Around Mason: Week of November 26, 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.

Two-Factor Authentication Verification Changes

Users of Mason’s Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) are now required to use the Duo Mobile App (Duo Push or Passcodes), a Yubikey, or Bypass Codes as their second factor to verify their identities when prompted. Telephone calls and SMS text messages will no longer be available, as they are no longer considered secure. This change went into effect Nov. 19. 

Information about this change is available on the 2FA Roadmap page. Information about authentication options is available here.

Contact the ITS Support Center at support@gmu.edu or 703-993-8870 for assistance.

Transportation Survey Underway

Parking and Transportation invites the Mason community to participate in the Bi-Annual Transportation Survey. It is one of the most significant ways that Mason collects feedback and information about transportation and access to campus—to make sure we are constantly improving.

The survey will be open until Dec. 6. Participation is voluntary. Your thoughts, suggestions, and experiences are incredibly valuable. We hope you will share them.

ITS Support Center Thanksgiving Hours

In observance of Thanksgiving, the ITS Support Center will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, and will re-open and resume normal business hours on Monday, Dec. 2 at 8 a.m.

If you have an emergency while the ITS Support Center is closed, call 703-993-8870 and follow the prompts to be connected to a representative. Up-to-date information regarding alerts can be found at its.gmu.edu/alerts.

Reminder: Mason Shuttles and Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving holiday brings some modifications to the Mason Shuttle schedules. Details are posted here.

Visit shuttle.gmu.edu for more information on shuttle services. Questions? Contact 703-993-2828. 

People Finder Scheduled Maintenance

People Finder, Mason’s online directory, will undergo scheduled maintenance during the week of Dec. 2–6. The directory will remain available at peoplefinder.gmu.edu during the maintenance period.

Faculty and staff may continue to submit updates/changes to directory listings using the People Finder update form. Any changes submitted during this time will be posted after the maintenance period.

For questions, contact masondir@gmu.edu.

Food Drive: Parking and Transportation

Would you like to help someone in need? Parking Services is collecting food donations at the Parking Services Offices at the Arlington, Fairfax, and SciTech Campuses through Dec. 18 at noon.

Make a donation of food items or certain toiletries and reduce the cost of your parking ticket by up to $20 for one ticket and up to $60 for a maximum of three citations. Or, if you prefer, use the $20 credit toward a permit upgrade.

Donations benefit the Patriot Pantry. For important details, including the donation/credit framework, visit the website. Contact 703-993-2828 or transpo@gmu.edu with questions.

Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day: Register Today

Registration is now open for Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day on Dec. 4. A keynote speaker, lunchtime speaker, and breakout sessions throughout the day will provide tools to help Mason’s faculty and staff grow their capacity to be more “Adaptable, Flexible, and Resilient.”

Through hands-on and reflective sessions, learn how to cope and grow in challenging situations, how your values and community can help you thrive, and how you can train your brain to be more resilient.

At the end of the day, participants are invited to enjoy coffee and connections with their fellow faculty and staff as they choose from a selection of reflective and active opportunities to apply and synthesize the day’s learning. For a list of the day’s sessions and their descriptions, and to register, visit hr.gmu.edu/learning/fsed

Follow us on Twitter @MasonFSED. For questions, contact hrlearn@gmu.edu.

University Life Student Success Symposium

Join us for the 2020 University Life Student Success Symposium: Connect. Innovate. Engage.

Jan. 9, 2020
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall

The symposium will offer in-depth presentations focused on innovative and best practices, national trends/research, and future directions in student service delivery. How do we flexibly respond to the changing needs of our students as enrollments increase and student demographics continue to shift?

Participants will engage in important, in-depth discussions focused on increasing and supporting student success.

Visit ulsymposium.gmu.edu for detailed information, including learning outcomes, Call for Programs, and registration.  

Office of Sponsored Programs Roundtable Discussion

An information session for unit administrators working with sponsored projects will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. in Merten Hall, Room 1204.

Topics will include updates on policies and procedures, as well as anything new related to sponsored projects.

Registration is recommended to ensure there is enough seating for all attendees.

Contact Pat Sperry at 703-993-8929 or psperry@gmu.edu with questions.

Last Mason 101 for Fall 2019!

Mason 101 is two-hour workshop for Mason staff and faculty to learn more about the history, organization, resources, and future of George Mason University.

We are offering a special Monday afternoon session on Dec. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Merten Hall, Room 2001.

Sign up is available at masonleaps.gmu.edu:

  • Log in with your MasonID
  • In the search bar, search for "Mason 101" 
  • On the screen that opens, click "Mason 101"
  • Click on the available Mason 101 date
  • Click the "Request" button next to your preferred training date

For more information or questions, contact Philip Stamper at pstamper@gmu.edu or 703-993-5308.

Kaiser Permanente Mobile Health Van

The Kaiser Permanente Mobile Health Van is coming to campus! All employees, regardless of insurance, may receive a free biometric screening and flu shot on the Mobile Health Van. Kaiser Permanente members may complete a variety of healthcare needs on the van.

Monday, Dec. 2
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Merten Hall Parking Lot

For more information, check out the flyer.

DMV2Go on the Fairfax Campus

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

For available services, visit the DMV2Go website.

Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign

It’s that time again! The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) is the annual charity drive for Commonwealth employees.

CVC participation is easy. Simply use the online form to make a pledge for the charity of your choice through payroll deductions or a one-time credit card donation.

Check out the CVC website to start a fundraiser and for helpful tools and tips.

If you have any questions, contact Kimberly Shaw-Mack at kshawmac@gmu.edu.

The George Mason Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for a holiday gift for yourself or your favorite Mason Patriot? We've got you covered!

Check out the George Mason Holiday Gift Guide, featuring 12 items available at the campus bookstore.