Around Mason: Week of Aug. 16, 2022

Body

Faculty/Staff Announcements

Have something to share? Review announcement guidelines and submit an announcement from your unit through the online form.


Campus Updates


New Dining Options on the Fairfax Campus

Mason Dining updates for fall 2022 include new dining concepts, expanded grab and go options, electric food carts, and more: 

  • Johnson Center: Halal Guys is taking over the space previously occupied by Garbanzo. Freshens is moving to the old Apple Federal Credit Union space and will reopen this fall as a new concept, FLIP Kitchen, offering a rotating menu of healthy wraps, salads, bowls, smoothies, and more. Express has gotten a makeover to offer a new and improved shopping experience. 
  • Electric "Godegas": Two electric “Godegas” will sell quick-service meals, snacks, grab and go items, and drinks. These vehicles will move around the campus on different days and times.  
  • The Hub: Spice Kitchen is replacing Wing Zone with Indian fusion dishes, Halal options, and eclectic flavors of chicken wings, fries, and other late-night fare. 
  • Fenwick Library: Argo Tea will reopen this fall, offering an expansive new menu featuring classic teas, seasonal drinks, “teappuccinos,” and bubble teas. 

Check out the complete fall dining update and the updated hours of operation


Staff Senate Election Results 

The Staff Senate held its annual election in July, and the results are in. View the list of newly and re-elected senators

For more information about the Staff Senate, visit the website or contact staffsenate@gmu.edu


September Staff Senate Meeting

The September Staff Senate meeting will feature Andrew Lane, director of Performance Management and Employee Engagement, joined by members of his team, including Tamira Colbert, faculty/staff engagement assistant, and Stacey Ellis, faculty/staff engagement consultant, to discuss goals and initiatives following the results of the recent Gallup survey of Mason employees. 

Wednesday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to noon 
Hosted on Zoom 

Questions are being collected in advance of the session. Submit your questions through the form by Aug. 31.


Request for Mason Vision Day Submissions 

After the successful turnout of this year’s Mason Vision Day for the Green Machine, we are excited to announce that Mason Vision Day 2023 will take place on Thursday, April 6, 2023.  

The Office of Annual Giving is accepting ideas and suggestions for the 2023 initiative. If you have an idea, project, or initiative that you believe Mason Nation and beyond would support, we want to hear it!   

Anyone—faculty, staff, alumni, students, friends—may submit an idea. Send your suggestion by Friday, Sept. 9, at 11:59 p.m. All submissions will be reviewed in the fall, with the finalist announced in January 2023. 

Contact Zavin Smith with questions. 


Vote for Mason's SXSW EDU Session 

SXSW EDU is an annual event that fosters innovation and learning within the education industry. Mason has proposed a session with President Gregory Washington speaking on "The Success Business: How Universities Must Partner and Adapt to Meet Students’ Needs."  

Voting for SWSW EDU sessions are now open. Create an account and vote when you have a few minutes. Find out the details on Mason’s proposed session.


College Colors Day

College Colors Day is coming up on Friday, Sept. 2. We want to see everyone wearing green and gold to show their Patriot Pride!  

Visit the We Are Mason tent from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wilkins Plaza for free swag. Bring a receipt for $25+ spent on branded merchandise from the bookstore to receive a free T-shirt.


Fall Shuttle Schedules Available

Fall 2022 shuttle schedules are posted at shuttle.gmu.edu. For a summary of fall shuttle service, check out the Fall 2022 Overview. Please note:

  • Many routes have schedule changes from this past spring, including reduced service levels on Fridays on some routes. The Burke VRE route has been suspended indefinitely.
  • Summer schedules are operating through Friday, Aug. 19.
  • Fall schedules begin with weekend service on Aug. 20–21 on the Fairfax/SciTech, Gunston Mason, and On-Demand shuttle routes. Fairfax/Mason Square, Sandy Creek to Metro, and West Campus fall service begins on Monday, Aug. 22. There will be a special one-day Sunday service on the West Campus shuttle on Sunday, Aug. 21, only from noon to 10 p.m. 

Questions? Contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu


Training and Professional Development


Save the Date: Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference 

The Mason community is invited to the Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference on Sept. 30. Join us for a day of workshops, panels, teaching-focused presentations, and networking with colleagues.  

This conference will include a variety of in-person activities, a diverse menu of livestreaming options, and on-demand content. Visit the ITL website for more information and registration details. 

Keynote speaker Claire Howell Major, author of Student Engagement Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty, will share her principles of teaching students to advance learning and develop classroom engagement in higher education.


Resources for You


Abandoned Bike Sale

Parking and Transportation’s “As Is” Abandoned Bike Sale is coming up on Friday, Sept. 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the visitor section of the Shenandoah Parking Deck.

We have about 75 to 80 bikes to sell this year. One bike per customer. Mason students, faculty, and staff only.

Details, once finalized, will be posted at bike.gmu.edu. Questions? Contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or transpo@gmu.edu


Working Moms Support Group

The Support Group for Working Mothers at Mason is one way faculty, staff, and students can come together, discuss the issues confronting working mothers, and perhaps spur changes on campus.  

The group is celebrating its 20th year of group meetings, which will include a mix of in-person and virtual formats this fall.  

The first meeting will be on Wednesday, Aug. 31, at noon via Zoom. If you are interested in sharing stories and being part of an informal organization of working mothers, join via Zoom

Those interested may also join the group in MS TeamsVisit the website for more information, or contact Heather Aleknavage


Patriot Bike Check Out Program 

Did you know that you can check out a bike with your Mason ID from either the RAC or the Aquatic and Fitness Center, and return it to either location at no cost for one day? 

If you check it out on a Friday, you can have it all weekend. Rental includes the bike, day lights, a helmet, and lock. For details, visit bike.gmu.edu.