/ en /news/2024-03/wheels-bus-go-round-and-round-thanks-masons-transit-drivers <span>The wheels on the bus go round and round, thanks to Mason’s transit drivers</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/271" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Lauren Reuscher</span></span> <span>Thu, 03/21/2024 - 09:26</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="f8527341-9b6a-40a8-80f3-8426e53e0d2a"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://transportation.gmu.edu/shuttle-services/"> <h4 class="cta__title">Catch a Mason Shuttle <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"> <div class="field field--name-field-cta-icon field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Icon</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field field--name-field-media-font-awesome-icon field--type-fontawesome-icon field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Icon</div> <div class="field__item"><div class="fontawesome-icons"> <div class="fontawesome-icon"> <i class="fas fa-map-marked-alt" data-fa-transform="" data-fa-mask="" style="--fa-primary-color: #000000; --fa-secondary-color: #000000;"></i> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="76c9c380-ac29-4661-ba0f-921baf6e5ccf" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Read more faculty and staff news</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-2c3dc417d7883c525ec916233c2f38f9f58763cc096301ee7a308984714fc316"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"><li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-09/911-day-service-was-day-reflection-and-community-service-all-ages" hreflang="en">9/11 Day of Service was a day of reflection and community service—for all ages </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 20, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-09/around-mason-week-sept-17-2024" hreflang="en">Around Mason: Week of Sept. 17, 2024</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 17, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-09/around-mason-week-sept-10-2024" hreflang="en">Around Mason: Week of Sept. 10, 2024</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 10, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-09/solon-simmons-looks-win-win-opportunities-his-role-faculty-senate-president" hreflang="en">Solon Simmons looks for win-win opportunities in his role as Faculty Senate president</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 4, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-08/around-mason-week-sept-3-2024" hreflang="en">Around Mason: Week of Sept. 3, 2024</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 3, 2024</div></div></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/456" hreflang="en">Around Mason (E-Files)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">Faculty and Staff News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/16026" hreflang="en">Picture This</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1406" hreflang="en">Parking and Transportation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1381" hreflang="en">Child Development Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1401" hreflang="en">Mason Shuttles</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">To mark Transit Driver Appreciation Day, the ����AV community expressed gratitude for the public transit drivers who help the Mason Nation get to school, work, and around town.</span></p> <hr /><figure role="group"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2024-03/240318801.jpg?itok=d9cyYamb" width="1480" height="987" alt="Young children touch hands with the bus driver through the partition" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding</figcaption></figure><p><span><span><span><span><span>Leading up to the day, </span></span><span><a href="https://transportation.gmu.edu/"><span>Mason Parking and Transportation</span></a></span><span><span> collected words of appreciation from shuttle riders via email. On March 18, Transit Driver Appreciation Day, </span></span><span><a href="https://police.gmu.edu/"><span>Mason Police</span></a></span><span><span> partnered with the </span></span><span><a href="https://cdc.gmu.edu/"><span>Child Development Center</span></a></span><span><span> to distribute appreciation gift bags to drivers for </span></span><span><a href="https://transportation.gmu.edu/shuttle-services/"><span>Mason Shuttles</span></a></span><span><span>, CUE Bus, and Metrobus as they passed through their usual stops on the Fairfax Campus. </span></span></span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2024-03/240318803.jpg?itok=KFB0iiXw" width="1480" height="987" alt="Children visit with a bus driver and give an appreciation gift bag" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding</figcaption></figure><p><span><span><span><span><span>The gift bags included handmade cards from Child Development Center students, items and coupons from local businesses, and Mason swag.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span>The preschoolers enjoyed the chance to climb aboard the big, shiny buses and meet the community heroes who drive them.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2024-03/240318807.jpg?itok=JWashCGk" width="1480" height="987" alt="A transit driver holds the appreciation gift bag she received for Transit Driver Appreciation Day" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding</figcaption></figure><hr /><h3>The Mason Nation shared these anonymous words of appreciation for the transit drivers who help them get where they need to go:</h3> <figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span><span>“I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the incredibly skilled and kind professional drivers on the Fairfax/SciTech route. Having a safe, stress-free, and cost-free ride to work is an amazing benefit, and the way these professionals manage traffic and help all the students, staff, and faculty every day is to be commended.”