Around Mason: Week of Nov. 3, 2020

The Staff Senate will host Katie Clare, associate director for resilience programs, Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, for a conversation on mental health and resilience—topics that are especially important during the challenges of 2020. Katie will also share information about the Mental Health First Aid training and Resilience Badge programs available at Mason.

November Staff Senate Meeting: Mental Health and Resilience
Wednesday, Nov. 4
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
General meeting will follow from 11 a.m. to noon
Zoom Meeting: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/97615034925?pwd=dHhrSy9OeUxxMW1Ic2liV0F0czlmdz09
Passcode: SS123
Call in: 301-715-8592 or 267-831-0333
Webinar ID: 976 1503 4925 / Passcode: 572793

All are welcome to attend the Staff Senate meeting. Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu for more information.

While it’s not possible to hold Mason's traditional, in-person Family Weekend events, you can create your own Family Weekend experience!

• Register for live events. Engage with Mason faculty and senior leaders from the comfort of your home.
• Explore the Digital Activity Guides. Find local activities that are good for social distancing, dining, and shopping.
• Snap a family photo with the Virtual Photobooth. Dress up and take pictures using the virtual photobooth and custom filters and frames. Post them on social media with hashtag #VFW20.
• Mark our map. Tell us where you’re celebrating! Visit masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu, scroll to the bottom of the homepage, and click the "Mark Our Map" button.
• Nominate your family for the Family of the Year Award. Applications are accepted until Nov. 6.

For more information on Family Weekend, visit MasonFamilyEvents.gmu.edu or contact New Student and Family Programs at families@gmu.edu or 703-993-2475.

As a result of the ever-changing environment, Zimride, Mason’s ride sharing service, is indefinitely suspending its carpooling platform for all college and university networks on Dec. 31.

Note the following:

• On Dec. 31, the Mason Zimride network will be shut down and Mason user accounts will be deactivated.
• Until then, Zimride will operate as usual, and you can post and search for rides.
• Zimride will retain user records only up until this time while accounts are active and as needed to provide services.

Zimride has posted FAQs at zimride.com/help. Mason Parking and Transportation is researching other rideshare opportunities for the future.

Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.

The last day of Mason Shuttles service during the fall semester is Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Since Mason is moving to a virtual class environment after Thanksgiving, shuttle service will resume when the spring semester begins on Monday, Jan. 25.

The CUE bus is available on its regular schedule for transportation to Metro and within the City of Fairfax. Scheduling information is available at cuebus.org.

A reminder that there is no Mason Shuttles regional transportation this academic year for Thanksgiving or winter break (there is no spring break at Mason in 2021).

For questions, reach out to Parking and Transportation at shuttle@gmu.edu.

Chamber Music Society (CMS) of Lincoln Center
CMS Front Row: National
Michael Brown, piano
Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.
Free, online event

This performance features pianist Michael Brown along with fellow CMS musicians in a program infused with passion and dance music by Barber and Mendelssohn, as well as a work composed by the pianist himself. The performance is hosted by CMS Co-Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han, who share insights on the music and performance.

Details for how to watch will be updated on the Center for the Arts website closer to the event date.

Information Technology Services (ITS) reminds employees that the deadline to complete the IT Security Awareness Training is Monday, Nov. 16.

The required training is assigned to employees in MasonLeaps. It can be accessed by logging in at masonleaps.gmu.edu using your NetID and Patriot Pass Password.

Select “IT Security Awareness Training” in the “Your Action Items” box to the right.

If you have issues accessing or taking the training, contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or support@gmu.edu.

University Records Management is offering virtual workshops for staff and faculty throughout the fall, including:

• Records Coordinator Training
• Building Internal Records Policies and Practices
• Quick Retention Review sessions focused on specific records types (such as academic and research records, human resources and fiscal records, and administrative and miscellaneous records).

University Records Management offers these workshop to assist the Mason community, as improper handling of university records can affect audits, accreditation, litigation, and more.

Each workshop is limited to 10 attendees. See dates, times, and register at gmu.libcal.com/calendar/events.

Contact recmgt@gmu.edu with questions.

Looking for a new way to get around? Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) may be a solution for you.

Mason Parking and Transportation is raffling off up to 30 complimentary annual memberships with Capital Bikeshare for Mason faculty and staff. The annual membership begins with the first CaBi bike ride. Note: The value of the membership is $85 and due to IRS rules, recipients will be taxed on this amount through Payroll.

The Capital Bikeshare raffle is for Mason faculty and staff only. Parking and Transportation will accept names through Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. Winners will be notified by email after the drawing. To enter the raffle, visit surveymonkey.com/r/MasonCabiRaffle.

A reminder that all Mason students have an ongoing discount with CaBi. See details here.

Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.

Are you looking for a new hobby to change up your work-from-home routine?

The Mason Community Arts Academy is offering a four-week, online Intro to Drawing class for art lovers of all levels. The class will focus on the proportion and placement of figure drawing. Students will learn fundamental drawing theory through interactive workshops, guided projects, and individualized coaching.

Intro to Drawing: Faces and Figures
Saturdays, Nov. 14 to Dec. 12
10 a.m. to noon
Ages: 16 and up
Location: Zoom

All Mason faculty, staff, and their immediate family members receive a 10 percent tuition discount. Contact academy@gmu.edu to receive the discount.

Learn more at masonacademy.gmu.edu/art/figure-drawing.