Faculty/Staff Announcements
Have something to share? Submit an announcement from your unit using the online form.
Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Parking and Traffic Advisory: Housing Move-In, August 21-25
Several parking and traffic closures will occur on the Fairfax Campus from August 21–25 to accommodate the move-in of more than 6,000 residential students (including more than 2,300 freshmen).
A successful move-in process is a university priority. Key units across the university coordinate to make the experience as efficient as possible. Your patience and cooperation are appreciated. Refer to the Fairfax Campus map for parking lot and road locations.
Parking lot closures include Rappahannock Deck, Lot R, Lot C, and Lot L. Road closures include Nottoway River Lane and Patriot Circle by Rappahannock Deck.
Read the full list of closures on Building Patriot Pride.
For questions about parking and traffic during housing move-in, contact parking@gmu.edu.
Follow @MasonParking and @MasonHousing on Twitter for updates.
Thank you for your cooperation as we welcome our resident students to campus for the new academic year—especially our freshmen and their families, who are now part of the Mason family.
Operating Golf Carts on the Fairfax Campus
In accordance with Mason’s Policy 1131, a number of rules and procedures apply to the operation of golf carts on campus. Due to construction and the resulting density of pedestrians on campus, Parking and Transportation will enforce the policy starting with the fall semester.
Golf carts:
- Must be driven on roads and bike lanes when available at all times
- Cannot be driven on sidewalks or ramps
- Must be parked in general, service/repair, admin, or designated golf cart parking spaces; they cannot be parked on sidewalks or in grassy areas
A summary of the rules is available here.
For questions, contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or transpo@gmu.edu.
9/11 Day of Service and Service Fair
Mason students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to participate in the 9/11 Day of Service and Service Fair.
7th Annual Day of Service
Wednesday, September 11
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., multiple locations
Service events will provide the opportunity to give back to the local George Mason community. Volunteer for one of the many service projects on campus at 911day.gmu.edu/registration.
Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL) Service Fair
Thursday, September 12
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., SUB I quad
Connect with more than 30 different community partners and leaders and discover opportunities to use your School Assistance and Volunteer Leave.
General information about the 9/11 Day of Service and Service Fair can be found at 911day.gmu.edu.
Up to two hours of volunteer service can be considered work time with your supervisor’s permission. If you would like to volunteer more than two hours, eligible faculty and staff may use School Assistance and Volunteer Leave.
Contact Lisa Snyder at lsnyder2@gmu.edu or 703-993-9851 with questions.
College Colors Day is Coming!
Looking to kickstart the semester donning your green and gold? Prove that college colors never fade by joining shopMason and We Are Mason for College Colors Day on Friday, August 30! Check out music, food, games, and giveaways from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Merten Hall Lawn.
More information is available at wearemason.gmu.edu/collegecolors.
Make Your Mark on Mason’s Next Academic Building
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to sign a large steel support beam that will be installed in the new academic building on the Robinson A site.
The beam will be placed on the sidewalk between Fenwick Library and SUB I from August 27-29. Stop by between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to make your mark.
The signatures will be visible when the beam is installed in the new building. Your “support” will help build the future of our campus!
Contact University Events at 703-993-2853 with questions.
Mason Shuttles: Fall Schedule Changes and Labor Day Hours
Fall Shuttle Schedules
The fall Mason shuttles schedules are posted at shuttle.gmu.edu.
View a summary of start dates and service changes. If you ride the Fairfax–SciTech shuttle, please review the changes. To address the increasing construction and traffic on I-66, the entire schedule was redone to extend the trip length during rush hour in each direction.
Labor Day Weekend
An abbreviated shuttle schedule will be in effect during Labor Day weekend.
For questions, contact us at shuttle@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828.
The Mail Hub Updated Saturday Hours
To better suit the needs of the Mason community, starting August 24 the Mail Hub's new hours are as follows:
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Contact 703-993-2691 or mailroom@gmu.edu with questions.
Faculty Conversations
All faculty—new and returning, full-time, adjunct, and graduate instructors—are invited to attend two Faculty Conversations on Tuesday, August 20!
Tuesday, August 20 | 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.
Session I: Assignment design for Mason Impact Courses (supporting student research and civic engagement), tips for seeking research funding, and designing “flipped” pedagogy to support active learning
Tuesday, August 20 | 3 to 4:15 p.m.
Session II: Advanced strategies for engagement and inclusion, navigating crises in the classroom, and gaining strategies for thriving as early-career faculty members
After the workshops, head over to the Mason Club for our annual faculty Social Hour!
No registration required. Visit the Faculty Orientation webpage for locations.
Questions? Contact Faculty Affairs and Development at 703-993-5876 or facaffs@gmu.edu.
International Tax Training
Join Fiscal Services for International Tax Training on Monday, September 16, from 9:30 a.m. to noon in Merten Hall, Room 2001.