</span></span></span></span></span></figure><figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span><span>“I’m especially grateful to Osei, Farzad, CJ, and Teresa. You all make my on-campus work days easier and more enjoyable, and I truly appreciate your contributions to the Mason community. Thank you!”</span></span></span></span></span></figure><figure role="group"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2024-03/240318805.jpg?itok=JXYeajQT" width="1480" height="987" alt="Transit driver holds the appreciation bag she received" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding</figcaption></figure><figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span><span>“I’m a new grad student at ����AV. I just wanted to take a moment to give a shoutout to your awesome shuttle service and the amazing drivers who make my day a whole lot brighter.”</span></span></span></span></span></figure><figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span><span>“As an international student, getting used to life here has been quite the adventure. But thanks to the Gunston shuttle, my daily commute from my apartment to campus has been a breeze. Having a stop right below my place is a game-changer!”</span></span></span></span></span></figure><figure role="group"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2024-03/240318800.jpg?itok=2MOTe4rk" width="1480" height="987" alt="Children walk in a line toward the Mason Shuttle stop" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding</figcaption></figure><figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span><span>“Your drivers are absolute gems. Every morning, rain or shine, they greet me with a smile and a friendly, ‘Hi, how are you today?’ Even when I’m scrambling to find my ID before hopping on the bus (which, let’s be real, happens more often than I’d like to admit), they’re patient as can be.”</span></span></span></span></span></figure><figure role="group" class="align-left"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2024-03/2024transitdriverappreciation4.jpg?itok=I1U0YTRy" width="263" height="350" alt="Two Mason Police officers pose and smile with a bus driver on a bus" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Emily Ross/Mason Police</figcaption></figure><figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span><span>“Late into the night after class on a Monday, approximately 10:30 p.m., a fellow student had fallen fast asleep in their seat on the Gunston bus. The driver noticed and made sure they woke up at their stop. It was a small act of kindness that made sure we reached our destinations safely and on time.” </span></span></span></span></span></figure><figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span><span>“Just want to send my sincere gratitude to all the hardworking shuttle drivers! Transit and public transportation have made my semester easier and cheaper on many occasions, and I hope that the work of the shuttle bus drivers never goes unnoticed.”</span></span></span></span></span></figure><figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span><span>“Thank you to our Mason Shuttle drivers, and happy Transit Driver Appreciation Day! Especially thankful for drivers on the Fairfax–Mason Square route for safely and reliably getting me between campuses.”</span></span></span></span></span></figure><figure role="group" class="align-left"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2024-03/2024transitdriverappreciation8.jpg?itok=fFoAniPg" width="263" height="350" alt="Mason Police officer gives an appreciation bag to a transit driver on a bus" loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Emily Ross/Mason Police</figcaption></figure><figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span><span>“I'm always grateful for how punctual the Mason Shuttles are . . . and I appreciate being able to rely on them for my daily commute. I'm thankful for how safe the transit drivers are. I've never felt worried . . . even on busy highways and hectic roads. Especially at the start of the semester when many days were snowy and cold, I was grateful to have a warm, reliable shuttle home at the end of the day.” </span></span></span></span></span></figure><figure class="quote"><span><span><span><span><span>“As an employee, it’s great to avoid the traffic and ride the shuttle each day I’m on campus. The drivers are always friendly, on time, and whether it’s a heartfelt hello or just a knowing nod and smile as we enter the shuttle, I can’t think of a better start or end to my workday. A massive thanks to all the shuttle drivers on this route. My fellow riders and I truly appreciate you being here!”</span></span></span></span></span></figure><p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:26:27 +0000 Lauren Reuscher 111156 at /news/2023-06/meet-mason-nation-officer-ashanti-mumin <span>Meet the Mason Nation: Officer Ashanti Mumin </span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/1456" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Shayla Brown</span></span> <span>Thu, 06/08/2023 - 13:51</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><figure role="group"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/2023-06/MuminBunjiMainjpg.jpg" width="800" height="800" alt="Officer Ashanti Mumin with his K9 partner, Bunji. Photo by Evan Cantwell." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Officer Ashanti Mumin with his K9 partner, Bunji. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption></figure><p><span class="intro-text"><strong>Job: Police Corporal and K9 Officer, Department of Police and Public Safety</strong></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Members of Mason’s Police and Public Safety Department maintain a presence on the university’s campuses and are a visible part of Mason Nation. One of the “officers” students are always happy to see is Bunji. His partner, Ashanti Mumin, is pretty special too.  </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><strong><span>A Dog’s Life: </span></strong><span>Mumin, who joined Mason in February 2022, recently transferred to Mason’s Police C<span>risis Response Unit, which handles calls for mental health service. </span>Bunji,<span> an Aussiedoodle therapy dog, accompanies </span>Mumin during his calls. <span>“Bunji has been a great addition to the team,” said Mumin. “We’ve bonded over the past month, and I’ve adopted him as my child.” </span>Bunji and Mumin respond to calls for <span>students who are in emotional distress, but Bunji is also there to support his fellow officers. “There's a stigma when it comes to police canines, so we're changing the title of his job from [therapy dog] to comfort dog. He serves a purpose, and he has been fulfilling that purpose 100 percent.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Supporting the Campus Community: </span></span></strong><span><span>Exam periods, such as midterms and finals, can be a source of stress for many students. When the stress becomes too much and students reach out for help, it’s Mumin who gets that call. “It can get overwhelming,” said Mumin, who </span></span><span>worked for the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office for four years prior to joining Mason and has a background in responding to mental health crises<span>. Many of the calls the duo responds to involve first-year students. “It’s their first time away from home, and they haven’t been exposed to a lot of things that campus life brings.” </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/2023-06/MuminBunjibody.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="K9 Police dog, Bunji and his partner, Officer Ashanti Mumin. Photo by Evan Cantwell." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>K9 Police dog, Bunji and his partner, Officer Ashanti Mumin.<br /> Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding</figcaption></figure><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Answering the Call: </span></span></strong><span><span>While<strong> </strong>Mumin is dedicated to improving the mental health of Mason students, he is also looking out for his fellow officers. After noticing that officers assisting community members in crisis didn’t have a strong support system of their own, Mumin formed the Peer Support Team. “Officers’ mental health is very important, because when they're on scene of a call, they need to be 100 percent focused,” said Mumin, who began overseeing the unit’s wellness program in May 2023. “Many officers believe that we need to just suck it up. [Because of this] officers will leave stuff dormant, causing issues in the long run. We needed something for our officers to speak freely about whatever they’re feeling.” And all information shared with the support team is kept confidential, he added. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Outstanding Achievements: </span></span></strong><span><span>Because of his work on the Peer Support Team, Mumin was recently honored with a university </span></span><a href="https://hr.gmu.edu/outstanding-achievement-awards-2023-recipients/"><span>Outstanding Achievement Award</span></a><span><span>, but he says he’s not an awards kind of guy. “I don't do things for the awards, but I do things because it's right,” said Mumin. “We need the public to understand that officers do [sometimes need support]. We’re human, and the things that we see day to day, the average human just doesn’t see, but when they do, they suffer some sort of trauma.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Mason K9 Teams:</span></span></strong> Bunji and Mumin can usually be found walking around campus during the day and are always looking to connect with community members, but they are not the <span><span>only Mason K9 team. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <ul><li><span><span><span>K9 Titan and his handler Lt. John O’Hare are Mason’s longest serving K9 unit and have been protecting Mason’s campuses together since 2018. Titan is trained in explosive detection. Together, they have worked to protect a variety of visiting VIPs, including Vice President Kamala Harris and a several presidential candidates. </span></span></span></li> <li><span><span><span>Cpl. Joseph Toke and K9 Flora started protecting Mason in November 2022 after completing explosive detection training together. They can usually be found out and about meeting new people on campus when they aren’t on an assignment.</span></span></span></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="3a32b41c-a970-4683-afe5-a6ba69c7fd36"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="/admissions-aid"> <h4 class="cta__title">Join the Mason Nation <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="92f263e4-665f-41db-bd07-9d2269ac1ef3" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="a65047c2-2ae3-407f-9f1d-9fb7fb391272" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Read more Meet the Mason Nation</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-551572b492af02faf55fc445abeb7af6a11a6d2a083196cd391e97f71babc8fd"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"><li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-06/meet-mason-nation-mihee-cho" hreflang="en">Meet the Mason Nation: Mihee Cho</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 19, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-04/meet-mason-nation-kevin-brim" hreflang="en">Meet the Mason Nation: Kevin Brim</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 26, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-02/meet-mason-nation-rachel-wernicke-associate-dean-and-chief-mental-health-officer" hreflang="en">Meet the Mason Nation: Rachel Wernicke, associate dean and chief mental health officer</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">February 23, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-01/meet-mason-nation-doug-mckenna-university-registrar" hreflang="en">Meet the Mason Nation: Doug McKenna, University Registrar</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">January 12, 2024</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2023-10/meet-mason-nation-will-gautney-assistant-master-electrician-and-staff-senate-chair" hreflang="en">Meet the Mason Nation: Will