Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
Climate Action Plan Town Hall
George Mason University is accelerating action in response to the climate crisis by developing a new Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP development is an initiative lead by a partnership between Facilities and the Mason Sustainability Council’s Carbon Neutrality Task Force.
Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members are invited to a town hall to share their climate action thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the CAP process.
Climate Action Plan Town Hall
Friday, Nov. 19
1:30–3 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Featured speakers:
- Greg Farley, director, University Sustainability
- Leah Nichols, executive director, Institute for a Sustainable Earth
- Dann Sklarew, professor, Environmental Science and Policy
Contact Ben Auger, Office of Sustainability, at bauger@gmu.edu with questions.
Semimonthly Timesheets Due Early
Timesheets for semimonthly employees need to be submitted and approved early due to Thanksgiving break. For the pay period ending Nov. 24 and pay date on Dec. 1:
- Submit timesheets by Nov. 19 at noon (by 11:59 a.m.)
- Approve timesheets by Nov. 22 at noon (by 11:59 a.m.)
Please record anticipated hours worked or leave used for Nov. 19 through Nov. 24. Contact payroll@gmu.edu with questions.
December Staff Senate Meeting: President Gregory Washington
The December Staff Senate meeting will feature Mason President Gregory Washington. The Staff Senate will collect questions for consideration in advance. Please provide your comments or questions using the form on the senate website no later than Tuesday, Nov. 23. If time permits, the Staff Senate will take questions during the live session.
Wednesday, Dec. 1
10 a.m. to noon
Dr. Washington will present from 10 to 11 a.m. (general meeting to follow)
Hosted on Zoom
Passcode: SS123
Call in: 301-715-8592 or 267-831-0333
Webinar ID: 939 9974 9658/ Passcode: 224754
The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at Mason. Working closely with the 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. Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu for more information.
International Education Week 2021: Nov. 15–19
Mason’s International Education Week is happening Nov. 15–19. The celebration includes a range of programs and events, helping participants learn the basics of pronouncing names of different cultures, understand lived experiences of students, play international trivia, enjoy snacks and drinks from all over the world, and prepare students for their next study abroad journey.
For details, visit the website.
2021 Hunger Banquet
Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL) invites you to Mason's 2021 Hunger Banquet on Nov. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. in The Hub Front Ballroom.
You may think hunger is about too many people and too little food. That is not the case. Our rich and bountiful planet produces enough food to feed every person on earth.
Hunger is about power. Its roots lie in inequalities in access to resources.
Few experiences bring to life these inequalities more powerfully than a Hunger Banquet. This event can help raise awareness, as participants experience first-hand how our decisions affect others in the world.
Register in advance.
Contact Patty Mathison, SAIL, at 703-993-2900 or pmathiso@gmu.edu with questions.
Thanksgiving Service Changes on Mason Shuttles
The Thanksgiving holiday will bring changes to the Mason Shuttle schedules. View the modified schedules.
Find more information about Mason Shuttles at shuttle.gmu.edu. Contact shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.
Men's Basketball Watch Party at Coyote Grille
Join the Patriot Perks Watch Party at Coyote Grille on Wednesday, Nov. 17, to cheer on George Mason Men's Basketball as they take on the Maryland Terps!
The Patriot Perks program will provide attendees with spirit items to cheer on the Patriots. Enjoy food and drink specials, prizes, and giveaways (while supplies last).
Coyote Grille will honor their Patriot Perks discount of 10 percent off food. (Discount does not include beverages and cannot be combined with other promotions, special offers, or discounts.)
Contact Aliya Rinaldi, Operations and Business Services, at arinaldi@gmu.edu with questions.
Training and Professional Development
Winter Faculty Writing Retreat: Register by Dec. 10
Hoping to start spring semester with a blast of writing productivity? Register for the Winter Faculty Writing Retreat, held virtually on Microsoft Teams from Jan. 12–14, 2022.
This event offers an active approach to uninterrupted writing time, a chance to learn from our guest speakers, and a supportive and collegial community of peers to boost your writing productivity. Participants work on a variety of research and creative projects at all stages of completion.
The Winter Faculty Writing Retreat is sponsored by Writing Across the Curriculum, the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development.
Registration is open through Dec. 10. Visit the website for more information (scroll down to Faculty Writing Retreats). Contact wac@gmu.edu with questions.
