Facilities

George Mason earns solid gold in sustainability

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 13:56:18 +0000

George Mason earns solid gold in sustainability Lauren Reuscher Thu, 06/06/2024 - 09:56

For its commitment to campus sustainability, ��AV has earned a Gold rating in the STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System) Assessment. STARS is a self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance and is offered by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). George Mason has received four consecutive STARS Gold ratings and was the first Virginia university to earn that rating in 2014.

George Mason earned a Gold rating in the STARS assessment for the fourth consecutive time, Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

STARS was administered by staff from University Sustainability and University Business Consulting. This year, George Mason demonstrated improvements in several performance categories, earning a total of 73.66 points. The university’s score increased 13% since the last assessment in 2021. The threshold for earning a Gold rating is 65 points, and George Mason is only 11.34 points away from earning the highest honor, STARS Platinum. Rankings are valid for three years.

Amber Saxton, program manager in University Sustainability, co-led the university-wide assessment with Minh Le, senior consultant in University Business Consulting.

“STARS recognizes what we are doing well, puts our sustainability planning and execution in context with peers nationwide, and helps us create a roadmap for continued improvement,” Saxton said. “Mason’s Gold rating reflects a comprehensive effort from stakeholders across the university, from research to operations.”

Sustainable purchasing is part of George Mason's STARS Gold rating. Locker room renovations for the men's soccer team included sustainable upgrades like lockers made from recycled content and responsibly sourced materials and energy-efficient lights. This project was supported by the Patriot Green Fund. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Office of University Branding

Consistent success in campus sustainability

George Mason has consistently earned high scores in the STARS categories for sustainable transportation programs, stormwater management, and academics and research. George Mason also scored highly in the innovation category for its on-campus gardens, food bank (the Student Support and Advocacy Center's Patriot Pantry), and sustainability project grant funds (Facilities’ Patriot Green Fund and the Institute for a Sustainable Earth’s new Mason as a Living Lab fund).

The on-campus gardens help Mason score consistently high in the innovation category on STARS. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

High marks in these categories reflect the commitment of stakeholders across the university.

“Mason departments and colleges have prioritized sustainability as a strategic part of their performance criteria and benchmarks for progress,” said Greg Farley, director of University Sustainability. “Mason has set a goal to be the highest-scoring AASHE STARS school in Virginia by 2030, so University Sustainability and its partners will need to keep pushing forward.”

Measuring the culture of sustainability

This year, George Mason earned new points in the sustainability literacy and culture category for launching a survey to measure students' sustainability literacy, culture, and behavior. Recent graduate Nikita Lad, PhD Environmental Science and Policy ’24, and K.L. Akerlof, associate professor of science communication, administered the survey to a representative sample of undergraduates in fall 2022 and spring 2023.

“The survey measured what factors affect students' sustainability behaviors and whether their knowledge and behaviors changed through formal or informal programming during their college careers,” said Lad.

The theoretically informed survey model found that time spent on campus and informal program participation influenced students’ nature connectedness and norms, which in turn affected sustainability behaviors. Lad shared the research study through a webinar with other members of AASHE and hopes to collaborate with other universities on future iterations of the survey.

Through Bioblitz, the Mason Nation crowdsources the identification of species across campus. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

Bioblitz made an impact

George Mason earned new points in biodiversity this year thanks to Bioblitz, a crowdsourced assessment of plant and animal species on campus. Through an app, the Mason Nation helped identify and monitor endangered and vulnerable species around the university. In spring 2024, more than 500 biodiversity observations were entered into the Bioblitz app by 107 observers, documenting 273 species.

Bigbelly solar waste stations were recently installed across George Mason's campuses. Photo by Facilities

Moving toward zero waste

New efforts to improve waste diversion boosted George Mason’s score in that category. Facilities Management, University Sustainability, Auxiliary Services and Operations, and other campus partners worked to expand composting, reduce single-use plastics, and promote the use of certified compostable and aluminum products.

George Mason is expected to improve further in this category in the future, with the installation of new Bigbelly solar waste stations across its campuses, the development and implementation of new design standards for “zero waste” bins, the addition of glass recycling, and the future launch of a reusable food container pilot and paper towel composting.

