Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Faculty and Staff Experience Survey Town Hall: Pre-Submit Questions
Faculty and staff are invited to join Human Resources, President Washington, and Gallup Senior Partner Stephanie Marken for the Faculty and Staff Experience Survey Town Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 3–4 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Hub Ballroom. This is a chance to review the key findings of the Faculty and Staff Experience Survey and collaborate on the next steps to enhance the community at George Mason.
This event will also be available via livestream webinar to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.
Those attending in-person will have an opportunity to ask questions live. Faculty/staff may also pre-submit questions by Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 5 p.m. All pre-submitted questions are anonymous, unless you choose to submit your name for follow-up. Please note: online questions will not be accepted through the webinar, but questions may be submitted electronically during the event to engageHR@gmu.edu.
Mason Dining Updates
First Fridays: $5 lunch for faculty and staff
First Fridays kick off on Friday, Sept. 6, when George Mason faculty and staff can enjoy lunch in the dining halls for just $5. It’s the perfect time to explore the dining options on campus. First Fridays occur on the first Friday of each month during the academic semester at Southside, Ike's, The Globe and The Spot on the Fairfax Campus. Consider a Byte Meal Plan for even more savings and flexibility throughout the semester.
The Spot Expands its Hours, by Popular Demand
Last fall, in response to the George Mason community’s growing demand for plant-based dining, Mason Dining introduced The Spot: Where Plants Power You. This vibrant dining venue offers a diverse menu of vegan and vegetarian options, showcasing the versatility of plant-based ingredients. Due to its success and student requests, The Spot will now extend dinner hours from Monday to Thursday until 7 p.m., providing more opportunities to enjoy its innovative, plant-powered dishes in a welcoming community space.
Free Shake Day at Shake Smart
Mason Dining is excited to announce the grand opening of Shake Smart, a new smoothie and shake concept in Fenwick Library, designed for busy college students. Founded by two college students, Shake Smart offers a balanced, protein-focused menu that fits seamlessly into active lifestyles. Shake Smart will host a Free Shake Day on Thursday, Sept. 12, with complimentary shakes for all. This location supports George Mason’s commitment to providing nutritious dining options on campus. Follow @Mason_Dining for more details.
9/11 Day of Service
The 12th Annual Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11, on the Fairfax Campus. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to participate in a variety of service projects.
The event will also include an opening ceremony and lunch honoring first responders, veterans, and volunteers. Learn more and RSVP.
Study Abroad Fair
The Global Education Office will host the Fall 2024 Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 17, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, East Plaza. Please encourage your students to attend so they can learn more about global education, talk to faculty and partners, and enjoy light refreshments. Rain site is the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall.
Posting Events on the Today@Mason Calendar
Planning an event on campus? Faculty and staff are responsible for ensuring their events are included on the university calendar, Today@Mason, for both scheduling and promotional purposes. All events listed on Today@Mason or any other published calendar must be scheduled in 25Live, the university's scheduling software.
On the 25Live event request form, select one audience from the "categories" section of the form. The form provides information on important fields for calendar postings. Please read all instructions and be sure to enter a detailed description of the event to be shared on the calendar. Include any RSVP links or website links related to the event. The scheduler will review each submission and add the event to a calendar when processing the request.
Don’t have a 25Live account? Request one today. Contact University Events at gmuevent@gmu.edu with questions.
New Traffic Pattern at Prince William Parkway and University Boulevard
New traffic patterns will go into effect in mid-September at the intersection of Prince William Parkway and University Boulevard near the Science and Technology Campus. To improve traffic operations and safety, left turns will no longer be permitted at this intersection. This will affect the way drivers enter and exit the SciTech Campus from these routes. Get more details about the changes.
New Procedures for Trash Collection and Cleaning in Campus Offices
George Mason University is implementing new procedures for trash collection and cleaning in campus offices. These changes support the university's efforts to increase efficiency and cut costs. These changes went into effect on Aug. 1 in university offices at the Fairfax, Mason Square, and Science and Technology campuses:
- Faculty and staff are responsible for emptying the individual trash can in their workspace into larger trash receptacles in common areas. Housekeeping staff will no longer empty personal trash cans located at desks/cubicles/private offices.
