Events and campus updates curated for university faculty and staff.
Around Mason keeps you informed about the latest updates, opportunities around the campuses (and beyond), and resources for you. Bookmark this page, which is updated at the end of each week.
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Photo of the Week: Salute to veterans. Members of the Mason Nation welcomed four Honor Flights of veterans to Dulles Airport on Saturday, thanking them for their service as they arrived for a tour of the nation's memorials in Washington, D.C. Learn more about Veterans Day events.
Campus Operations
Thanksgiving break regional shuttles
Book a one-way or round-trip ticket to/from the Fairfax Campus at a special price, exclusively for Patriots! Thanksgiving break regional shuttle routes travel to and from New York City (with stops in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Woodbridge Township, New Jersey) and Virginia Beach (with stops in Richmond, Newport News, Hampton, and Norfolk). George Mason ID required when boarding. Get the details.
The Difference Baker now located at Rogers Hall
Mason Dining is excited to share that The Difference Baker has moved to a new location at Rogers Hall on the Fairfax Campus. The bakery known for its gluten-free and allergen-friendly treats now shares space with the campus convenience store, offering easier access, more parking, and a welcoming spot for both students and the Fairfax community. View the hours of operation.
Weekday Deals from Mason Dining
Looking for the best way to stretch your dining budget at George Mason? Mason Dining's new Weekday Deals bring you exclusive savings at campus dining locations, with special offers available one day each week. Check out where you can save today!
Professional Development and Training
Register for the January Faculty Writing Retreat
Faculty Affairs and Development and Writing Across the Curriculum are hosting their Faculty Writing Retreat on January 7–8, 2026, from 8 a.m to 3:30 p.m. This event offers an active approach to uninterrupted writing time, a chance to learn from our panelists, and a supportive and collegial community of peers to boost your writing productivity. Offered both in-person and online. Register.
Grand Challenge Initiative: Upcoming event
George Mason's Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI) is a comprehensive research framework backed by an initial five-year, $15 million investment. The initiative will align university resources, faculty expertise, and educational programs around six interconnected solution areas promoting a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous future.
Grand Challenge Initiative: Lightning Talks and Matchmaking Mixer (In-Person): This in-person event is an opportunity to hear from colleagues about their ideas and resources with the aim of encouraging collaboration and connection across campus and strengthening proposals to the GCI RFP. Join the event on Friday, Nov. 14. Attendees must register in advance.
Supervising students: The role of supervisors as educators in on-campus student employment
Join University Career Services for a discussion-based training designed to equip supervisors with the tools, knowledge, and strategies necessary to enhance the employment experience for student employees. It emphasizes the transformative potential of on-campus student employment as a high-impact practice that bridges academic learning with real-world application.
This session is ideal for anyone who supervises undergraduate or graduate students working at George Mason. Join the workshop on Friday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to noon on the Fairfax Campus, Student Union Building I (SUB I), Room 3400. Register.
Grading Workshop for Graduate Students
The Stearns Center and Graduate Education are facilitating a workshop for graduate students that focuses on the application of grading rubrics and how to handle grading questions from students. Register for the workshop happening on Friday, Nov. 14, from 10–11 a.m. This workshop counts toward the SkillCraft Level 1 Essentials Credential and is open to all graduate students.
Thriving Together
World Kindness Day on Wilkins Plaza
World Kindness Day is celebrated annually to promote kindness towards ourselves, each other, and the world. Stop by the clock on Wilkins Plaza on Thursday, Nov. 13, between 10:30 a.m. and noon to share uplifting notes for the campus community.
The City of Fairfax, Virginia, has officially proclaimed November 8-15 as “Kindness Week Worldwide,” aligning with World Kindness Day and honoring a growing global movement dedicated to compassion, community connection, and well-being. The effort was inspired by Mason Chooses Kindness and Kindness Worldwide. Read more.
Check out a new podcast on WGMU Radio, Kindness Calls, on Nov. 13 at 2:30 p.m. Live guests will share how they are championing kindness on George Mason's campuses and beyond. Listen live.
Toy Drive to benefit Britepaths
Throughout November, the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement, Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, and Mason Chooses Kindness are collecting new toys to support the Britepaths winter celebration, where families can visit a festive toy shop and select gifts for their children. Those interested may contribute by shopping the Amazon Wishlist or by dropping off unwrapped, new toy donations on the Fairfax Campus in The Hub, Suite 2400.
SOSS Brave & Bold launch event
Step up and taste the pride of George Mason University with SOSS Brave & Bold. Crafted by George Mason alumni, this creamy, zesty creation embodies the bold, fearless spirit of George Mason. It’s smooth, smoky, and just spicy enough to keep things exciting—a true representation of what it means to be brave and bold. This is your all-in-one sauce for everything. SOSS Brave & Bold will initially be available in the campus Markets (convenience stores) and online.
Launch event: Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center East Plaza. Join the campus launch of SOSS Brave & Bold. Enjoy pizza, games, and prizes. RSVP.
Annual turkey carving lunch with President Gregory Washington
Mason Dining invites the Mason Nation to Southside Dining Hall on the Fairfax Campus on Wednesday, Nov. 19, for the annual turkey carving with President Gregory Washington. Enjoy a festive lunch as President Washington carves the turkey and celebrates the start of the holiday season with the George Mason community. Learn more about dining on campus.
Fan Merchandise Survey: You could win a $100 gift card
The Office of University Branding would love to know more about you and your shopping habits. Your feedback is intended to help influence the presence of George Mason merchandise in the marketplace.
