Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
Winter Graduation is Dec. 18–19
George Mason will celebrate its newest graduates at Commencement and Degree Celebrations on Wednesday, Dec. 18, and Thursday, Dec. 19, at EagleBank Arena. Tickets are required.Expect increased traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus during graduation festivities, particularly during Commencement, which takes place on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 9:30 a.m. Contact University Events with questions.
University Winter Break Lockdown
The university will be closed for winter break from Monday, Dec. 23, at 6 a.m. through Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, at 6 a.m. However, some employees and students may require entry for special projects into buildings without electronic access. Therefore, pre-planned access for nonelectronic lock buildings can be coordinated in advance via the Winter Break Building Access Form found on the. Failure to coordinate with Mason Police in advance may result in being denied access. For questions on building card access, emailcaso@gmu.edu.
West Campus Town Hall: Watch the Recording
George Mason recently hosted a community conversation regarding the university’sdevelopment. Community members were invited to share their thoughts and ideas regarding concepts for the development, campus and community needs, and opportunities for collaboration. The meeting took place on Dec. 11..DzԳٲTraci Kendall, Community and Local Government Relations, with questions.
Holiday Break Reminders from Information Technology Services
Information Technology Services (ITS) reminds AV faculty, staff, and students to stay vigilant during the holidays and take precautions before leaving for winter break. Cybercriminals step up efforts to steal from people during the holidays. Be wary of emails from strangers, and do not share login information or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) codes.
Also, before leaving for break, log off all systems and turn off non-essential devices in offices and on-campus residences. Additional information about precautions to take during the holiday and before leaving for the break is available on the .
AV Alumni Association’s 2025 Celebration of Distinction: Nomination Form
The AV Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Celebration of Distinction awards. Know an outstanding alum, student, or faculty member who should be recognized? . The deadline is Friday, March 7, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Support for Duo Mobile Application on iOS 15 Ending
Duo Security, George Mason’s provider for 2FA, has announced it will end support for the Duo Mobile application on iOS 15 effective Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Users with this operating system have been notified about the change. This change means users will not be able to troubleshoot issues or receive maintenance fixes or security updates on devices running iOS 15 and lower; however, users can still authenticate and receive passcodes.
To receive full support, users should upgrade to iOS 16 or later. For assistance, contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or .
Staff Senate Holiday Donation Drive
Every holiday season, the Staff Senate supports a donation drive to benefit local organizations. For the 2024 holiday season, the Staff Senate is encouraging the Mason community to support four organizations:
- Food and toiletry contributions to the, which provides access to food and hygiene items to the George Mason community.
- Donations of toys and supplies toInova Children’s Hospital.
- If you love the dogs and cats of our local community, supportLucky Dog Animal Rescuein Arlington, Virginia.
- Read donation guidelines and find out most-needed items on the.
Parking Services Donation Drive: Receive Credit toward a Parking Citation
Make a donation of nonperishable food or personal hygiene items to benefit the Patriot Pantry at any Parking Services office and receive a $15, $20, or $30 credit toward an outstanding parking citation. Restrictions apply. The donation drive is underway through Wednesday, Dec. 18.. Contactparking@gmu.eduwith questions.
Nominations for the David J. King Award
The David J. King Teaching Award is given annually to a faculty member who has made significant, long-term contributions (over the course of 20 years or more) to the educational excellence of the university. by Feb. 12, 2025. Contact the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning with questions.
Training and Professional Development
Calls for Proposals: 4-VA@Mason
AV faculty interested in pursuing a novel research project in conjunction with colleagues at one of nine other 4-VA schools in Virginia are encouraged to respond to the annual 4-VA@Mason Collaborative Research Grants calls for proposals.
These grants of up to $20,000 are designed to facilitate and support alliances which leverage the strengths of each partner university to improve efficiencies in research and higher education, reduce working in silos, and provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities for students. .
Facilitating Inclusive Practices: Become an ASPIRE facilitator
The Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion seeks to equip George Mason faculty and staff with the tools and knowledge to lead impactful workshops that foster inclusive workplace environments. Faculty and staff are invited to receive training and become facilitators for the. Through two half-day sessions in March 2025, faculty and staff will gain a strong understanding of the ASPIRE workshop content, key principles of learner-centered approaches, and effective strategies for engaging participants.
New facilitators will receive personalized mentorship throughout their first few sessions, ensuring they feel confident and well-prepared as they take on their facilitation roles. This opportunity provides a platform for professional growth and empowers facilitators to make a lasting impact by advancing inclusive practices within their teams and across the university. Contact Aimee Weinsteinwith questions.
Call for Proposals—Reclaiming History: Islam and Cultural Patrimony in the 21st Century
The AbuSulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies at George Mason is calling for papers to address the phenomenon of cultural destruction with an eye to understanding the nature of such loss in places such as, but not limited to Afghanistan, Bosnia, China, Gaza, India, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, Myanmar, the Palestinian Territories, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, as well those efforts to redress the crimes of looting and to restore cultural patrimony as an act of reconciliation.
Resources for You
Wear Mason’s Holiday Gift Guide
It's that time of the season! Shop Wear Mason’sfor fan favorites. Make the holiday special for a student, alum, faculty/staff, family member, or colleague.
Annual Leave Rollover Reminder: Jan. 9 Deadline
As we approach the end of the leave year, faculty and staff are reminded that the annual leave carryover limit will be rolled over onJan. 9, 2025. Employees with leave balances exceeding the carryover limit must use their excess leave before Jan. 9, 2025, to avoid losing it. Plan ahead and coordinate time off with supervisors.
For more information on carryover limits, visit the.Additionally, employees have the option to donate excess leave through the. Contacthr@gmu.eduwith questions.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
45th International Saxophone Symposium
Friday, Jan. 10, and Saturday, Jan. 11
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
The 45th International Saxophone Symposium, hosted by the U.S. Navy Band, features more than 150 performances, masterclasses and lectures designed for musicians of all ages.The International Saxophone Symposium features world-renowned saxophonists, while highlighting the prominence of the saxophone in both classical and jazz literature. Friday night's concert presents the U.S. Navy Concert Band with a mixture of band pieces and classically oriented saxophone solos. Featured soloists will includeMakoto Hondo, ~Nois, and Musician First Class Harrison Clarke. Thiseventis open to thepublic, and no tickets are required.
Saturday, Jan. 25, at 5 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Gregory Family Theater
Called “one of the most exciting trumpet players on the planet” (International Trumpet Guild Journal), Graham Breedlove brings his quintet for an exhilarating program of music. Just in time for Mardi Gras, Breedlove, a native of south Louisiana, is joined by fellow members of the Dewberry School of Music faculty to perform a mix of traditional New Orleans music, modern jazz, and original tunes.
Saturday, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Returning for a third year as a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Grammy Award-winning music collective Silkroad Ensemble presents this world premiere showcase of all-star percussionists and musical storytelling through the exchange of rhythm, pulse, and melody from different musical traditions around the world. Formed by Yo-Yo Ma and now led by Pulitzer Prize winning multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens, Silkroad Ensemble will engage the community and students during its residency through a variety of events, classes, and discussions.