Gautney, assistant master electrician and Staff Senate chair</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 20, 2023</div></div></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5166" hreflang="en">Mental Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7501" hreflang="en">Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5071" hreflang="en">Department of Police and Public Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/16781" hreflang="en">Meet the Mason Nation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">Faculty and Staff News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/15216" hreflang="en">Mason Spirit</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18656" hreflang="en">Spirit Fall 2023</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17511" hreflang="en">At Mason</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 08 Jun 2023 17:51:39 +0000 Shayla Brown 105811 at /news/2022-06/safe-driving-record-earns-mason-motor-vehicle-accident-prevention-award <span>Safe driving record earns Mason the Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Award</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/271" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Lauren Reuscher</span></span> <span>Wed, 06/15/2022 - 12:37</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><figure role="group"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2022-06/Samantha%20McClelland%20Risk%20Management.jpeg?itok=f76fTFMq" width="560" height="452" alt="Samantha McClelland, ����AV staff, accepts the Motor Vehicle Safety Award plaque from a Virginia State Police officer." loading="lazy" typeof="foaf:Image" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Samantha McClelland, risk manager for ����AV, accepts the Motor Vehicle Safety Award from the Virginia State Police. Photo provided.</figcaption></figure><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>����AV has received the Motor Vehicle Accident Prevention Award from the Virginia State Police in recognition of the university's safe driving record. This award recognizes Mason for having a low number of accidents with university-owned and rented vehicles based on the total number of miles driven over the course of the year. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Mason has worked hard to protect and improve its safe driving record, and this success is a result of the efforts of stakeholders around the university.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>“There is a general downward trend in the number of accidents reported each year, especially in the number of preventable accidents,” said Joyce Bland-French, director of Mason’s </span></span></span></span><a href="https://risk.gmu.edu/"><span><span><span>Office of Risk Management</span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span>. “This emphasizes the active role employees have in maintaining a culture of situational awareness and driver safety.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Mason currently has about 700 authorized drivers who operate state-owned, rented, or leased vehicles for daily work on campus or university-related travel. Destinations include Mason campuses and sites, conferences or meetings, student recruitment events, activities for sports teams, academic competitions, and more. </span></span></span></span><span><span><span>To operate a vehicle on behalf of the university, one must become an authorized driver per the <span><span><span><a href="https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/"><span><span><span>university’s Vehic</span></span></span><span><span><span>le Use P</span></span></span><span><span><span>olicy</span></span></span></a></span></span></span>.</span></span></span>  </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>“I attribute this achievement to the Office of Risk Management’s Safe Driver Program,” said </span>Julie Zobel<span>, associate vice president of Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management. “This program has enhanced safe driving awareness and accountability, which has increased drivers’ awareness and minimized Mason’s liability exposure.”</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Mason’s Safe Driver Program, led by Samantha McClelland, risk control manager, includes </span></span></span></span><a href="https://risk.gmu.edu/training/driver-training/"><span><span><span>Driver Safety Awareness Training</span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span>, the Virginia Driver Alert program, and an Accident Review Committee. The initiative fosters a sense of responsibility among vehicle operators and creates an awareness of the need to always drive defensively to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>T</span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span>he Virginia Driver Alert program provides the Office of Risk Management with real-time notification of Mason’s authorized drivers’ infractions that could impede their ability to drive while conducting business on behalf of the university. This new feature is free of charge to agencies of the Commonwealth of Virginia.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Every accident is evaluated by Mason’s Accident Review Committee, which includes representatives from Risk Management, University Police, Facilities Management, and Environmental Health and Safety. The committee assesses the nature of each accident and makes appropriate recommendations (such as additional driver training, counseling, probationary restriction of driving privileges, etc.). Risk Management tracks and monitors the committee’s recommendations to ensure each driver has completed the required actions.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>“The exchange of information between departments and situational awareness introduced by the Safe Driver Program contribute to the safety culture of drivers who operate state-owned or state-rented vehicles at Mason,” said Zobel.