Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

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Staff Senate Newsletter:
November 2019

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Staff News

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As Thanksgiving approaches, I am feeling grateful for the opportunity to work on a university campus. Mason always has a special air of excitement this time of year as everyone prepares for the end of the semester, Winter Graduation, and some well-deserved time off with family and friends.

This holiday season, the Staff Senate is sponsoring donation drives to collect food, children’s books, and other items for those in need 

Read more.

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Congratulations to Dawn Hicks, director of community relations in George Mason University Athletics, for being selected as the November 2019 Employee of the Month! Read more about Dawn in this Mason News article.

Do you know a superstar? Make sure they receive the deserved recognition and submit 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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Congratulations to Diane Vermaaten, executive director, finance and administration, School of Business, and Elena Johnson, director, Washington Scholars Program and Partnerships, Admissions, for being selected as the 2019 Outstanding Supervisors.

Diane and Elena were selected from nearly 35 incredible nominations of diverse candidates from varying departments and campuses …

Read more.

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The Staff Senate is collecting items this holiday season at the Arlington, Fairfax, and Science and Technology Campuses. 

All non-perishable food items, personal items, and school supplies collected will be donated to the Patriot Pantry, a food pantry that provides access to non-perishable food items, toiletries, and basic school supplies to Mason students who are unable to afford them. 

At the Fairfax Campus, we will be collecting new and unwrapped books for INOVA Children’s Hospital …

Read more.

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Registration is now open for Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day on Dec. 4. This daylong event is centered around the theme, “Adaptable, Flexible, Resilient,” and features keynote speaker Lauren Cattaneo, associate professor of psychology at Mason, and lunchtime speaker Param Srikantia, professor at Baldwin Wallace University, as well as breakout sessions and events …

Read more.

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December Staff Senate Meeting
Due to Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day taking place on Dec. 4, the Staff Senate has cancelled the December General Meeting 

Extended Meeting Time in the Spring
Moving forward, the General Staff Senate Meetings will be extended by one half-hour from 10 a.m. to noon ...

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Campus Updates

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DMV2Go on the Fairfax Campus

Thanksgiving Regional Transportation and Mason 

Zimsgiving - Zimride for Thanksgiving!

Read more.

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The next Mason Administrative Professionals (MAP) meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Johnson Center, Room C.

MAP welcomes anyone working at George Mason who considers themselves to be in an administrative professional role ...

Read more.

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The Kaiser Permanente Mobile Health Van is coming to the Fairfax Campus! All employees, regardless of their health insurance, may receive a free flu shot and biometric screening in the van. Kaiser Permanente insurance holders may complete a variety of healthcare needs in the van. 

Dec. 2, 2019
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Merten Hall Parking Lot …

Read more.

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Information Technology Services (ITS) encourages George Mason University employees to complete their annual IT Security Awareness Training. The required training is assigned to employees in their Mason Learning, Evaluation, and Performance System (MasonLEAPS) accounts via masonleaps.gmu.edu. The training takes 30 minutes. The deadline to finish the training is Dec. 9, 2019 ...

Read more.

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Information Technology Services (ITS) is enhancing the Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) program at Mason. The first phase of this effort is to simplify authentication options to align with current security standards.

Effective Nov. 19, users will need to use the Duo Mobile App (Duo Push or Passcodes), a Yubikey, or Bypass Codes as their second factor. Telephone calls and SMS text messages will not be available as they are no longer considered secure…

Read more.

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Taj Express - The Bollywood Musical Revue

Friday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m.
Merchant Hall, Hylton Performing Arts Center

This international sensation explodes onstage with the look and feel of the Indian Bollywood movies that have been entertaining people around the globe for generations. Taj Express follows the story of one man’s passion and another’s genius and is packed with action, romance, comedy, and glamour …

Read more.

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The Mason Hoops Pass is the most flexible season ticket available to Mason Basketball fans! The Basketball Mobile Pass gets you tickets to every 2019-20 home game at EagleBank Arena.

This all-mobile season ticket allows you to watch the game from various viewpoints in the arena with different seats each game, and includes exclusive ticket management features …

Read more.

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There are many ways to say thank you to your Mason colleagues, and Reward and Recognition has new Mason Flair to help you show your appreciation …

Read more.

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Resources for Staff

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Looking for a convenient and NAEYC-accredited preschool for your child? The Mason Child Development Center currently has part-time schedules available for 3- and 4-year-old children.

The CDC is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and follows the Mason administrative calendar ...

Read more.

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With the holidays around the corner, it’s a perfect time to think about saving for future higher education expenses for your children, grandchildren, or yourself …

Read more.

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The Red Door Spa & Salon recently changed its name to Mynd Spa & Salon!   

With a Mason ID or business card, faculty and staff receive 15% off services and product purchases. The offer is valid Sunday through Friday at any Mynd Spa & Salon, including Fairfax Corner …

Read more.

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You Ask, We Answer

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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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