Mason earned one of the highest STARS ratings among Virginia universities. As of April 2024, the University of Virginia earned 74.85 points, ��AV earned 73.66 points, and Virginia Commonwealth University earned 66.4 points. Participating institutions can earn points toward a STARS Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Rating, or earn the STARS Reporter designation.

Sustainability at George Mason

Topics

Sustainability

Campus News

Facilities

Greenhouse and Gardens Program

Patriot Green Fund

Mason as a Living Lab

Institute for a Sustainable Earth (ISE)

Strategic Direction

George Mason creates more spaces for students to gather with new building

Colleen Rich — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 20:18:30 +0000

George Mason creates more spaces for students to gather with new building Colleen Rich Mon, 06/03/2024 - 16:18

��AV broke ground on the Activities Community Wellness Building on the Fairfax Campus on Monday morning. The facility is designed to enhance campus life by providing a gathering place for students to engage with each other and deepen their sense of belonging at the university.

Professor Michael "Doc Nix" Nickens takes a selfie during the groundbreaking of the Activities Community Wellness Building. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The groundbreaking featured remarks from George Mason President Gregory Washington, representatives from Facilities and University Life, and associate professor of music Michael “Doc Nix” Nickens, leader of the Green Machine band ensembles.

“This is truly a students-come-first building,” said Rose Pascarell, vice president for University Life. “It’s really about listening to the needs of students who have consistently said to us: ‘We want more space to gather. We want to be able to come together more easily. We want to engage with each other.’ Which is exactly what we know is part of the magic sauce of George Mason and actually the secret sauce of student success and student retention.”

The groundbreaking featured remarks from George Mason President Gregory Washington, representatives from Facilities and University Life, and Professor Michael “Doc Nix” Nickens. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The 25,000-square-foot concrete and tension fabric structure, to be located behind the Recreation Athletic Complex, will be built by Hoar Construction in partnership with Powers Brown Architecture and civil engineer IMEG Corp. and is scheduled for completion in 2025. The $11 million building will feature two full-sized basketball courts and meeting spaces for the university's 350-plus student groups, and it also will provide practice space for the Green Machine.

“If anything personifies our students, our diversity, our rich heritage, our innovation, our spirit, it actually is the Green Machine,” Washington said. “So having that entity have a focal point, a centerpiece, a gathering point, a rallying point, is probably one of the most important things we can do.”

Nickens, who fought back tears during his brief remarks, is thrilled that his ensembles will now have a space they can call home.

“If you think we have delivered so far, you wait till we move [into] this spot,” Nickens said, motioning to the construction site, pierced moments later by a line of gold shovels.

Learn more about the Green Machine

Topics

Meet the Mason Nation: Kevin Brim

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:06:43 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Kevin Brim Lauren Reuscher Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:06

Kevin Brim

Job: Recycle/Waste Management Supervisor, Facilities Management

Can I recycle this? At some point, anyone who has approached a recycling bin (or set of bins) with good intentions has asked this question, either aloud or in their mind.

Helping the community understand the parameters of recycling and composting is one of the biggest challenges in recycling and waste management, according to Kevin Brim, supervisor in Facilities Management at ��AV. “It can be confusing trying to decide what is recycling, trash, or compostable,” said Brim.

His team is working hard to change that.

Keeping it clean. Putting the wrong items in a recycle or compost bin can lead to contamination of waste streams. Brim and his colleagues in Facilities Management are making it easier for the George Mason community to recycle, compost, and properly dispose of items.

Waste no time. Brim knows he is part of something impactful, and interacting with the George Mason community is what he likes best about his job. “I’ve been at Mason for 18 years, and I learn something new every day,” Brim said.

Protecting the Earth isn’t a one-person job. Waste diversion efforts stretch across the university and rely on the involvement of many units—and the actions of individuals. Mason Facilities, University Sustainability, Mason Dining, and others are working to help George Mason reach its Zero Waste goal: diverting 90% or more of all waste items away from the trash through reuse, recycling, and composting.

