Around Mason: Week of May 18, 2021

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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


Faculty/Staff Parking Information for Summer 2021

A reminder that all members of the Mason community and visitors should follow parking guidelines when visiting one of our campuses. Permits are required in all locations except visitor parking areas.

You have a number of different choices depending on the frequency of your campus visits. Summer parking permits went on sale May 10 (online purchase only).

For information on permits and short-term parking choices, visit transportation.gmu.edu/archive/summer-2021-parking-information

To purchase a permit, visit parking.gmu.edu.  

Contact parking@gmu.edu with questions.


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.


Candidate Presentations: Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer

As part of the interview process, the Mason community is invited to join public presentations by the candidates for the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer role. Visit the search page for the unique links to view the online presentations. The presentations will be held on:

  • May 18, 11 a.m. to noon
  • May 19, 2–3 p.m.
  • May 20, 10–11 a.m.
  • May 21, noon to 1 p.m. (canceled)

Members of the community who attend a presentation will have the opportunity to complete a survey to provide feedback on that candidate. The community’s participation and feedback is greatly valued as we move forward with filling this important position.

Candidate materials will be made available 24 hours prior to their public presentation to maintain confidentiality. Stay updated with the search process at the search page. 


MasonLive Student Email Migrating to Office 365

This June, MasonLive student email and Microsoft services will migrate to Office 365. This migration will improve collaboration, enhance user experience across campus, and provide additional resources to students.

Prepare and find the latest details on the change: Student Office 365 Migration Roadmap

To ensure a smooth transition to the new platform, review the Student Office 365 Migration Checklist.

Learn more about how this project impacts you through the Migration Role Matrix.

Contact the ITS Support Center at support@gmu.edu or 703-993-8870 with questions.


Reminder: Mason Shuttles on Summer Schedule

Mason Shuttles began their summer schedule on Monday, May 17. Service is Monday–Friday only with a limited Fairfax/SciTech route (one bus) and the On-Demand shuttle (two buses). 

Shuttle schedules are posted at shuttle.gmu.edu. The On-Demand shuttle covers locations on and around the Fairfax Campus (including Vienna Metro and Burke VRE), as well as stops on the Gunston Mason route.

No shuttle service on Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day.

Contact shuttle@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828 with questions.


Training and Professional Development


Apply for the Emerging Leaders Supervisor Series

Apply for the third cohort of the Emerging Leaders Supervisor Series!

The series begins in September 2021 and runs until December 2022. In addition to the in-class curriculum, participants will: 

  • Work with assigned workplace coaches to set goals related to their growth as a leader 
  • Complete a developmental project 
  • Work with peers across the university to build a network of fellow supervisors

Apply on the Organizational Development and Learning website. The application deadline is June 7 at 5 p.m. Applicants must be Mason faculty or classified staff and must supervise at least one employee who is faculty or classified staff.

For questions, contact Margaret Vu at mvu20@gmu.edu.


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.


Resources for You


Working Moms Support Group Summer Meeting Schedule

The Support Group for Working Mothers is one way Mason faculty, staff, and students can come together, discuss the issues confronting working mothers, and perhaps motivate changes on campus. The group will continue to meet virtually over the summer.   

Meetings will be held at 2 p.m. via Zoom on June 1, July 14 and Aug. 5.

If you are interested in sharing stories and being part of an informal organization of working mothers, contact Heather Aleknavage at haleknav@gmu.edu or visit the website for more information.


People Finder: Adding Pronouns to Your Listing

People Finder, Mason’s online directory, can display pronouns for faculty, staff, and affiliates. Mason employees may choose to add this information to People Finder by using the online form to update their listing.

Adding pronouns to People Finder helps build an inclusive and welcoming community at Mason and supports university initiatives recognizing chosen names and pronouns.

For questions related to People Finder, contact masondir@gmu.edu.


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.