Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Faculty and Staff Holiday Party
Thanks to the hard work of faculty and staff, Mason achieved great heights this year. Now it's time to celebrate! RSVP for the holiday party at your campus through the following links:
Mason Square
Monday, Dec. 4, 1:30–3:30 p.m., Van Metre Hall
SciTech Campus
Tuesday, Dec. 5, noon to 1:30 p.m., Beacon Hall
Fairfax Campus
Thursday, Dec. 7, 1–3:30 p.m., Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
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 includes clearance clothing, as well. Visit the bookstore on the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center or at Mason Square.
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.
December Staff Senate Meeting with Rector Blackman
The December Staff Senate meeting will feature Rector Horace Blackman as guest speaker. Rector Blackman leads the George Mason University Board of Visitors. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 6, with the guest speaker from 10–11 a.m. and the general meeting from 11 a.m. to noon.
Constituents are invited to attend in person on the Fairfax Campus in Merten Hall, Room 1201, or join the meeting via Zoom.
Staff Senate Winter Virtual Trivia
The Staff Senate has partnered with District Trivia to host a Winter Virtual Trivia event on Monday, Dec. 11, from noon to 1 p.m. Teams will be assigned randomly, encouraging networking and new connections with staff across locations and departments. Get ready for fun and entertainment—this event will have trivia questions across many genres.
Registration is required and space is limited. RSVP by Thursday, Dec. 7, at 5 p.m.
COVID Vaccine Clinic Available on Dec. 6 for Students, Faculty, and Staff
Student Health Services and Employee Health and Well-Being are partnering with Giant Pharmacy to provide the updated (2023/2024) Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccine to Mason faculty, staff, and students. The clinic will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus in the Hub Ballroom. Register for an appointment.
Eligibility
Students, faculty, and staff who have not yet received the 2023/2024 updated COVID vaccine are eligible to receive this booster. For more detailed information on eligibility, refer to information published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Insurance Coverage
Vaccines are fully covered for students with Aetna Student Health Insurance and faculty/staff with COVA insurance. Updated COVID vaccines are generally covered through private health insurance when given by an in-network provider. Need to find a covered vaccine provider? Those with Kaiser insurance can visit kp.org to find vaccination locations.
Adults without health insurance or without full insurance coverage may visit vaccines.gov to find a provider who participates with the CDC’s Bridge Access Program to get COVID vaccines at no cost.
Those with other insurance plans should verify coverage before getting vaccinated at this event. Student Health Services and Employee Health and Well-Being cannot guarantee coverage or payment by your insurance company.
Registration
Register for the vaccine clinic. This event is first come, first serve, and is only open to Mason students, faculty, and staff.
Contact Jamie Klepek, Employee Health and Well-Being, at 703-993-6001 with questions.
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.
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.
Homecoming 2024: Registration Now Open
Celebrate Mason during Homecoming from January 19–28, 2024! Register today to show your school spirit as we invite you to reminisce and share the experiences with your friends and family.
For more information or questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@gmu.edu or 703-993-8696.
Resources for You
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.
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 recipient of whom 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.
Motor Pool Program
University departments can rent vehicles and reduce out-of-pocket expenses with the university Motor Pool Program. Motor Pool rentals allow faculty and staff to direct bill their university-sponsored vehicle rentals to their departments.
Submit a request for your trip through TripDirect and include the desired date, time, departure, return, and type of vehicle you would like, as well as the approved drivers who will operate it. Details are available on the Motor Pool website.
Exhibit – ‘Slideshow: An Image, a Light, a Lens, and an Audience’
This exhibition at the Special Collections Research Center in Fenwick Library examines the history of the slideshow, beginning with the earliest forms of slide projection, to the magic lantern, to today’s LCD projector, while featuring images from many of the Special Collections Research Center’s photographic collections.
Slideshow: An Imagine, A Light, A Lens, and an Audience will be on display through February 2024. Contact speccoll@gmu.edu or 703-993-2220 with questions.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
Fall: Studio Series
Mason School of Dance
Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 6 and 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
A showcase of new dances created and performed by the Mason Dance Company.
American Festival Pops Orchestra – Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season
Friday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center (SciTech Campus)
Saturday, Dec. 9, at 4 p.m. at the Center for the Arts (Fairfax Campus)
Gather round for this annual concert that is sure to warm hearts and spread cheer. Now in his second season, Artistic Director and Conductor Peter Wilson welcomes old and new friends to the stage for a festive program of musical favorites, including an uplifting audience singalong of beloved carols.
Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna
Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Made up of boy sopranos and altos from ages 8–14, the Vienna Boys Choir transports you to the snowy Alps, where the air smells sweet and twinkling lights brighten the night sky. Their program, Christmas in Vienna, balances a mix of Baroque classics, contemporary popular hits, sacred songs, Austrian folk tunes, polkas, waltzes, and traditional holiday favorites.
Mariachi Herencia de México: A Mariachi Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Representing a new generation of mariachi artists, Latin Grammy-nominated Mariachi Herencia de México is propelling the art and traditions of mariachi music to new heights. For the holidays, the ensemble brings the Latin American tradition of Las Posadas to the center with songs of the season.