Learning the ins and outs. Brim’s first job in George Mason Facilities was as a quality assurance inspector for the university’s housekeeping contract. Brim moved to the waste/recycle team in 2011, learning every aspect of the operation from the ground up. That knowledge and experience led him to his current role as the supervisor of that team.

Spreading the word. Brim takes pride in his team and how they help foster a culture of sustainability at Mason. “I ensure my team knows just as much as I do about waste and recycling here at Mason,” Brim said. His team’s interactions with others on campus help inform the community about the proper disposal of different items, protecting Mason’s recycling and composting streams.

It all comes back to serving George Mason students, according to Brim. “Students are the reason we are here, so they’re our target audience,” said Brim. “I’m always interested in hearing their input on what we can do better, or what they would like to see.”

Harnessing the sun. Expanded composting access is part of a long-term strategy to improve George Mason’s waste diversion rate. Brim’s team recently installed new Bigbelly zero waste stations on the Fairfax and Mason Square campuses, some of which include solar-powered, waste compacting compost bins. Brim’s team plans to install more Bigbelly stations, expanding their availability across all of Mason’s Virginia campuses.

Saving the scraps. Composting efforts will also increase in campus dining locations. “Mason Facilities is looking to expand our composting programs with all food vendors on campus, with a main focus on behind-the-scenes food waste,” Brim said. These composting streams are often easier to control, ensuring a clean composting product.

The glass is half full. This spring, George Mason launched a glass recycling program, with purple recycling trailers parked on the Fairfax Campus. Brim says the glass recycling program has expanded to collect glass bottles at catered events on campus.

“We will continue to divert as much away from landfill and incinerator as we can,” Brim said.

Reduce, reuse . . . relax. Outside work, Brim spends time with his wife of 33 years (his high school sweetheart), three adult children, five grandkids, and two dogs. “They all keep me pretty busy,” he said. Relaxing in the backyard tops the list, too. “It’s the little things in life,” Brim said.

Can I recycle this? Check out this guide to the university-wide waste streams at Mason.

Find out more ways to make a sustainable impact at Mason.

Learn more about Mason's Zero Waste goals

More about Sustainability at Mason

Don’t trash it, compost it: Mason Facilities adds 23 Bigbelly zero waste stations to campuses

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 18:38:11 +0000

Don’t trash it, compost it: Mason Facilities adds 23 Bigbelly zero waste stations to campuses Lauren Reuscher Thu, 02/15/2024 - 13:38

��AV Facilities has installed 23 Bigbelly zero waste stations on the Fairfax and Mason Square campuses. These solar-powered stations support Mason’s recycling and composting goals through their user-friendly design, technology upgrades, and capacity-based alerts.

Five of the new Bigbelly stations on the Fairfax Campus include solar-powered, waste compacting compost bins at outdoor patio sites. Expanded composting access is part of a long-term strategy to improve Mason’s waste diversion rate—the amount of waste composted, recycled, repurposed, or otherwise diverted away from trash.

Bigbelly zero waste stations support Mason's recycling and composting goals. Photo by Mason Facilities

The Bigbelly zero waste stations expand the waste collection benefits achieved through Mason’s industrial composting pilot. Launched in August 2022, the composting pilot included the installation of Mason’s first indoor zero waste station in the Starbucks located in Northern Neck on the Fairfax Campus. The project was funded by University Sustainability's Patriot Green Fund (PGF). A previous PGF grant supported the installation of Bigbelly’s smart-waste management system at the patio outside the Starbucks.

Capacity alerts from Bigbelly solar zero waste stations increase the efficiency of operations for recycling and housekeeping staff, who are automatically alerted when the stations need to be emptied.

“Thanks to the daily efforts of Mason Dining and Facilities recycling staff, Mason’s first sitewide composting pilot was able to consistently divert clean compost away from trash while informing best practices for adding composting access at future campus locations,” said Colleen Regan, zero waste specialist with University Sustainability.

The solar powered stations send real-time alerts to Facilities and housekeeping staff when the bins need to be emptied. Photo by Mason Facilities

To successfully divert food scraps and other compostable items, the university must maintain a clean compost stream. Design changes were installed at waste stations to help reduce waste contamination. The Max-R zero waste station inside the on-campus Starbucks offers helpful design features like waste stream co-location, restrictive lid openings, and color-coded messaging. The station is made of more than 1,600 reclaimed milk jugs, supporting Mason’s post-consumer recycled purchasing goals and guidance.

