Around Mason: Week of August 24, 2021

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Faculty/Staff Announcements

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

Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.


Campus Updates


COVID Safety Training Available Online

Mason faculty and staff are encouraged to complete the Fall 2021 COVID Safety Training. Faculty and staff can access COVID Safety Training through Mason Leaps.

This training shares valuable information about preventing the spread of COVID-19 within the campus community by raising awareness about the disease’s symptoms and transmission and reviewing the precautions the university has put in place this fall to reduce its spread.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to take the training as soon as possible so they understand their responsibilities and how to protect themselves and the campus community as we return to campus this fall.


You’re Invited to Welcome2Mason

Festivities are underway for Welcome2Mason, which offers six weeks of programming and events to help students learn campus for the first time and make connections.

Mason faculty and staff are invited to participate and encouraged to assist in welcoming back our students at events and Ask Me Booths. Volunteer opportunities are posted at welcome2mason.com/volunteer.

Check out the complete list of Welcome2Mason events.

With everyone’s support and engagement, we can bring energy and Mason spirit to the start of the fall semester.

Contact Rick Gray, New Student and Family Programs, at rgray11@gmu.edu with questions.


Mason Shuttles: Fall Changes

The fall schedule for Mason Shuttles has not yet returned to pre-pandemic service levels. Be sure to check the schedule for each shuttle route for changes.

Note: This fall, the On-Demand Shuttle only serves Vienna Metro from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday–Friday and during all of its service hours on the weekend.

For details on all the shuttle schedules, visit shuttle.gmu.edu. Remember, a mask/face covering is required to ride the shuttles (unless you have an authorized exception).

Contact shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.


Interim Title IX Coordinator

Crystal C. Coombes, recently hired as Mason’s American with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator, is now serving as interim Title IX coordinator. Both positions are based in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, formerly the Office of Compliance, Diversity and Ethics.

Coombes brings extensive experience in ADA and Title IX positions, most recently at Virginia Commonwealth University and at the University of South Florida. As interim Title IX coordinator at Mason, she will lead the university’s commitment to provide a learning and working environment free of sexual discrimination, sexual misconduct and sexual harassment.

Visit diversity.gmu.edu for more information.


College Colors Day

College Colors Day will be celebrated nationwide on Friday, Sept. 3, when everyone wears their favorite school colors! Here at Mason, we will celebrate proudly by wearing our Green and Gold Mason gear.

Wherever you are, show your pride by wearing Mason gear.

Need some new Mason gear? Visit the campus bookstore or shop online at gmu.bncollege.com. Let's show the world our Mason pride by using #collegecolorsday and #wearemason when posting our photos on social media. Let's go Mason!


Election Results: New and Returning Staff Senators

The Staff Senate is excited to announce Mason's newly-elected and returning Staff Senators:

Arlington Campus:
Shams Bahabib, Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science (incumbent)
Carlos Sandoval, Antonin Scalia Law School

Fairfax Campus:
Stephanie Atkins, Mason LIFE Program (incumbent)
Stacy D’Angelo, Digital Communications (incumbent)
Evan Frejo, Computer Science Department
Will Gautney, College of Visual and Performing Arts
Steven Lindner, Information Technology Services
Stacey Remick-Simkins, English Department
Lauren Reuscher, University Information (incumbent)
Kimberly Shaw-Mack, Human Resources and Payroll (incumbent)
Preston Williams, Office of Communications (incumbent)

SciTech Campus:
Colby Grant, SciTech Campus Executive Office (incumbent)
Kristen Wever, College of Science (incumbent)

At-Large:
Hugh Bayard, Office of Sponsored Programs
Taylor Griffin, School of Business

Submit a question, comment, or idea to the Staff Senate. Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu with questions.


Show Your Mason Pride on Spirit Fridays

Every day is a good day to show the world your Mason Pride by wearing green and gold. Now that the fall semester has started, we are back to celebrating Spirit Fridays. Everyone is encouraged to wear the Mason colors every Friday.

Via campus mail, Mason departments should have received a tabletop cutout of the Patriot to help promote Spirit Fridays. Place it somewhere visible to employees, students, and visitors as they enter the office.

Remember: Wear Green. Wear Gold. Every Friday!

For questions, contact David Atkins, executive director of business partnerships and licensing, Operations and Business Services, at datkins1@gmu.edu.


Welcome2Mason Part-Time Job Fair

Part-time jobs are a great way to earn money for tuition or living expenses while in college. They can also help students explore career options and build up their resumes. The Part-Time Job Fair will feature on and off-campus employers from Northern Virginia.

