Author: Amanda Corrigan

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. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

For questions about any of the following announcements, contact Human Resources and Payroll at 703-993-2600.

DMV2Go
Take care of your DMV business at a convenient Mason location. For the 2016 schedule at Arlington, Fairfax, and SciTech, click here.  For a list of available services with DMV2Go, visit the DMV2Go website.

Physical Well-Being Seminar from HR & Payroll
Join Amy Moore of CommonHealth on Wednesday, May 4, at noon for Dial It Down: Stress Less. Learn how to identify some tools and tips to help you manage stress.  The session will be videoconferenced to Arlington and SciTech. To register, visit hr.gmu.edu/learning/hr.php.

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. There are two versions: one for faculty/staff, and the other for students. Each version has you completing ten financial missions on a range of topics, from the impact of inflation to the cost of living in your favorite retirement spot. It is a great way to pick up some financial information while having a little fun. The faculty/staff version has an incentive — you will be entered into a drawing for one of three $25 gift checks from TIAA. (The student version does not offer this incentive.) For more information and to register to play, visit the following site:

Faculty/Staff: hr.gmu.edu/benefits/retire/GMUfacultystaffSUYSemail.html

Students: hr.gmu.edu/benefits/retire/GMUstudentsSUYSemail.html

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. Currently, I am enrolled in the Higher Education Administration graduate certificate— though I am hoping to apply to the Education PhD program for spring 2017. (Fingers crossed!)

Before coming to Mason, I mostly worked in food service positions. I came straight from undergrad at Christopher Newport University (CNU) to Mason as a full-time grad student, so the flexibility of bartending and serving tables helped me pursue my studies. Also, my parents have owned a restaurant since I was eight, so you could say that food service comes naturally to me!

I joined Staff Senate because I was interested in getting to know as many people at Mason as possible. It can be difficult to meet new folks outside of your direct working environment. Senate meetings give me a chance to get out and meet new folks and motivate me to get involved in committees and initiatives across campus that deal with staff needs.

As a member of the Events Committee, it has been an absolute pleasure to help coordinate different events and initiatives for the Senate. I was really excited to see the turnout of staff members at our inaugural Town Hall event this semester. Of course, my favorite experience would have to be volunteering with fellow Senators during the Toys for Tots collection drive before winter break. I was truly impressed by the number and variety of toys we received!

Outside of work, I’ve had an exciting year: I recently got engaged! Planning a wedding while working and taking classes may just drive me crazy, but I’m looking forward to it, nonetheless. And if anyone is looking for great ideas, Pinterest is the place to go . . .

Another fun fact about me: Last year, I thought I would give lifting weights a try. And now I love it! I used to run for exercise, but I have found that I really enjoy the variety of movements and challenges of lifting. Whether perfecting form or adding just a tiny bit more weight each week, it really helps me to stay motivated to become a stronger and more confident me.

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. This year, we received 683 votes for 115 different advisors across Mason (record numbers for both votes and nominated advisors).

Smriti received a total of 74 votes (7 from faculty/colleagues, 3 from alumni, and 64 from current students). Click here to read comments from students, faculty, and alumni who nominated Smriti for this award.

Congratulations Smriti, and thank you to all the wonderful advisors across Mason!

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 [email protected] with questions.

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 [email protected] or 703-993-2600.

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!

We are seeking assistance in two specific ways:

• Donate your items: Collection bins will be available from May 4–16 in Mason’s residential communities. Collection bins can be found at all three 24-hour Neighborhood Desks (Piedmont/Tidewater, Eisenhower, and Whitetop) to provide convenient access to all faculty, staff, and students.
• Form a volunteer collection team: Teams are comprised of 4–8 members of students, staff, and/or faculty. Teams will collect goods from the donation sites and will be accompanied by staff from Mason Recycling and Waste Management. Collection routes begin at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. during most weekdays and typically take between 90 minutes and two hours.

Help is needed from Friday, May 6, through Monday, May 16. Team Captains can sign up online for their preferred day/time. Contact Christian Barber at [email protected]or 703-993-2788 with questions.

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, and submit a nomination for Mason’s Employee of the Month. Additional information can be found on the Human Resources and Payroll awards page.

Contact Reward and Recognition at [email protected] with questions.