Workshop: Writing for the Public
Have you ever considered writing for a public audience but were unsure about how to get started? Attend the Center for Humanities Research’s (CHR) upcoming workshop:
Writing for the Public
Friday, Nov. 19
10–11:30 a.m. (hosted on Zoom)
Learn more and register
This virtual event is part of the "Writing for the Public" series and is open to students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines. It will feature three short presentations, each of which will be followed by a Q&A.
Resources for You
Thanksgiving Regional Transportation
Parking and Transportation offers affordable transportation for the Mason community to regional cities for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Destinations include Virginia Beach, Richmond, Philadelphia, and New York City. Buses will leave on Tuesday, Nov. 23, and Wednesday, Nov. 24, and return on Sunday, Nov. 28.
For a complete list of destinations, departure times, and pickup locations, check the Thanksgiving Regional Transportation Schedule.
Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
Jazz Combos Night
Dewberry School of Music
Thursday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Performance by the Mason Jazz Combos under the direction of jazz pianist Wade Beach. This concert is free and open to the public.
Love’s Labors: Quarrels and Cravings
School of Theater
Multiple Performances, Nov. 18–21
Fairfax Campus, deLaski Performing Arts Building
Love’s Labors: Quarrels and Cravings explores the many ways lovers play, fight, and live and die together in an unexpected collection of Shakespeare scenes. From seething bromances to sacrificial love, we will navigate the dreamscape of desire in this physical, 90-minute heartbeat.
Jazz4Justice™
Dewberry School of Music
Saturday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Join us in celebrating 20 years of the incredible impact of Jazz4Justice™, an award-winning annual concert presented by Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) and Mason Jazz Studies. Jazz4Justice™ is a truly unique event where attorneys, judges, students, and members of the Northern Virginia community gather to celebrate their love of jazz. Proceeds from the evening benefit LSNV to continue its mission of service to the Northern Virginia community, as well as provide financial support for the Mason Jazz Studies Department.
Kevin Elam Album Release Concert
Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Large Rehearsal Hall
All-Ireland Champion singer Kevin Elam presents songs from his debut album If I Were a Small Bird, made possible through Mason’s Young Alumni Commissioning Project. This program, through Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, provides crucial support for the continued artistic development of alumni. Hear centuries-old ballads from the Irish and Anglo/Scottish traditions reimagined for the modern stage, showcasing Kevin’s talents as vocalist, instrumentalist, and arranger. This event is free, but reservations are required.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: The Glorious Music of Chopin
Sunday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel, in his signature Keyboard Conversations® series, combines dynamic performances of Chopin’s greatest works with fascinating stories and insights into the composer’s life and place in history. Perfect for newcomers and aficionados alike. An interactive question and answer session will conclude this program.
Symphonic Band Concert
Dewberry School of Music
Monday, Nov. 22, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
The Mason Symphonic Band, under the vibrant musical leadership of John Kilkenny and Denny Stokes, provides music majors and a growing number of non-music majors an opportunity to study and perform a wide variety of traditional and contemporary wind band literature.
Canadian Brass: Making Spirits Bright
Saturday, Nov. 27, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Back by popular demand! The internationally acclaimed Canadian Brass returns this holiday season for an evening of impeccable music and witty repartee, perfect for your whole family. Renowned for joyous performances and their iconic white running shoes, this quintet will warm your heart with sparkling brass standards and toe-tapping holiday favorites.
Family Series: Lightwire Theater's A Very Electric Holiday
Sunday, Nov. 28, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Gather the whole family for this imaginative story cleverly told with cutting edge electroluminescent puppetry, live dancers, and a lively mix of classical, jazz, and pop music. Follow a young bird, Max, who gets separated from his flock while flying south for the winter during a snowstorm. Lost and alone in the North Pole, Max embarks on an odyssey to be reunited with his family, and along the way encounters dancing poinsettias, caroling critters, Nutcracker soldiers, mischievous mice, and an evil rat king. Lightwire Theater has been featured as semi-finalists on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
Chanticleer: A Chanticleer Christmas
Sunday, Nov. 28, at 4 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
It would not be the holidays without Chanticleer gracing the stage at Merchant Hall with their singular harmonic blend of 12 male voices ranging from soprano to bass. Welcome back our favorite holiday treat, spreading peace, joy, and a cappella with their festive holiday program, featuring American hymns, Christmas carols from around the world, Gospel melodies, and Renaissance motets.
Mason Jazz Workshop: Fall Concert
Dewberry School of Music
Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Jazz faculty member John Kocur directs the Mason Jazz Workshop big band in their concert! The Jazz Workshop performs music by Thad Jones, Mike Tomaro, Alan Baylock, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Neal Hefti, and many others. This concert is free and open to the public.