2021 Welcome2Mason Part-Time Job Fair
Wed, Aug. 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Merten Lawn (Rain location: Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall)

View the list of employers attending the fair.

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


Mason Shuttles and Labor Day Weekend

Limited service will be available on Mason Shuttles during Labor Day weekend. Visit shuttle.gmu.edu for more information.


Training and Professional Development


Want Tips and Guidance for Teaching Online?

Subscribe to the Stearns Center Digital Learning’s Online Teaching Coaching Newsletter, whether you are new to teaching online or an experienced online instructor wanting additional guidance.

The Fall 2021 Biweekly Online Teaching Coaching email newsletter will include topics such as:

  • Effective communication in your online class
  • Time management for online teaching
  • Online student engagement
  • Inclusive and equitable teaching online
  • And more

Subscribe today. Questions? Contact the Stearns Center at stearns@gmu.edu.


Ready Set Goal Webinar

Choose a behavior to target and explore ways to strengthen motivation and create habits that stick. Join an upcoming webinar offered by Kaiser Permanente:

Well-Being Wednesdays: Ready Set Goal Webinar
Wednesday, Aug. 25
Noon to 1 p.m.
Register

You do not need to be a Kaiser Permanente member to participate. Contact worklife@gmu.edu with questions.


Seasonal Self-Care Renewal Webinar

As we wind down from the busy summer months, we will recollect ourselves and begin to turn our focus inward for renewal. September is a time to focus on building our immunity for the winter months ahead, while still enjoying the bounty of beauty the cooler fall months bring us.

Join an upcoming webinar offered by Kaiser Permanente:

Mindful Mondays: Seasonal Self-Care Renewal Webinar
Monday, Sept. 13
Noon to 1 p.m.
Register

You do not need to be a Kaiser Permanente member to participate. Contact worklife@gmu.edu with questions.


Resources for You


Virtual Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Support Sessions

A licensed Anthem EAP counselor will be available to meet individually by appointment with Mason faculty and staff who may be experiencing higher levels of change and uncertainty in the midst of returning to campus and/or the start of the academic year. Many are starting a “new normal” in the midst of COVID-19 or dealing with burnout after an exceptionally challenging year.

These free, half-hour sessions will give faculty and staff the opportunity to address feelings that might be challenging and learn some coping strategies.

The sessions are between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Aug. 25 and Sept. 8. Sign up here.

Questions? Contact Beth Baroody at bbaroody@gmu.edu.


Find Your Patriot Perks

Mason has partnered with the City of Fairfax and local businesses to offer discounts to Mason faculty, staff, students, alumni, and retirees. Discounts are available at select eateries, professional services, spas, hotels and more!

Visit patriotperks.gmu.edu to find discounts available to you with your Mason ID or Alumni Association Member Card.

For questions, contact David Atkins, executive director of business partnerships and licensing, Operations and Business Services, at datkins1@gmu.edu.


Rideshare Drop-In Session on Aug. 31

Commuting to campus? Consider ridesharing—either carpool or vanpool.

Mason Parking and Transportation has collaborated with regional partners to compile a resource blog about ridesharing. Additionally, virtual Rideshare Drop-In Sessions are continuing. The next session is Tuesday, Aug. 31, from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Two more sessions will occur in September.

Check out the blog and get details on the virtual Rideshare Drop-In Sessions.

Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.


Arts Alive! at the Hylton Performing Arts Center

Arts Alive! returns to the Hylton Performing Arts Center with a dazzling line up of local arts the entire family will enjoy. Come out to the Hylton Center on Sunday, Sept. 12, from noon to 4 p.m. and celebrate Prince William County's thriving arts community.

This family-friendly festival is co-presented by the Prince William County Arts Council and the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Featuring multiple stages of performances indoors and out, hands-on activities for all ages, food vendors, and more, this free event has something for everyone!

Check back for the full schedule of events and performances at hyltoncenter.org or pwcartscouncil.org.

A special thank you to the Arts Alive! 2021 sponsor, NOVEC.


Mason Jazz Faculty Perform at Jammin Java

Join Mason Jazz faculty for an evening of Jazz standards and original compositions at Jammin Java in Vienna, Virginia.

Sunday, Aug. 29
7 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
Jammin Java
Purchase Tickets

Jammin Java offers live music and a concert experience in an all-ages community environment. For questions, contact Darden Purcell at dpurcel2@gmu.edu.