Faculty/Staff Announcements
Have something to share? Review announcement guidelines and submit an announcement from your unit through the online form.
Campus Updates
Staff Senate Nomination Period
Becoming a Staff Senator is a great way to get involved with the university community and to have an impact on your workplace. The senate provides opportunities to learn about how the university works and to collaborate with administrators and staff members outside of your unit. Learn more.
The nomination period for the 2024 Staff Senate election will open on Monday, June 10, and close on Friday, June 21. Classified staff and non-student wage staff are eligible to serve as senators. Get more information about open seats and the nomination process. The election will take place in July.
June Staff Senate Meeting
The June Staff Senate meeting will feature guest speaker Mary Lucal, vice president of human resources and chief human resources officer.
Wednesday, June 5
9:40–10 a.m.: Staff Senate Recognition Ceremony
10–11 a.m.: General Business Meeting
11 a.m. to noon: Guest Speaker
Constituents are invited to join in person on the Fairfax Campus in Merten Hall, Room 1201, or join the meeting via Zoom.
High School Graduations at EagleBank Arena
Heavy traffic is expected on and around George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus for regional high school graduation ceremonies at EagleBank Arena from May 29 through June 18.
EagleBank Arena will host up to three ceremonies on many days, so traffic will be entering and exiting campus from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Please allow extra travel time on and around campus. View the schedule.
George Mason faculty, staff, and students are advised to use the general permit area of the Rappahannock Parking Deck or the Field House parking lots to avoid delays. Shenandoah Parking Deck (levels 4 and 5) will be open for limited overflow student, employee, and event parking on weekdays when graduations occur.
No Mason Shuttles Service on Juneteenth
There will be no Mason Shuttles service on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Contact shuttle@gmu.edu or by phone at 703-993-2828.
Parking Lot Paving and Closures on the Fairfax Campus
This summer, parking areas on the Fairfax Campus will be milled, paved, and striped. The schedule is subject to change based on weather and existing conditions. Signage about closures will be posted at parking lot entrances. View the complete schedule.
MESA to M365 Migration Update
Information Technology Services (ITS) is migrating the current enterprise file storage system, MESA M: Drive, to Microsoft 365 (M365) by Sunday, June 30.
As a reminder, a survey has been sent to all shared drive administrators that will inform their department’s migration experience. If the survey is not completed by Friday, June 14, ITS will automatically migrate the department’s data to M365.
To provide additional support, ITS is holding weekly office hours and training via the Collaboration Collective MS Team—MESA Migration Project channel. Join the space for dates and times of the next session. For project details, visit the MESA to M365 Roadmap.
Training and Professional Development
University Business Consulting Summer Knowledge Share Series
Registration is now open for University Business Consulting’s (UBC) annual Summer Knowledge Share Series. Sessions are open to all faculty and staff. The sessions this summer include:
- UBC’s Approach to Projects: Successes and Lessons Learned (Wednesday, June 26)
- Strategic Planning and Implementation (Wednesday, July 17)
- Measuring Progress (Wednesday, August 14)
Sessions will be held at noon on the Fairfax Campus in Merten Hall and via Zoom. Find out more and register.
Resources for You
Mason Recreation Faculty/Staff Summer Membership Promotion
Mason Recreation is offering a summer membership promotion for George Mason faculty and staff. Sign up to receive a complimentary InBody Scan Fitness Assessment along with a 20% discount on an annual membership purchased for AY25.
Registration is now open and may be completed in person or online at connect.recreation.gmu.edu. The summer membership price is $75 (summer term is May 16 to August 15). Contact masonrec@gmu.edu with questions.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Celebrating Gershwin at 100
Sunday, June 9, at 4 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Pianist Jeffrey Biegel takes you on a musical journey celebrating the Gershwin Centennial and unveiling the regional premiere of Peter Boyer's "Red, White, and Blue" for piano and orchestra. With his masterful interpretations, Biegel pays homage to the genius of George Gershwin, showcasing iconic compositions that have defined American music. This concert of musical discovery also features the brilliance of Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony, premiered by the Boston Symphony in 1896, and was the first symphony published by an American woman composer. Join an unforgettable season finale honoring the past and embracing the future of American classical music.
National Community Band Festival
Dewberry School of Music, Fairfax Wind Symphony, and sponsored by American Music Abroad
Saturday, June 1, at 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 2, at 1 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
The 5th Annual National Community Band Festival will feature seven bands from around the Washington, D.C., area. Guest artists and soloists are scheduled to appear with many of the bands. The Fairfax Wind Symphony will be the final concert on Sunday, June 2, at 3:30 p.m., celebrating its 25th anniversary. A gala reception will follow Sunday’s performances.
Mason Jazz Camp: Faculty Showcase
Monday, June 24, at 3:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Faculty perform a special showcase to open the week-long Mason Jazz Camp. Performances by Wade Beach (piano), Shawn Purcell (guitar), Ben Thomas (bass), Kevin McDonald (drums), Juan Megna (drums), Darden Purcell (voice), John Kocur (saxophone), Xavier Perez (saxophone), Jim Carroll (saxophone), Aaron Eckert (trombone), Graham Breedlove (trumpet), and more. This performance is free and open to the public. Find more Mason Jazz Camp performances.
Mason Jazz Camp: The United States Air Force Airmen of Note
Thursday, June 27, at 3:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., the Airmen of Note is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Created in 1950 to continue the tradition of Major Glenn Miller's Army Air Forces dance band, the current band consists of 18 active-duty musicians, including one vocalist. Through the years, the Airmen of Note has presented its own brand of big band jazz as well as more contemporary forms of jazz to audiences via annual tours across the United States, deployments around the world, and local performances throughout metropolitan Washington, D.C. This performance is free and open to the public. Find more Mason Jazz Camp performances.
ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre: SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical
Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 29, at 2 and 7 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Gregory Family Theater
ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre presents SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical, based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg. Who lives in a pineapple under the sea and is the hottest star on Broadway? Why, it’s SpongeBob SquarePants! Audiences will delight in this brilliant, bright, hilarious, and brand new musical.
Prince William Little Theatre: 110 in the Shade
July 12–21, multiple performances
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Gregory Family Theater
In the hot and drought-stricken American southwest small town of Three Point, traveling con man Bill Starbuck promises the local farmers he can conjure some much-needed rain. Lizzie Curry, whose advances are rebuffed by Sheriff Fife, blossoms as she pursues a romantic relationship with the charismatic stranger.
ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre: Anastasia the Musical (Youth Edition)
Friday, July 26, at 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 27, at 2 and 7 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
This dazzling production transports the audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s. Follow Anya, a brave young woman who sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.