Around Mason: Week of October 1, 2019

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.

Winter Wellness Flu Shot Clinics

Winter Wellness Flu Shot Clinics will be held at Mason on the following dates:

  • Fairfax: October 8 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
  • Arlington: October 9 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Van Metre Hall, Room 317 
  • SciTech: October 15 from 10 a.m. to noon, Colgan Hall, Room 110E 

Flu shots are free for faculty and staff who have COVA (all clinics) or Kaiser (Fairfax only) insurance card. Those without COVA or Kaiser insurance may get a flu shot for $30 at the Fairfax event.

COVA members may bring a flu shot consent form to the clinic for a shorter wait. Kaiser members will complete a consent form in-person.

Check out the Winter Wellness Day flyer and FAQs for more information.

October Staff Senate Meeting: Active Threat Preparedness and Response

The October Staff Senate general meeting will feature guest speaker David Farris, executive director of safety and emergency management, Environmental Health and Safety. The discussion will focus on active threat preparedness, response procedures, physical security, and Q&A regarding initiatives and resources at Mason.

Staff Senate General Meeting
Wednesday, October 2
10:30 a.m. to noon (guest speaker 10:30 to 11 a.m.)
Fairfax: Research Hall, Room 163
Arlington: Van Metre Hall, Room B119 (videoconferenced)
SciTech: Colgan Hall, Room 221 (videoconferenced)
WebEx: gmu.webex.com | Meeting Number: 648 314 965 | Meeting password: 2ktMam99 | Join by phone: 1-240-454-0879

All are welcome to attend the Staff Senate general meeting.

For questions, contact staffsenate@gmu.edu.

Forty Under 40 Honors: RSVP by Oct. 5

The George Mason Black Alumni Chapter will host its inaugural Forty Under 40 Honors on Oct. 19 in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The event recognizes and honors some of our best and brightest Black alumni for achievement in their careers and service to the university and community. Join us for this highly anticipated affair and potentially surprise a formal student leader or current alumni leader when you stand in their support.

View the list of honorees.

RSVP by Oct. 5. Contact David Atkins at datkins1@gmu.edu for more information.

Coca-Cola Consolidated – Beverage Pouring Rights Awarded

Mason has executed a ten year beverage pouring rights agreement with Coca-Cola Consolidated, with two five-year renewal options. The agreement will commence July 1, 2020 and generates funding to support student scholarships and programming.

Coca-Cola Consolidated is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the largest bottling company in the United States. They make, sell and distribute beverages of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies in more than 300 brands and flavors across 14 states and the District of Columbia.

The Coca-Cola Company is constantly transforming their portfolio, from reducing sugar in drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. They are also working to reduce their environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With their bottling partners, they employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide.

This partner relationship is administered through the Office of Auxiliary Enterprises. For questions, contact David Atkins, director of licensing, marketing and administration, at datkins1@gmu.edu, who serves as contract administrator.

Update Your Information on Patriot Web

To keep the semester going on the right foot, let’s do some fall cleaning on Patriot Web! Update your information such as addresses, phone numbers, and emergency contacts.

3rd Annual Summit for Programs, Events, and Camps Serving Minors (PEC)

Working with an activity that includes minors? Come to Mason’s third annual Programs, Events, and Camps (PEC) Serving Minors Summit to learn about the policies, procedures, and resources available to PECs.

PEC Summit
Monday, October 7, 10 a.m. to noon
Fairfax: Merten Hall, Room 1201
Arlington: Van Metre Hall, Room B119 (videoconferenced)
SciTech: Colgan Hall, Room 221 (videoconferenced)

Representatives from Human Resources, Risk Management, University Events, and other policy stakeholders will present and answer questions. Service providers such as Sodexo and Parking Services will also provide helpful information. Many of the most successful PEC hosts will be available to share their expertise. 

New this year, the Office of University Audit will present information about its role in the PEC policy process.

The session will be videoconferenced to Arlington and SciTech. Webex recording will be available for those unable to attend.

Questions? Contact Buz Grover, Auxiliary Enterprises, at 703-993-5784 or hgroveri@gmu.edu.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Faculty Learning Community

The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Faculty Learning Community (2019–20) supports faculty interested in SoTL research, grant writing, and publishing. The learning community is sponsored by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning.

SoTL is the systematic study of teaching and learning in higher education with the goal of improving student learning. Participants will work individually and collaboratively on their SoTL projects in a supportive environment.

Register by October 4 to learn more.

Contact Kelly Schrum at kschrum@gmu.edu or 703-993-2310‬ with questions.

Volunteer Opportunity: Parking Appeals Board

Parking and Transportation is seeking faculty/staff volunteers to serve on Mason's Parking Appeals Board.

The board meets once a month to hear parking citation appeals from faculty, staff, and visitors. If interested, contact parking@gmu.edu.

Learn Well-Being Leadership Skills for Success

Learn well-being leadership skills for professional and personal success in these upcoming certificate programs from Mason’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being:

Positive Leadership
Meeting dates: Nov. 18–19
Register by Nov. 4 (by Oct. 4 for early bird rate)

Leveraging the Power of Polarity Thinking
Meeting dates: Oct. 28–30

Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being
Apply by Dec. 15 for cohort 8 (Meeting dates: Feb. to Jun. 2020)

Questions? Contact lead2wb@gmu.edu or 703-993-6090.

Webinar for 529 Presentations

529 plans help families save for future qualified higher education expenses. Taxpayers enjoy the additional benefit of a state income tax deduction on contributions to their 529 accounts.

Learn about saving for future higher education expenses—for yourself or a loved one—at the Virginia529 and Maryland529 live webinars on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Register for the Virginia529 presentation or the Maryland529 presentation. For questions, contact hr@gmu.edu.

Orangetheory Fitness Discount Highlight

Orangetheory Fitness at University Mall provides a complimentary session and discounted rates for Elite or Premier memberships. With a valid Mason ID, the discount is available for all faculty, staff, students, and retirees.

For membership details, call 703-595-2231 or visit fairfax-city.orangetheoryfitness.com.

To view all the discounts you receive as a Mason employee, check out the discount page.

October Biking Classes at Mason

Celebrate autumn on your bike! Develop new skills or enhance your existing biking skills, culminating in a terrific ride from the Fairfax Campus to Burke Lake Park and back.

Upcoming classes and events are listed below. For additional information and to register, visit bike.gmu.edu.

  • Thursday, Oct 10, noon to 1 p.m.: Bicycle Commuting 101, taught by Rick Holt (free)
  • Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to noon: Bike Skills Building Class with the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB), $10*
  • Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Social Ride with FABB from Mason to Burke Lake Park and back, $10*

*Parking and Transportation is subsidizing these events to offer the Mason community a significant discount.

Contact transpo@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828 with questions.

DMV2Go at the Fairfax Campus: Oct. 8

Take care of your Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles business at a convenient Mason location. DMV2Go will be on the Fairfax Campus on Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Merten Hall parking lot.

For a list of available services, visit the DMV2Go website. Check out Mason's complete DMV2Go schedule for additional dates.

Mason Kindness eCards

National Do Something Nice Day is Oct. 5! The Reward and Recognition team encourages faculty and staff to spread kindness with Mason Kindness eCards.

Send free eCards to your colleagues and friends anytime throughout the year.

Contact awards@gmu.edu with questions.

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