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.
Presidential Search Community Session
A Presidential Search Community Session is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. It will be held on the Fairfax Campus in the Hazel Conference Room (Merten Hall, Room 1201), and will be accessible through Webex (details below). This open session is an opportunity for the university community to provide comments to and/or ask questions of the committee co-chairs, Jimmy Hazel and Shannon Davis.
This event is open to the public and your attendance and engagement is encouraged.
Webex: Click here to join
Audio conference:
US Toll: +1-415-655-0003
Access code: 647 842 272
Additional information related to the search is available at gmu.edu/presidential-search.
George Mason University Alumni Association Awards
Nominations are now accepted for the 2020 George Mason University Alumni Association Awards.
For more than 30 years, the Alumni Association has recognized outstanding alumni, student, and faculty accomplishments with these four unique annual awards.
Submit your nomination for the following:
- Alumnus/a of the Year
- Alumni Service Award
- Faculty Member of the Year
- Senior of the Year
Nomination deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 13. Honorees will be chosen via selection committee in mid-November, and recipients will be notified in December. Self-nominations are allowed.
Submit a nomination online today at alumni.gmu.edu/GMUAAawards.
Contact Chris Clark-Talley, Alumni Relations, at 703-993-8696 or cclarkta@gmu.edu with questions.
November Staff Senate Meeting: Rector Tom Davis
The Staff Senate will welcome Tom Davis, Rector, George Mason University, to the November Staff Senate general meeting. Rector Davis will provide an introduction to the responsibilities and activities of the university’s Board of Visitors.
Wednesday, Nov. 6
10:30 a.m. to noon
Fairfax: Merten Hall, Room 1201
Arlington: Van Metre Hall, Room B119 (videoconferenced)
SciTech: Colgan Hall, Room 221 (videoconferenced)
WebEx: gmu.webex.com | Meeting Number (access code): 648 314 965 | Meeting password: 2ktMam99 or join by phone: 1-240-454-0879
Rector Davis will visit from 10:30 to 11 a.m. The general meeting will occur from 11 a.m. to noon.
All are welcome to attend the Staff Senate general meeting.
For questions, contact staffsenate@gmu.edu.
Awardees for the Outstanding Achievement Awards
The results are in! Join us at Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony on Oct. 31 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Dewberry Hall as we honor your colleagues for their exceptional contributions to Mason.
Halloween costumes are welcome at this “spooktacular” ceremony.
Questions? Contact Beth Baroody at bbaroody@gmu.edu.
Thanksgiving Regional Transportation and Mason Shuttles Schedule
Mason offers affordable transportation to regional cities for the Thanksgiving holiday. Destinations include Virginia Beach, Christiansburg, Richmond, Philadelphia, New York, and more.
Buses will leave on Tuesday, Nov. 26, and Wednesday, Nov. 27, and return on Sunday, Dec. 1. Check out the complete list of destinations, departure times, and pickup locations.
Reminder: Thanksgiving also brings changes to the Mason Shuttle schedules. Details are posted on the Mason Shuttles website.
Questions? Contact 703-993-2828.
Socktober Collection
Even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference, so be sure to participate in this year’s Socktober campaign to donate new socks to the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter in Fairfax.
This transitional housing location makes good use of Mason's annual donation by distributing both on-site and to other local organizations.
New socks can be dropped off through Nov. 1 at five locations on the Fairfax Campus:
- Buchanan Hall, Room D217 (College of Humanities and Social Sciences Academic Affairs)
- College Hall, Room C211 (College of Visual and Performing Arts Academic Affairs)
- The Hub, Suite 2500 (New Student and Family Programs)
- Merten Hall, Suite 4100 (Human Resources and Payroll)
- SUB I, Suite 3400 (University Career Services)
Contact Katie Clare at kclare@gmu.edu with questions.
Staying Safe: Traveling at Dusk
A reminder from Parking and Transportation that the days are growing shorter and it’s getting darker earlier. As we prepare to “Fall Back” with the end of Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, Nov. 3 (at 2 a.m.), please keep in mind that it is difficult to see and be seen at dusk. Exercise care whether you are driving, biking, or walking.
Career Influencers Network Training (Faculty/Staff Only)
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.
Register for an upcoming training:
- Fairfax Campus: Monday, Nov. 4
- SciTech Campus: Tuesday, Nov. 12
For additional dates, visit careers.gmu.edu/faculty/career-influencers-network.
