Around Mason: Week of June 21, 2022

Body

Faculty/Staff Announcements  

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


Campus Updates


Lights Out! Power Down! on Thursday, June 23

Faculty, staff, and students on the Fairfax Campus are encouraged to participate in the annual "Lights Out! Power Down!" event on Thursday, June 23, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Help the university demonstrate its ability to meet Mason’s load reduction commitment during this scheduled demonstration test.

Turn off lights and electronics not in use, such as televisions, projectors, copiers, printers, fax machines, etc. Unplug appliances like coffee makers and cooking equipment. When not in use, turn off laboratory equipment.

As a large consumer of electricity, Mason has enrolled in “Interruptible Load Reliability” (ILR), a demand response program that pays customers in exchange for a commitment to reduce electrical load in the event of an electrical grid emergency condition that could result in outages.

Thank you for helping Mason reduce its energy consumption and be a steward of our environment.

Contact Facilities Customer Service at 703-993-2525 with questions.


Staff Senator Nomination Period Closes June 24

Interested in making a difference in the staff experience at Mason? Join the Mason Staff Senate, where you will have the opportunity to “advocate, educate, and appreciate.” Classified and non-student wage staff are eligible to serve a two-year term as Staff Senators. Read more about joining the Staff Senate

The nomination period for the 2022 Election closes on June 24 at 5 p.m. Submit your nomination today.

The Staff Senate held a Prospective Staff Senator Information Session for anyone interested in learning more about the work of the senate. If you missed the session, you can review the recording

If you have any questions about the responsibilities of being a senator, contact Erin Rogers, Staff Senate chair. For questions about the nomination or election process, contact Amanda Corrigan, Staff Senate administrative assistant. 


Mason Square Weekly Plaza Events

Come to the plaza at Mason Square for dynamic weekly programming and ongoing special events. All programming is free and open to the public!

Check out the Game Social every day at noon, or the Craft Social at 3 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Weekly events include: 

  • Monday: Yappy Hour on the Plaza (bring your furry friends) and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with Coach Reza 
  • Tuesday: Hip Hop Dance Class with Ava Dance Company 
  • Wednesday: Movement and Self-Mastery 
  • Thursday: Flow Yoga with Mind the Mat 
  • Friday: Chess Social  
  • And more

View the complete schedule of events. Contact University Life at ularl@gmu.edu with questions.


Mason Shuttles and Independence Day

A reminder that there will be no Mason Shuttle service on Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. The university will be closed that day. If you have any questions, contact shuttle@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828.


Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group  

The Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group will be meeting on Fridays this summer, June 24 through August 5, from 1-2:30 p.m. 
 
Please join us for the topic: Race, Rest, and Pleasure Activism on June 24. This event is free and open to the public. 
 
For details, visit the reading group’s website for more information including reading materials. 


Training and Professional Development


New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop

The New Adjunct Faculty Success Workshop is fast approaching on Saturday, August 13. Attending the workshop helps new adjunct faculty transition into their role at Mason with professional development support, resources, and friendly faces on campus.  

Department coordinators can do the following to help adjunct faculty prepare:  

  • Send the registration link to new adjunct faculty as they are hired. Direct all registration questions to Faculty Affairs at facaffs@gmu.edu.
  • Ensure that all new adjunct faculty hires are entered into Banner. This step allows new faculty to obtain their faculty ID / Mason NetID and participate in the important Blackboard and Patriot Web trainings on the day of orientation.  

For more information, visit the Faculty Resources website or email Faculty Affairs at facaffs@gmu.edu


Fiscal Administration Certificate Program Launches in July

Starting in July, Fiscal Services will offer a new Mason Fiscal Administration Certificate (MFAC) program. The program will consist of four consecutive, weekly sessions available in a hybrid format (in-person and virtual). Upon completion of the certificate program, employees will have in-depth knowledge of fiscal policies, procedures, and financial systems. This program is the first step in becoming a professional in fiscal administration at Mason. 

For more information, visit the Fiscal Training website.


Resources for You


Summer Camps at Mason

Visit camps.gmu.edu for a list of summer camps and youth programs offered at Mason. The website includes camps sponsored by Mason programs/departments, as well as external groups that host camps on a Mason campus.  

Summer camps at Mason cover a wide variety of topics and activities, including academics, the arts, recreation, and sports. Both in-person and virtual options are listed on the website. 

