Around Mason: Week of Nov. 30, 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 


Faculty and Staff Holiday Parties: Jingle and Mingle 

Join your fellow faculty and staff for Mason’s 2021 holiday parties, hosted at each campus. Enjoy food, music, games and prizes! 

RSVP:  

Arlington: Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1:30–3:30 p.m. 

SciTech: Wednesday, Dec. 8, Noon to 1:30 p.m. 

Fairfax: Thursday, Dec. 9, 1:30–3:30 p.m. 


50th Anniversary Fund Idea Submissions Needed 

As part of Mason’s 50th anniversary, Giving Day will focus on raising funds for a strategic initiative at Mason.  

Do you have an initiative, project, etc., that could be completed (start to finish) with $75,000–150,000 and would impact faculty, staff, students, or alumni? Tell us about it!  

University leadership will review all entries, and the top ideas will be put to a vote by the Mason Nation. The winning idea will be supported during Giving Day. 

Complete the form with your recommendations by Nov. 30


December Staff Senate Meeting: President Gregory Washington 

The December Staff Senate meeting will feature Mason President Gregory Washington.  

Wednesday, Dec. 1 
10 a.m. to noon 

General business meeting, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. (agenda)
Dr. Washington will present from 11 a.m. to noon
Hosted on Zoom
Passcode: SS123 
Call in: 301-715-8592 or 267-831-0333 
Webinar ID: 939 9974 9658/ Passcode: 224754 

The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at Mason. Working closely with the university administration, we address concerns that have an impact on the quality of work-life for the Mason community. The work of the senate is accomplished through open and continuous communication with its constituents. Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu for more information. 


Nominations Accepted for the Online Teaching Excellence Award 

The Online Teaching Excellence Award recognizes teaching excellence in faculty members who have been teaching fully-online courses at Mason. Faculty may be full-time or part-time and need to have taught online courses for at least four complete semesters at Mason to be eligible. 

Students and/or employees may submit nominations. Self-nominations are not accepted. Read more about qualifications and the nomination process

Submit a nomination using the online form by Dec. 3. The form requests information about the nominee, along with a few paragraphs of recommendation. 

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


Parking and Transportation Holiday Donation Drive

Would you like to help someone in need? For the 14th year, Parking Services is hosting a holiday donation drive. Through Wednesday, Dec. 15, make an in-person donation at any Parking Services office to benefit the Patriot Pantry, or an online donation to the Student Emergency Fund. Your donation will reduce the cost of an outstanding parking citation by $15, $20, or $30.

For important details, including the donation/credit framework for in-person donations, visit the website.


Support Club Football in their First National Championship Bowl on Dec. 4 

It's official: Mason’s Club Football team is heading to the National Club Football Association (NCFA) 2021 National Championship Bowl! This historic achievement marks the first time the team will be competing for a National Championship. Mason will face off against The Ohio State University on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Wiley Stadium on the campus of Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania. 
 
The Club Football team is hosting a fundraiser with a goal of $10,000 to cover their travel expenses, and they are asking the Mason Nation for help. Make a contribution to support the team and be a part of this historic moment. (Be sure to add your tax-deductible gift to “Friends of Club Football.”) 
 
Want to attend the game or listen to a live broadcast? Read details on the Mason Recreation website


Mason Shuttles and Winter Break

Winter Break brings major changes to the Mason Shuttle schedules. Details for December are posted at shuttle.gmu.edu. Information regarding January and spring 2022 is coming soon.

Contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.


Training and Professional Development 


Mason Career Influencers Network

University Career Services will offer Career Influencers Network training in January and March. The Mason Career Influencers Network is a nationally recognized model for providing career development support to students through their relationships with professors, advisors, success coaches, supervisors, community directors, and many other roles at the university.

Sign up for an upcoming cohort:

January Cohort (in-person): Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (lunch included)

March Cohort (virtual during Spring Break Week)

  • Tuesday, Mar. 15, 2022, 1–2:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Mar. 16, 2022, 1–2:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Mar. 17, 2022, 1–2:30 p.m.

Register today.