The involvement of Mason Dining was crucial for the success of the industrial composting pilot. Mason Dining staff identified difficult-to-sort items, inventoried common contaminants during weekly audits, and piloted behavioral and educational interventions to support appropriate waste disposal.

"Bigbelly has a huge impact on our daily operations” said Kevin Brim, recycling and waste management supervisor with Facilities. “The stations' technology makes us more efficient in performing our duties. We’ve seen an immediate impact with environmental challenges like wildlife—[fewer] yellowjackets at the bin, [less] wind-blown litter—and the operational challenge of keeping up with Mason's growth and overall population day to day.”

Learn the best ways to sort your compost, recycling, and trash. Check out the Zero Waste Mason page and see the complete list of zero waste locations.

Sustainability at Mason

Topics

Facilities

Sustainability

University Sustainability

Elevating Mason’s Green Studio with the Patriot Green Fund

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 13:48:34 +0000

Elevating Mason’s Green Studio with the Patriot Green Fund Lauren Reuscher Wed, 09/13/2023 - 09:48

The Green Studio, located on ��AV’s Fairfax Campus, is a permaculture garden, outdoor studio, and lab space dedicated to hosting ecological art and design projects by students from across the arts and sciences. Founded in 2010 by Mark Cooley, associate professor in Mason’s School of Art, the Green Studio has been home to numerous projects over the years.

Jennifer Ashworth, manager of the Green Studio, wanted to elevate the space in preparation for more student projects in the future. She applied for funding through University Sustainability’s Patriot Green Fund and was granted financial support to revamp the garden in preparation for the new academic year.

Photo by Audrey Kwayke/Mason Facilities

The Patriot Green Fund is a $100,000-per-year sustainability fund provided by Mason Facilities to make Mason’s campuses more sustainable through infrastructure improvements and student research projects.

In May 2023, the Patriot Green Fund Committee, which includes students, faculty, and staff, approved Ashworth’s application and awarded $1,200 toward the acquisition of new soil and plants for the garden.

An overarching goal of the project was to support the garden as a thriving ecosystem and sanctuary for native wildlife. Ashworth, who joined Mason in 2022, selected native species that would combat overgrowth and facilitate maintenance of the space, while also crafting a visually appealing garden.

Photo by Audrey Kwayke/Mason Facilities

Beyond the immediate benefits, Ashworth has a long-term plan for the garden. She envisions it as a living, learning laboratory for educational workshops and projects. By collaborating with campus classes in the arts, environmental studies, and civil engineering, she wants to create opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning experiences and develop a deeper understanding of the ecosystem and sustainable practices.

^{I’m excited for the next generation of students to explore the Green Studio," Ashworth said. "It’s their space—an open studio space for research, experimentation, expression, or just a space to absorb. It’s wild and beautiful and worth discovering.”}

Photo by Audrey Kwayke/Mason Facilities

To get involved and volunteer in the Green Studio, visit University Sustainability’s volunteer portal or reach out to Jenn Ashworth.

Individuals with innovative ideas to further enhance sustainability at Mason are encouraged to apply for funding through the Patriot Green Fund.

Sustainability at Mason

Explore the Patriot Green Fund

In This Story

Mark Cooley

Topics

Mason as a Living Lab

Sustainability

Office of Sustainability

School of Art

Facilities

Campus News

Giving surplus furniture a new life at another state university

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 13:13:22 +0000

Giving surplus furniture a new life at another state university Lauren Reuscher Thu, 08/03/2023 - 09:13

In This Story

Dr. Shannon Jordan

��AV recently partnered with Virginia State University (VSU) to transfer surplus furniture from Mason residence halls. Through the efforts of staff from Mason Facilities and Housing and Residence Life, more than 850 pieces of furniture were transferred to furnish newly opened residential spaces at VSU, an HBCU located near Petersburg, Virginia.

