Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Police Training Exercise on Fairfax Campus: Dec. 4–5
The Fairfax County Police helicopter division will conduct a training exercise near the Fairfax Campus on Wednesday, Dec. 4, and Thursday, Dec. 5, around 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The training will involve helicopter activity in the vicinity of West Campus. The helicopters are expected to fly over Campus Drive and lower athletic fields during the training exercise. For questions, contact the George Mason Police nonemergency number at 703-993-2810.
Commencement Volunteers
University Events is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to assist with the Winter 2024 Graduation ceremonies on Wednesday, Dec. 18, and Thursday, Dec. 19.
Check out the volunteer form for locations, times, and a brief description of each volunteer opportunity. Volunteers will receive additional information about their specific duties prior to Dec. 17. Thank you for supporting our 2024 graduates!
Disability Services Seeking Volunteers to Proctor Final Exams
Disability Services is seeking volunteer proctors to assist during final exams. Rooms in Student Union Building I (SUB I) will be used to proctor exams for students registered with Disability Services. A proctor is needed for each room, as well as some “runners” to take students to their assigned seats. Professional staff are needed to volunteer for two-hour shifts on Dec. 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The proctor role involves having students sign in and out of the testing space and ensuring concerns of academic integrity are addressed. Proctors are welcome to bring quiet work (such as a laptop or book). The runner role involves walking students from the check-in room to their assigned seat and dropping off the test proctoring form to SUB I, Room 3313. Additional information on the role and duties will be provided to volunteers. Sign up. Contact Rachel Carter with questions.
West Campus Town Hall
You’re invited to a community conversation regarding George Mason University’s West Campus development. Share your thoughts and ideas regarding concepts for the development, campus and community needs, and opportunities for collaboration. All are welcome.
West Campus Town Hall Meeting
Wednesday, Dec. 11
7–8:30 p.m.
City of Fairfax City Hall, Council Chambers: 10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030
INTO Mason Graduate Colloquium
INTO Mason pathway students will present findings from their first authentic research efforts as graduate students. The INTO Mason Graduate Colloquium will showcase the work of multilingual and international students and their investigations in their disciplines. Stop by the Ángel Cabrera Global Center lobby on Friday, Dec. 6, between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Light refreshments will be served.
December Staff Senate Meeting
The December Staff Senate meeting will focus on physical and mental health resources available to staff at George Mason. Guest speakers include Angela Chezem, medical director for Employee Health and Well-Being, and Robyn Mehlenbeck, director of the Center for Community Mental Health.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon. Guest speakers will present at 11 a.m. Attend the meeting on the Fairfax Campus in Merten Hall, Room 1203, or join via Zoom. Learn more.
University Winter Break Lockdown
The university will be closed for winter break from Monday, Dec. 23, at 6 a.m. through Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, at 6 a.m. However, some employees and students may require entry for special projects into buildings without electronic access. Therefore, pre-planned access for nonelectronic lock buildings can be coordinated in advance via the Winter Break Building Access Form found on the Mason Police website. Failure to coordinate with Mason Police in advance may result in being denied access. For questions on building card access, email caso@gmu.edu.
Staff Senate Holiday Donation Drive
Every holiday season, the Staff Senate supports a donation drive to benefit local organizations. For the 2024 holiday season, the Staff Senate is encouraging the Mason community to support four organizations:
- Food and toiletry contributions to the Patriot Pantry, which provides access to food and hygiene items to the George Mason community.
- Donations of toys and supplies to Inova Children’s Hospital.
- If you love the dogs and cats of our local community, support Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Arlington, Virginia.
- The SciTech Campus will collect items for the Northern Virginia Family Services SERVE Campus through food donations brought to the SciTech holiday party.
- Read donation guidelines and find out most-needed items on the Staff Senate website.
Toys for Tots Collection Underway through Dec. 12
There’s still time to make a difference this holiday season! The Office of Military Services and Contemporary Student Services are proud to serve as collection sites for the Toys for Tots campaign. Drop off new, unwrapped toys at a collection site through Thursday, Dec. 12:
- Office of Military Services: Fairfax Campus, Student Union Building (SUB) I, Room 1510
- Office of Contemporary Student Services: Fairfax Campus, The Hub, Room 1012
Your donations bring joy to children in need and help brighten their holidays. Questions? Contact 703-993-1316 or email military@gmu.edu.
Parking Services Donation Drive: Receive Credit toward a Parking Citation
Make a donation of nonperishable food or personal hygiene items to benefit the Patriot Pantry at any Parking Services office and receive a $15, $20, or $30 credit toward an outstanding parking citation. Restrictions apply. The donation drive is underway through Wednesday, Dec. 18. Get the details. Contact parking@gmu.edu with questions.
Training and Professional Development
Sign up for Mason 101
Whether you are new to the George Mason community, looking to update your George Mason knowledge, or curious about the resources available at George Mason, sign up for Mason 101. This free, in-classroom session shares the history, organizational structure, and resources of George Mason University, including a virtual tour of all campuses/sites and updates on the future of George Mason.
To register for the next session on Friday, Dec. 6, or future sessions:
- Go to masonleaps.gmu.edu
- Login with your George Mason credentials
- In the search bar in upper right corner of the page, search for “Mason 101”
- On the screen that opens, click “Mason 101”
- Available Mason 101 dates will appear
- Click on the “Request” button next to your preferred training date
For questions about Mason 101, contact Philip Stamper at 703-993-5308.
Call for Proposals: Seed Translational Research Project
With support from the National Science Foundation’s Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program, George Mason’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth and the Virginia Climate Center are seeking proposals from George Mason faculty for the spring 2025 Seed Translational Research Project (STRP) program. Faculty participants will develop their own project in alignment with George Mason’s ART initiatives and receive support to scale up the impact of their research through community-engaged, experiential curriculum. Visit the webpage and join a webinar on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. for more information.
