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.
Rock the Block with Mason!
Join George Mason University and the Patriot for our free annual block party in Fairfax City! Enjoy music, food trucks, special promotions, giveaways, and more.
Rock the Block with Mason
Friday, September 27
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Fairfax City's Old Town Square
Bring your colleagues, registered student organization, friends, or family.
Wear your green and gold and party with Patriots from Student Government, Athletics, Government and Community Relations, Contemporary Student Services, Alumni Relations, and more.
For questions, contact Dawn Hicks, Athletics, at dhicks20@gmu.edu or 703-993-2958.
Active Threats Awareness and Prevention Video Screening
University Police and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) host facilitated viewings of the university’s Active Threats Awareness and Prevention video.
During each two-hour session, held in the Johnson Center Cinema, University Police and EHS review the university’s active threat response procedures and address questions and concerns raised by the audience.
View available dates and register today.
Contact safety@gmu.edu or 703-993-9715 with questions.
Learn More: Medical Education Feasibility Study
Did you hear that Mason is considering the feasibility of a Medical School?
Join Dr. Bill Hazel, senior advisor, Innovation and Community Engagement, Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Impact, and colleagues as they share the results of a feasibility study about physician demand, medical education, and research opportunities.
Town Hall Dates:
Friday, September 13, 10 to 11 a.m. in Krasnow, Room 229
Wednesday, September 25, 3 to 4 p.m. in Robinson Hall, Room B113
The Board of Visitors approved the development of a Phase II study with more comprehensive analysis to inform the next steps.
Healthy Campus Week: Sept. 23–27
Healthy Campus Week is September 23–27! Support your well-being by attending sessions on leading a healthy life. Check out the list of sessions happening throughout the week.
To register for a session, visit the link above, click on the session you would like to attend, and click “Request” on the MasonLEAPS session page. Sessions will be available via Webex on the Arlington and SciTech Campuses.
For questions, contact worklife@gmu.edu. To learn more about the Healthier Campus Initiative, visit the Partnership for a Healthier America website.
Fall Career Fair Expanding to 150 Employers Each Day
Encourage your students to attend the upcoming career fair:
Fall Career Fair
October 2–3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Johnson Center, lower level
Registration is not required. Students are encouraged to attend both days, as each day features many different employers (view the list).
Student Prep Events:
- Dress to impress! Get discounts on career wear at Suit-Up Mason on Sunday, September 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. at JCPenney in Fair Oaks Mall.
- Attend the Prepare for the Fair Workshop on Monday, September 30, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in SUB I, Room 3B.
- Bring your resume to the Resume Clinic on Monday, September 30, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Tuesday, October 1, from 1 to 7 p.m. in SUB I, Room 3400.
- Virtual resume reviews will also be available on October 1 from 4 to 11 p.m.
For more information, contact Bernadette Davey, University Career Services, at 703-993-2372 or bdavey@gmu.edu.
Walking Wednesday with the Staff Senate
Take a break with a walk around campus! Join members of the Staff Senate for Who’s Walking Wednesday on September 18.
This is a great chance to meet some of your senators, hear about the work they are doing, and share any questions or ideas of your own.
The walk begins at noon in front of Merten Hall. Bring your water and walking shoes!
If you want to lead a walk on the Fairfax Campus, visit the signup page.
If you have questions, contact staffsenate@gmu.edu.
Celebrating 10 years of The EDGE: Open Climb on Challenge Course
The EDGE, Mason Recreation's Team Building and Experiential Learning Program, celebrates its 10 year anniversary this October. Join the celebration at the SciTech Campus with games, activities, light snacks, and fun!
The EDGE 10th Anniversary Celebration | Open Climb
Saturday, October 5
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SciTech Campus
The event will feature an 'Open Climb' on the 50-foot Alpine Tower (free and open to students, faculty, staff, and community members).
Register today. For questions, contact edge@gmu.edu.
Save the Date: Car Free Days
With construction projects on I-66 and a host of commuting challenges on the roads every day, it may be time to think about sharing your ride with others or even going car-free. Car-Free Days are a great time to try something new and establish another way to get to school or work!
Take the pledge to go car-free September 21–23 at carfreemetrodc.org.
For those who commute via I-66, there are some incentives to driving/riding with others.
Additional resources:
- Mason Programs: transportation.gmu.edu
- Pool Party (Car/Vanpool): September 19 at noon in the Hub, Corner Pocket
- I-66 Commuter Incentives at transform66.org (click on Outside the Beltway and then commuter options)
Questions? Contact Parking and Transportation at transpo@gmu.edu.
Pedestrian Safety Advisory
Distractions are everywhere today and becoming more and more difficult to avoid. Remember that as a pedestrian, your eyes and ears are your best tools for keeping safe.
Put down the phone, don’t wear headphones, use crosswalks, stay on sidewalks when possible, and follow the rules of the road. Visit the Risk Management website for additional tips on staying safe while walking, or biking, on campus.
Stay alert and watch out.
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.
Registration Open: Innovations in Teaching & Learning One-Day Conference
Register today for the 11th Innovations in Teaching & Learning conference, on Friday, September 27, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Theme: Teaching the Whole Student
Keynote speaker: Dr. Lisa Nunn, author of 33 Simple Strategies for Faculty
Join your colleagues for a fun, food-filled day of 30+ inspiring conference sessions (led by Mason instructors) that showcase strategies and tips to support student learning in and out of the classroom. Faculty from all ranks/disciplines, GTAs, and members of support offices are welcome.
Pre-conference workshops will occur on Thursday, September 26, from 1 to 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. (limited seating).
Register online by September 23. Check out this video for more details.
Contact stearns@gmu.edu or 703-993-6200 with questions.