Photo provided by Facilities Communication

The surplus furniture included couches, dining chairs, coffee/end tables, and more. State surplus property policies allow for re-use amongst state agencies in an effort to reduce costs.

“Any surplus property needs to be managed appropriately. This transfer is classified as ‘re-use,’ and I am always looking to divert anything from a landfill,” said Steven Pulis, purchasing manager with Mason Facilities. “Finding a way to transfer the property from one [state] agency to another is a viable solution and a ‘win-win’ for both universities.”

Following the university’s core value of careful stewardship, Mason staff arranged for the responsible re-use of the surplus property. Kevin Brim, recycle/waste supervisor with Facilities, took the initiative to contact other state universities, asking if the furniture could be used elsewhere. VSU responded with gratitude, and the transfer was initiated.

“Being able to repurpose materials versus [sending them to the] landfill or incinerator is always best practice toward our Zero Waste Goals,” said Brim. “Supporting an HBCU was just the icing on the cake, with the cherry on top.”

The furniture transferred to VSU included lounge furniture from Eastern Shore, Dominion, and Commonwealth halls, as well as the dining chairs from Liberty Square.

“We typically replace a portion of the thousands of desks, chairs, beds, wardrobes, and other furniture in the dorms every year due to end of life or wear and tear,” said John Rogers, associate director of housekeeping with Housing and Residence Life.

The staff involved expect to find more opportunities to maximize the use of surplus furniture in the future. “I am so happy the furniture could be given a second life at Virginia State,” said Shannon Jordon, Chief Housing Officer and associate dean of Mason Housing and Residence Life.

Topics

Sustainability

Facilities

Housing and Residence Life

Faculty and Staff News

residence halls

Patriot Pop Quiz: Mascots of the 1990s

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 18:39:39 +0000

Patriot Pop Quiz: Mascots of the 1990s Lauren Reuscher Wed, 07/19/2023 - 14:39

Question:

One person has portrayed three different Mason mascots over the years, including the tricorn-hat Gunston (1993), the brief Gorilla period (1994), and the fuzzy Gunston (1996).

He is still a Mason employee. Who is it?

Gunston, 1996. Photo provided by Mason Athletics

Gunston, 1993. Photo provided by Mason Athletics

Answer:

George Malenich, plumber, Facilities. Photo provided

George Malenich, Mason Square plumber, Facilities Management

“I loved being the mascot at Mason. The exposure opened doors for me. I did the play-by-play for Mason women’s basketball and hosted a sports talk show at WGMU radio with several students. We had great guests, including legends like Dick Vitale, Arnold Palmer, and Gus Johnson. [Former Mason Men’s Basketball Coach] Jim Larrañaga was a frequent guest, too," said Malenich, also a Mason alum.

"Being the mascot helped me land the job as a plumber here 26 years ago, which is a position I love," he said. "I was courtside for the Final Four run in 2006. One of my greatest thrills was being in the second row of the press section for the UConn upset—in regular clothes, not dressed as a mascot."

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Around Mason (E-Files)

These pathbreaking teams give a new look and feel to Mason’s public spaces

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 16:13:35 +0000

These pathbreaking teams give a new look and feel to Mason’s public spaces Lauren Reuscher Thu, 04/20/2023 - 12:13

The Patriot Pathbreakers Award, established by Human Resources and the Staff Senate, honors high-performing staff teams that embody the ��AV value of “Thriving Together.” These innovative teams use individual talents to overcome obstacles and make progress toward their goals. They have adapted their services and processes when necessary to meet the changing needs of the Mason community. Their work makes Mason All Together Different.

The Patriot Pathbreakers Award recipients will be recognized with other faculty and staff honorees at Mason’s Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 25, from 10–11:30 a.m. in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. The ceremony will also be live streamed on GMU-TV; the link to watch the ceremony is posted on the Outstanding Achievement Awards website.

