Around Mason: Week of May 12, 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.

Parking Lot K and PV Lot Closures

E-Files Alert: Lot K and PV Lot Closures

Parking lots K (south and east) and the PV parking lots will be closed starting today, Monday, May 11 through Friday, May 15.

This is to allow paving, milling, and striping of those lot areas. No parking will be permitted at this time in those areas and heavy equipment will be on site.

All safety precautions, including flagmen, will be present.

For more information or with questions, contact Erich Miller at 703-993-9698.

GMU Toastmasters is Zooming

Once Mason closed buildings to the general public and mandated telework for all faculty and staff, GMU Toastmasters moved to Zoom!

Following guidance from Toastmasters International, weekly meetings have moved to an online format. Even in this situation, we can still achieve the fundamental club mission by using the resources available and continuing to practice our speaking and leadership skills while developing new skills in a virtual format.

Guests are welcome to join us! The meeting details can be found on our website with Zoom meetings scheduled through the end of May. 

Questions? Contact GMU Toastmasters at toastmst@gmu.edu

Mindfulness in May

Join facilitators throughout the month of May to engage in some mindfulness that may help you manage during these challenging and uncertain times.

A variety of facilitators want to support and encourage you by sharing their mindfulness practices with you. Carve out a few minutes for yourself each day. Come with an open mind and a willingness to be supported in your thinking, breathing, and being.

Sessions occur every day:

  • Noon to 12:30 p.m. - Monday through Wednesday
  • Noon to 12:20 p.m. - Thursday and Friday

The access info is the same for every session:

Questions? Contact Katie Clare at kclare@gmu.edu

Resources for Those without Mason Benefits

In response to COVID-19, we created a resource list for those who do not have Mason benefits, access to the Employee Assistance Program, and/or for those who are experiencing hardships as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

On this page, you can find medical providers, mental health assistance, food banks, domestic and sexual violence resources, and financial assistance in Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties where Mason’s three campuses are located.

If further assistance is needed, email hr@gmu.edu.

Mason Professional Development Program Discount

Mason Professional Education is offering a new employee program that provides full-time Mason faculty and staff access to over 15 training and development programs in a range of fields at up to 50% off.

The virtual/online programs offered include project management, human resource management, government contracting, IT and more!. All courses are offered in live-virtual and self-guided formats.

Full-time employees in good standing are eligible for this initiative, with your current supervisor’s permission. As we no longer have access to conferences and other in-person development opportunities, there may be funds within your department to help support your development. For details, visit the program webpage.

Program seats are limited and registration will be taken on a first come/first served basis.

Questions? Contact Mason’s Professional Education at 703-993-2109 or execinfo@gmu.edu.

Resilience Resources Weekly

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of being resilient in a variety of ways and in many settings.

To support the resilience of our George Mason University community, the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being has created Resilience Resources Weekly.

Each Monday, Resilience Resources Weekly highlights one strategy for developing resilience. Every week, you will learn something about the strategy and be encouraged to explore it in your life through additional resources. Check it out and maybe even consider sharing it with friends and family outside of the Mason community. Materials can be accessed here

Questions? Contact Katie Clare at kclare@gmu.edu

Apply for the Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship

Are you completing a degree or certificate program at Mason? You can apply for the competitive $250 book scholarship for faculty and staff enrolled in a Mason degree or graduate certificate program.

The application deadline is June 14. For details and to apply, visit the Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship web page

Email questions to awards@gmu.edu.

Metro Orange Line Platform Work Expanded

WMATA has expanded the orange line platform reconstruction project slated to begin Saturday, May 23.

All nine orange and silver line stations west of Ballston-MU will be closed and silver line service will be temporarily suspended beginning May 23.

WMATA will provide free express and local shuttle service during the shutdown for essential workers. For more details, click here.

It’s Bike Your Way May: National Bike Challenge

May is National Bike Month! Help grow Mason’s biking culture.

Parking and Transportation invites you to join the National Bike Challenge run by LovetoRide. Registration is free and you can sign up as an individual, join the Mason team, or start one of your own.

For details, visit bike.gmu.edu or the challenge page directly. Visit ride-healthy.com for some tips on biking at this particular time and why biking can be a healthy and joyful way to get around now and in the future.

For questions, contact Parking and Transportation at transpo@gmu.edu

Reminder: DMV2Go Visits Postponed

In keeping with University protocols regarding COVID-19, Parking and Transportation has requested that DMV2Go visits to the Fairfax Campus be canceled until further notice.

Please see the Department of Motor Vehicle website for information about their COVID-19 response.

Contact Parking and Transportation at transpo@gmu.edu with questions.