Around Mason: Week of May 24, 2022

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Faculty/Staff Announcements 

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Campus Updates


June Staff Senate Meeting: State Government Relations

The June Staff Senate Meeting will feature guest speaker Mark Smith, executive director for state government relations, who will discuss legislative priorities and provide an update from Richmond. 

Wednesday, June 1 
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – guest speaker 
11 a.m. to noon – general business meeting 
Hosted on Zoom 

The Staff Senate will collect questions for consideration in advance. Submit a comment or question through the online form. Provide your contact information if you would like to ask your question live. Questions will also be collected during the session, time permitting.


Updating Hours and People Finder

As the summer begins, offices and departments are encouraged to review their information posted at hours.gmu.edu and peoplefinder.gmu.edu. Each page has a link to submit updates. 

Additional updates may be submitted at any point during the summer, as needed. 

You may request a master list of all department employees listed in People Finder by contacting masondir@gmu.edu. This is the best way to complete a department-wide review of People Finder listings. Individual People Finder updates may be submitted through the People Finder update form.


Mason Shuttles Summer Schedules

Mason Shuttles began a summer schedule on Monday, May 23. Service is Monday–Friday only. The shuttle schedules are posted at shuttle.gmu.edu. 

There is no shuttle service on Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day.  

Contact shuttle@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828 for assistance.


Training and Professional Development


Prospective Staff Senator Information Session

Ever wondered what it is like to serve on the Staff Senate? Want to learn how the university functions from a new perspective, contribute to the well-being of your colleagues, and network across departments? 

The Staff Senate will host an information session and discussion for Mason classified and non-student wage staff interested in learning about the nomination and election process, the work of the senate, and what senators do. Learn about the structure of the senate, how its committees work, the time commitment expected of senators, and have a Q&A with current representatives. 

Prospective Staff Senator Information Session 
Thursday, May 26 
3:30–4:30 p.m. 
Hosted on Zoom  

Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu with questions.


Want to Learn How to “Humanize” Your Online Course?

How do you “humanize” your online courses and create a learning community in which all students feel they belong? Subscribe to the Stearns Center Online Teaching Newsletter to find out. 

Humanizing is all about bringing the human element into our online classrooms to build connections, increase engagement, and support meaningful learning. This summer, the Stearns Center Online Teaching Newsletter will feature tips and best practices for how to humanize online courses and teaching, to create an inclusive online class environment. 

Contact Darlene Smucny with questions.


ARIE Seed Funding Initiative Proposals Due June 30

The Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact (ORIEI) and the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force announce the first annual ARIE Seed Funding Initiative. The funding will support research, scholarship, and creative activities addressing the myriad issues on the theme of anti-racism and inclusive excellence. Projects may be either highly scholarly or highly practical/applicable. Read the full Call for Proposals.  

Proposals are due Thursday, June 30. Two tiers of funding will be available (up to $25,000 and up to $50,000) for a period of 12 to 18 months. For more information, visit the Research Development website. Award recipients will be announced Monday, August 15.


Resources for You


Metro Orange Line Platform Work

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Platform Improvement project continues on the Orange Line, with five stations closed from May 28 to September 5 (New Carrollton, Landover, Cheverly, Deanwood, and Minnesota Ave).  

Free shuttle bus service will be available at the closed stations. Visit the WMATA website for detailed service information. 


Vanpool Formation: Loudoun County to Fairfax Campus

Are you a full-time Mason employee living in Loudoun County and working on the Fairfax Campus? Would you like to have your commuting costs reimbursed up to $280/month (tax-free), avoid doing all the driving, park for free at Mason, and reduce carbon emissions?  

If so, consider vanpooling. Parking and Transportation has developed a short vanpool match survey.  

More detailed information about vanpooling is available on the Parking and Transportation website. If you have questions about vanpooling—whether you live in Loudoun County or not—contact transpo@gmu.edu.


Movie Nights at the SciTech Campus

The SciTech Campus will host a series of movie nights throughout the year to celebrate Mason’s 50th anniversary. All movies begin at 7:30 p.m.: 

  • Friday, June 10, ET: The Extra Terrestrial, Verizon Auditorium 
  • Wednesday, July 1, A League of Their Own, Hylton Performing Arts Center 
  • Friday, August 26, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Hylton Performing Arts Center 
  • Friday, October 7, The Hunger Games, Verizon Auditorium 

Register for all movies in Mason360.