Creative Services, Office of University Branding

Creative Services designed the signage and banners displayed at Mason's 50th anniversary celebration in the Johnson Center. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Team members: Ron Aira, Claire Brandt, Melissa Cannarozzi, Evan Cantwell, Priyanka Champaneri, Joan Dall’Acqua, Brian Edlinski, Sierra Guard, Rebecca Kobayashi, Jeeun Namgoong, Kerianne Plunkett, Michaela Reilly, DeRon Rockingham, Corey Schaut, Rebecca Siddon, Azriel Towner

The Creative Services team provides creative support, brand stewardship, resources, and consulting to departments, schools, and colleges across Mason. This team of graphic designers, writers, editors, photographers, videographers, and production staff creates materials that capture and convey the university’s brand to internal and external audiences.

Mason’s 50th anniversary celebration was one of the team's biggest projects to date.

“The 50th anniversary was a momentous occasion in Mason’s history, and Creative Services was tasked with creating materials that both celebrated Mason’s past while also generating excitement in our community toward the future,” wrote a nominator. “The production staff researched new and innovative media and delivery methods to mark the anniversary in ways that Mason had never showcased before, including large-scale environmental advertising.”

Creative Services helped set the scene for the anniversary celebration with window clings on Mason buildings, new light pole banners, sidewalk stickers, column wraps in EagleBank Arena, staircase decals, and more.

Through a cohesive campaign of print, digital, and large-scale environmental collateral, Creative Services succeeded in creating an environment that celebrated Mason’s 50th anniversary and generated excitement and energy about the university’s next 50 years—and beyond.

“The 50th anniversary celebration was an all-in effort for every team in the Office of University Branding, and the work of the Creative Services team was absolutely pivotal to our success,” said Paul Allvin, vice president and chief brand officer. “From designing the now-familiar event graphics to giving the celebration both graphics and audiovisual excitement, the work of this team helped to make this university-wide celebration an unqualified success.”

Mason Square Plaza Activation Initiative

Mason students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered for a concert on the plaza at Mason Square. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Team members: Toni Andrews, Kenneth Darby, Margaret Duke, Sophie Gorshenin, Sara Hawes, Cathy Pinskey, Colin Stucki, Melissa Thierry

The Mason Square plaza activation initiative focused on the outdoor programming space at ��AV’s campus in Arlington, Virginia. With the construction of Fuse at Mason Square underway—which will add more than 345,000 square feet of space to the campus—vibrant new programming has already arrived on the plaza, making it a lively gathering place for the campus and nearby community.

The launch and continued success of new public programming on the plaza is due to the work of a collaborative team of staff from University Life, Mason Square Administration, Facilities, and the Office of Community and Local Government Relations.

The activation project was modeled after a similar project at Bryant Park in New York City, with a goal of turning Mason Square’s plaza into a gathering place that would revitalize its neighborhood, offering free events and activities for the community.

Chess game on the plaza at Mason Square. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

The schedule includes exercise classes, musical performances, a farmers’ market, informal speakers, and more. The team did not have a manual or a guidebook when building this initiative, a nominator wrote. They learned as they went along. They visited Bryant Park to see ideas in action. They followed their instincts and tested ideas to discover what would work best for Mason and the local neighborhood.

By turning the plaza into a lively gathering place, they are helping establish Mason as an anchor for the local community.

“Mason is always looking for innovative pathways to engage our community partners,” said Paul Liberty, vice president for government and community relations. “With the plaza activation and the development of Fuse at Mason Square, Mason students and staff and the Arlington community are coming together for a unique experience due to the efforts and creativity of this partnership. The Mason Square plaza activation team has brought Mason to the community and the community to Mason.”

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Outstanding Achievement Awards

Patriot Pathbreakers Award

Human Resources

Mason Square

Office of University Branding

Office of Community and Local Government Relations

Facilities

University Life

Masonat50

Meet the Mason Nation: Cathy Pinskey

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 20:01:35 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Cathy Pinskey Lauren Reuscher Thu, 03/30/2023 - 16:01

Cathy Pinskey

Job: Capital Program Director, Facilities

Cathy Pinskey, capital program director for Mason Facilities, overlooks the construction site of Fuse at Mason Square. Photo by Evan Cantwell

Cathy Pinskey, capital program director at ��AV, has watched Mason’s square footage grow a lot over the years—by the millions. When she started at Mason in 2004 as the director of space management, the university had about 3 million square feet across its locations. Today, the university occupies more than 9 million square feet.