- Workspaces/offices will be cleaned weekly.
Common spaces and high traffic areas will be cleaned daily, and trash will be removed from common area trash receptacles at least once daily. The cleaning schedule will not change in restrooms, kitchens, and common areas.
These changes are being implemented after a pilot program was conducted on the SciTech Campus and in Merten Hall on the Fairfax Campus during the 2023–24 academic year. Read more about the changes.
Training and Professional Development
Fall Faculty Grant Writing Resources
Faculty are invited to participate in grant writing resources from Research and Innovation Initiatives. For questions, contact Leslie Frieden, associate director, Research Development.
- Proposal Editing Support: Graduate student teams from English 489–509 (Proposal Writing and Development) will provide feedback on near-final or previously submitted proposals in terms of how the proposal meets the requirements of the proposal solicitation. Learn more and sign up.
- Strategic Request for Proposal (RFP) Analysis: Graduate student teams from English 489–509 (Proposal Writing and Development) will provide strategic feedback on previously submitted proposals or articles in terms of how they might match upcoming request for proposal solicitations (RFPs). Learn more and sign up.
Register for the 16th Annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference
George Mason faculty, graduate instructors, and staff are invited to register for the 2024 Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference. This year’s conference is hybrid, with online sessions via Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 19, and in-person sessions on Friday, Sept. 20, on the Fairfax Campus. View the at-a-glance program. Register using the Sched app to review the entire program and receive updates about the conference.
Manager Meetup: Supervising Gen Z
Join University Life for an interactive session to build the skills and strategies necessary to lead and inspire Gen Z, ensuring a productive and harmonious workplace for all generations. The session will be facilitated online by the University Life Supervision Collective on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m.
The online session will provide tips, strategies, and a conversation space to share challenges and successes working with the youngest generation in the workforce. Learn more and RSVP.
Resources for You
Amplify is Back
Amplify, shopMason's signature fall event, is back and bigger than ever. Stop by Merten Lawn on the Fairfax Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a day of community, free food, and exciting giveaways. Engage with fellow Patriots, a variety of shopMason units, campus partners, and off-campus Mason Merchants and Patriot Perks members, who will be giving out free swag and prizes. RSVP.
Kick-Off Fall with Tuesday Treks: A Journey to Well-Being
Join the launch of Tuesday Treks on Sept. 17 from noon to 1 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Fenwick Library Lawn. Enjoy a Blender Bike smoothie, get a blood pressure screening, and check out resources from the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Treks around campus will leave at noon and 12:30 p.m.
Can’t attend in person? Join a 30-minute virtual Mindfulness Meditation session at 10:30 or 11 a.m. via Zoom. Tuesday Treks continue every week through Dec. 17 (except on Election Day), from noon to 12:30 p.m. at Merten Wellness Circle. For more details, contact engagehr@gmu.edu.
Mason Night at Nationals Park
Join fellow Patriots at Nationals Park as the Nats take on the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 6:45 p.m. Special ticket pricing options are available. Game tickets include a George Mason and Nationals co-branded jersey. To receive the co-branded jersey, you must purchase the special Mason ticket.
Join the George Mason University Alumni Association for a pregame reception in the Kennedy/Roosevelt Rooms inside Nationals Park. Learn more and register for the pregame reception.
Child Development Center Enrolling for Preschool
The NAEYC-accredited Child Development Center at George Mason University is now enrolling for its preschool program. With limited spots available and a 10% discount for Mason faculty and staff, don’t miss this opportunity. Learn more.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
Exhibit: ‘RE(FORM)ER’ at Fenwick Library
In RE(FORM)ER, Jorge Bañales (MFA Visual and Performing Arts ‘21) and Steven Luu, current master's student in visual and performing arts, methodically deconstruct and reconstruct carriers of meaning: photographs, film negatives, experimental video, sculptures, and more. Working with found or discarded materials, the artists maintain an intense focus on process to develop ideas around memory, mnemonics, and materiality. RE(FORM)ER is on view on the Fairfax Campus in Fenwick Gallery through Nov. 16. An opening reception will be hosted on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 5–7 p.m. RSVP.