Resources for You
Safety Tips for Online Holiday Shopping
With online holiday shopping underway, Information Technology Services (ITS) is reminding the George Mason University community that cybercriminals want to take the “happy” out of their holidays. More than 72.3 million people are expected to spend about $13.2 billion shopping online on Cyber Monday. ITS is offering George Mason community members information about the precautions they can take to stay safe.
Tips include using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), keeping software updated on all devices, and using strong passwords on all accounts. Check out the complete list of tips.
Annual Leave Rollover Reminder: January 9 Deadline
As we approach the end of the leave year, faculty and staff are reminded that the annual leave carryover limit will be rolled over on Jan. 9, 2025. Employees with leave balances exceeding the carryover limit must use their excess leave before Jan. 9, 2025, to avoid losing it. Plan ahead and coordinate time off with supervisors.
For more information on carryover limits, visit the Annual Leave webpage. Additionally, employees have the option to donate excess leave through the Leave Sharing Program. Contact hr@gmu.edu with questions.
Faculty and Staff Networks
George Mason University has a variety of faculty- and staff-led networks to support the university's core values of “Diversity is Our Strength” and “We Thrive Together.”
Faculty and staff are encouraged to join networks that best support their engagement, well-being, or professional needs and interests. Opportunities include employee resource groups, communities of practice, and faculty affinity groups. Learn more.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
Love, Betrayal and Forgiveness—Scenes from Mozart’s Most Popular Operas
Dewberry School of Music
Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 and 8 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Gregory Family Theater
The Dewberry School of Music’s Mason Opera presents its fall 2024 performance. Featuring George Mason’s talented vocal students in collaboration with an instrumental chamber ensemble, these live, in-person performances will showcase great vocal skill and dramatic ability and deeply immerse the audience in the action of the story.
Squirrel Nut Zippers: Christmas Caravan
Saturday, Dec. 7, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Swing into the holiday season with platinum-selling jazz-rock band Squirrel Nut Zippers. Serving up a blend of Delta blues, big band, klezmer jazz, and calypso sound in their holiday program, Christmas Caravan, Squirrel Nut Zippers is sure to get audiences dancing to songs from their albums and other holiday favorites.
Sons of Serendip
Sunday, Dec. 8, at 4 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
“Silky beyond reason” (New York Times), the Billboard-charting foursome, Sons of Serendip, combines warm and inviting vocals, harp, piano, and cello. Enjoy an afternoon of songs from their holiday-themed album, Christmas: Beyond the Lights, showcasing velvety harmony and fresh interpretations of traditional holiday tunes.
Mason Symphony Orchestra and Choirs Winter Festival
Dewberry School of Music
Sunday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Join a joyous concert celebration by the Dewberry School of Music to ring in the winter season. Showcasing Mason’s Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, this evening will feature holiday favorites and festive new works performed by extraordinary student artists, conducted by Soo Han, Thomas Colohan, and Michael Stern.
December Studio Series
George Mason School of Dance
Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 6 and 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building, Room A301
Enjoy an evening of student work in one of the School of Dance studios, transformed into an intimate theater.
American Festival Pops Orchestra
Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season
Friday, Dec. 13, at 8 p.m. (SciTech Campus, Hylton Center)
Saturday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. (Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts)
The American Festival Pops Orchestra returns with its beloved Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season. Led by Conductor Peter Wilson, enjoy seasonal favorites, including: “The Night Before Christmas,” narrated by Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts and executive director of the Hylton Center, toe-tapping classics from the orchestra's embedded big band, and an appearance by the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble under the direction of Darden Purcell.
Seán Heely’s Celtic Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 and 5 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Washington, D.C.-based, award-winning Celtic fiddler, Gaelic singer, and harpist Seán Heely returns for a winter tour through the Scottish Highlands and across the Irish coast. Featuring Highland and Irish dancing and the MacMillan Pipe Band, the performance includes Gaelic carols tucked in with lively Irish tunes and familiar Christmas melodies.
U.S. Navy Concert Band
45th International Saxophone Symposium
Friday, Jan. 10, and Saturday, Jan. 11
Fairfax Campus Center for the Arts
The 45th International Saxophone Symposium, hosted by the U.S. Navy Band, features more than 150 performances, masterclasses and lectures designed for musicians of all ages. The International Saxophone Symposium features world-renowned saxophonists, while highlighting the prominence of the saxophone in both classical and jazz literature. Friday night's concert presents the U.S. Navy Concert Band with a mixture of band pieces and classically oriented saxophone solos. Featured soloists will include Makoto Hondo, ~Nois, and Musician First Class Harrison Clarke. This event is open to the public, and no tickets are required.
American Roots Series: Graham Breedlove Group
Saturday, Jan. 25, at 5 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Gregory Family Theater
Called “one of the most exciting trumpet players on the planet” (International Trumpet Guild Journal), Graham Breedlove brings his quintet for an exhilarating program of music. Just in time for Mardi Gras, Breedlove, a native of south Louisiana, is joined by fellow members of the Dewberry School of Music faculty to perform a mix of traditional New Orleans music, modern jazz, and original tunes.
Silkroad Ensemble
Saturday, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Returning for a third year as a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Grammy Award-winning music collective Silkroad Ensemble presents this world premiere showcase of all-star percussionists and musical storytelling through the exchange of rhythm, pulse, and melody from different musical traditions around the world. Formed by Yo-Yo Ma and now led by Pulitzer Prize winning multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens, Silkroad Ensemble will engage the community and students during its residency through a variety of events, classes, and discussions.