After creating systems for managing and tracking space at Mason, Pinskey worked in campus planning. She moved to her current role as capital program director with Mason Facilities in 2016. Pinskey has overseen the university’s largest and most complicated capital projects to date, including the Core Campus Project from 2016 to 2022, which revitalized the heart of the Fairfax Campus. Today, her main focus is Fuse at Mason Square, a new building currently under construction.

Fuse at Mason Square as a frontier. “This project is very different than all of the other projects I have managed at Mason, in that it is a public–private partnership,” Pinskey said. Developed with Mason Innovation Partners, Fuse at Mason Square will support digital innovation, active learning, research, business entrepreneurs, and tech incubators alongside education and policymakers in Arlington.

From design to completion. An architect by training, Pinskey enjoys working at Mason because she has a chance to see a project from beginning to end. “When I worked in private practice as an architect, I would only really see projects through the design and construction phases,” she said. At Mason, she can see how the projects age and are used over time.

Building for everyone. Creating buildings for the largest public research university in Virginia comes with its challenges, too. “The sheer number of interested stakeholders—students, faculty, administration, staff, alumni, and the community of users outside the institution—all are highly invested in Mason’s success,” Pinskey said. It takes careful planning to determine the final scope of the project and stay on schedule. “It’s a bit of science and engineering and a bit of art to make it all work most effectively and efficiently,” said Pinskey.

Weekend warrior. Outside work, Pinskey and her husband enjoy traveling, biking, kayaking—anything that gets them out in the fresh air. They have a cottage at Lake Ontario in Rochester, New York, which Pinskey describes as a work in progress. “I like to design the improvements [and] be my own ‘weekend warrior’ kind of contractor,” she said. “It makes me appreciate how hard contractors work to get things translated between design and construction.”

A strong role model. Pinskey knew she wanted to be an architect ever since she took an industrial arts class in seventh grade, but “when it came time to go to college, I was very shy and scared to leave home.” She says her mom encouraged her to leave the nest in order to follow her dreams. “I could never thank her enough for encouraging me to spread my wings,” Pinskey said. “She was progressive for her time—I found letters in her personal files where she [asked] to be paid fairly for the work she was doing—a job that her male counterparts were paid more highly for at the time. She really was an inspiration to me.”

Giving back. Pinskey loves seeing the results of her work on Mason’s campuses. “It’s extremely rewarding both professionally and personally. I am a first-generation college student,” Pinskey said. "I chose to work in higher education to give back to a system that afforded me many opportunities in life that I would have otherwise not had.”

Learn more about Fuse at Mason Square

Meet more of the Mason Nation

Meet the Mason Nation: Nandini Koka
November 22, 2024
Meet the Mason Nation: Marit Majeske
October 11, 2024
Meet the Mason Nation: Mihee Cho
June 19, 2024
Meet the Mason Nation: Kevin Brim
April 26, 2024
Meet the Mason Nation: Rachel Wernicke, associate dean and chief mental health officer
February 23, 2024

This content appears in the Spring 2024 print edition of the Mason Spirit Magazine.

Enhancing food security through aquaponics

Colleen Rich — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 18:16:25 +0000

Enhancing food security through aquaponics Colleen Rich Thu, 03/30/2023 - 14:16

On Thursday, April 6, 2023 Mason celebrates Mason Vision Day—an opportunity for the Mason community to come together each year to identify and support a deserving initiative on campus. This year’s efforts address campus food insecurity, supporting Mason students who have limited access to sufficient or quality food. Food insecurity on college campuses is a rising, problematic trend that Mason is committed to combating.

George Mason University Sustainability and the Greenhouse and Garden’s Program are contributing to these efforts, promoting healthy eating and helping Mason Patriots achieve food security. One way this team is enhancing food security on campus is through the recent installation of a new aquaponic food system located at the Presidents Park Greenhouse (PPG) on the Fairfax Campus. The PPG is an on-campus site for year-round food production that grows approximately 1,000 lbs. of fresh produce annually.

