Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Join the Virtual Celebration: Celebrate Milestone Service Awards at University Green and Gold Days
George Mason is proud to honor employees who are marking significant milestones in their careers. Cheer on colleagues and show your support for their incredible contributions to the university during the Green and Gold Day service awards. Join the event livestreams:
- Gold Day – Celebrating 20–50 Years of Service, Wednesday, Nov. 20, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Green Day – Celebrating 5–15 Years of Service, Thursday, Nov. 21, from 9–10:30 a.m.
Questions may be sent to awards@gmu.edu.
West Campus Town Hall
You’re invited to a community conversation regarding George Mason University’s West Campus development. Share your thoughts and ideas regarding concepts for the development, campus and community needs, and opportunities for collaboration. All are welcome.
West Campus Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, Dec. 11
7–8:30 p.m.
City of Fairfax City Hall, Council Chambers: 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030
December Staff Senate Meeting
The December Staff Senate meeting will focus on physical and mental health resources available to staff at George Mason. Guest speakers include Angela Chezem, medical director for Employee Health and Well-Being, and Robyn Mehlenbeck, director of the Center for Community Mental Health.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon. Guest speakers will present at 11 a.m. Attend the meeting on the Fairfax Campus in Merten Hall, Room 1203, or join via Zoom. Learn more.
University Winter Break Lockdown
The university will be closed for winter break from Monday, Dec. 23, at 6 a.m. through Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, at 6 a.m. However, some employees and students may require entry for special projects into buildings without electronic access. Therefore, pre-planned access for non-electronic lock buildings can be coordinated in advance via the Winter Break Building Access Form found on the Mason Police website. Failure to coordinate with Mason Police in advance may result in being denied access. For questions on building card access, email caso@gmu.edu.
Staff Senate Holiday Donation Drive
Every holiday season, the Staff Senate supports a donation drive to benefit local organizations. For the 2024 holiday season, the Staff Senate is encouraging the Mason community to support four organizations:
- Food and toiletry contributions to the Patriot Pantry, which provides access to food and hygiene items to the George Mason community.
- Donations of toys and supplies to Inova Children’s Hospital.
- If you love the dogs and cats of our local community, support Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Arlington, Virginia.
- The SciTech Campus will collect items for the Northern Virginia Family Services SERVE Campus through food donations brought to the SciTech holiday party.
Read donation guidelines and find out most-needed items on the Staff Senate website.
Spark and Share hosted by SciTech Innovation District
The Spark and Share event at the SciTech Campus is a chance to connect with local tech leaders in the future Innovation District, enjoy food and drinks, and network with professionals from industry, government, and academia. The event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Mum Mum restaurant on George Mason’s SciTech Campus. RSVP.
This session features Ethan Ahn, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at George Mason, and Brian Gollenberg, business area vice president of Progeny Systems at General Dynamics Mission Systems. Both leaders will discuss disruptive technologies, the field’s most pressing needs, and the future workforce.
Galileo Science Café—Into the Abyss: The Science and Survival of Submarines
In honor of Veterans Day, join a discussion about submarine science with Noel Gonzalez, former Navy captain and current COO of Targeted Bioscience. Learn about military science and the challenges of science in the deep. Galileo’s Science Café will be hosted on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 7–9 p.m. at the Manassas Museum (9101 Prince William Street, Manassas, Virginia). Stick around for a Q&A with the presenter and light refreshments. Learn more and RSVP. This event is sponsored by George Mason's College of Science as well as the City of Manassas, Department of Economic Development.
Training and Professional Development
Still Need Canvas Training?
Join a Canvas Boot Camp from Dec. 3–5 (via Zoom) for the final live training option before spring semester. Other Canvas training opportunities include "Getting Started with Canvas" (biweekly Zoom introductory sessions) and the ongoing Canvas lunch and learn sessions (hosted weekly on Zoom). Get the details.
Course Redesign Academy
Course Redesign Academy will include Zoom meetings on Jan. 8–9, 2025, to support faculty members’ final adjustments for a spring course or advanced planning for summer/fall. Accepted participants receive a stipend to support course development. Learn more and apply by Wednesday, Dec. 11. This opportunity is facilitated by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning.
Resources for You
Annual Leave Rollover Reminder: January 9 Deadline
As we approach the end of the leave year, faculty and staff are reminded that the annual leave carryover limit will be rolled over on Jan. 9, 2025. Employees with leave balances exceeding the carryover limit must use their excess leave before Jan. 9, 2025, to avoid losing it. Plan ahead and coordinate time off with supervisors.
For more information on carryover limits, visit the Annual Leave webpage. Additionally, employees have the option to donate excess leave through the Leave Sharing Program. Contact hr@gmu.edu with questions.
Employee Resource Groups and Affinity Groups
Employee resource groups are voluntary, employee-led groups that serve as a means of connection for faculty and staff while fostering a diverse, inclusive environment aligned with the institutional mission, vision, business practices, and objectives. George Mason’s employee resource groups are open to all classified staff, administrative/professional and instructional/research faculty, adjunct faculty, and non-student wage employees. Learn more.
