Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services.
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Staff Senate Newsletter:
August 2020
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In this issue . . .

Staff News 

• Message from the Chair

• July in Review from the Staff Senate

• September Speaker to Address Telework Culture

• Staff Senate 2020 Election Results

• Outstanding Supervisor Award Nomination Update

• August Employee of the Month: Jenny Young

• Meet Stephanie Atkins, Office Manager, Mason LIFE Program and Staff Senator

Campus Updates

• Human Resources and Payroll Announcements

• Updates from Parking and Transportation

• Announcements from University Libraries

• Mason Dining: Fall Semester Information

• Webex Retirement

• George Mason Toastmasters Continues to Zoom

• State Employee Financial Wellness Resources

• Comments, Concerns, Questions? Share Them!

Mason events and programs are in flux because of the university’s evolving response to the coronavirus outbreak. Monitor university announcements and check with event and program organizers for more details.
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Staff News
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Message from the Chair

Here we are in August, getting ready for a new semester to begin—but in a way we never could have imagined. This fall is going to look a lot different for all of us, whether we are continuing to work from home, returning to campus to support university operations, or some combination of both …

Read more.
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July in Review

Check out this brief monthly update on our advocacy, appreciation, and education activities.

Read more.
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September Speaker to Address Telework Culture

The September Staff Senate meeting will feature Dr. Kevin W. Rockmann, professor of management and dean’s scholar, School of Business. Dr. Rockmann will share thoughts on telework culture and its effect on employee well-being.

Wednesday, September 2
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
General Meeting will follow from 11:00 a.m. to noon

Read more.
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Staff Senate 2020 Election Results

The election results are in, and we are excited to announce our newly elected and returning senators! Check out the list.

And, thank you to our outgoing senators for their contributions and volunteerism.

Read more.
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Outstanding Supervisor Award Nomination Update

During August, the Staff Senate usually collects nominations for the Outstanding Supervisor Award.  Until a date has been selected for the Outstanding Achievement Awards, we will pause on our nomination process. We look forward to accepting nominations soon.

Read more.
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August Employee of the Month: Jenny Young

Congratulations to Jenny Young, senior operations specialist in the Office of the University Registrar, for being selected as the August 2020 Employee of the Month! Read more about Jenny in this Mason News article.

Do you know a superstar? Make sure they receive the deserved recognition by submitting a nomination for Mason’s Employee of the Month. Additional information can be found on the Human Resources and Payroll website.

 
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Meet Stephanie Atkins, Office Manager, Mason LIFE Program and Staff Senator

Enjoy meeting some of our senators this year as we share their role in serving Mason staff and the university as a whole.

"Watching Mason LIFE students make academic strides, gain experiences, learn new skills, and achieve their goals, both academic and social, makes me happy. All Mason students come here for an education, to experience new things, meet new people, seek out networks, and hopefully find gainful employment in a field that excites them. It is no different for students in Mason LIFE …"

Read more.
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Campus Updates
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Human Resources and Payroll Announcements

Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day 

Updated 2020 Holiday Schedule

CommonHealth Connections

Overtime Election …

Read more.
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Updates from Parking and Transportation

Fall Shuttle Schedules Posted

Return to Campus Car Free

DMV2Go Canceled Until Further Notice …

Read more.
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Announcements from University Libraries

Contact-free Pickup and Return Service

Fall 2020 Course Reserves

Online Library Instruction

Extended Access to E-Books Available via HathiTrust

Requesting and Accessing Kanopy

Updates from University Records Management

Read more.
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Mason Dining: Fall Semester Information

Questions about dining on campus this fall semester? Wondering what dining locations will be open when? Stop by our website for all the info you need to know. 

Faculty/staff meal plans are now available …

Read more.
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Webex Retirement

Cisco Webex service offerings are being phased out at Mason to provide a more streamlined set of services. Alternate solutions are available including  Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Blackboard Collaborate. Webex services will be shut down in May 2021. Information about the upcoming changes, including how to prepare and the timeline for this project, is available at the Webex Retirement Roadmap ...

Read more.
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George Mason Toastmasters Continues to Zoom

GMU Toastmasters continues to ZOOM!  Following guidance from Toastmasters International, we were able to move our weekly meetings to an online format. We have made the most of the current situation, and continue to practice our speaking and leadership skills while developing new skills using a virtual format …

Read more.
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State Employee Financial Wellness Resources

Check out the following financial wellness resources from the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM): 

 Webinars: Managing Debt during COVD-19 and Your Credit Score

Virginia Retirement System (VRS): New myVRS Financial Wellness Course

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) …

Read more.
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You Ask, We Answer
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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 receive a response, please include your contact information.

Read more.
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