Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Volunteers Needed for Winter Graduation and Patriot Procession
Don't miss your opportunity to celebrate Winter Graduation with our newest graduates, their families, and friends! Faculty and staff volunteers are needed to assist at the celebrations.
Events include the Patriot Procession from Tuesday, Dec. 13, to Thursday, Dec. 15, and the Winter Commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. Select a date and time on the Winter Graduation volunteer sign up.
This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with our brand new alumni in an upbeat, positive setting full of Mason spirit.
Contact University Events at gmuevent@gmu.edu with questions.
You’re Invited to the 2022 Faculty and Staff Holiday Party
Come celebrate with fellow faculty and staff during the 2022 holiday party! Join us for food, music, games, and prizes. Select your campus below to RSVP:
SciTech
Tuesday, Dec. 6, noon to 1:30 p.m.
Beacon Hall
Fairfax
Thursday, Dec. 8, 1–3:30 p.m.
Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
Don’t forget! The Staff Senate invites you to support the Winter Food and Toy Drives.
Note: The Mason Square holiday party took place Monday, Dec. 5.
December Staff Senate Meeting
The December Staff Senate meeting will feature David Burge, vice president for enrollment management, to discuss the higher education market in Northern Virginia.
Wednesday, December 7
10 a.m. to noon
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Guest Speaker
11 a.m. to noon – General Business Meeting
Hosted on Zoom
The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at George Mason University. Working closely with university administration, they 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. Find more ways to engage with the senate.
Timesheets Due Early Before Winter Break
Winter Break is near! Please be aware that timesheets need to be submitted and approved early due to Winter Break. For specific due dates and guidance based on paycheck type (semimonthly or biweekly), visit the Human Resources and Payroll website.
University Winter Break Lockdown
The university will be closed for Winter Break from Monday, Dec. 19, at 6 a.m. until Monday, Jan. 2, at 6 a.m. All academic and administrative buildings will be on lockdown throughout this period. Buildings equipped with electronic access will be programmed to lock down by the Card Access Security Office, but will still be accessible to those with current card access.
Some employees and students may require entry to buildings with non-electronic access during this time. Please submit the Winter Break Access Form for pre-planned entry requests during the lockdown. Visit the Mason Police website for the form. For questions, contact Mason Police at 703-993-2810.
MyHub for Office 365
Information Technology Services (ITS) recently launched MyHub, a new tool within the Office 365 environment that serves as a convenient, one-stop shop for managing existing workspaces and creating new ones.
In January 2023, MyHub will become the standard way to create new workspaces. To prepare and begin using MyHub, see Getting Started: Creating a Workspace with MyHub. To learn about the different workspaces you can create, review MyHub Team Types.
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or support@gmu.edu.
Parking and Transportation Holiday Donation Drive
Would you like to help someone in need? Parking Services is holding its annual holiday donation drive. Now through Dec. 15 at 4 p.m., you can reduce the cost of an outstanding parking citation by making a donation to benefit the Patriot Pantry. Donations may be dropped off at any Parking Services office. For important details, visit the webpage.
2023 Celebration of Distinction: Nomination Form
The George Mason University Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the 2023 George Mason University Alumni Association Awards.
For more than 30 years, the Alumni Association has recognized outstanding alumni, student, and faculty accomplishments with five unique annual awards, including:
- Alumnus/a of the Year
- Alumni Service Award
- Faculty Member of the Year Award
- Senior of the Year Award
- Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award
The deadline to nominate someone is Friday, March 10, 2023. For questions regarding the nominations process, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@gmu.edu or 703-993-8696.
Reminder: Mason Shuttles and Travel for Winter Break
Winter Break brings some major changes to the Mason Shuttle schedules. Details for both Mason Shuttles and travel options for Winter Break are posted on the Mason Shuttles website. Spring shuttle schedules will be available after the New Year. Please note: we are not operating regional shuttles for Winter Break.
Contact Parking and Transportation at 703-993-2828 or shuttle@gmu.edu.
Training and Professional Development
Free Well-Being Leadership Webinar: Beating Burnout and Boosting Resilience as a People Leader
Learn three key, science-backed steps to address burnout and increase resilience in your people in a free webinar from Jacinta Jiménez, author of The Burnout Fix. Join the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from noon to 1:15 p.m. for “Beating Burnout and Boosting Resilience as a People Leader,” part of Mason’s Leading to Well-Being Speaker Series.
Register today. Contact cwb@gmu.edu with questions.
New Sessions Added: Engagement Strategies for Supervisors
Supervisors are encouraged to join an interactive session focused on faculty and staff engagement. Participants will take part in discussions surrounding Gallup survey engagement data and current best practices as well as learn new strategies to enhance the faculty and staff experience at Mason.
View the schedule and register for an upcoming session. Contact Faculty and Staff Engagement at engagehr@gmu.edu with questions.
Faculty Writing Retreat: Registration Now Open
Hoping to start the new year off with some new writing momentum? Register for the Winter Faculty Writing Retreat from Jan. 11–13, 2023. This two-and-a-half-day event offers a supportive and collegial community of peers to boost your writing productivity. Participants work on a variety of research, creative, and scholarly projects at all stages of completion.
Registration is open through Sunday, Dec. 11. Contact wac@gmu.edu with questions.
Resources for You
Moving Story Musical Theater Intensive
Mason Community Arts Academy and Moving Story are excited to announce the Moving Story Musical Theater Intensive workshop hosted in January 2023.
In this two-day workshop, students and performers ages 15–20 will have the opportunity to partake in musical theater professional development including vocal master classes, Broadway choreography, a special Q&A session with actress Rachel Bay Jones, and more. Register now, as spots are limited. Students receive a discount. Contact academy@gmu.edu for more information.
Upcoming Performances at Mason
Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna
Friday, Dec. 9, at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
The holiday season isn’t complete without the return of the Vienna Boys Choir melting hearts with their heavenly voices. Admired across the globe for their pure sound and technical mastery, the cherubic ensemble features boy sopranos and altos from ages 8–14, representing 31 countries and harmonizing their incredible vocals for an unforgettable night. Make new family memories or continue a cherished annual tradition with the Vienna Boys Choir’s Christmas in Vienna this holiday season. This performance is appropriate for all ages.
American Festival Pops Orchestra – Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season
Friday, Dec. 9, at 8 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center
Saturday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts
Come out for timeless holiday favorites with the American Festival Pops Orchestra. This beloved tradition celebrates the season with treasured classics that warm the heart and soul. Join us as we welcome newly appointed Artistic Director and Conductor Peter Wilson, along with a special guest appearance by Conductor Emeritus Anthony Maiello, among other musical treats. This performance is appropriate for all ages.
A Celtic Christmas with Seán Heely
Sunday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Seán Heely, U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion and folk singer, returns for an encore performance to celebrate the holiday season with Celtic Christmas music. Take a magical winter tour through the Scottish Highlands and across the rugged Irish coast with Gaelic carols and songs. With fiddles, bagpipes, tartans, kilts, and Scottish and Irish dancing, Seán Heely’s A Celtic Christmas is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. This performance is appropriate for all ages.