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.
Submit Textbook Orders to Bookstore
To ensure that students are able to purchase and receive textbooks and course materials prior to the start of spring semester, faculty need to submit their orders to the bookstore immediately. Some publishers are still experiencing shipping delays, which could impact students’ ability to be prepared for the semester.
Faculty should place book orders for all their courses through their departments. Individuals responsible for submitting department orders can do so through Faculty Enlight or by emailing bookstor@gmu.edu.
Contact bookstor@gmu.edu with questions.
Book Nominations Now Accepted for Mason Reads
Entering its eighth year, Mason Reads is the common read program for all incoming freshmen. All students receive a copy of the book at orientation and are instructed to read it over the summer. In the fall and spring semesters, the book is featured in various campus events and academic courses.
We are gearing up to start the Mason Reads Book Selection process for 2021–23, and the Mason community is invited to submit book nominations.
Nominations are accepted through Oct. 25 at masonreads.gmu.edu/book-nominations.
Common read books should be accessible for incoming students, related to the Mason Reads Learning Outcomes, and connect with the values of the Mason Graduate.
Mason Reads Learning Outcomes:
- Develop an increased sense of belonging in the Mason community
- Develop a strong connection with faculty and staff
- Increase development of the Mason graduate
- Allow for self-discovery and self-awareness
- Develop stronger connections between curricular and co-curricular activities and involvement
The Mason Graduate is:
- An engaged citizen
- A well-rounded scholar
- Prepared to act
If you have questions, are interested in joining the book selection committee, or would like to incorporate the book into your course, contact Samantha Greenberg, New Student and Family Programs, at sgreenb6@gmu.edu.
Zimride Indefinitely Suspending Service on Dec. 31
As a result of the ever-changing environment, Zimride, Mason’s ridesharing 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 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.
MasonVotes 2020: Factors that Influence Voting
Join University Life and MasonVotes for a Pizza & Perspectives virtual discussion about citizens’ relationships with voting and the issues that will influence the process and the outcome.
MasonVotes 2020: Factors that Influence Voting
Thursday, Oct. 22
6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Register here
Panelists:
- Karrie Delaney, House of Delegates 67th District representative
- Justin Gest, associate professor, Schar School of Policy and Government
- Jennifer Nicoll Victor, associate professor, Schar School of Policy and Government
- Gary D. Scott, Fairfax County Director of the Office of Elections and General Registrar
Contact Kerry Hentges at khentges@gmu.edu with questions.
Annual Socktober Collection
Don’t miss this opportunity to do a bit of good for our local community. While there won’t be campus drop-off locations this year, we’re not letting that get in the way of Socktober 2020.
This is Mason's fifth annual collection of new socks to donate to the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. We’ve had great participation in the first four years, and we’re hoping for equally great participation this year.
Remember, it feels good to do good.
This might be the easiest year to participate, because we’re doing it through an Amazon wishlist: bit.ly/SocktoberMason. Place your order by Oct. 31!
Contact Katie Clare, Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, at kclare@gmu.edu with questions.
Black Scholars Endowed Scholarship: Help Identify Eligible Students
The George Mason University Black Alumni Chapter seeks assistance in identifying eligible students to submit applications for this year’s Black Scholars Endowed Scholarship ($2,500).
The scholarship is open to full-time undergraduate students who meet all eligibility criteria. Further eligibility requirements and application instructions are available here for this scholarship and all other offered Alumni Association scholarships.
While the official submission deadline is Jan. 4, 2021, we encourage students to submit applications prior to the Thanksgiving break to allow professors/administrators ample time to submit letters of recommendation prior to the holiday season.
Questions may be directed to gmubac@gmail.com.
Reminder: Mason Shuttles Service Reductions
A reminder that service reductions on Mason Shuttles went into effect in early October:
- Service on the Burke VRE and Sandy Creek to Metro routes ended on Friday, Oct. 2, until further notice. To travel to Vienna Metro, use the CUE bus, which remains on its regular schedule with departures from Rappahannock River Lane. For scheduling information, visit cuebus.org.
- Beginning Monday, Oct. 5, shuttle service is only available on the Fairfax/SciTech and Gunston Mason routes, with some service changes.
- Fairfax/SciTech: No weekend service. Monday–Friday, service will be every 40 minutes beginning at 6 a.m. from Sandy Creek and Colgan Hall with four buses on the route.
- Gunston Mason: No weekend service. Monday–Friday, some morning service is eliminated, but Gunston Mason will run with a single bus all day and evening.
Updated schedules for Fairfax/SciTech and Gunston Mason are available at shuttle.gmu.edu.
If you have any questions, reach out to Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu.
The Artist-Activist: Centering Black Voices with Bree Newsome
The Artist-Activist: Centering Black Voices with Bree Newsome
Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.
Free, virtual event
Join filmmaker, musician, speaker, and activist Bree Newsome for a conversation as part of The Artist-Activist: Centering Black Voices—a speaker series that provides an opportunity to engage in dialogue around the creative process, activism, and racism.
Newsome and Mason student filmmaker and fellow activist Taj Kokayi will conduct a live, interactive conversation about Newsome’s activist work and how it has informed her filmmaking and storytelling.
The evening will conclude with live questions from the participating audience.
Contact the Center for the Arts at cfatix@gmu.edu with questions.
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: with Anne-Marie McDermott, piano
Chamber Music Society (CMS) of Lincoln Center
CMS Front Row: National
Anne-Marie McDermott, piano
Sunday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m.
Free, virtual event
This engaging performance is hosted by CMS Co-Artistic Directors David Finckel and Wu Han and features conversations with the artists. In this performance, pianist Anne-Marie McDermott and flutist Tara Helen O’Connor play Mozart’s "Concerto in D minor for Piano, Flute, and Strings." McDermott returns to perform Smetana’s "Trio in G minor for Piano, Violin, and Cello."
Details for how to watch will be updated on the Center for the Arts website closer to the event date.
Contact cfatix@gmu.edu with questions.
Supervisor Boot Camp Registration
Supervisor Boot Camp is a program designed to provide essential information, resources, and contacts to supervisors who are new to Mason or new to supervising.
The updated, virtual format includes four half-day sessions, over eight weeks, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The upcoming series will meet Thursday, Oct. 22, through Thursday, Dec. 3. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom.
Participants must supervise at least one employee who is either administrative/professional faculty or classified staff. Space is limited and registrations are first come, first served.
Contact Margaret Vu at mvu20@gmu.edu to reserve your space.
Hours of Operation Website
The Hours of Operation website lists in-person, virtual, and phone contact hours for Mason offices and services. Visit hours.gmu.edu.
Don't see your department listed, or need to submit a change? Share your department's contact hours using this form.
Only one person needs to submit the form for each department.
Please share the hours.gmu.edu link with your students to help them connect with the services they need.
For questions, contact Lauren Reuscher, University Information, at lclarkg@gmu.edu.
Route Planning: Biking to Mason
Live within biking distance of Mason? Planning a commute for this autumn or maybe next spring?
Volunteers are available to help find a biking route that is comfortable for you. For details and regions covered, visit Mason's Community Biking Resources page and scroll to the bottom.
Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Expectant Fathers Needed for Psychology Research
Are you and your spouse or partner expecting? Your responses are needed for a study seeking to understand the family and work experiences of men before and after the birth of a child.
Participation involves completing four brief surveys that will be emailed to you. Participants who complete all surveys will be entered into a drawing for one of four gift cards worth $250.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, visit workfamilystudy.com.
This research was approved by the Mason's Institutional Review Board (IRB #1651119-1). Contact Lydia Craig at lcraig3@gmu.edu with questions.