Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Parking Permits via Payroll Deduction Resume Sept. 1
A reminder to those with parking permits that are paid through payroll deduction: Deductions will begin again on Sept. 1.
If you would like to stop your annual permit deductions and move to a shorter-term parking option, you must mail your physical permit to the Parking Services office by Aug. 10 to avoid any charges when payroll deductions resume on Sept. 1. You can return to an annual permit via payroll deduction whenever you choose.
If you retain your annual permit past Aug. 10, deductions will begin on Sept. 1 for as long as you hold the permit. If you choose to return it after Aug. 10, you will be charged for every pay period in which you physically hold the permit. Payroll deduction will stop after the pay period in which Parking Services receives your permit.
To return your permit, mail it to:
Parking Services
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MS 1G4
Fairfax, VA 22030
For questions, contact parking@gmu.edu.
Share Your Events on Today@Mason
During this time of virtual events, the university's official calendar, Today@Mason, is a resource for you!
Did you know that entries on Today@Mason are powered by 25Live reservations? Below are a few tips/resources to consider when submitting your 25Live requests:
- Review University Event's Virtual Event planning page for FAQs and guidelines
- Submit your events in advance—at least three days before the event (earlier is always best).
- Include brief, clear, and informative descriptions of your event. Submitters are encouraged to use the Today@Mason Guide Sheet.
- Follow ITS best practices for protecting your virtual events/meetings
For questions about Today@Mason, contact gmutoday@gmu.edu.
Overtime Leave Election
From Aug. 1, 2020 to Sept. 4, 2020 all non-exempt employees (i.e. employees eligible for compensation for any time worked over 40 hours/week) can choose how they want to receive overtime compensation.
Overtime eligible employees can choose to receive overtime compensation in one of two ways:
- Pay (initial default option)
- Leave
Do I Have to Make a Change?
- If a non-exempt employee has made an election in the past and does not want to change the election, no action is needed.
- If a non-exempt employee wants to continue to receive pay for any overtime earned, they do not have to complete a form.
How Do I Make a Change?
If the non-exempt employee would like to change their election from pay to leave, do the following:
- Complete an Overtime Leave Agreement Form
- Submit the form to the Payroll Department at payroll@gmu.edu by Friday, Sept. 4. Due to processing, this deadline is firm and Payroll cannot accept forms after this date.
Elections are a one-year commitment and can only be changed during this open enrollment period. For example, if the non-exempt employee elects leave accumulation, they will receive leave, and not pay, for any overtime worked for one year.
Contact Catalina Wheat at cwheat@gmu.edu for questions
Carpool Changes during COVID-19
Parking and Transportation is making some changes to Mason's employee carpool programs to encourage social distancing.
Only two-person carpools will be eligible for the Employee Premium Carpool program at the regular rebate of 20 percent. You can carpool with more than two people if you feel safe doing so (i.e., you are all in the same household), but there is only a 20 percent rebate.
Details will be posted soon on the Parking and Transportation website at transportation.gmu.edu.
Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Staff Senate Election
Voting in the Staff Senate Election opened July 13 and ends on July 24 at 5 p.m.
Ballots have been distributed to constituents’ email inboxes. Each ballot can be completed only once. Click here for more details.
Good luck to everyone seeking election! To learn more about candidates running in the election, visit our Facebook page, where we will highlight candidates during the election.
Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu with questions.
MasonVotes Looking to Promote Election-Related Activities
2020 election and/or voting-related events on your mind?
If you happen to be offering any such events this fall, MasonVotes wants to know! We can help share and promote, or at a minimum add them to the calendar at masonvotes.gmu.edu.
Contact Alissa Karton at akarton@gmu.edu with questions or to share information.
CommonHealth Connections
Each week, CommonHealth, the state's Employee Wellness Program, releases a newsletter called CommonHealth Connections. This quick newsletter aims to enhance your well-being by offering tips on nutrition, sleep, exercise, and benefits for Commonwealth of Virginia employees.
Visit the announcements on the Life/Work site every week to see the latest CommonHealth Connections newsletter. This week focuses on the health benefits of laughing, finding our local farmers market, and the CommonHealth website.
Questions? Contact worklife@gmu.edu.
Fall for the Book Partners with City of Fairfax to Support Local Businesses
With COVID-19, social distancing, and canceled summer vacations, Fall for the Book is finding new ways to have fun and support our community.
Along with bringing the entire festival online this fall and extending from September through November, Fall for the Book is hosting online Trivia Night fundraisers during the months of June and July. Thanks to the generous support and partnership with the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority (EDA), gift certificates to local businesses will be awarded to trivia winners.
“Fall for the Book has made its home in Fairfax for twenty-two years. Even though we’re moving our events online this Fall, we still want to lend a hand to the local businesses and community members who have supported us for so long,” said Suzy Rigdon, the festival manager.
Local Fairfax establishments included in this support are the Coyote Grille, The Auld Shebeen, Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolate, and Dante Salon & Wellness.
Visit fallforthebook.org for more details.