Faculty/Staff Announcements
Have something to share? Review announcement guidelines and submit an announcement from your unit through the online form.
Campus Updates
College Colors Day: Friday, Aug. 30
Wear green and gold for College Colors Day on Friday, Aug. 30. Receive a free Koozie six-pack cooler when you purchase branded merchandise at the Johnson Center bookstore on College Colors Day and show proof of following Wear Mason on social media from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (limited to first 300 customers). Wear green and gold on College Colors Day and every Friday after that for Spirit Fridays. Follow @wearmason.
Discover Mason Guide: Submit Your Service, Program, or Resource
Does your office offer a program, service, or resource available to the external community? If so, Government and Community Relations would like to include it in Discover Mason: A Guide to Services and Resources for the Residential and Business Community.
This publication showcases the variety of ways the external community (business, residential, and government) can utilize the university even if they do not go to school here. Submit the title of service/resource, phone number, website address, and a one-sentence description to Traci Kendall by Friday, Aug. 30.
New Student Convocation: Friday, Aug. 23
George Mason faculty and staff are invited to attend Fall 2024 New Student Convocation, the event that formally welcomes all new students to George Mason University. This year's event will emphasize the importance of embracing the rich diversity at George Mason by encouraging students to engage with those different from themselves and to seek out faculty and staff for support.
Convocation will be held on Friday, Aug. 23, from 1:30–3 p.m., on the Fairfax Campus in EagleBank Arena. Following the event, join the new students for free ice cream outside the arena. Learn more and RSVP.
Posting Events on the Today@Mason Calendar
Planning an event on campus? Faculty and staff are responsible for ensuring their events are included on the university calendar, Today@Mason, for both scheduling and promotional purposes. All events listed on Today@Mason or any other published calendar must be scheduled in 25live, the university's scheduling software.
On the 25live event request form, select one audience from the "categories" section of the form. The form provides information on important fields for calendar postings. Please read all instructions and be sure to enter a detailed description of the event to be shared on the calendar. Include any RSVP links or website links related to the event. The scheduler will review each submission and add the event to a calendar when processing the request.
Don’t have a 25live account? Request one today. Contact University Events at gmuevent@gmu.edu with questions.
New Procedures for Trash Collection and Cleaning in Campus Offices
George Mason University is implementing new procedures for trash collection and cleaning in campus offices. These changes support the university's efforts to increase efficiency and cut costs. These changes went into effect on Aug. 1 in university offices at the Fairfax, Mason Square, and Science and Technology campuses:
- Faculty and staff will be responsible for emptying the individual trash can in their workspace into larger trash receptacles in common areas. Housekeeping staff will no longer empty personal trash cans located at desks/cubicles/private offices.
- Workspaces/offices will be cleaned weekly.
Common spaces and high traffic areas will be cleaned daily, and trash will be removed from common area trash receptacles at least once daily. The cleaning schedule will not change in restrooms, kitchens, and common areas.
These changes are being implemented after a pilot program was conducted on the SciTech Campus and in Merten Hall on the Fairfax Campus during the 2023–24 academic year. Read more about the changes.
Resources for You
August is Make a Will Month
Most Americans either do not have an estate plan, or have one that needs to be updated to meet their current circumstances. August is National Make-A-Will Month—a reminder to update your will, if needed, or create your will if you do not have one.
To assist you in the process, consult with an estate planning attorney. A complimentary eBrochure is available through George Mason’s planned giving website. If you have questions, contact Aquanetta Betts, director of planned giving, at 703-993-6971 or mylegacy@gmu.edu.
All health plans offered to state employees and their dependents have employee assistance programs (EAPs), which include limited sessions for legal services such as estate planning. For information, visit the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management website.
Faculty/Staff Meal Plans Now Available
Discover the convenience of Byte Meal Plans for faculty and staff, starting at $105. Enjoy meals across campus while saving money and fostering connections with colleagues. Byte Plans roll over from fall to spring, making it easier than ever to balance work and wellness. Learn more.
Free Mpox Vaccine Clinic on Campus
George Mason’s Student Health Services and Employee Health and Well-Being will offer a free mpox vaccination clinic for students, faculty, and staff on Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Register here (only name and email required).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on who should receive the vaccine. The mpox vaccine requires two doses, and clinic staff will schedule the second dose. Contact ehw@gmu.edu for clinic questions or your health care provider for personalized advice on the vaccine. Learn more about mpox on the CDC website.
