Around Mason: Week of May 11, 2021

Body

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


Reminder: Package Deliveries on Campus

Mason’s mail room contract only covers packages delivered via the United States Postal Service (USPS). Departments utilizing different delivery methods need to be staffed to receive their packages.

Some delivery drivers attempt to drop every Mason package at the mail room, as that simplifies their route. However, those who pay an expedited rate generally seek direct delivery and object when it takes an extra day to receive a package when dropped at the mail room. Due to these considerations, mailroom staff instructs drivers to deliver packages as addressed.

Unstaffed departments should use the USPS for delivery, so the mail room can hold their packages. If using UPS, FedEx, Amazon, DHL, etc., please have packages sent to a staff member’s home.

Questions? Contact Buz Grover at 703-993-5784 or hgroveri@gmu.edu.


Updates from Parking and Transportation: Summer 2021

Parking Permit Sales
Summer parking permits are now on sale (online only). Visit parking.gmu.edu for details. Reach out to parking@gmu.edu with any questions.

Shuttle Schedules
Mason Shuttles summer service begins on Monday, May 17. Service will continue Monday–Friday only, including a limited Fairfax/SciTech route (one bus) and the On-Demand shuttle (two buses). Schedules are posted at shuttle.gmu.edu. Contact shuttle@gmu.edu with questions. 

Note: The spring 2021 shuttle schedules are in effect through Friday, May 14. No weekend service. There is no shuttle service on Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day.

Parking and Transportation COVID-19 FAQ Updated for Summer
COVID-19 continues to bring a number of changes to Parking and Transportation procedures and programming. Check out the updated Parking and Transportation COVID-19 FAQ for summer 2021. After reviewing the FAQ, contact 703-993-2828 or transpo@gmu.edu with any other questions.


Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer Search Page

George Mason University believes that diversity of opinions, cultures, and perspectives is what provides vibrancy to an academic community. Mason is currently in the search process for the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer.

To provide transparency and to keep the community involved, Human Resources and Payroll has created this search information page. Frequently visit this page to stay updated on:

  • The hiring timeline
  • Search process updates
  • Opportunities for community involvement
  • Search committee members

We look forward to keeping the community informed and involved. If you have questions, email hr@gmu.edu.


End of Semester Career Services Programming and Job Fair

Employers are still looking for Mason students and alumni! Share these end-of-semester career resources with your students:

  • Career Launch: This series of live and on-demand workshops has everything needed to get back out there to find a job or internship.
  • Just-in-Time Hiring Fair: The final job fair of the semester will take place virtually May 17 from 3 to 6 p.m. 

Contact Bernadette Davey, University Career Services, at bdavey@gmu.edu with questions.


Outstanding Achievement Awards Ceremony Recording

If you missed the live broadcast of the Outstanding Achievement Awards, you can watch a recording of the ceremony.

Congratulations again to all the award winners!


Training and Professional Development


University Life Student Success Virtual Symposium: Connect. Innovate. Engage.

The University Life Student Success Virtual Symposium is scheduled for May 19–20 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Register today.

This year’s symposium will offer interactive and engaging experiences designed around the lessons learned from the shifting paradigm of our work. Since we gathered for the January 2020 UL Symposium, we are managing the impacts of a global pandemic and the continuing rise of racial injustices, and social unrest; yet through this, we continue to show up for our students and each other. 

Experiences will focus on innovative practices, national trends and research, best practices, and future directions as we continue to lead in times of uncertainty.  

View this video to learn more about the event.


Online Teaching Coaching Newsletter: Equitable and Inclusive Online Teaching

Get a jump start on your fall online teaching by subscribing to The Stearns Center's special summer series of the Online Teaching Coaching Newsletter. This summer, the newsletter will focus on tips, best practices, and strategies for equitable and inclusive online teaching.

Starting June 1, a newsletter will be delivered every two weeks with curated resources about facilitating equitable and inclusive learning environments for all online learners.

Subscribe today.

Questions? Contact stearns@gmu.edu.


Mason International Collaborative to Host Connection Summit

All are invited to participate in a two-hour virtual summit hosted by the Mason International Collaborative on Tuesday, May 18, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Conversations will address comprehensive internationalization as Mason celebrates the completion of a two-year learning cohort of the American Council on Education Internationalization Laboratory.

Dr. Susan Carvalho, associate provost and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Alabama and senior associate for internationalization at the Center for Internationalization and Global Engagement, will serve as keynote speaker. Register here.


Resources for You


Vanpool Formation: Fredericksburg Area

Are you a full-time faculty/staff member who lives in the Fredericksburg, Virginia, area? Would you like to have your commuting costs reimbursed up to $270/month (tax-free), avoid doing all the driving, park free at Mason, and reduce carbon emissions? 

If so, consider vanpooling. Parking and Transportation is starting with the Fredericksburg area and has developed a short vanpool match survey.

More detailed information about vanpooling at Mason is available at transportation.gmu.edu/carpoolvanpool/employee-vanpool

Questions about vanpooling (whether you live in the Fredericksburg area or not), contact transpo@gmu.edu.


Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship

Faculty and staff who are enrolled in a degree or certificate program at Mason may apply for a competitive $250 book scholarship.

Application deadline is June 11For details and to apply, visit the Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship webpage.


TIAA Financial Seminars

Looking to learn more about your finances? TIAA is hosting several financial well-being seminars. Check out the flyer to learn more.


Summer Camp Resources

Start planning for summer now! To help families with children, Human Resources and Payroll has compiled a list of summer camps and activities at Mason and in the surrounding community. The list is organized by area and links directly to the activity page.

If you have questions about a specific camp, contact the camp directly.


Add Mason Money to Your Mason ID

Did you know your Mason ID offers you the opportunity to add Mason Money to your card for easy purchases at on- and off-campus participating restaurants, retailers, and services?

Visit masonmoney.gmu.edu for more information on how to fund your Mason Money account on your Mason ID card and where Mason Money can be used on campus and at local Mason Merchants.

For questions, contact Mason Card at masonid@gmu.edu or 703-993-1004.