to those with card access.
Some employees and students may require building access for special projects. Please call 703-993-2810 for assistance accessing buildings with no card access. Pre-planned access for multiple individuals can be coordinated in advance via the Winter Break Access Form, available on the Mason Police website.
Volunteers Needed for Winter Graduation
Don't miss your opportunity to celebrate Winter Graduation with our graduates, their families, and friends! Faculty and staff volunteers are needed to assist at the ceremonies. Commencement and Degree Celebrations are happening on Thursday, Dec. 14.
Sign up for a specific ceremony and time frame on the Winter Graduation volunteer sign up. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with our newest alumni in an upbeat, positive setting full of Mason spirit. Contact University Events with questions.
Spring 2024 Parking Passes
Spring 2024 parking permit sales begin online only on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at 8 a.m. Like the fall semester, sales will be staggered:
- Wednesday, Jan. 3: Faculty/staff, graduate students, seniors
- Thursday, Jan. 4: Juniors and sophomores
- Friday, Jan. 5: Freshmen and all others
For information, visit parking.gmu.edu starting Dec. 14. Faculty and staff using payroll deduction for their parking permits do not need to take any action.
Reminder: Mason Shuttles and Travel for Winter Break
Winter Break brings major changes to the Mason Shuttle schedules. Details for both Mason Shuttles and travel options for Winter Break are posted at transportation.gmu.edu/winter-break. Note: Mason is not operating regional shuttles for Winter Break. Spring shuttle schedules will be available soon.
Contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu.
Fairfax/SciTech Shuttle Survey: Those Who Ride, and Those Who Don’t
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to complete a short survey on the Fairfax/SciTech Shuttle. We are interested in hearing from those who currently use the shuttle, as well as those who live in Prince William County (or points further west) and do not currently use the shuttle.
The survey should take less than five minutes to complete. Note: No changes to the shuttle route are currently in development. The survey will be open through January 2024. Take the survey.
Contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu.
Resources for You
Parking and Transportation Holiday Donation Drive
Parking Services is hosting its annual holiday donation drive to benefit the Patriot Pantry. Reduce the cost of an outstanding parking citation by donating items at any Parking Services office to benefit the Patriot Pantry by Wednesday, Dec. 13. For important details, visit transportation.gmu.edu/donation.
Staff Senate Holiday Donation Drive
For the 2023 holiday season, the Staff Senate is encouraging the Mason community to support four organizations in our local communities. Learn more about the charities and ways to give. Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu with questions.
Buddy and the Patriots
Join the George Mason Men's Basketball team in celebrating the holidays. The team will host a private screening of Elf on Friday, Dec. 17, from 3–6 p.m. at University Mall Theatres in Fairfax.
There will be special activities, a surprise visit from the Mason Basketball Santa Claus, and an opportunity to take family photos with the players. Get your tickets today.
Outstanding Achievement Award Nominations
Nominations are now accepted for Mason's annual Outstanding Achievement Awards. The awards honor Mason faculty and staff across 16 award categories and celebrate their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the university.
Human Resources will host the awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 16, on the Fairfax Campus. For more information and deadlines, visit the website.
Celebration of Distinction: Alumni Association Award Nominations
The George Mason University Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Celebration of Distinction.
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, Senior of the Year, and Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD). The deadline to nominate someone is Friday, March 8, 2024, at 5 p.m.
For questions regarding the nominations process, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@gmu.edu or 703-993-8696.
Rick Holt Active Transportation Advocate Award
The Rick Holt Active Transportation Advocate Award honors Rick, “the Mason bike dude,” who passionately advocated for and encouraged active transportation at Mason and beyond. Nominations are open for this award. The awardee will be recognized at the Outstanding Achievement Awards in April.
If you know a faculty or staff member who embodies Rick’s enthusiasm and commitment, we encourage you to submit a nomination. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. Get more details.
Contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or transpo@gmu.edu with questions.