Faculty/Staff Announcements
Have something to share? Review announcement guidelines and submit an announcement from your unit to efiles@gmu.edu.
Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
Volunteers Needed for Patriot Procession and Mini Graduation Ceremonies
Graduation celebrations are around the corner! University Events is seeking assistance from faculty and staff volunteers for the Patriot Procession and Mini Ceremonies from May 10–15. Read more about this year's celebrations on the graduation website.
Faculty Marshals will guide groups to seating and/or the stage, help with dismissal, and serve as readers during the events. Faculty Marshals may sign up for the Mini Ceremonies and/or the Patriot Procession.
Staff and alumni volunteers will operate information/registration tables, guide graduates and guests, and help VIPs at the mini ceremonies. Staff/alumni volunteers may sign up for the Mini Ceremonies and/or the Patriot Procession.
Faculty Regalia: Faculty members are asked to wear regalia to add a festive note to the events. The cost of rental regalia, if needed, may be covered by the graduation budget.
Thank you for supporting Mason's 2020 and 2021 graduates. Contact University Events at gmuevent@gmu.edu with questions.
Hours of Operation during Final Exams and Summer 2021
If your office will change its hours of operation during final exams or summer, make sure the information is updated on the central Hours of Operation website at hours.gmu.edu.
Submit your department's hours using the online form. You can include in-person, virtual, and phone contact hours.
For questions, contact Lauren Reuscher, University Information, at lclarkg@gmu.edu.
Summer Camps Registration Process
In accordance with Mason’s Safe Return to Campus (SRC) procedures, all on-campus programs, events, and camps (PEC) serving minors may operate under a modified approval process for the summer 2021 season.
Mason organizations seeking to host a PEC must register their program via the link found at camps.gmu.edu under the “For Camp Organizers” tab. Once a PEC registration is submitted, it will be reviewed for compliance with SRC guidelines, while select service providers will make sure that requested services are indeed available.
New this season is a requirement that PECs have a completed Camp Emergency Plan, as well as a COVID-19 Response Annex available for review when they submit their PEC Registration. Both of those documents, as well as others associated with PECs, can be found at risk.gmu.edu/advisories/camps-and-enrichment-program.
Note: Some services have been impacted by COVID-19 and may be less available than during previous PEC seasons. As such, those hosting PECs should submit a registration as soon as possible, as these services will be provided on a first come, first served basis.
Questions? Contact Buz Grover at hgroveri@gmu.edu or 703-993-5784.
Live Views of Campus Construction
Check out the latest views of Mason's campus construction projects, happening in real-time. Even if you are off-campus, see the latest changes with these live cameras at major project sites.
Arlington Campus: Original Building demolition
Fairfax Campus: Core Campus Project camera views (Robinson Hall B demolition and Wilkins Plaza improvements)
Read more about these projects at construction.gmu.edu.
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Town Hall on April 28
The Mason community is invited to join a virtual town hall to learn about Mason’s next Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP): “Transformative Education Through Anti-Racist Community Engagement.”
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Town Hall
Wednesday, April 28
Noon to 1 p.m.
Zoom meeting
During the town hall, members of the QEP Development Committee will outline the planning process. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback.
This QEP seeks to contribute to institutional change at Mason by leveraging the strengths of community engaged pedagogies. The Development Committee believes that by embedding critical service-learning and civic engagement into academic and co-curricular experiences, we will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to understand themselves as agents of change, identify and disrupt racist practices, and work collaboratively towards positive social change.
Training and Professional Development
Prospective Staff Senator Information Session
The May Staff Senate meeting will feature an information session for those interested in running for Staff Senate. The annual Staff Senate election will occur in July, with nominations accepted in June.
Prospective Staff Senator Information Session
Wednesday, May 5
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 Staff Senate meetings.
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. Find ways to virtually engage with the senate before, during, and after general meetings.
Resources for You
Panel Event on the COVID-19 Vaccine: Mason Students Ask Health Experts
Join George Mason Honors College students as they ask their top questions about the COVID-19 vaccine to a panel of healthcare professionals on Thursday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Panelists from Mason’s Student Health Services and the Fairfax County Health Department will discuss where and how students can register for an appointment, what to expect when you are vaccinated, what to do if you experience side effects, and more.
This online event is open to Mason students, faculty, staff, and family members. Register here.
It’s Bike Your Way May: Spring Cycling Opportunities
National Bike Challenge
May is National Bike Month! Help grow Mason’s biking culture. Starting May 1, Parking and Transportation invites you to join the National Bike Challenge run by LovetoRide.net. Registration is free, and you can sign up as an individual. For details, visit nationalbikechallenge.org.
Bike to Work Day: Friday, May 21
Celebrate the Washington region’s 20th anniversary of Bike to Work Day. Start your day off cycling, with pit stops all over the D.C. Metro area. COVID protocols will be in effect, including staggered hours. For details and to register, visit biketoworkmetrodc.org.
Virtual Bike to Mason Week Recordings Available
Couldn’t join the events from April 19–23? Many of the sessions were recorded. Check out details at transportation.gmu.edu/virtual-bike-to-mason-week-2021.
Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Motor Pool Fuel Cards, Required Training, and Reminders
Fuel cards are available for motor pool rentals to have fuel costs charged back to the university. Drop by the Transportation Office to check out a fuel card before your rental pick-up date. Entering Fuel Agreements or allowing Enterprise to refuel after returning vehicles empty is not permitted. The Transportation Office is located in Nottoway Annex on the Fairfax Campus (in Lot C).
Drivers of Enterprise vehicles through motor pool must complete a University Driver Safety Awareness Training and a refresher training every two years through the Office of Risk Management to be eligible to drive.
To be eligible to drive a maxi van, you must be at least 20 years of age and pass the Van Driver Familiarization Class. Outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Enterprise’s age requirement to drive a 12–15 passenger van is 25.
For links to upcoming training sessions and important reminders, visit transportation.gmu.edu/archive/fuel-cards-and-motor-pool. Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
International Jazz Day Concert
Dewberry School of Music
Friday, April 30, 8 p.m.
Virtual Event
Share the vibrancy and vitality of jazz music with Mason Jazz students and faculty in a new digital performance. International Jazz Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts on all continents to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future, and impact.
Runaways
School of Theater
Written and Composed by Elizabeth Swados
Directed by Erin Gardiner, Musical Direction by Joe Walsh
April 30, 8 p.m. and May 1, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Mason Pond Lawn
Elizabeth Swados conducted interviews and workshops with young runaways in New York City in the 1970s, most of whom were living on the streets. Their stories are brought to life in this unique presentation through a series of songs, monologues, scenes, poems, and dances, performed by the School of Theater’s Musical Theater Ensemble class.
Tribute to Sonny Rollins
Featuring Mason Jazz Faculty
May 2, 3 p.m.
Mason Pond Lawn
The talented Mason Jazz Faculty salutes tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, long heralded as “the greatest living jazz improviser.” In a career that spanned seven decades, Rollins recorded more than 60 albums, featuring works that have become jazz standards. To commemorate the Saxophone Colossus’ ninetieth birthday, the Mason Jazz Faculty from the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music will perform repertoire from a portfolio coauthored by Mr. Rollins and Professor Jim Carroll. Join these musicians for a rousing tribute to one of jazz’s true greats.