Around Mason: Week of April 7, 2020

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.

Deadline Extended: University Libraries Accepting Applications for 2020 Fenwick Fellow Competition

The University Libraries is now accepting applications for this year's Fenwick Fellow competition. The Fellowship is awarded annually to eligible Mason faculty members to support a research project that uses and enhances the Libraries' resources while advancing knowledge in their field.

Up to two Fellowships of $5,000 each may be awarded; program guidelines include funding for an additional fellowship for a project proposal that specifically aligns with the Libraries' initiatives in the area of digital scholarship.

Application deadline has been extended to Monday, June 1. The awardee(s) will be announced at the start of the fall semester. Following the completed fellowship, University Libraries sponsors a public lecture by each Fenwick Fellow in the spring semester.

Guidelines and information found on the website

Questions? Contact Debra Hogan at dhogan1@gmu.edu or 703-993-2491. 

ITS Support Center Modified Hours

As of Saturday, April 4, the ITS Support Center has the following modified hours until further notice:

  • Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Closed
  • Sunday, 1 to 9 p.m.

Visit its.gmu.edu for up-to-date information about alerts and bulletins, as well as our Service Catalog and Knowledge Base for more information and self-help options.

If you need help, contact the ITS Support at support@gmu.edu or 703-993-8870.

Outreach Database Service Temporarily Suspended

Beginning April 1 through July 31, the Outreach Database, maintained by University Information, will be unavailable due to maintenance. Special requests may be considered on a case by case basis during this time. 

Any requests that are currently pending will still be fulfilled. 

For questions or concerns, contact Dana Severson at masondir@gmu.edu.   

Scooter Pilot on Hold

Due to COVID-19, Bird and Spin have paused operations at Mason until further notice. All three companies – Bird, Spin, and Lime have also paused their operations in the City of Fairfax (Lime had not yet launched at Mason).

If you have any operational questions, please reach out to the scooter companies. Their contact information is available on our website.

If you have questions about the pilot program at Mason, contact Parking and Transportation at transpo@gmu.edu.

The Print Hub is Open and Ready to Serve

With changing printing needs due to COVID-19, The Print Hub remains open and ready to serve you. We are open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Since mail and printing services are combined, we are able to deliver orders via interoffice for free or any available postal mail service at the department's expense. Please seek department approval before ordering prints to be mailed out.

Additionally, bulk mailing and presorted first class options are available for color postcard and any of the envelope products.

Questions? Contact The Print Hub at 703-993-9083. 

Thriving Together Well-Being Weekly

Every week the Thriving Together Well-Being Weekly will present information and inspiration about a specific well-being theme. This week focuses on nature. The Center for the Advancement of Well-Being wants your contributions! These can be links to well-being resources, photos, brief stories, etc. that can be quick and easy to send in using this form.

Consider contributing and sharing this information with others in your networks. Upcoming themes include:

  • Awe (April 15) 
  • Being Present (April 22)
  • Mindfulness-based Acceptance (April 29)
  • Gratitude (May 6)

Send contributions by close of business on the Friday prior to each Wednesday's publication date. 

Questions? Contact the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being at cwb@gmu.edu

Experience Mason 101 Online

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

This experience has moved entirely online for sessions scheduled for Friday, April 10 and Friday, May 8 at 10 a.m.

Sign up is available at masonleaps.gmu.edu!
- Log-in with your MasonID.
- In the search bar, type "Mason 101" and press your Return/Enter key.
- On the screen that opens, click "Mason 101"
- Click on the available Mason 101 date.
- Click the "Request" button next to the date you wish to register for.

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

Bike to Mason Days Postponed until Fall 2020

Bike to Mason Days, originally scheduled for Tuesday, April 21 in Arlington, Wednesday, April 22 in Fairfax, and Thursday, April 23 at SciTech have been postponed until fall 2020. Keep riding!

For questions, contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or transpo@gmu.edu.

Online Mindfulness Sessions

With the recent shift for many to telework, the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being and Faculty Affairs and Development will offer daily online mindfulness sessions from noon to 12:45 p.m.

We want to support you in shifting to this new “normal” and ensure ongoing connection with your Mason community. Monday sessions will be offered by SciTech Campus partners. Thursday and Friday sessions will be offered by Millie Rivera.

Monday, Thursday, and Friday access via Webex 
Meeting number: 643 418 425
Password: Gmi4YX2pF5s
Visit gmu.webex.com and enter the meeting information

Tuesday and Wednesday Sessions
Contact Katie Clare at kclare@gmu.edu for session information.

For all questions, contact Katie Clare at kclare@gmu.edu

Telework Toolkits

As Mason employees are encouraged to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mason wants everyone to feel supported. HR & Payroll has compiled remote work toolkits on the following topics:

The HR & Payroll team is continually working to create and update these resources and tools
to help you navigate remote work. Check flexwork.gmu.edu regularly, as more resources will be added.

For questions, contact HR & Payroll at hr@gmu.edu

Virtual Well-Being University Reading Group

Due to the remote situation we now find ourselves in, the Spring Well-Being University (WBU) Reading Group will shift its conversation of Kelly McGonigal’s "The Joy of Movement" to a virtual setting through Blackboard Collaborate.

We will meet from noon to 12:45 p.m. on April 16, 23, 30 and May 7. If you are interested in joining the remote version of the group, please register by Monday, April 13. New participants will need to provide their own copy of the book.

Register for the reading group based on your campus location:
• Arlington
• Fairfax
• SciTech

Contact Katie Clare at kclare@gmu.edu with questions.