To support this new initiative, the PPG received generous contributions from Mason Facilities, the Patriot Green Fund, and the Auxiliary Enterprise Management Council. Donielle Nolan, Greenhouse and Garden’s program manager, is spearheading this sustainable effort.

Greenhouse and Gardens Program manager Donielle Nolan demonstrates the aquaponics system.

Mason Facilities leadership is proud of the Greenhouse and Gardens program, and its contributions to campus food security and education. "Our greenhouse is an incredible asset to the campus community,” said Greg Farley, director of University Sustainability. “It is very unusual for a university to grow—and serve—fresh produce to a campus. We work hard to contribute to student food security, and to teach Patriots of all ages how to grow and prepare fresh, nutritious foods. That makes Mason unique.”

Nolan’s newest staff members include 15 goldfish that grow plants organically, without the use of soil, creating a fertilized environment for many of University Sustainability’s greens. In the aquaponic system, the fish produce waste that nitrifying bacteria then convert into nutrients for the plants. The plant roots absorb these nutrients, and in doing so filter the water so it can be safely recirculated back to the fish.

The aquaponics system includes a 200-gallon fish tank and three grow beds for the plants—producing harvestable, donation-ready items including vegetables, leafy greens, and herbs.

The Greenhouse and Gardens Program partners with the Patriot Pantry, a university program that provides food-insecure students access to nonperishable food and hygiene items and raises awareness about food insecurity within the Mason student population. The pantry is housed under the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) in the Division of University Life. The Patriot Pantry serves hundreds of students every semester. The Greenhouse and Gardens Program helps fill the gap by providing free fresh produce for those who are food insecure via the Greenhouse and Garden’s Program online portal. Donations include, but are not limited to tomatoes, lettuce, kale, bok choy, and soon strawberries.

Greenhouse and Gardens Program is always taking volunteers to help with its operations.

In order to grow and harvest the produce, the PPG relies heavily on its volunteers. Anyone can gain hands-on experience with both hydroponic and aquaponic systems while volunteering. Inside the greenhouse, participants can learn how to compost indoors with worms, harvest crops, sow and transplant seedlings, solve pest issues using natural organic methods, and support a thriving farm-to-table sustainable food operation. Another perk of volunteering is the chance to try the produce grown and take some home, as there is usually a surplus.

“Most of the produce goes to donations for the Patriot Pantry, and when students volunteer, they get to take home harvest-ready produce and herbs,” said Nolan. "We are always seeking ways to connect fresh food sources to those in need on campus.”

Another way University Sustainability and the Greenhouse and Garden’s Program is addressing food insecurity on Mason’s campus through educating students on healthy, sustainable food preparation in the form of on-campus cooking events.

“Our program educates students about healthy eating to promote overall well-being and sustainability. Many students are hesitant to request or accept healthy, sustainable donations due to limited knowledge regarding preparation and cooking with fresh ingredients,” said Nolan. “In addition, many students do not have access to a kitchen in their dorm rooms or do not have the time due to academic course load or employment obligations.”

In November 2022, the program hosted its first cooking event, “Earthsgiving,” yielding a large turnout of volunteers and students. Two free, sustainable cooking events are being held in Spring 2023. One in March and one in April to celebrate Earth Month. The March 31 cooking event is a partnership with the Patriot Pantry, Housing and Residence Life, Recreation, and Mason Dining to focus on education in preparing inexpensive meals, using commonly featured items from the Patriot Pantry. The cooking event in April 2023 has an international food theme. Keep an eye out on the Earth Month website for details regarding upcoming events.

“There are so many opportunities to combine the sustainable aspects of food, as well as the food security efforts that are gaining popularity amongst our students,” said Nolan. “These events help build community and educate and inspire students to eat more plant-based and home-prepared meals, which both promote environmentally conscious lifestyles as well as an increase in well-being.”

The Greenhouse and Gardens Program also maintains two outdoor sites that produce vegetables and fruit organically for donation, such as figs and passionfruit. They offer tours and educational activities for groups of all ages. To get involved, check out green.gmu.edu.

Learn more about how you can support Mason Vision Day and volunteer with University Sustainability. To volunteer, sign-up using our online platform, which can help you track your service hours for classes and more! 