Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
Fall Mason Shuttles Schedules Available
The fall 2021 Mason Shuttles schedules are available at shuttle.gmu.edu. Check out a summary of the shuttle start dates and major changes.
Note: Fall shuttles will operate at 90 percent seating capacity, and face coverings will continue to be required on board all shuttles regardless of vaccination status in keeping with public transit guidelines.
Mason Shuttles are currently operating on a summer schedule for most of August. There are two routes operating this summer: Fairfax to SciTech (on a reduced schedule) and the On-Demand Shuttle (serving stops on and around the Fairfax Campus). The CUE bus is operating on its regular schedule with service to Vienna Metro. For details on the Mason Shuttles summer schedule, visit shuttle.gmu.edu.
New Contact for Employees with Questions Related to COVID-19
Employees with questions related to employee health/medical, vaccination appointments, vaccination documentation uploads, employee vaccination exemptions, and specific Mason policies should contact vaccine@gmu.edu.
Employees should not contact Student Health Services with these concerns.
Updates for Impact Awards and Departmental Monetary Awards
Human Resources and Payroll's Reward and Recognition team is updating its processes to follow Commonwealth of Virginia policy for impact awards and departmental monetary awards.
Individual impact awards and departmental monetary awards will no longer be grossed up to cover the payroll taxes normally deducted from an employee’s paycheck so that the employee will receive the value of the award in the net pay. All monetary awards, regardless of the funding source, are subject to taxes in accordance with IRS regulations.
Questions? Contact awards@gmu.edu.
Training and Professional Development
Webinar: How to Check the Quality of Your Online Courses and Online Teaching
In this webinar, the Stearns Digital Learning Quality Assurance (QA) Team will share essentials for online course quality. Learn tips for how to work with the Online Quality Checklist and Quality Assurance resources. Experienced faculty will share how their online courses show quality.
Participants will also learn to apply the checklist to make sure that their online course is ready for the fall semester.
Webinar: How to Check the Quality of Your Online Courses and Online Teaching
Friday, August 20, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Facilitators: Darlene Smucny and Monisha Tripathy (Stearns Digital Learning QA Team), Jessie Matthews (English Department), and Erin Murdoch (Psychology Department)
Register
Contact qateam@gmu.edu with questions.
Resources for You
Save the Date: Abandoned Bike Sale
Parking and Transportation will host an Abandoned Bike Sale on Friday, Sept. 24, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in Parking Lot C on the Fairfax Campus. Approximately 85–90 bikes will be available for sale.
This year will be a little different than past sales. To space out customers, an online registration page will be available to sign up for a time to visit the sale. Walk-in customers will not be permitted.
One bike will be available per customer. Details will be posted at bike.gmu.edu when available.
Contact 703-993-2828 or transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
New "My Team" Functionality in Patriot Web
A new Patriot Web Employee Dashboard functionality called "My Team" is now available for supervisors.
The new "My Team" button can be found within the Patriot Web Employee Dashboard, next to “My Profile.” With this new view, supervisors will see their direct reports and those employees’ direct reports. Additionally, supervisors will be able to view their direct reports’ work email addresses (not actual email correspondence) and telephone numbers.
To learn how to use this new functionality, visit the Human Resources and Payroll News page.
Webinar: Preparing for Back to School
As you prepare for the new school year after months of worries and unstructured learning, this Bright Horizons workshop will help you learn how to make the most of learning with your child at home, optimize learning with play and unstructured time, and how to encourage social development.
Register for one of the sessions listed on the flyer.
For questions, contact worklife@gmu.edu.
Washington Nationals to Host Mason Day on Sept. 17
Join Mason alumni, students, parents, employees, and fans as the Washington Nationals host George Mason University Day on Friday, Sept. 17. The game against the Colorado Rockies begins at 7:05 p.m. Purchase tickets today.
The first 1,500 fans who purchase a ticket through this offer will receive a limited edition Mason/Nationals co-branded bobblehead. A button on the base plays the Mason fight song when pressed! Details regarding Mason Day and bobblehead pick up will be emailed to all special ticket event buyers 24 hours prior to the game.
To purchase a group of 13 or more, email John Manzoian or call 202-640-7723.
WW Commonwealth of Virginia Employee Offer
Have you wanted to join WW? All Mason employees, spouses, and adult dependents get an exclusive discount of 50 percent off the retail price of WW. Join now for as low as $8.48 per month.
Sign up or learn more at the WW Commonwealth website. Contact hr@gmu.edu with questions.
CommonHealth Rx Impact Webinar
When used properly as prescribed, opioids can provide much needed relief during the healing and recovery process. Unfortunately, abuse or uninformed use of opioid medications can lead to addiction and have devastating effects.
Many of us are not well versed in talking with our health care providers about pain management. It is important for every patient to ask questions when getting a new prescription.
This webinar offered by CommonHealth will discuss the effects of prescription drugs on the youth population, adults and workplace exposure, the older population, proper disposal, as well as beneficial alternative treatment approaches to discuss with your health care provider.
CommonHealth Rx Impact Webinar
August 11 at 1 p.m.
Register
Contact worklife@gmu.edu with questions.
Mason Study Abroad Week: Sept. 20-24
The Global Education Office (GEO) invites the Mason community to participate in Mason’s Fall 2021 Study Abroad Week, featuring virtual and in-person events from Sept. 20–24.
Virtual sessions will run throughout the week, culminating in the in-person Mason Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the SUB I Quad. This is GEO’s largest recruiting event of the semester.
Complete the registration form by Wednesday, Sept. 1. For details, visit the GEO website or email geopr@gmu.edu.
Rideshare Drop-In Meeting
Thinking about a new way to get to campus? Consider rideshare—carpooling or vanpooling.
Parking and Transportation is holding informal drop-in sessions via Zoom to answer carpool and vanpool questions. Learn about resources that are available in the region and Mason programs that support car and vanpooling.
The next session is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 12, from 2–2:30 p.m. Details are available here.
Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.