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.
Join Us for Mason Holidays at Home
George Mason University celebrates its faculty and staff for the work accomplished this year under extraordinary circumstances. Although we cannot celebrate in person with our annual holiday party, we want to spread cheer throughout the Mason community.
Join us for a virtual celebration filled with something for everyone. Participate in what interests you the most, and you might even win a prize!
Mason Holidays at Home will have ongoing opportunities to participate culminating in live events on Wednesday, Dec. 16.
Visit the Mason Holidays at Home website for details.
Staff Senate Town Hall on Spring 2021 Plans
The Mason Staff Senate will host a virtual town hall with university officials to discuss operational plans for the spring semester. This will be a valuable opportunity to share information, feedback, questions, or concerns.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Zoom Meeting: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/93980940056?pwd=QkpQOUp1aFdvVmdJaW04TldteVZBUT09
Passcode: SS123
Call in: 301-715-8592 or 267-831-0333
Webinar ID: 939 8094 0056 / Passcode: 624671
The panelists are scheduled to include:
- Carol Kissal, Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance
- Lester Arnold, Vice President, Human Resources and Payroll
- William Dracos, Associate Vice President, Business Services
- Julie Zobel, Assistant Vice President, Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management
- Dave Farris, Executive Director, Safety and Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety
The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at George Mason University. Working closely with university administration, we address concerns that have an impact on the quality of work-life for the Mason community. The work of the senate is accomplished through open and continuous communication with its constituents.
All are welcome to attend. For questions, contact staffsenate@gmu.edu.
Timesheets Due Early before Winter Break
Timesheets must be submitted and approved early due to winter break.
Semimonthly
For pay period ending Dec. 24 and pay date on Dec. 31:
- Submission: Dec. 15 before noon at 11:59 a.m.
- Approval: Dec. 16 before noon at 11:59 a.m.
If appropriate, record anticipated hours for Dec. 16–24.
Biweekly
For pay period ending Dec. 19 and pay date on Dec. 24 (early pay date since Dec. 25 is a bank holiday):
- Submission: Dec. 13 before midnight at 11:59 p.m.
- Approval: Dec. 14 before noon at 11:59 a.m. (final deadline)
If appropriate, record anticipated hours for Dec. 14–19.
Contact payroll@gmu.edu with questions.
University Records Management Services Resuming
During COVID-19, University Records Management (URM) has ceased many of its public-facing services in an effort to reduce risks among the Mason community. As conditions allow, URM will resume certain operations in 2021, such as storage, box requests, and destruction services.
URM will prioritize requests associated with the Horizon Hall and Robinson B moves. URM will also implement a new database system to manage service requests. Training on the new management system will be available in addition to regular workshop offerings.
Those who anticipate using URM’s services need to receive training on the new system. More details will be posted in January 2021, along with the spring training and workshop schedule.
URM staff remain available for consultations, questions, and requests for special exceptions by email. Your patience is appreciated as they have limited staffing. Note: URM does not operate during university closures (such as winter break).
For questions, contact recmgt@gmu.edu.
Dewberry School of Music Holiday Concert
Join the Dewberry School of Music for a joyous virtual concert as they ring in the holiday season! Showcasing Mason's outstanding ensembles, this event will feature traditional holiday favorites and festive new works performed by extraordinary student artists—featuring the Mason Symphony Orchestra, University Singers, Mason Chorale, Wind Symphony, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and Clarinet Choir.
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music Holiday Concert
Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m.
Free, online event
Find out more about this virtual concert.
Contact music@gmu.edu with questions.
Virtual Holiday Donation Drive
The Staff Senate and Parking and Transportation are sponsoring a virtual holiday and food donation drive to support organizations in our communities. Rather than using drop-boxes to collect items on campus this year, we encourage the Mason community to use the contactless and virtual donation options offered by each charitable organization.
