Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
University Commencement and Degree Celebrations
George Mason University Commencement and Degree Celebrations are approaching. Spring Commencement will take place on Thursday, May 9, at 10 a.m. in EagleBank Arena. Separate Degree Celebrations will honor school and college graduates, who will be individually recognized as they cross the stage, from May 9–11. Contact University Events at 703-993-2853 or gmuevent@gmu.edu with questions.
Staff Appreciation Events
The Mason Staff Senate will host Spring Staff Appreciation Events for classified and non-student wage employees, featuring refreshments from Rita’s Ice and giveaways from the Staff Senate. RSVP for the event on your campus:
- SciTech Campus: Tuesday, May 14, from 1–2 p.m., Katherine Johnson Patio
- Fairfax Campus: Wednesday, May 15, from 1–2:30 p.m., Wilkins Plaza
- Mason Square: Thursday, May 16, from 1–2 p.m., Plaza
Transportation Survey
The 2024 Transportation Survey is underway through Wednesday, May 1. Share how you get to, from, and around Mason’s campuses. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Take the survey. After completing the survey, you may opt-in to a raffle for prize packages worth approximately $30 each. Prize winners will be randomly selected.
Thirty percent of Mason’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributed to commuting. By participating in this survey, you will help Mason Parking and Transportation understand and improve how Mason commutes and share your feedback about key issues.
Summer Parking Permit Sales and Mason Shuttles Schedules
Summer parking passes go on sale on Wednesday, May 1. Online sales only. Visit parking.gmu.edu for details, and contact parking@gmu.edu with questions.
The summer schedules for Mason Shuttles and a service summary are posted at shuttle.gmu.edu. Summer service begins on Monday, May 13, and is Monday–Friday only. Spring service ends for all routes on Friday, May 10 (except On-Demand, which ends on Sunday, May 5).
There will be no Mason Shuttles service on Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day), Wednesday, June 19 (Juneteenth), or Thursday, July 4 (Independence Day). Contact 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.
It’s “Bike Your Way” May: Spring Cycling Opportunities
Bike Month Challenge
May is National Bike Month! Help grow Mason’s biking culture. Starting May 1, Parking and Transportation invites you to join the Bike Month Challenge run by Love to Ride. Registration is free, and you can sign up as an individual. For details, visit nationalbikechallenge.org.
Bike to Work Day
Participate in the Washington region’s Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17. Start your day off cycling and check out pit stops all over the Virginia, D.C., and Maryland area. For details and to register, visit biketoworkmetrodc.org.
Biking at Mason
Check out bike.gmu.edu for resources including smart cycling videos from the League of American Bicyclists, how to get connected to cycling in your community, how to use a bike rack on transit, and more.
Training and Professional Development
Join the Career Influencers Network
The Mason Career Influencers Network is a nationally recognized model for providing career development support to students through their relationships with professors, advisors, success coaches, supervisors, community directors, and many other roles at the university. Career Influencers provide critical career readiness guidance and feedback to Mason students.
Mason faculty and staff are invited to join the network by attending an interactive, 4.5-hour training. More than 475 Mason colleagues are currently part of the network, supporting students' career readiness. Learn more and register for training.
Register for the 2024 University Life Student Success Symposium
Registration is now open for the 2024 University Life (UL) Student Success Symposium. The symposium is UL’s annual professional development opportunity and is available to faculty, staff, and graduate assistants. The symposium will take place on May 22–23 at the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center.
This year’s program will feature pre-symposium workshops on Wednesday, May 22, and more than 30 educational sessions and panels on Thursday, May 23. All sessions of the symposium are on-site.
Review the schedule and register today. Contact the UL Symposium planning team at ulprodev@gmu.edu with questions.
“How to Thrive at Mason” Boot Camp
Registration for the spring 2024 “How to Thrive at Mason” Boot Camp is now open. This virtual learning opportunity will take place on May 14–16 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day. Sessions are open to all Mason employees—from newcomers to long-timers.
This opportunity focuses on helping faculty and staff connect, collaborate, and break down silos across the university. Register today(Mason login required). Topics will include MicroStrategy, an update on the Mason brand, skill advancement at Mason, and many others. Sessions will be recorded and published at a later date. Previously recorded Boot Camp sessions and additional information are available on the Fiscal Services website. Contact thrive@gmu.edu with questions.
Resources for You
Mason Degree and Certificate Milestones: Let’s Celebrate Your Success
Classified staff, A/P faculty, I/R faculty, adjunct faculty, and non-student wage employees are invited to share information on the degree/certificate (trade certification/license, associate's, bachelor's, master's, graduate certificate, doctorate, etc.) that they have earned during this current academic year.
Human Resources (HR) is eager to highlight achievements and success stories of Mason faculty and staff who are seeking continual professional development. Complete the Celebrate Degree/Certificate Milestones Survey and the HR Faculty and Staff Engagement team will follow-up with you on your successes. For questions, contact awards@gmu.edu.
Motor Pool Reminders: Fuel Cards and Required Training
Fuel cards are available for Motor Pool rentals to charge fuel back to the university. Stop by the Transportation Office in Nottoway Annex on the Fairfax Campus to check out a fuel card before your rental pickup date.
Entering fuel agreements or allowing Enterprise to refuel after returning vehicles empty is not permitted. If you have a fuel card in your possession from a past trip, please remember to return it. Drivers for Motor Pool rentals must complete a University Driver Safety Awareness Training and a refresher training every two years to be eligible to drive. To be eligible to drive a maxi van, drivers must be at least 20 years of age and pass the Van Driver Familiarization Class. Outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Enterprise’s age requirement to drive a 12–15 passenger van is 25. Get links to upcoming training sessions and important reminders.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
Brian Ganz: A Chopin Recital
Saturday, May 4, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Pianist, scholar, internationally celebrated pianist, and devoted champion of Frédéric Chopin, Brian Ganz performs an evening of Chopin at the Center for the Arts. Widely regarded as one of the leading pianists of his generation, the Washington Post has declared, “One comes away from a recital by pianist Brian Ganz not only exhilarated by the power of the performance but also moved by his search for artistic truth.”
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month Celebration
Sunday, May 5, at 5 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month with a special Asian cultural exhibition at 4 p.m., followed by a ceremony and performance at 5 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.