Faculty/Staff Announcements
Have something to share? and submit an announcement from your unit to efiles@gmu.edu.
Deadline is close of business Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday's edition.
Campus Updates
Updated Fairfax Campus Map
The latest version of the Fairfax Campus map is available at .
Mason departments are encouraged to share the 2021 map with those visiting the Fairfax Campus. The webpage also includes local driving directions and transit options to Mason locations.
For questions, contact Philip Stamper, ĢAV Information, at pstamper@gmu.edu.
Start Planning for Open Enrollment
Annual open enrollment will be held online via EmployeeDirect from May 3–17, 2021. During annual open enrollment, you may change your health benefits coverage and enroll/re-enroll in the flexible spending accounts for the upcoming plan year. Open enrollment changes are effective from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.
In April, the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) will mail open enrollment packets to eligible employees’ home addresses.
To ensure that you receive your open enrollment packet, check your current home address in and update your address if it is incorrect. Visit the Human Resources and Payroll website to learn how to update your address in Patriot Web.
Contact hr@gmu.edu with questions.
April Staff Senate Meeting with President Washington
The April Staff Senate meeting will feature guest speaker Dr. Gregory Washington, president, George Mason ĢAV.
Wednesday, April 7
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
General meeting will follow from 11 a.m. to noon
All are welcome to attend the Staff Senate meeting.
Contact staffsenate@gmu.edu for more information.
Virtual Bike to Mason Week 2021
Could biking be part of your commute plan? From April 19–23, join Parking and Transportation for Virtual Bike to Mason Week.
Classes include:
- Fix a Flat: Don’t let the potential for a flat tire stop you from biking for commuting or recreation. Learn how you can fix a flat at home or while on a bike ride.
- Biking at Mason: Hear about the biking facilities and programs at all three of Mason’s Northern Virginia campuses.
- Dressing and Packing When Commuting by Bike: Receive tips on biking in all types of weather and conditions.
- Bicycle Commuting 101: Learn how to feel more confident about getting to campus on two wheels.
Questions? Contact transpo@gmu.edu.
Training and Professional Development
Fenwick Fellow Applications Now Accepted
ĢAV Libraries is now accepting applications for this year's Fenwick Fellow competition. The fellowship is awarded annually to eligible Mason faculty members to support a research project that uses and enhances the Libraries' resources while advancing knowledge in their field.
Up to two Fellowships of $5,000 each may be awarded. Program guidelines include funding for an additional fellowship for a project proposal that specifically aligns with the Libraries' initiatives in the area of digital scholarship.
Application deadline is Tuesday, June 1. The awardee(s) will be announced at the start of the fall academic term. ĢAV Libraries sponsors a public lecture by each Fenwick Fellow in the spring term following the completed fellowship.
Visit for details.
Contact Debra Hogan at dhogan1@gmu.edu with questions.
Stearns Center Digital Learning Webinar: Benefits and Challenges of Alternative and Authentic Assessments
Faculty and GTAs are invited to this Stearns Center Digital Learning webinar. Attendees will:
- Learn student perspectives about alternative and authentic assessments
- Identify potential benefits and challenges of alternative and authentic assessments
- Consider examples and models for developing alternative and authentic assessments, particularly in online courses
As part of the Online Teaching Credential, participants are encouraged to use the webinar information to design an alternative or authentic activity or project for their own courses.
Friday, April 16, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Facilitators: Laura Todd and Darlene Smucny, Stearns Center Digital Learning
Questions? Contact stearns@gmu.edu.
Records Management Infolinx System Now Live: April Trainings Available
ĢAV Records Management has begun training on the new Infolinx system for better management of the ĢAV Records Center.
Offices wishing to submit boxes for storage/destruction, or to request files/boxes back, will need to be trained on the new system in order to have access to the appropriate processes. Trainings are available in April.
See for a list of available training dates. Registration is required and space is limited, so please sign up in advance. Trainings will occur via Zoom.
Contact recmgt@gmu.edu with any questions.
Resources for You
Learn to Ride a Bike with the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB)
The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) is teaming up with Mason Parking and Transportation to offer a Learn to Ride Cycling Class on Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to noon in Parking Lot C on the Fairfax Campus.
Class fee is $10 for Mason faculty, staff, and students. For details and to register, .
Contact transpo@gmu.edu with questions.