Mason Advisor Certificate (MAC) Program
This six-module training series is designed for new and existing advisors alike. The cohesive curriculum is centered around topics related to advising approaches, Mason policies and procedures, advising tools, university resources, and developing your advising philosophy.
The program is based on standards set by the Global Community for Academic Advising (NACADA): “Underpinning the core competencies for academic advising and serving as the foundational elements for effective advisor training programs and advising practice are three content categories—the conceptual, informational, and relational. An understanding of these three major areas provides advisors the knowledge and skills to be effective guides for their students.”
Visit the Mason Advisor Certificate Program website for more information.
Contact maan@gmu.edu or 703-993-5780 with questions.
Flexible Work at Mason Seminar
As a follow up to the Anthem EAP seminar “Successful Teleworking,” Human Resources and Payroll is offering a seminar on flexible work options:
Flexible Work at Mason
Thursday, September 19
Noon to 1 p.m.
Merten Hall, Room 1202
This seminar will discuss:
- Different flexible work options at Mason
- What flexible work option(s) may work for you
- How to discuss flexible work options with your supervisor
- How to document and communicate your arrangement
- Flexible work resources
All employees are welcome. To register, visit the Flexible Work at Mason details page on MasonLEAPS and click “request.”
If you have questions, contact hr@gmu.edu or 703-993-2600.
Career Influencers Network Training for Faculty and Staff
University Career Services invites Mason 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 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.
Register for an upcoming training date.
Contact Elena Chiru at echiru@gmu.edu or 703-993-3739 with questions.
Supervisor Boot Camp Registration
Supervisor Boot Camp provides essential information, resources, and contacts to supervisors who are new to Mason or new to supervising. This boot camp includes four half-day sessions over the course of eight weeks from October 2 through November 13.
Participants must supervise at least one employee who is either administrative/professional faculty or classified staff.
Check out the Supervisor Boot Camp page for more details!
For questions or to register, contact Margaret Vu at mvu20@gmu.edu. Space is limited and registrations are first come, first served.
Cultural Studies Presents: Amazon Symposium
The Cultural Studies Program will host a one-day symposium on Amazon in the wake of the news that the company is bringing its HQ2 to our area. The symposium is planned for April 10, 2020 in Arlington.
The program will feature a keynote lecture, and presentations will be structured under four intersecting rubrics—each of which will be treated in an interdisciplinary fashion:
- Amazon: Business in the 21st Century
- Amazon in the (our) Community
- The Cultural Meaning of Amazon
- Amazon Tech
Stay tuned for registration information and additional details.
Contact Paul Smith, Cultural Studies Program, at psmith5@gmu.edu or 703-993-2851 with questions.
Long-Term Care Insurance Presentation
Long-Term Care Insurance Presentation
Wednesday, September 25
1 to 2 p.m.
Merten Hall, Room 1201
Have you been thinking about enrolling in long-term care insurance? If so, join this informative presentation to discuss:
- What is long-term care?
- Benefits of long-term care insurance
- Who is eligible?
- Process for enrolling
The presentation will be video conferenced to:
- WebEx: gmu.webex.com | Meeting number: 645449492 | Or by phone: 1-415-655-0003
- SciTech: Colgan Hall, Room 221
- Arlington: Van Metre Hall, Room B119
All employees are welcome!
Register for the Genworth Long-Term Care Insurance Presentation on MasonLEAPS (login required).
Contact hr@gmu.edu or 703-993-2600 with questions.
Campus Fire Safety Month
September is Campus Fire Safety Month, and Mason's Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHS) is pleased to use this opportunity to remind the Mason community of a few essential fire safety tips.
Review the university’s Fire Safety Plan, which describes roles and responsibilities, policies, and procedures designed to mitigate the causes of fire, prevent loss of life and property, and maintain fire protection and life safety systems at George Mason University.
Read more at ehs.gmu.edu/campus-fire-safety-month.
Contact Meredith Muckerman at 703-993-9715 or mmuckerm@gmu.edu with questions.
Grubhub Now Available On Campus
Start the new semester off right. Order your favorite breakfast, lunch, or dinner straight from your mobile device with the Grubhub App!
Delivery and pick up options available. Get $2 off your first order by using the promo code PICKUP.
Learn more and download the Grubhub App at grubhub.com.
Contact Anthony McLean, Auxiliary Enterprises, at amclean@gmu.edu or 703-993-4503 with questions.
Working Moms' Support Group
The Support Group for Working Mothers at Mason is one way faculty, staff, and students can come together, discuss the issues confronting working mothers, and perhaps motivate changes on campus.
The group hosts brown bag lunch meetings at noon in the Women and Gender Studies Center (Johnson Center, Room 240K). Upcoming fall meetings are set for the following dates:
- September 18
- October 1
- October 17
- October 30
- November 14
- December 3
If you are interested in sharing stories and being part of an informal organization of working mothers, join us! Visit the website for additional information.
Contact Heather Aleknavage at 703-993-2295 or haleknav@gmu.edu with questions.
Join Military Spouses and Partners Group Brown Bag Lunch
Military spouses and partners employed at George Mason are invited to the Military Partners and Spouses Group on September 19 at 11:30 a.m. in The MIX at Fenwick.
Bring your lunch or a cup of coffee and connect with others, share advice, and discuss how this group can be a valuable resource.
Questions? Contact Ginny Scott, proud military spouse for over 20 years, at gscott21@gmu.edu.
Study Abroad Fair
Join the Global Education Office (GEO) at the George Mason Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the SUB I quad.
The fair will include several raffles and prize giveaways. Visitors who complete a check-in card will be able to receive a free Mason study abroad t-shirt (supplies permitting).
Learn more at studyabroad.gmu.edu/fair.
Contact GoAbroad@gmu.edu or 703-993-2154 with questions.