NASA, Earth, and Space
The Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact invites students, faculty, and staff to attend the "NASA, Earth, and Space" event on Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 1–2:30 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center Cinema.
Jack Kaye, NASA's associate director for research in the Earth Science Division, will discuss current space exploration efforts and future prospects. Following his talk, a panel of George Mason faculty, including Anamaria Berea, Liping Di, Jim Kinter, and Peter Plavchan, will present their NASA-funded research, share outcomes, and explore collaboration and funding opportunities. Attendees will have a chance to engage with Kaye and the panelists through a Q&A session. RSVP.
Mason Square Market
Visit the Mason Square market on Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 3–7 p.m. on the plaza. Find handmade items, sweet treats, art, and more. The market is sponsored by Mason Square and Mason Dining, in collaboration with Arlington Economic Development. Additional dates are scheduled through November. Find out more.
Enhance Workplace Well-Being through ProjectConnect
Join a Faculty/Staff ProjectConnect Group
Get to know other faculty and staff at George Mason by joining a Faculty/Staff ProjectConnect group. Form connections with colleagues in a small group setting. Registration is open through Wednesday, Aug. 28. Groups will meet online on Fridays at noon this September and early October. Learn more.
ProjectConnect Book Discussion Group
Faculty and staff are also invited to join a ProjectConnect book discussion group based on Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek Murthy. Registration is open through Friday, Aug. 23. Participants will receive a free copy of the book to read before the online discussion on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from noon to 1 p.m. Learn more.
Patriot Packout’s Swap and Hop Event
Shop items donated during Patriot Packout for free, swap items you don’t need/want, or donate like-new or gently used items at the Swap and Hop event on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Southside Dining Patio.
Registration is required. All George Mason Patriots are invited to participate. The Patriot Packout is George Mason’s annual end-of-the year donation initiative led by Mason Facilities.
Upcoming Performances at George Mason
School of Theater: The Originals!
Friday, Sept. 13, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 14, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building, TheaterSpace
Tune in for an evening of original, new works featuring the talented students of the School of Theater. The Originals! allows creative artists to share their work in various forms, with each presented work being written, directed, and performed by George Mason students. Whether it’s a musical or the traditional 10-minute play structure, explore the brilliant imaginations of our students.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Music of Joy and Peace
Sunday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Jeffrey Siegel, the popular virtuoso pianist, returns for his Keyboard Conversations® concerts with commentary. In Music of Joy and Peace, Siegel showcases the gorgeous and uplifting music of four beloved composers: Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Grieg. The program will conclude with a short Q&A with the audience.
Grand Piano Celebration
Sunday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Join the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music for a spectacular opening of its fall concert season. The Grand Piano Celebration honors Mason's All-Steinway School. Outstanding student and faculty artists will be on stage to display their marvelous talents. The concert will be led by Linda Apple Monson, International Steinway Artist and director of the Dewberry School of Music.
Capitol Fools
Sunday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Kick off the 2024–25 Hylton Center season with comedy the D.C.-area does best—politics! Former cast members and the co-writer of the long-running, beloved Capitol Steps introduce their new musical parody ensemble, Capitol Fools, in an evening where no politician is safe, and every absurdity gets its moment in the spotlight. This performance contains content with mature themes.
An Evening with Lea Salonga
Saturday, Sept. 28, at 8:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga headlines the 2024 ARTS by George! benefit concert performing songs she has made famous throughout her extraordinary four-decade career on Broadway and in animated movie blockbusters. Born in the Philippines, Salonga originated the lead role of Kim in the West End and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon, and she was the first Asian cast member to perform the role of Eponine in Les Misérables on Broadway. Recognized by fans of all ages as the singing voice for two animated Disney princesses—Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan—Salonga was named a “Disney Legend” by the Walt Disney Company in 2011.
Hylton Family Series: Mario the Maker Magician
Sunday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Mix magic with robotics, add hilarious slapstick, and voila—you have Mario the Maker Magician! Mario infuses classic magic tricks and illusions with high-tech robotic innovation to create an assortment of homemade contraptions that do his comedic bidding. Infectiously positive and bursting with heart, Mario is on a mission to entertain and inspire future computer programmers, AI specialists, and robotic engineers along the way. Recommended for ages 4–10.