Upcoming Events from Mason's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Business of Physical Well-Being with Mason Alumnus and Entrepreneur Jimmy Martin
Tuesday, April 13, at 2 p.m.
Virtual Event
Tune in for a discussion on The Business of Physical Well-Being with Mason alumnus Jimmy Martin, co-founder of Brrrn. Learn about his NYC cool-temp fitness studio.
The Business of Financial Well-Being with Mason Alumnus and Entrepreneur Jason Howell
Wednesday, April 14, at 10:30 a.m.
Virtual Event
Tune in for a discussion on The Business of Financial Well-Being with Mason alumnusJason J. Howell, CFP®, CSRIC®, and president ofJason Howell Company. Learn how Jason's focus on Sustainable, Responsible and Impact investing (SRI) and his specific target customer differentiates his firm from all the others.
National Walking Day: April 7
Wednesday, April 7, is National Walking Day. Walking can contribute to multiple facets of your well-being. See if walking can be part of your active transportation commute. Try it out on April 7!
Contact Mason Transportation at transpo@gmu.edu if you need some suggestions on creating an active transportation commute.
Mason Arts at Home and In-Person Performances
Rethinking the President’s Committee for Arts and Humanities: Opportunities for Policy Innovation Under a New Administration
Mason Arts Management Program
Wednesday, April 7, 6:30–7:45 p.m.
Virtual Event
George Mason ĢAV’s Arts Management Program presents a digital conversation with Associate Professor Carole Rosenstein and immediate-past Executive Director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH) Megan Beyer about working with First Lady Michelle Obama, managing through crisis during the Trump administration, and advising the Biden transition on the future of federal arts policy.
Visual VoicesSpeaker Series: Bruce Willen
Mason School of Art
Thursday, April 8, 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Event
The George Mason ĢAV School of Art is a professional lecture series that invites nationally recognized visiting artists and designers to speak to students and the community about their work and the world of art and design.Presented in a digital format this spring, the School of Art invites you to this intimate look inside artists’ minds, workshops, and practices.
MasonSchool of Theater: Are You There?
Written by Vivian Barnes, Jonathan Norton, and Gab Reisman
Directed byMimsiJanis
Friday,April 9, 8 p.m.
Virtual Event
What does it mean to be connected? How has technology, from the telephone to social media, changed our relationships? The high-tech revolution changed our lives for the better, right? New pathways, or new interruptions? Are You There? is a series of short playspresented by Mason’s School of Theaterexploring connection, intimacy, and what it means to be with people.
MasonDance Company: Spring New Dances
Mason School of Dance
Friday, April 9, andSaturday, April 10, 8p.m.
Center for the Arts (in-person performance)
Witness original choreographycreated and performedbyMasonSchool of Dancestudentsat the Center for the Arts.TheFriday and Saturdayperformances willeachfeature uniqueprogrammingby the student choreographers.
ChoraleBroadway Showcase2021: When You Believe
Dewberry School of Music
Sunday, April 11, 4 p.m.
Mason Pond Lawn (in-person event)
The ĢAVChoralepresents a series of Broadway classics for its 2021 outdoor showcase on Mason Pond Lawn. These favorites include“Seize the Day”fromNewsies,“Circle of Life”from The Lion King, "When you Believe”fromThe Prince of Egypt, andmore.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Celebrating Beethoven
Live from the Hylton Center
Sunday, April 11, 7p.m.
Virtual Event
Welcome back to the stage virtuoso pianist Jeffrey Siegelfor adigital, livestreamed Keyboard Conversations® concert with commentaryrecorded live from the Merchant Hall stage at the Hylton Center.Siegelcelebrates the 250thanniversary of Beethoven’s birth with some of the composer’s best-loved works.
Sign up for Mason 101!
Mason 101 is a one-time, two-hour workshop for Mason staff and faculty to learn more about the history, organization, resources, and future of George Mason ĢAV.
The next opportunity is scheduled for Friday, April 9 from10 a.m.-12 p.m. and will take place over Zoom.
Sign up is available at masonleaps.gmu.edu:
- Log-in with your MasonID.
- In the search bar, type "Mason 101" and press your Return/Enter key.
- On the screen that opens, click "Mason 101"
- Click on the available Mason 101 date.
- Click the "Request" button next to the date you wish to register for.
For questions or more information, contact Philip Stamper atpstamper@gmu.eduor 703-993-5308.