Causes and organizations include the Patriot Pantry, Student Emergency Fund, INOVA Children's Hospital, and more. View the complete list.
If you would like to drop off your donation in-person, please refer to the organization’s guidelines for accepting donations/items.
Parking and Transportation is offering a citation credit in exchange for charitable contributions made to these organizations through Tuesday, Dec. 15. Reduce the cost of an outstanding parking citation by $10 or $20 by making a donation to one of the charities listed. For important details, visit transportation.gmu.edu/donation.
Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu with questions.
Arlington Campus Library Post-Thanksgiving Hours
The Arlington Campus Library has adjusted its hours of operation through Friday, Dec. 18:
Monday/Wednesday: Closed. Contactless pickup available from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday/Thursday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday–Sunday: Closed
Requests for materials can be submitted at library.gmu.edu. Contact 703-993-8188 or acl@gmu.edu with questions.
Updated: Mason Shuttles Service and the Holidays
The Fairfax/SciTech shuttle is operating on a very reduced schedule Monday–Friday through Dec. 18 and again Jan. 4–22. There will be no service on Monday, Jan. 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Day. For details, see the Revised Fall 2020 Schedule #2.
Since Mason moved to a primarily virtual environment after Thanksgiving, there is no Gunston Mason Shuttle service until 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.
Contact Parking and Transportation at shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.
New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop
The New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop will be held virtually on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Registration is open. Encourage your adjunct faculty to register to ensure they receive communications and schedule updates from Faculty Affairs and Development.
Reach out to Faculty Affairs and Development at facaffs@gmu.edu with any questions.
Mason 101 - This Friday, December 11
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 Friday, December 11. This is the last session until the Spring 2021 semester begins.
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 questions or more information, contact Philip Stamper at pstamper@gmu.edu or 703-993-5308.
Get Your Flu Shot at an On-Campus Clinic
Mason faculty and staff have an additional opportunity to get their flu shot at an upcoming on-campus flu shot clinic.
Giant Pharmacy will be present on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. to provide flu shots for faculty, staff, and students. Flu shots are by appointment. Schedule your appointment online.
Flu vaccination is no-cost with most health insurance plans when you get your flu vaccine with an in-network provider. Confirm coverage with your health insurance plan prior to getting your flu shot with the pharmacy.
Questions? Contact Student Health Services at shsinfo@gmu.edu.
ITS Support Center Winter Break Hours
In observance of winter break, the ITS Support Center will close on Friday, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m. and will re-open and resume normal business hours on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, at 8 a.m.
If you have an emergency while the ITS Support Center is closed, call 703-993-8870 and listen to the prompts to be connected to a representative.
Up-to-date information regarding alerts can be found at its.gmu.edu/alerts.
Telework and Inclement Weather
Employees working from home during a university closing are expected to continue working unless it is not possible due to power outages or other conditions that prevent them from working. Teleworkers (if it is their scheduled telework day) and remote workers continue to work even if:
- Classes are canceled and administrative offices are closed
- The university is on a modified schedule
For more details, visit flexwork.gmu.edu. Contact hr@gmu.edu with questions.
Reminder: Short-Term Parking Options
A reminder that short-term parking options are available on campus for hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly parking.
For more information, visit the Safe Return website or log in to the Parking Portal at parking.gmu.edu and select “Purchase a Permit.”
Questions? Reach out to Parking Services at parking@gmu.edu.
Staying Updated on Inclement Weather Closures
Stay updated on university closings, late openings, or other weather-related changes to the university's schedule through Mason's switchboard at 703-993-1000, Mason Alert, the university's homepage, as well as local media outlets.
DMV2Go Not Yet Available
Due to COVID-19, DMV2Go is not currently in operation. At this time, no visits have been scheduled to Mason’s Fairfax Campus in 2021.
For Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) COVID-19 service changes, visit the DMV website. Limited DMV services are available by appointment at the City of Fairfax’s City Hall. View details.