Resources for You 


Arlington Pop-Up Holiday Shopping 

Enjoy special pop-up holiday shopping at the Arlington Campus, featuring gifts by Made in Arlington. Discover unique items by local artisans and makers for your holiday shopping.   

Stop by vendor booths in the lobby of Van Metre Hall from 4–7 p.m. on the following dates: Tuesday–Thursday, Nov. 30 to Dec. 2; and Tuesday–Thursday, Dec. 7–9. 


Vanpool Survey: Woodbridge to the Fairfax Campus 

Are you a full-time faculty/staff member who lives in the Woodbridge area and works on the Fairfax Campus? Would you like to have your commuting costs reimbursed up to $270/month (tax-free), not have to do all the driving, park free at Mason, and reduce carbon emissions?  

If so, consider vanpooling. Parking and Transportation is continuing its vanpool outreach and has developed a short vanpool match survey for a possible Woodbridge to Fairfax vanpool


Mason Recreation Power Meet Dec. 4 

Join Mason Recreation for the 2021 Power Meet on Dec. 4, featuring three types of lifts: squat, bench, and deadlift. Each lifter will have three attempts to achieve the greatest possible weight for each designated lift.  

View more information and register.  

The meet will be hosted at the Recreation and Athletic Complex  (The RAC). 

Contact Emmanuel Agyemang at eagyema2@gmu.edu or 703-993-5622 with questions. 


Upcoming Performances at Mason 

Jazz Combos and Steel Pan Ensemble Concert
Dewberry School of Music 
Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m. 
Center for the Arts 

Join the Mason Steel Pan Ensemble, directed by Victor Provost; the Braddock Road Brass Band, directed by Graham Breedlove; and the Latin American Ensemble, directed by Juan Megna in their Fall 2021 concert. This concert is free and open to the public. 

Mason Dance Innovations Concert 
School of Dance 
Friday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. 
Hylton Performing Arts Center 

Dance Innovations is a showcase of new dances by George Mason University's School of Dance.  

Dianne Reeves: Christmas Time is Here
Saturday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. 
Center for the Arts 

Dianne Reeves, “the most admired jazz diva since the heyday of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday” (The New York Times), shares her timeless voice and improvisational prowess in an exceptional holiday program of seasonal sounds. Adored by audiences and critics alike for her powerful voice, vivacious personality, and captivating performance, Reeves is considered one of the world’s preeminent vocalists.  

Mason Symphony and Choirs Holiday Concert
Dewberry School of Music 
Sunday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. 
Center for the Arts 

Join us for a joyous concert celebration by the Dewberry School of Music as we ring in the holiday season! Showcasing Mason’s Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, this evening will feature holiday favorites and festive new works performed by extraordinary student artists. 

Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas
Featuring Kate Flannery, Tim Davis, and the Tony Guerrero Quintet 
Sunday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. 
Hylton Performing Arts Center 

What if two of your favorite comedy mavens decided to partner up for a hilarious, surprisingly tuneful Christmas cabaret spectacular? Genius! A Swingin’ Little Christmas stars Jane Lynch (Glee’s Sue Sylvester, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Sophie Lennon) and Kate Flannery (The Office’s Meredith). This holiday edition of their hit New York cabaret show Two Lost Souls is basically the Rat Pack with a couple of broads. Accompanied by Tim Davis and the Tony Guerrero Quintet, these longtime friends and performing partners share their uniquely hysterical take on everything from Broadway classics to the Barry Sisters to Nicki Minaj.  

American Festival Pops Orchestra – Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season 
Friday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m., Hylton Performing Arts Center
Saturday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m., Center for the Arts

Ding-dong, ding-dong, Christmas bells are ringing! Gather with the American Festival Pops Orchestra and special guests for its annual Holiday Pops concert, which is sure to make spirits bright. A beloved tradition with our audiences, this heartwarming evening of holiday favorites includes a festive audience sing-along. Maestro Anthony Maiello leads Northern Virginia’s own American Festival Pops Orchestra as it ushers in the season with a lively performance filled with musical goodwill and cheer.