Questions about individual camps should be directed to the camp organizers.  

For questions about the summer camps website, contact gmutoday@gmu.edu


Mason 50th FilmFest: A League of Their Own 

Let's celebrate Mason's 50th Anniversary with movies at the SciTech Campus. The Hylton Performing Arts Center will host a showing of A League of Their Own, a 1992 American sports comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

Mason 50th FilmFest: A League of Their Own 
Friday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) 
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Register

This event is free and open to the public.


Cinema at Mason Square

Kick off the summer with George Mason University's Cinema at Mason Square outdoor movie series on the plaza. Bring your family and friends, a blanket, lawn chairs, and snacks for a fun evening event. 

These events are free and open to the public. Free popcorn will be provided. Follow the links below to RSVP for an upcoming date: 

Contact University Life with questions. 


Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice 

Do you live within a few miles of campus and think biking to work could be good for your well-being? All faculty and staff (non-student) are eligible to participate in the Bike Commuter Choice Program. The program has four tiers of support. The more you ride, the greater the financial incentive. The introductory tier is just five rides per quarter! For details, please visit bike.gmu.edu and select the Faculty/Staff Bike Commuter Choice Program. 
 
Need help finding a comfortable route to campus? Visit our biking resource page 
 
Questions? Email us at transpo@gmu.edu.


Upcoming Performances at Mason

Mason Jazz Camp: Mason Jazz Camp Faculty
Thursday, June 23, at 3:30 p.m. 
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall 

The Mason Jazz Camp faculty perform. Featuring Darden Purcell (voice), Victor Provost (steel pan), Aaron Eckert (trombone), Regan Brough (bass), John Kocur (saxophone), Kevin McDonald (drums), Graham Breedlove (trumpet), and Shawn Purcell (guitar). Visit Mason Jazz Camp website for the weekly concert schedule and camp details. This event is free and open to the public. 

Mason Jazz Camp: Student Concert 
Friday, June 24, at 2 p.m. 
Center for the Arts, Concert Hall 

The Mason Jazz Camp concludes with performances by student ensembles, showcasing their hard work throughout the week. Visit Mason Jazz Camp website for the weekly concert schedule and camp details. This event is free and open to the public (no camp registration required). 

Paul Anka in Concert ($10 tickets for Mason employees: use coupon code PAUL10) 
Saturday, June 25, at 8 p.m. 
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall 

Through the generosity of the Pruitt Corporation, Mason employees are invited to purchase $10 tickets to the upcoming performance of Paul Anka at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on the SciTech Campus (regular price $60). Legendary singer and songwriter Paul Anka dazzles in a performance featuring his biggest hits, including “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” “Diana,” “She’s A Lady,” and “My Way.” With songwriting credits ranging from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, and Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show” theme, this Academy Award-nominee will thrill and entertain you.  
 
PowerWorx Dance: Pump Up the Power 
Sunday, June 26, at 3 p.m. 
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall 

Based in Chantilly, Virginia, PowerWorx Dance celebrates the end of its sixth season. The award-winning dance studio teaches dancers ages 2–18 in the styles of ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, ACRO, Hip Hop, and more. The competition team performs at regional, national, and international levels. 

ARTfactory and Pied Piper Theatre: Disney’s Moana JR. 
Friday, July 15, 7 p.m. 
Saturday, July 16, 2 p.m. 
Saturday, July 16, 7 p.m. 
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater 

See the line where the sky meets the sea? You’ll love this thrilling and heartwarming stage adaptation of the coming-of-age tale of Moana as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage. She and the demigod Maui embark on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie as she learns to harness the power that lies within. Adapted for young performers, this musical includes favorite songs by Tony-, Grammy-, Emmy- and Pulitzer Prize-winning composers Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i, and Mark Mancina including “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome.” With its empowering message of bravery, Moana JR. is sure to awaken your inner hero. 

Prince William Little Theatre and Manassas Symphony Orchestra: The Sound of Music 
Friday, July 15, at 7 p.m. 
Saturday, July 16, at 2 p.m. 
Sunday, July 17, at 2 p.m. 
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall 

Prince William Little Theatre and the Manassas Symphony Orchestra join forces to present this heartwarming musical about the Von Trapp Family singers, their governess Maria, family patriarch Captain von Trapp, and their adventures and trials in the pre-World War II era. This family-friendly production concludes with a sing-along for all ages.