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span>The program has paid off, helping the university limit its liability, conserve resources, and enhance safety on the roads across its campuses and the surrounding region.</span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7501" hreflang="en">Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/13906" hreflang="en">Risk Management</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">Faculty and Staff News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 15 Jun 2022 16:37:17 +0000 Lauren Reuscher 71426 at /news/2022-06/podcast-ep-40-cori-bush-action-must-be-reaction <span>Podcast - EP 40: Cori Bush: Action must be the reaction</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/266" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Damian Cristodero</span></span> <span>Wed, 06/15/2022 - 12:07</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/president" hreflang="und">Gregory Washington</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p>Rep. Cori Bush, Missouri's first Black congresswoman, talks to ����AV President Gregory Washington about the importance of the class she is teaching this summer at Mason. A pastor, teacher, nurse, and a Black Lives Matter activist in Ferguson, Mo., Bush explains her unusual path to Congress, and doesn’t flinch when discussing issues surrounding race and policing.</p> <p><iframe allowtransparency="true" data-name="pb-iframe-player" height="150" scrolling="no" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?from=embed&i=2nvjq-124f728-pb&share=1&download=1&fonts=Arial&skin=1&font-color=&rtl=0&logo_link=&btn-skin=7&size=150" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" title="Cori Bush: Action must be the reaction" width="100%"></iframe></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/226" hreflang="en">podcast</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7311" hreflang="en">Access to Excellence podcast</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/326" hreflang="en">Podcast Episode</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2971" hreflang="en">Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/416" hreflang="en">Gregory Washington</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/16006" hreflang="en">Rep. Cori Bush</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/356" hreflang="en">Supreme Court</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/14171" hreflang="en">homelessness</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7791" hreflang="en">Race</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 15 Jun 2022 16:07:09 +0000 Damian Cristodero 71421 at /news/2020-05/mason-police-captain-honored-his-efforts-fight-against-covid-19 <span>Mason Police captain honored for his efforts in the fight against COVID-19</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/251" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">John Hollis</span></span> <span>Fri, 05/08/2020 - 05:00</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/196" hreflang="en">coronavirus; COVID-19; News; Editorial</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">Faculty and Staff News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Fri, 08 May 2020 09:00:00 +0000 John Hollis 4116 at /news/2020-04/mason-forensic-science-police-departments-team-help-medical-responders <span>Mason Forensic Science, Police departments team up to help medical responders </span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/251" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">John Hollis</span></span> <span>Tue, 04/21/2020 - 05:00</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4271" hreflang="en">3-D printer</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3956" hreflang="en">Forensic Science Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6111" hreflang="en">coronavirus; COVID-19; Editorial</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/196" hreflang="en">coronavirus; COVID-19; News; Editorial</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 21 Apr 2020 09:00:00 +0000 John Hollis 36046 at /news/2019-07/prescription-drug-drop-box <span>Prescription Drug Drop-Box</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/271" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Lauren Reuscher</span></span> <span>Mon, 07/08/2019 - 00:25</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/461" hreflang="en">Faculty/Staff Announcements</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 08 Jul 2019 04:25:00 +0000 Lauren Reuscher 2556 at /news/2019-06/university-landline-911-calls-be-transferred-local-county-police-agencies <span>University Landline 911 Calls to be Transferred to Local County Police Agencies</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/271" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Lauren Reuscher</span></span> <span>Sun, 06/23/2019 - 00:40</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/461" hreflang="en">Faculty/Staff Announcements</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Sun, 23 Jun 2019 04:40:00 +0000 Lauren Reuscher 8371 at /news/2019-06/university-lost-and-found-moving-nottoway-annex <span>University "Lost and Found" Moving to Nottoway Annex</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/271" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Lauren Reuscher</span></span> <span>Sun, 06/23/2019 - 00:35</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/461" hreflang="en">Faculty/Staff Announcements</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Sun, 23 Jun 2019 04:35:00 +0000 Lauren Reuscher 1936 at /news/2019-04/george-mason-police-announce-annual-dea-prescription-drug-take-back-event <span>George Mason Police Announce the Annual DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Event</span> <span><span lang="" about="/user/271" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Lauren Reuscher</span></span> <span>Sun, 04/21/2019 - 00:22</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/461" hreflang="en">Faculty/Staff Announcements</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Sun, 21 Apr 2019 04:22:00 +0000 Lauren Reuscher 2646 at