Contact Elena Chiru at echiru@gmu.edu or 703-993-3739 with questions.
Mindfulness Sessions: Now on Wednesdays
Our Tuesday sessions have been so popular, we have added a Wednesday session! Carve out some time for your own well-being each week by attending a Wednesday Mindfulness Session.
Facilitators from different areas of the university will share a variety of mindfulness practices each Wednesday from noon to 12:45. These are drop-in sessions, so no need to commit to every week, but please arrive on time.
Sessions continue this fall through Dec. 11 and meet in the Johnson Center, Room 243. Contact Katie Clare at kclare@gmu.edu with any questions.
Join Mason Kids Club: Nov. 4–5
Need to work, but schools are closed? Join the Mason Kids Club! Fun and engaging activities are planned for school-age children in grades K–3.
Next sessions are Nov 4–5. View more details and register today.
Questions? Contact Michelle Malone, Child Development Center, at 703-993-5960 or mmalon17@gmu.edu.
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day at Patriot Tech
Patriot Tech is hosting a Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Stop by, say hello, and grab a snack!
For one day only, we will offer an additional discount on certain Apple products. Save up to $200 off a new iPad Pro, iMac, MacBook Air/Pro, or Apple Watch Series 3. This discount is for personal purchases only.
Place pre-orders by Nov. 1.
Did you know? Full-time faculty and staff have the option to pay through Payroll Deduction.
Contact ptech@gmu.edu or 703-993-4100 with questions.
Mason Day at Arena Stage: Disney’s Newsies
The College of Visual and Performing Arts announces Mason Day at Arena Stage on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m. Join Mason faculty, staff, alumni, and friends at the hit musical Newsies, starring Mason’s own School of Theater Professor Ed Gero as Joseph Pulitzer!
This spectacular afternoon of family-friendly theater includes a performance with prime seating and a private post-show discussion with Mason alumni cast and crew members involved in the production.
Adults: $59.50
Students and children under 18: $42.50
($85 regular)
Purchase tickets at alumni.gmu.edu/ArenaStageNewsies.
For more information, contact Ryan Braaten at rbraaten@gmu.edu or 703-993-8641.
DMV2Go on the Fairfax Campus: Nov. 5
Take care of your Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles business at a convenient Mason location. DMV2Go will be on the Fairfax Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 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.
Zimsgiving: Zimride for Thanksgiving
Heading home for Thanksgiving? Use Mason’s private Zimride network to share the ride!
If you post a new ride at new.zimride.com/mason during the month of November, you will automatically be entered in the 2019 Zimsgiving Post a Ride Sweepstakes and have a chance to win a $200 Amazon E-Gift Card, one of three $100 Amazon E-Gift Cards, or one of six $50 Amazon E-Gift Cards.
For the official rules from Zimride, visit the Mason Transportation website.
shopMason Halloween Kiosk Event
Happy Halloween! Join shopMason this Thursday, Oct. 31, for a Halloween Kiosk Event on the main level of the Johnson Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Meet the shopMason staff, vote in our Pumpkin Contest, and snag some free candy. Costumes are highly recommended.
Vogel Greeting Cards
Need a host/hostess gift, or something for that hard-to-shop-for person? Consider a set of Vogel greeting cards!
These greeting card sets were created to honor Hilde Vogel-Michalik and to support her art collection, which is housed at Mason's SciTech Campus.
Sets include six greeting cards, each depicting a different Vogel painting on the front. Cards are blank inside for a personal message.
Price: $10.60 (including tax)
All proceeds from greeting card sales go toward the care and maintenance of the collection. Visit the Vogel website to learn more about the collection or to purchase cards.
Apple Federal Credit Union's "Monster" Certificate Rate
It's a monster rate takeover at Apple Federal Credit Union (FCU).
For a limited time, Apple is offering a seven-month Certificate that will make you scream . . for joy! If a 2.25% APY* gives you the chills, run to the Apple FCU Johnson Center Branch today to open yours—this spooktacular treat won’t stick around for long.
*APY=Annual Percentage Yield as of Oct. 1, 2019 for a seven-month Regular or IRA Certificate. Limited-time offer; subject to change at any time. Minimum deposit of $500, $10,000 maximum for funds currently on deposit at Apple, $25,000 for new money (funds not held at Apple FCU) per individual. Penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal; fees could reduce earnings. Full details at AppleFCU.org. Membership eligibility required. Federally insured by NCUA.