Looking Ahead: Events for Mason Staff

May 2016

In This Issue . . .

• Message from the Chair

• Join the Staff Senate! Info Session May 4

• May Staff Senate Meeting: President Cabrera

• April Employee of the Month: Joan Mlotkowski

• Open Enrollment for Health Benefits and Flexible Spending Accounts: May 1-23

• Submit a Question for Our Guest Speaker: President Cabrera

• From Our Friends in Human Resources and Payroll

• Patriot Pack Out 2016: Volunteers and Donations Needed

• Mason's 2016 Academic Advisor of the Year: Smriti Kansal

• Free Potomac Nationals Tickets!

• Senator Highlight: Cameron Carter

• Survey: Proposed Club for Faculty and Staff

• Comments, Concerns, Ideas? Share Them!

Message from the Chair

Nicole Roth, Staff Senate. Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University

Every semester's end comes with a tumult of energy on campus and in our offices. This semester is certainly no different. I hope that you are finding this time not too crazy and know that there is a light at the end of this tunnel! Summer is almost upon us …

Join the Staff Senate! Info Session May 4

Staff Senate. Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University

Becoming a Staff Senator is a great way to get involved with the university community and have an impact on your workplace. The Senate provides many opportunities to learn about how the university works and to network with administrators and staff members outside your unit.

Join us for the Becoming a Staff Senator Information Session on Wednesday, May 4 …

May Staff Senate Meeting: President Cabrera

Wednesday, May 11
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Fairfax: Merten Hall, Room 1201
Arlington: Founders Hall, Room B119 (video-conferenced)
SciTech: Bull Run Hall, Room 254 (video-conferenced)

Our guest speaker will be President Ángel Cabrera. Guest speaker begins at noon, followed by time to ask questions, express concerns, or offer accolades about issues concerning the Staff Senate. Questions for the guest speaker may be asked in person or submitted in advance …

April Employee of the Month: Joan Mlotkowski

Heartfelt congratulations to Joan Mlotkowski, human resources coordinator for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Finance and Human Resources Department, for being selected as the April 2016 Employee of the Month award winner. Read more about Joan in this Mason News article.

Do you know a superstar? Make sure he or she receives the deserved recognition …

Open Enrollment for Health Benefits and Flexible Spending Accounts: May 1-23

Open enrollment for health benefits and flexible spending accounts runs from May 1-May 23, 2016. Please check the Benefits website at hr.gmu.edu/benefits for the most up-to-date open enrollment information. For questions, contact the Benefits Team at benefits@gmu.edu or 703-993-2600.

Submit a Question for Our Guest Speaker: President Cabrera

President Ángel Cabrera. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

To promote a dialog with guest speakers at the Staff Senate General Meetings, the Senate is collecting questions from constituents. This is your opportunity to ask university leadership about things that are important to you as a staff member!

Our May 2016 speaker will be President Ángel Cabrera! Submit your question …

From Our Friends in Human Resources and Payroll

TIAA’s Square Up Your Savings
Test your financial knowledge with Square Up Your Savings from TIAA! Running through May 12, faculty, staff, and students can participate in a fun financial mission game. The faculty/staff version has an incentive — you will be entered into a drawing for one of three $25 gift checks from TIAA …

Patriot Pack Out 2016: Volunteers and Donations Needed

During Patriot Pack Out, Mason will once again collect clothing, small appliances, and non-perishable food items to assist others in the Mason and Fairfax communities. This year, donations will go to the Mason Food Pantry, the Capital Area Food Bank, and Goodwill of Greater Washington. Last year, we collected over 16,000 pounds of goods, and we need your help to do even better in 2016 …

Mason's 2016 Academic Advisor of the Year: Smriti Kansal

Smriti Kansal, Academic Advisor, VSE. Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University

The Center for Academic Advising, Retention, and Transitions would like to congratulate Smriti Kansal of Electrical and Computer Engineering for being Mason’s 2016 Academic Advisor of the Year. This award is given annually to recognize excellence in advising across the university …

Free Potomac Nationals Tickets!

Batter up! Faculty and staff can sign up for four free tickets to a Potomac Nationals game. First come, first serve. A few conditions apply. Click here for details. Contact Reward and Recognition at 703-993-2739 or awards@gmu.edu ...

Senator Highlight: Cameron Carter

I first started working at Mason in spring 2013 as a technical writer and editor in the Office of Global Strategy. Now I work as a communications and marketing specialist for Mason Online (the Office of Distance Education). I'm also a Mason alum— I completed my Master’s in English (concentration in professional writing and rhetoric) at Mason …

Survey: Proposed Club for Faculty and Staff

A club for faculty and staff has been proposed for the Fairfax Campus. The university and a faculty group are exploring various options. In an effort to better understand faculty and staff interests and preferences, Auxiliary Enterprises asks you to take a few minutes to complete a brief survey ...

Comments, Concerns, Ideas? Share them!

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