Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
Earth Month 2021: Mason Patriots for the Planet
April is Earth Month, and this year Mason is going bigger than ever. The Office of Sustainability and the Institute for a Sustainable Earth are pleased to announce the theme for this year’s Earth Month is “Mason Patriots for Our Planet.”
Mason is partnering with EARTHDAY.ORG, the organization behind the global observance of Earth Day, for the second year in a row. To ensure all of Mason's Earth Month programs, events, and initiatives are included in the calendar, fill out this brief survey to add your department's events.
Taxation of Business Reimbursements
As the university transitions to the Mason Finance Gateway for all reimbursable business expenses, remember that all reimbursement requests (travel, food, beverage, or other expenses) must be submitted within 60 days of trip or event completion. Reimbursements submitted after 60 days will be subject to taxation per IRS guidelines.
This rule already applies to travel reimbursements, and beginning April 1, the rule will also apply to all business expense reimbursements.
Contact apforms@gmu.edu with specific questions on taxation. Information about the Mason Finance Gateway is available at fiscal.gmu.edu/mason-finance-gateway.
April Staff Senate Meeting with President Washington
The April Staff Senate meeting will feature guest speaker Dr. Gregory Washington, president, George Mason University.
Wednesday, April 7
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
Submit a question/comment for the session by March 31 at noon. All are welcome to attend the Staff Senate meeting.
Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu for more information.
Registration Open: Virtual Bike to Mason Week 2021
Whether you currently bike for commuting or recreation, or you are contemplating starting to bike as part of your return to campus plan, Virtual Bike to Mason Week 2021 is open to the entire Mason community.
The celebration spans multiple days with online learning opportunities about cycling and more. Sessions include:
- Fix a Flat
- Bicycle Commuting 101
- Smart Cycling
- Bicycle-Friendly Driver Training
- e-Bikes
- Multi-Modal Commuting (which addresses active transportation more broadly)
Additionally, there will be an open cycling forum called “Cycle Talk” and a session on the facilities and programs that support cycling at Mason.
Sessions are taught by cycling and commuting enthusiasts from Mason and League of American Bicyclist league-certified instructors.
Details and event registration are available at bike.gmu.edu. Classes are continuing to be finalized, so check the site regularly.
Questions? Contact transpo@gmu.edu.
Off-Campus Housing Fair
Contemporary Student Services will host a virtual off-campus housing fair on April 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Encourage any students who may be searching for off-campus housing to attend. The event can be accessed from och.gmu.edu during the event.
For questions, reach out to Anthony (Tony) Berardo at aberardo@gmu.edu or 703-993-6299.
Training and Professional Development
Strengths-Based Leadership Program
What goals could you accomplish if you used your strengths instead of worrying about your weaknesses?
Mason’s Strengths-Based Leadership program will show you how to use your CliftonStrengths results to maximize your success.
Register to join the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being for a live webinar on Wednesday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Contact cwb@gmu.edu with questions.
Apply for the Leadership Legacy Program
The Leadership Legacy Program, sponsored by MasonLeads and Human Resources and Payroll, is designed for Mason full-time faculty and staff who are committed to furthering their leadership development.
The program curriculum provides opportunities for experienced faculty and staff to advance their conceptual and experiential understanding of leadership in the context of university settings.
Applications and nominations for the 2021–22 cohort of the Leadership Legacy Program are due Friday, April 2.
For more information and to apply, check out the flyer and visit the website.
Contact llnom@gmu.edu with questions.
Toastmasters Open House
George Mason Toastmasters will host a virtual open house on Wednesday, March 24, at noon. Learn more about Toastmasters, see a meeting in action, participate in Table Topics (impromptu speaking practice), and ask questions about the club.
Meetings are scheduled through the end of spring semester. More information is posted at toastmasters.gmu.edu.
Guests who join George Mason Toastmasters as a result of the virtual open house will receive a discount on membership dues.
For more information, contact Heather Aleknavage, vice president of membership, at haleknav@gmu.edu.
Resources for You
Well-Being Open Houses
As part of Spring Into Well-Being, the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being (CWB) will host two virtual open houses to answer all your questions about well-being:
Wondering about Well-Being? Ask CWB!
Contact cwb@gmu.edu for more details.
Participants Needed for COVIDsmart Research Study
Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) – Sentara Healthcare Analytics and Delivery Science Institute (HADSI), George Mason University, and Vibrent Health are launching a digital health study called COVIDsmart that aims to better understand the impacts of COVID-19 and how to address public health crises.
All individuals over 18 years of age living in the United States are invited to share how COVID-19 has impacted their health, lifestyle, and experiences.
Participants will be automatically entered for a chance to win $50 and $500 gift cards. Enroll today at covidsmartstudy.org.
Contact support@COVIDsmartstudy.org or 757-446-7991 with questions.
EVMS IRB# 20-07-EX-0138.
Mason Arts at Home: Upcoming Events
Manassas Ballet Theatre Artist Chat: Peter and the Wolf & More!
Hylton at Home
Thursday, March 25, at 7:15 p.m.
Manassas Ballet Theatre (MBT) goes behind the scenes with Peter and the Wolf & More! choreographers Kaitlin Frankenfield, Ahmed Nabil, and Vadim Slatvitskiy. Together they provide insights into the creative process from the movements and music to costumes and sets. This chat will be moderated by Manassas Ballet Theatre Board Treasurer JeanMarie Komyathy.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: Peter and the Wolf & More
Hylton at Home
Saturday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Event
Enjoy contemporary works in Act I, followed by the beloved ballet Peter and the Wolf with story narration accompanying Peter and his animal friends on this unforgettable adventure. Portrayed by Manassas Ballet Theatre’s own company dancers performing original choreography and accompanied by the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra. Delightful for patrons of all ages!
Mason Dance Company: 2021 Mason Dance Gala Concert
Mason School of Dance
Saturday, March 27, at 8 p.m.
Virtual Event
Witness the power and resilience of dance as the Mason Dance Company takes the stage for this year’s virtual Gala Concert, which will be free and streamed to the public as part of Mason Arts at Home. This performance features Mason dancers at the beginning of their careers performing works by some of the country’s most prominent choreographers, including a premiere by Hope Boykin and "Sunlit Song" by Susan Shields.
Alumni Cocktails and Conversations: Artist Educators
Mason Arts at Home
Monday, March 29, at 7 p.m.
Virtual Event
Creative industry careers are arguably some of the most challenging in normal times, and the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a new level of uncertainty. Whether you’re a freelancer losing work, a teacher adapting to virtual instruction, or an arts administrator canceling or reimagining programming, we face new challenges—but also opportunities to conduct our work in new ways. Hear from industry experts within the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) community about how they are thriving and moving forward in their careers.