The results from this survey will be used for research purposes only. Any answers provided are completely confidential. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Once you complete the survey, you will automatically be entered to win one of four $100 gift cards to the George Mason University Bookstore. The survey closes on Nov. 21. Share your feedback.
Rachel Spence, Global Education Office, and chair of the Staff Senate
Yali Pan, Office of International Programs and Services
Marathoner Susanna Sullivan is in it for the long run
Geoffrey Gilleaudeau, associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences
Event Highlights
After Virginia Votes
Join the Schar School of Policy and Government and the Virginia Public Access Project for After Virginia Votes, a post-election event on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. at Mason Square. Hear panelists from both sides of the aisle discuss what the results mean for Virginia’s future. Julie Carey of NBC4 will moderate. Limited seating is available; the event will also be livestreamed. RSVP to attend in person or online.
Engage! Series
Join the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECiL) for the "Engage!" event series exploring information literacy as a tool for social change. In an era of misinformation and AI-generated content, knowing how to find and trust reliable information is more important than ever. The series brings faculty, students, staff, and community members together to confront these challenges and promote informed engagement. Get all the details and register.
Panel and Roundtable: Tuesday, Nov. 18, at noon. This event features student leaders, faculty, and nonprofit advocates discussing misinformation’s impact on trust, mental health, and opportunity.
Community-Led Workshop: Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. This event will include discussions of how misinformation limits access to vital resources and impacts the economic well-being of vulnerable community members.
Visual Voices with Cheryl Holmes Miller
Visual Voices is a professional lecture series offered by Mason Exhibitions and offers a window into the professional world of art and design. Join the event on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 4:45-6:30 p.m. for Visual Voices with Cheryl Holmes Miller, one of the design field's most respected figures, known as a touchstone and conscience for the design profession. This event will be held on the Fairfax Campus in Harris Theatre and via Zoom. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
Upcoming Performances
Steel Pan Ensemble and Jazz Combos: Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m.
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
The Mason Steel Pan Ensemble (directed by Victor Provost) and Jazz Combos (directed by Wade Beach) will perform music from Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Glen Miller.
Jazz4Justice: The Latin Tinge: Friday, Nov. 14, at 8 p.m.
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Celebrate the vibrant rhythms and soulful melodies of “The Latin Tinge,” a tribute to the influence of Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, and South American sounds on the evolution of jazz. Proceeds benefit Legal Services of Northern Virginia, providing legal aid to those in need, and George Mason Jazz Department initiatives. Our special guest conductor is George Mason President Gregory Washington!
Shawn Purcell Jazz Combos and Braddock Road Brass Band Concert: Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m.
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
The Braddock Road Brass Band (directed by Graham Breedlove) and Jazz Combos (directed by Shawn Purcell) perform their fall concert. Attendees will enjoy music from Chuck Mangione, Irving Berlin, Charlie Parker, Rodgers and Hart, Eddie Harris, Fats Domino, and Dirty Dozen Brass Band. This concert is free and open to the public.
Today @ Mason is George Mason's official university calendar. Whether looking for a specific event or browsing for something to do, it's all there.
Community Calendars
Human Resources News
Holiday Schedule
Plan ahead for upcoming breaks and get ready for 2026. View the George Mason University holiday schedule.
Supervising a Hybrid Workforce
The "Supervising a Hybrid Workforce" workshop equips participants with the knowledge and skills essential for thriving in a modern work environment. Supervisors will discuss the benefits of flexible work and learn how to effectively manage employee performance, development, and engagement in a hybrid environment. An upcoming session is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14. Get more details and register.
ITS Bits and Bytes
3 things to know about Microsoft 365 storage changes at George Mason
George Mason University is updating its Microsoft 365 storage policies to ensure sustainability and security. Here are some updates from Information Technology Services (ITS) about what’s changing for students, faculty, and staff. Read more.
Scaling the future: Patriot Web upgrade
Information Technology Services (ITS) recently launched an update to Patriot Web, George Mason University’s self-service site for students, faculty, and staff to manage their personal, administrative, and academic information. This change includes a new, modern interface with improved navigation and capabilities including role-based notifications, a university calendar, and customizable cards on the home screen that allow users to create a layout that best supports their needs. Learn more.
Policy and Compliance Updates
Student Wage Hybrid Telework Agreement
University Policy 2202 (Flexible Work) now includes updated guidance for student wage employees with hybrid telework schedules. Student wage employees may now be eligible for hybrid telework, if they reside and work within Virginia and have proper work authorization to work off campus. Fully remote work (either in-state or out-of-state) is not permitted for student wage roles.
Supervisors must initiate and complete the Student Wage Hybrid Telework Agreement prior to the start of any telework. For guidance or questions, visit Mason’s Flexible Work website or email engagehr@gmu.edu with questions.
Coming to a Student Near You
Engineering Careers Week
Engineering Careers Week, hosted by University Career Services from Nov. 10-14, explores a range of jobs from energy, to bioengineering, to patent examination. Students will have a chance to work on their resumes and practice their technical interviewing skills. Whether applying for jobs and internships or looking to launch a business, this week is designed to help students succeed in their engineering careers. Get the details.
From the Offices of...
Sleigh all day. Lucy the husky loves waiting for her human to come home from school and evening walks to the park to meet her neighborhood friends. She prefers the company of humans over other dogs, and she also values her “me time.” Very particular about cleanliness, Lucy will not step on a dirty floor and gets stressed in messy environments. Lucy joined her household during COVID as a fluffy, 3-month-old puppy.
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