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.
Donate, Don't Dump! Patriot Packout Returns
Patriot Packout, Mason's annual sustainable move-out initiative, is happening through May 10. As students move out of their residence halls, donations of like-new and gently used items are collected at the Fairfax Campus, SciTech Campus, and the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.
This year, donated items will support Mason programs including the Patriot Pantry, Trans Clothing Closet, Art Supply Sharing Closet, First Gen+ Center, and Parking and Transportation's bike programs. Community organizations, such as Food for Others, will also receive donated items.
Visit the webpage for a list of accepted items, campus donation locations, and volunteer opportunities. Mason students who live off-campus and Mason employees are invited to bring any of the accepted items to the 24/7 outdoor drop-off locations.
Parking and Transportation Donation Drive for Patriot Pantry
Would you like to help someone in need? Make an in-person donation of items to benefit the Patriot Pantry at any Parking Services office to reduce the cost of an outstanding parking citation. Donations are accepted at Parking Services as part of the Patriot Packout through Wednesday, May 15, at 4 p.m. For important details, visit the website.
University Requirements for Programs Serving Minors
As the summer season begins, many departments are gearing up to host programs, events, or camps (PEC) serving minors. University policy requires that all PECs go through a registration process, as well as other requirements. Read more about the criteria on the Camps and Youth Programs website. Contact Buz Grover, Auxiliary Services and Operations, at 703-993-5784 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
Fentanyl Awareness Day is Thursday, May 9
Thursday, May 9, will be Fentanyl Awareness Day in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Drug overdose stands as the primary cause of unnatural death in the state.
Since 2023, George Mason’s Employee Health and Well-Being (a division of Risk, Safety, and Resilience) has offered Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone Training to faculty, staff, and students. This free, one-hour course covers how opioid overdoses happen, risk factors, and how to respond to an opioid overdose emergency with the administration of Narcan (Naloxone). Participants receive a certificate and a Naloxone kit upon completion of the course. To date, nearly 600 individuals at George Mason have completed this training.
Register for an upcoming training. To request a group training for your department, or for other questions, contact ehw@gmu.edu.
It’s “Bike Your Way” May: Spring Cycling Opportunities
Bike Month Challenge
May is National Bike Month! Help grow Mason’s biking culture. 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.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
Creative and Performing Arts Center (CAPAC) – Crowns: A Gospel Musical
May 11–12 and 18–19, multiple performances
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Gregory Family Theater
This joyous, celebratory gospel musical is by Regina Taylor and adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry. Crowns is the story of a Chicago teenager who is sent to live with her grandmother in South Carolina and finds connection among a community of resilient African American women in their church hats. Weaving together faith, fashion, and family, Crowns is an inspirational, joyous musical celebration of love and redemption that will make your spirit sing.
ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre: The Wizard of Oz
Saturday, May 11, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 12, at 2 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
L. Frank Baum’s classic novel comes to life in The Wizard of Oz. This faithful adaptation by the Royal Shakespeare Company features all the most beloved songs and moments from the 1939 classic film, brought to life onstage.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: Romeo and Juliet
May. 17–19, multiple performances
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Manassas Ballet Theatre’s season concludes with the romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet. As the Montague and Capulet families feud, Romeo and Juliet seek to unite in love, but conflict and despair lead to death. Watch their tale unfold in dance set to live music by the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Melodies of the Soul
Saturday, May 18, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
Heralded by the New York Times as a "composer of uncommon gifts and unusual methods," English composer Anna Clyne has masterfully crafted a new musical language, drawing inspiration from the words of 13th-century Persian poet Rumi. Her composition, a captivating dance for cello and orchestra, transports listeners to ethereal realms through its enchanting melodies. This extraordinary concerto, performed by Israeli-American cellist Inbal Segev, has garnered immense praise, with its opening movement amassing more than 3 million plays on Spotify and earning a place among NPR Music's "Favorite Songs of 2020."
Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra: An Evening of Magic, Lyricism, and Fate
Friday, May 24, at 8 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Magic. Lyricism. Fate. These are the themes that permeate this evening of music. Verdi's Overture to La forza del destino, Stamitz's Sinfonia concertante No. 20 (featuring violin/viola duo Marcolivia), and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 will move and delight concertgoers.
Manassas Chorale: Musical ‘Pearls’ from Three Decades
Friday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Take a musical journey with the Manassas Chorale, its ensemble, orchestra, and the Greater Manassas Children’s Choir for an evening celebrating 30 years of repertoire performed as a group. Student singers in grades 2–8 join adults in a performance that closes Manassas Chorale’s 30th season and is sure to have you humming all the way home!
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.