Game Mason
Friday, Sept. 20, and Saturday, Sept. 21
Fairfax Campus, Multiple locations
Game Mason is a two-day gaming convention on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus. Game Mason 2024 will feature guest speakers from the industry, interactive learning sessions, free arcade play, tabletop and console gaming, cosplay competition, artwork by Mason students, and vendors and businesses from across the game industry. Note: Attendees must be at least 16 years of age. Attendees aged 16–17 must be accompanied by an adult. All attendees must have a ticket. Free admission for George Mason students.
Grand Piano Celebration
Sunday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Join the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music for a spectacular opening of its fall concert season. The Grand Piano Celebration honors George Mason's All-Steinway School. Outstanding student and faculty artists will be on stage to display their marvelous talents. The concert will be led by Linda Apple Monson, International Steinway Artist and director of the Dewberry School of Music.
Capitol Fools
Sunday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Kick off the 2024–25 Hylton Center season with comedy the D.C.-area does best—politics! Former cast members and the co-writer of the long-running, beloved Capitol Steps introduce their new musical parody ensemble, Capitol Fools, in an evening where no politician is safe, and every absurdity gets its moment in the spotlight. This performance contains content with mature themes.
An Evening with Lea Salonga
Saturday, Sept. 28, at 8:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga headlines the 2024 ARTS by George! benefit concert performing songs she has made famous throughout her extraordinary four-decade career on Broadway and in animated movie blockbusters. Born in the Philippines, Salonga originated the lead role of Kim in the West End and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon, and she was the first Asian cast member to perform the role of Eponine in Les Misérables on Broadway. Recognized by fans of all ages as the singing voice for two animated Disney princesses—Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan—Salonga was named a “Disney Legend” by the Walt Disney Company in 2011.
Hylton Family Series: Mario the Maker Magician
Sunday, Sept. 29, at 3 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Mix magic with robotics, add hilarious slapstick, and voila—you have Mario the Maker Magician! Mario infuses classic magic tricks and illusions with high-tech robotic innovation to create an assortment of homemade contraptions that do his comedic bidding. Infectiously positive and bursting with heart, Mario is on a mission to entertain and inspire future computer programmers, AI specialists, and robotic engineers along the way. Recommended for ages 4–10.
Mason Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band Concert with The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own"
Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
The Mason Bands are joined by The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," commanded by Colonel Bruce R. Pulver, in the Mason Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band's season opener. The Mason Bands are conducted by Director of Concert Bands William L. Lake Jr. This performance is free and open to the public.
Ballet Hispánico
Mason Artist-in-Residence
Saturday, Oct. 5. at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Recognized as one of America’s cultural treasures, Ballet Hispánico celebrates the ever growing and multifaceted Hispanic diasporas through vibrant dance in this Hispanic Heritage Month performance. As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, the company will engage the community and Mason students through a variety of events, classes, and discussions during the week surrounding their performance.
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra with Jeff Hamilton
Saturday, Oct. 05 at 8 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Join world-renowned jazz drummer Jeff Hamilton and audience favorite, Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, for an evening that places the musicality of the drum set front and center. Founder, artistic director, and virtuoso saxophonist Jim Carroll leads the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, comprising some of the area’s finest musicians, and is also joined by vocalist Darden Purcell, George Mason University’s director of jazz studies.
Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert
Sunday, Oct. 6, at 4 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Disney Concerts and AMP Worldwide Present Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert national tour. Encanto lovers of all ages can sing along with their favorite Grammy Award-winning songs performed by a live band while watching the full film. Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert will include all the music of the Academy Award-winning film, including iconic hits like “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure.” Fans are encouraged to dress up as Mirabel, Luisa, Isabela, or any of their favorite characters from the film and to use their voices to transform the Hylton Center’s Merchant Hall into one big celebration of the Madrigal family.