Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
University Commencement and Degree Celebrations
AV Commencement and college Degree Celebrationstake place this week at EagleBank Arena and the Center for the Arts to celebrate the achievements of Mason students.
- University Commencement: Thursday, May 18, 10 a.m., EagleBank Arena. A live stream will be available on the Mason homepage on the day of the ceremony.
- Degree Celebrations: Thursday, May 18, through Sunday, May 20. View the complete schedule.
Contact University Events at 703-993-2853 or gmuevent@gmu.edu with questions.
Mason COVID Testing Centers to Close, Vaccination Clinic by Appointment Only
America’s COVID-19 emergency formally ended May 11. As a result, AV’s COVID-19testing program will conclude Thursday, May 18.
Starting Monday, May 22, the university will offer COVID vaccines by appointment only at the Employee Health and Well-Being clinic at David King Hall. Hours will vary based on vaccine demand, and appointment slots will be opened weekly. Vaccines will be available to students, faculty/staff, and community members.
To make a vaccine appointment starting May 22, visit the. If you have questions or need assistance making an appointment, emailehw@gmu.edu.
Standard Telework Renewal Process for Classified Staff
There has been an update to DHRM Policy 1.61: Teleworking, which includes a new provision for the annual renewal process for Standard Telework Agreements. Effective immediately, state-level approval of Standard Telework Agreements is required only for new or modified agreements requesting more than one day of remote work. Annual renewal of existing telework agreements may be approved by the Agency Head.
Classified staff who wish to renew their current approved telework agreement without any modifications may now be approved by the university without additional approval from the state. The Standard Telework Agreement must still be submitted, as we continue to report this data to the state, but we anticipate that this new provision will greatly increase efficiency and reduce the turnaround time for renewal requests for the same amount of telework..
Mailing Addresses for Amazon Deliveries on Campus
Purchasing and Operations and Business Services have been working with Amazon to address delivery issues for Amazon parcels, particularly those addressed using Mason mailstops. Mason faculty and staff placing orders with Amazon should follow these steps to ensure a successfuldelivery:
- Use the appropriate building’s physical street address for Amazon deliveries. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) maintains a.
- When placing an order on Amazon, use the first address line for the street address (as shown on the EHS site) and the suite number. The second address line can be used for any additional address information needed. Add the city, state, and ZIP code to complete the delivery address. The “note” section can be used to mention any other unique delivery needs.
- Update the saved address information in your Amazon Business account. Mason users should make sure the address information indicates that they cannot accept weekend deliveries, unless that department is indeed staffed during weekend delivery hours.
- If your department has more than one delivery address, be sure to follow these steps for all delivery addresses.
If you find a parcel left in a public area or otherwise misdelivered, please take a photo of the package label and email it toBuz Grover.Include the package location.
Mason will continue working with Amazon to ensure timely delivery of parcels. ContactBuz Groverwith questions.
Reminder: Summer Mason Shuttles Service
A reminder that the summer schedules for Mason Shuttles and a summer service summary are posted at . Summer service begins on Monday, May 22, and is Monday–Friday only.
- ThroughMay 17, there will be one bus on the West Campus route with service every 40 minutes. May 17 is the last day of West Campus service until fall.
- West Campus permit holders may park in the general lots onEast Campus for the summer.
- The On-Demand shuttle will not operate during the summer.
- The last weekend for service on Gunston Mason and the Fairfax/SciTech routes is May 20–21. Service on these routes will resume in the fall.
Contact 703-993-2828 orshuttle@gmu.eduwith questions.
Reminder: Orca Digital Signage System Decommissioning
OrcaTV, Mason’s interior digital signage system, will be retired at the end of the spring semester. Originally installed to communicate information in case of a campus emergency, that capability has been supplanted by smart device applications, such as Mason Alert and Rave Guardian.
With the system aging and requiring upgrades/component replacement, and with digital signage ad revenues failing to cover those costs, Operations and Business Services has decided to retire the system.
OrcaTV will be available until May 30, at which time it will be deactivated and the screens removed. Departments that could use older flat screen TVs, mounts, or other associated equipment are welcome to check out what isavailable on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Buz Grover at 703-993-5784 or via email.
"All of Us" Education and Enrollment Center Exhibit
AV will host the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us Journey, a traveling, hands-on exhibit that raises awareness about the All of Us Research Program.The program aims to speed up health research and medical breakthroughs. To do so, All of Us is asking one million volunteers to share different typesof health and lifestyle information—information like where they live, what they do, and their family health history.
The mobile exhibit includes an opportunity for visitors to sign up to participatein the program by answering surveys, giving their physical measurements, and more. .
The All of Us exhibit at Mason will take place May 30 to June 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Merten Lawn. The eventis sponsored by University Libraries, the College of Public Health, and Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center. .
Training and Professional Development
Custom Diversity/Equal Opportunity Trainings
Education is essential in maintaining an environment free from discriminatory harassment and retaliation. Mason employees interested in learning more about navigating an increasingly diverse universe are encouraged to reach out to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusionto discuss the possibility of a customized training session for their department, unit, or team.For questions, or to schedule a consultation, contactKyle Warfield.
Resources for You
Apply for the Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship
Applications are now accepted for the Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship. This $250 annual award was created to encourage and advance continuing education for Mason faculty and classified staff. For eligibility criteria, frequently asked questions, and to apply, visit the. Applications are due Friday,June 9.
Employee Perks and Incentives Page
Human Resources is excited to announce the brand-new, a one-stop shop for information on all the benefits, discounts, and complimentary resources that come with being a Mason employee.
The page includes information on health insurance, retirement, and leave; tuition exemption and student debt relief; discounts on and around campus; family and personal care resources, and more.
Metro Orange Line Platform Work this Summer
Construction work will occur on Metro’s Orange Line over the summer. Stations between Ballston and Vienna will be affected from June 3 to July 16. For information on the project, including WMATA shuttle service while some stations are closed, visit the. An overview of all plannedis available. ContactMason Transportationto learn about alternate transportation options.
Digital Implementations of Exercise is Medicine® with Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center
The Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center and its lifestyle medicine program, Exercise is Medicine® (EIM-FAFC), are excited to announce a new partnership with EXI® Therapeutics Inc., a MedTech company that has developed a robust app aimed at allowing certified health and fitness professionals to prescribe tailored exercise programs and monitor real-time data in a way that’s easy, effective, and accessible to a larger portion of the population. In coordination with EIM-FAFC, clients will have the support they need to achieve their health goals.
Exercise is Medicine is a 12-week program in whichparticipants simultaneously work with a health andwellness coach and personal trainer in a series of sessions, after an individual assessment and prescription, targeted at three key areas: exercise, nutrition education, and lifestyle behavior change.
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Pre-diabetes Research Study
The Individualized Nutrition Therapy Study is seeking participants. This study, conducted by researchers in Mason’s Department of Nutrition and Food Studies and led by Raedeh Basiri, is a randomized, controlled trial that provides adults aged between 45–65 who are at risk of type 2 diabetes either an individualized nutrition therapy intervention that contains individualized dietary goal-setting components, or a standard-of-care generalized dietary recommendation.
The researchers aim to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and related cardiovascular diseases.
The study is seeking participants with a BMI between 25 and 39.9 kg/m2 and HbA1c between 5.7 to 6.4. If you do not know your BMI or HbA1c, they can measure them for you.
The results of this study may support the role of individualized nutrition therapy as an effective way to improve glycemic control and reduce cardiovascular disease in individuals with prediabetes. For questions, contact Raedeh Basiri viaemailor 703-993-6575. IRB #1825534-7.