Around Mason: Week of Aug. 2, 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


Police Training Exercise on the Fairfax Campus: Thursday, August 4

The George Mason University Fairfax Campus will host a police training exercise on Thursday, August 4, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The campus community may see additional emergency personnel and vehicles on campus during the training exercise. Police dispatch can be reached at 703-993-2810 for any inquiries during the event.


Request for Mason Vision Day Submissions

After the successful turnout of this year’s Mason Vision Day for the Green Machine, we are excited to announce that Mason Vision Day 2023 will take place on Thursday, April 6, 2023.  

The Office of Annual Giving is accepting ideas and suggestions for the 2023 initiative. If you have an idea, project, or initiative that you believe Mason Nation and beyond would support, we want to hear it!   

Anyone—faculty, staff, alumni, students, friends—may submit an idea. Send your suggestion through the form 

Ideas must be submitted by Friday, September 9, at 11:59 p.m. All submissions will be reviewed in the fall, with the finalist announced in January 2023. 

Contact Zavin Smith with questions.


Fall Semester Parking Permit Sales Underway

Fall semester parking permits are now on sale online only at parking.gmu.edu. Payroll deduction permits for faculty/staff will automatically renew on September 1, and no action is necessary.

For more information, check out the Fall 2022 Parking and Transporation Update. Contact parking@gmu.edu or 703-993-2710 with questions.


Fall Mason Shuttles Schedules Coming Soon

Fall 2022 shuttle schedules will be posted in early August at shuttle.gmu.edu.   

Note the following:  

  • Many routes have schedule changes from spring, including reduced service levels on Fridays. The Burke VRE shuttle is not operating until further notice 
  • Summer schedules are in effect through Friday, August 19.  
  • Fall schedules begin with weekend service on August 20–21 on the Fairfax/SciTech, Gunston Mason, and On-Demand shuttle routes. 
  • Fall service begins on Monday, August 22, for Fairfax/Mason Square, Sandy Creek to Metro, and West Campus routes. 
  • Special one-day Sunday service will be available on the West Campus shuttle on Sunday, August 21, from noon to 10 p.m. 

Contact shuttle@gmu.edu with questions.


New Equipment in Mason Parking Decks and Daily Visitor Parking Rates

Equipment upgrades are underway in the Mason Pond Parking Deck, Rappahannock Parking Deck, and Van Metre Garage. 

Departments and individuals with visitor parking validations for Van Metre and Mason Pond need to exchange the validations for new ones with QR codes. You may use existing Mason Pond validations in Shenandoah Parking Deck temporarily, but new pay stations will be installed in Shenandoah Deck in September or October.  

The gates for these decks have been up during the transition, but gates will be lowered in mid-August when the new technology is activated.  

Read more about how the new equipment will impact permit holders. 

New hourly visitor rates for all garages will take effect on or around August 15, with the all-day rate increasing to $18. Although the rate is increasing, you can replace your current validations with the new QR code validations by visiting the Parking Office at no cost.


Training and Professional Development


Save the Date: Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference

The Mason community is invited to the Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference on September 30. Join us for a day of workshops, panels, teaching-focused presentations, and networking with colleagues.  

This conference will include a variety of in-person activities, a diverse menu of livestreaming options, and on-demand content. Visit the ITL website for more information and registration details. 

Keynote speaker Claire Howell Major, author of Student Engagement Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty, will share her principles of teaching students to advance learning and develop classroom engagement in higher education.


Resources for You


Mason Night at Nationals Park

Join us for Mason Night at Nationals Park on Friday, September 30, with a first pitch at 7:05 p.m. The first 1,500 fans who purchase a ticket through this offer will receive the new limited edition baseball hat with Mason’s 50th anniversary mark. A pre-game reception will also be hosted from 6–7 p.m. for the first 100 ticket purchasers.


Cinema at Mason Square

Enjoy the last days of 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.  

This event is free and open to the public. Free popcorn will be provided. RSVP for the final movie of the summer:  

Friday, August 19, 8 p.m., My Cousin Vinny

Contact University Life with questions.


Patriot Green Fund

Do you have an idea for how to make your workspace, projects, or operations more sustainable? The Patriot Green Fund (PGF) can help!   

The PGF is a $100,000 annual fund from Mason Facilities that finances infrastructure improvements and student research efforts that reduce Mason’s environmental impact. Any current student, faculty, or staff member may apply for funds to support a sustainability project, and quick fund applications can be submitted any time.   

Staff have used the PGF to bring water bottle refill stations and recycling bins to campus buildings, upgrade necessary equipment for more energy-efficient alternatives, reduce the amount of waste produced, and more. 

Learn more about the PGF, check out the list of past projects, and submit a short interest form today at pgf.gmu.edu.


Subscription Discounts to the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center 

Current and retired Mason faculty and staff get exclusive access to half-price subscription tickets for the Center for the Arts’ Great Performances at Mason season and the Hylton Performing Arts Center’s Hylton Presents season. Choose any three or more performances (per venue) to save 50 percent.  

The ticket office may verify your faculty/staff status with your Mason ID or your Mason email address.   

How to Subscribe:  

  • Center for the Arts (Fairfax Campus): Call 703-993-2787   
  • Hylton Center (SciTech Campus): Call 703-993-7700 

Or, visit each venue’s ticket office with your Mason ID to order your half-price subscription.


Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group

The Kritikos Anti-Racist Reading Group will meet on Fridays this summer through August 5, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. All are welcome.     

Join them for their last meeting of the summer on August 5 for the topic, "Summer of Soul." This event is free and open to the public.     

Visit the reading group’s website for more information, including reading materials.