Affinity groups facilitate connections and professional partnerships and champion strategic efforts to support the success of their members. The Office of Faculty Affairs and Development supports faculty and doctoral students' affinity groups as part of George Mason's commitment to inclusive excellence. Learn more on the Faculty Affinity Groups website.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
Documentary Screening: Patriot Packout
Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 6–8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Ike’s, Multipurpose Room
Patriot Packout is George Mason's community-based donation initiative that diverts new and gently used items away from the trash and redistributes them to students, staff, and alumni for free. Patriot Packout addresses basic needs insecurity while accelerating action toward the university’s Zero Waste goal. Mason Exhibitions, along with Facilities and Campus Operations, invites you to a screening of an original documentary about Patriot Packout, produced by current MFA student Steven Luu. A curated menu of locally sourced and campus-grown food will be served. RSVP.
Canadian Brass: Making Spirits Bright
Saturday, Nov. 30, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
“With their unbeatable blend of virtuosity, spontaneity and humor” (Washington Post), Canadian Brass kicks off the holiday season with a program of original arrangements and signature takes on beloved classics such as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Christmas Time is Here,” “Silver Bells,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and songs of Hanukkah.
Take 6
Sunday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
The most awarded a cappella group in history, Take 6, brings its vocal genius to the Center for the Arts for a gospel-infused holiday concert. Experience vocal artistry with their silky-smooth program that slips and slides from jazz to pop to R&B, doo-wop, and blues.
Chanticleer: A Chanticleer Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 1, at 4 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
The holidays shine brighter when Grammy Award-winning Chanticleer comes caroling to the Hylton Center with their beloved program. With 12 expressive voices ranging from countertenor to bass blended with precision, clarity, and breathtaking beauty, “it’s impossible to resist the voices of Chanticleer” (San Francisco Chronicle).
Mason Wind Symphony Concert
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
The Mason Wind Symphony presents its second concert of the season with traditional and contemporary works for wind bands composed by a variety of composers.
Mason Symphonic Band Concert
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
This ensemble comprises both music majors and nonmajors from myriad academic disciplines. Conducted by director of concert bands, William L. Lake Jr., this concert will be inspiring and entertaining.
Fall: Dance Innovations
School of Dance
Friday, Dec. 6, at 2 and 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
The creative School of Dance students present their own choreography. Always relevant and fresh, this evening of works will have something for everyone.
Love, Betrayal and Forgiveness—Scenes from Mozart’s Most Popular Operas
Dewberry School of Music
Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 and 8 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Gregory Family Theater
The Dewberry School of Music’s Mason Opera presents its fall 2024 performance. Featuring George Mason’s talented vocal students in collaboration with an instrumental chamber ensemble, these live, in-person performances will showcase great vocal skill and dramatic ability and deeply immerse the audience in the action of the story.
Squirrel Nut Zippers: Christmas Caravan
Saturday, Dec. 7, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Swing into the holiday season with platinum-selling jazz-rock band Squirrel Nut Zippers. Serving up a blend of Delta blues, big band, klezmer jazz, and calypso sound in their holiday program, Christmas Caravan, Squirrel Nut Zippers is sure to get audiences dancing to songs from their albums and other holiday favorites.
Sons of Serendip
Sunday, Dec. 8, at 4 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
“Silky beyond reason” (New York Times), the Billboard-charting foursome, Sons of Serendip, combines warm and inviting vocals, harp, piano, and cello. Enjoy an afternoon of songs from their holiday-themed album Christmas: Beyond the Lights, showcasing velvety harmony and fresh interpretations of traditional holiday tunes.
Mason Symphony Orchestra and Choirs Winter Festival
Dewberry School of Music
Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Join a joyous concert celebration by the Dewberry School of Music to ring in the winter season. Showcasing Mason’s Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, this evening will feature holiday favorites and festive new works performed by extraordinary student artists, conducted by Soo Han, Thomas Colohan, and Michael Stern.
December Studio Series
George Mason School of Dance
Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 6 and 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building, Room A301
Enjoy an evening of student work in one of the School of Dance studios, transformed into an intimate theater.
American Festival Pops Orchestra—Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season
Friday, Dec. 13, at 8 p.m. (SciTech Campus, Hylton Center)
Saturday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. (Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts)
The American Festival Pops Orchestra returns with its beloved Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season. Led by Conductor Peter Wilson, enjoy seasonal favorites, including: “The Night Before Christmas,” narrated by Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and executive director of the Hylton Center, toe-tapping classics from the orchestra's embedded big band, and an appearance by the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Darden Purcell.
Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 and 5 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Washington, D.C.-based, award-winning Celtic fiddler, Gaelic singer, and harpist Seán Heely returns for a winter tour through the Scottish Highlands and across the Irish coast. Featuring Highland and Irish dancing and the MacMillan Pipe Band, the performance includes Gaelic carols tucked in with lively Irish tunes and familiar Christmas melodies.