Looking Ahead: Events for Mason Staff

April 2015

In This Issue . . .

• Message from the Staff Senate Chair

• March Employee of the Month: Melvin Parada

• Senator Highlight: Francina Osoria

• From Our Friends in Human Resources and Payroll

• Mason Quality of Work/Life Survey

• Show Others Your Appreciation

• Next Steps: Plan for Your Retirement

• Spring Hikes to Ike's and the Globe

• Chronicle of Higher Education's Great Colleges to Work For

• Comments, Concerns, Ideas? Share them!

Message from the Chair

Stephanie Payton, Staff Senate. Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University

April is my favorite month of the year. Not only is it my birthday month, but there are so many great events to attend in D.C. and Northern Virginia. I use Mason Transportation daily to get to campus, but I also use it to travel between campuses and to get to the Vienna Metro station. If you like to get …

March Employee of the Month: Melvin Parada

President Ángel Cabrera presents the Employee of the Month award to Melvin Parada at a ceremony at the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Alexis Glenn/Creative Services/George Mason University

A heartfelt congratulations to Melvin Parada, Print Services Supervisor with Print Services, for being selected as the March 2015 Employee of the Month award winner.

Read more about Melvin in this Mason News article.

Do you know a superstar? Make sure he or she receives the deserved recognition and submit a nomination for Mason’s Employee of the Month. Additional information …

Senator Highlight: Francina Osoria

Francina Osoria, Office Coordinator, Division of Special Education, College of Education and Human Development

My first experience at Mason was as a full-time undergraduate student, earning my B.A. in Psychology. While working on my degree, I also had a job on campus− I worked as a receptionist for ITU (now called ITS). I have also worked as an administrative assistant for Telecom Administration. I am now a full time staff member in the Division of Special Education and disAbility …

From Our Friends in Human Resources and Payroll

Get Your Spring into Well-Being
Spring into Well-Being kicked off with Good Deeds Day and the Ask Me About Well-Being Tents on March 19. The celebration continues every week through April 30. There are lots of terrific ways to build your vitality, purpose, resilience, and engagement. Some events are long-standing favorites, and others are brand new. View the entire schedule …

Mason Quality of Work/Life Survey

It's a tradition at Mason to dress the George Mason statue to mark a variety of events throughout the year. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

Every three years, Mason surveys all faculty and staff regarding the quality of work life at the university. Important policies and initiatives have resulted from employees’ suggestions in previous surveys, including telework and flextime options, the Prince William Shuttle, and an expansion of the Commuter Choice Program and Child Development Center. Please note - this survey is different from the …

Show Others Your Appreciation

Students and staff participate in Well-Being Day by holding up signs of thanks. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

Every day is a great day to let colleagues know how much you value their efforts.Spread a little sunshine today and every day! For ideas on how to say, “Thanks, I couldn’t have done it without you,” or “I appreciate your support and kindness,” visit Human Resources & Payroll’s Pinterest page at pinterest.com/workingatmason.

For more ideas on Reward and …

Next Steps: Plan for Your Retirement Rescheduled for Friday, May 8

The Next Steps: Plan for Your Retirement seminar has been rescheduled for Friday, May 8, in the Mason Global Center, Grand Ballroom A. This day-long seminar covers the basics about benefits in retirement: Social Security, Medicare, Retiree Health Insurance, and retirement plans with the Virginia Retirement System, TIAA-CREF and Fidelity. Register online. If you have already registered, Bridget Peabody will …

Spring Hikes to Ike’s and the Globe

Opening day at George Mason University's newly renovated dining hall Ike's. Photo by Craig Bisacre/Creative Services/George Mason University

Hike to Ike’s was so popular, it is coming back every Friday during Mason’s Spring into Well-Being. This time, we are adding the Globe as another hike destination. Join fellow faculty and staff around campus as they lace up their sneakers and hike to some fun, new dining venues on campus for lunch. Faculty and staff receive a discounted lunch …

Chronicle of Higher Education’s Great Colleges to Work For

Mason is once again participating in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s "Great Colleges to Work For" program. This is a wonderful opportunity to benchmark Mason as an employer. As part of the process, 600 full-time faculty and staff, along with 300 adjunct faculty, will be randomly selected to complete a survey, which will run from March 16 to April 13. …

Comments, Concerns, Ideas? Share them!

The Staff Senate seeks your comments, concerns, and ideas about issues on campus important to you. We welcome all input. You may remain anonymous, but if you wish to have a response, please include your contact information.