This training provides an overview of Mason's International Tax Office and a brief explanation of policies and procedures related to payments to international vendors, individuals, and other important tax information.
To register, visit workshops.gmu.edu and search for "International Tax."
Contact Jessi Adams at jadams15@gmu.edu at least one week (five business days) in advance if you wish to attend this training virtually.
Career Influencers Network Training
University Career Services invites faculty and staff to participate in the Career Influencers Network one-day training. This initiative brings together faculty, staff, and administrators to learn how to best support students as they strive to become career-ready and achieve post-graduate success.
The one-day training is scheduled for August 19 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (lunch will be provided). You must attend the entire training to become an official member of the Career Influencers Network.
To register for the upcoming training, visit the website.
Contact Elena Chiru at echiru@gmu.edu or 703-993-3739 with questions.
School of Business Graduate Programs Showcase
Learn more about the highly-ranked School of Business graduate programs. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff from each program will be available, along with representatives from Financial Aid, Career Services, and Military Services.
School of Business Graduate Programs Showcase
Tuesday, September 17, 5:30 p.m. (Registration opens at 5 p.m.)
Van Metre Hall (formerly Founders Hall), Arlington Campus
All showcase attendees will receive an application fee waiver!
Register at business.gmu.edu/showcase2019. Contact sbusgrad@gmu.edu or 703-993-8006 with questions.
Outstanding Supervisor Award Nomination Period Open
The Outstanding Supervisor Award, sponsored by the Staff Senate, recognizes supervisors who routinely go above and beyond to provide unparalleled leadership, mentorship, and support within their departments or offices.
Outstanding supervisors demonstrate the following:
- Acknowledging exemplary performance
- Supporting innovation and soliciting input from employees
- Being fair and flexible
- Encouraging and providing opportunities for professional growth
- Promoting diversity and inclusion
If this sounds like your supervisor, consider nominating them for the Outstanding Supervisor Award.
The nomination period closes August 30. For more information about eligibility and the selection process, visit the website. Email completed nomination forms to staffsenate@gmu.edu.
Elevate Your Career this Fall with IT Training
Advance your IT career by enrolling in one of Mason’s TechAdvance IT Training courses. Designed for industry professionals of all experience levels, TechAdvance courses cover more than 10 industry topics, including:
- Cybersecurity
- AWS
- Web design
- Computer hardware
- Data science
Mason full-time faculty and staff are eligible to receive a 50 percent discount on all TechAdvance courses. Employee spouses and children, as well as Mason alumni and part-time staff, receive a 10 percent discount.
View a list of courses. Contact TechAdvance at 703-993-1551 or advance@gmu.edu with questions.
Compensatory Leave Reminder
Have you earned compensatory leave? Make sure you are aware of the compensatory leave limits and expirations:
- Employees are limited to 96 hours of accrued compensatory leave
- Per State Policy 3.10, accrued compensatory leave expires one year from the pay period in which the hours are accrued, regardless of the 96 hour limit
- Compensatory leave may not be used once hours expire or lapse and cannot be paid out upon an employee's change of status
Review your leave balance by visiting Patriot Web. If you have questions, email payroll@gmu.edu.
Hylton Presents: The Hot Sardines
The 2019–20 season at the Hylton Performing Arts Center opens with an evening of sensational entertainment by this hot New York-based jazz ensemble group known for their brassy horn arrangements, rip-roaring piano tunes, and smoky vocals.
The Hot Sardines whisk you back to the days of Parisian cabarets, French Quarter jazz clubs, and Harlem speakeasies as they channel the music and the style of the Jazz Age while adding their own distinct contemporary verve.
Bandleader and pianist Evan Palazzo and lead singer Elizabeth Bougerol met in 2007 at a jazz jam session and bonded over their love for Fats Waller and other greats like Dinah Washington, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday.
The Hot Sardines
Saturday, September 21, at 8 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center, SciTech Campus
Tickets
Contact the Hylton Box Office at 703-993-7759 with questions.
Hylton Center EXTRA! Larry, Steve, and Rudy – The Gatlin Brothers
Welcome country and gospel music legends Larry, Steve, and Rudy – The Gatlin Brothers to the Merchant Hall stage in a special Hylton Center EXTRA! performance.
Their storybook careers began in the small town of Abilene, Texas, in 1955, when Larry was 6, Steve was 4, and Rudy was 2. Inspired by gospel music, the brothers would sing for anyone who would listen, and for more than 60 years, they sang their way to the top of the charts and into the hearts of fans around the globe.
The Grammy Award®-winning trio celebrates six decades of music and family with a new show, highlighting their raw, pure harmony honed after a lifetime of experiences as brothers and performers. They will also share hit songs from the past and give an inside look into the stories behind the songs.
Larry, Steve, and Rudy – The Gatlin Brothers
Sunday, September 22, at 7 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center, SciTech Campus
Tickets
Contact the Hylton Box Office at 703-993-7759 with questions.