Author: Amanda Corrigan

Mental Health First Aid Training

As you prepare for the spring semester, consider attending a training to learn how to help people who are developing a mental illness or in a crisis. Learn the signs of addictions and mental illnesses and the impact of mental and substance use disorders. For more information about Mental Health First Aid, visit mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs.

This free training is split into two four-hour sessions. Sessions are held on the Fairfax Campus. You must attend both days:

Session 1: January 6 and 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Session 2: January 13 and 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sign up here. For questions or more information, contact Katie Clare, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, at [email protected] or 703-993-7078.

ITS-Managed Microsoft Office Available for Faculty and Staff

In October, Information Technology Services (ITS) announced the availability of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus for all active Mason employees. A similar program was made available to students in 2014. This program allows the installation of up to five copies of the Microsoft Office Suite on personal computers at no cost. ITS recently became aware that Microsoft partners are marketing other Microsoft products, including the Home Use Program, which provides the Microsoft Office Suite at a low cost. However, ProPlus is the only option licensed and managed by Mason ITS. Therefore, ITS recommends customers utilize this free subscription.

If you receive any email marketing from Microsoft or a Microsoft partner that offers the Office Suite at a cost or access to the Office Suite outside of ProPlus, contact the ITS Support Center for assistance in determining its validity before spending university or personal funds.

Contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or [email protected].

From Our Friends in Human Resources and Payroll

Financial Well-Being
Kick off the New Year with a plan to enhance your financial well-being. Visit the Financial Well-Being portal for resources and information to assist you.

Just starting out in your career at Mason? Register for The Starting Line: Why and How Retirement Savings Should Begin Now with TIAA-CREF, scheduled for January 21 at noon.
Mid-career or later? Register for Preserving Your Savings for Future Generations with Fidelity Investments, scheduled for January 25 at noon.

You do not have to be a TIAA-CREF or Fidelity member to participate.

For a description of the classes and to register, visit hr.gmu.edu/learning/hr.php. Both sessions will be videoconferenced to Arlington and SciTech.

DMV2Go Coming to the Fairfax Campus in January
Take care of your Department of Motor Vehicles business at a convenient Mason location. DMV2Go will be in the Merten Hall parking lot on Monday, January 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. View the complete 2016 DMV2Go schedule.

Did You See the Human Resources and Payroll End-of-Year News and Reminders?
Our colleagues in HR & Payroll shared their End-of-Year News and Reminders before Winter Break. If you have not yet had a chance, we encourage you to take a look.

Employee of the Month: Purshara Kiraly

Purshara Kiraly, Employee of the Month, Mason's 300th Employee of the Month. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University — Purshara Kiraly, Employee of the Month, Mason’s 300th Employee of the Month. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

Heartfelt congratulations to Purshara Kiraly, Assistant Director, Technology, Admissions, for being selected as the December 2015 Employee of the Month award winner. Purshara is the 300th Employee of the Month at Mason. Read more about Purshara 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 HR awards page.

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

Message from the Chair

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

I speak for the members of the Staff Senate when I say Happy New Year and welcome back! I hope that your break was refreshing and the next few weeks will continue to be low-key. It is January, and with that comes a new semester and the potential for snow. While I am always excited for a blanket of white across campus, it is important to know where to find information regarding the university’s operating status and inclement weather policies.

First, check the Mason homepage for any weather-related or emergency announcements. Add the University Switchboard (703-993-1000) to the contact list in your cell phone. Messages regarding Mason’s operating status will be recorded on that information line. If you have not signed up to receive Mason Alerts on your phone, I strongly advise you to do so. Mason Alert will send you inclement weather and emergency notifications throughout the year, but is particularly useful in the winter. Finally, information about the university’s Inclement Weather/Emergency Closure Policy can be found here.

Staff Senate will not host an open meeting in January. Instead, we will be planning our goals for 2016. If you have suggestions, please send them to [email protected]. Our next open meeting will be in February, but I hope to see you sooner!

Stay warm!

Nicole Roth
Chair, Staff Senate

You Ask, We Answer: Staff Senate Night at Mason Basketball

In response to a recent You Ask, We Answer, the Staff Senate worked with Mason Athletics to offer a discount exclusively for Staff and Non-Student Wage for two upcoming Men’s Basketball games in February! Choose from the following games:

Saturday, February 6, at 6 p.m.
Mason vs. Dayton

Wednesday, February 24, at 7 p.m.
Mason vs. Virginia Commonwealth University

Admission: Tickets are discounted to $13 plus a $1.50 handling fee per ticket.
Enter Special Offer Code: SENATE
You will then be asked to log in or create an account.
Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. the day before each game (2/5 and 2/23)

Click HERE to purchase tickets!

December Staff Senate Newsletter

From Our Friends in Human Resources and Payroll

Celebrate Employee Learning Week! December 7–11
Employee Learning Week (ELW) is an awareness campaign that highlights the important connection between learning and achieving organizational results. To participate in ELW, create an account at lynda.gmu.edu and choose an online training video that applies to your job. View the video and submit your answers to the questions below to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 11. Your submission will be entered into a drawing for fabulous prizes. For more information on ELW, visit employeelearningweek.org.

1. What was the name of the online class and the trainer?
2. What was one new thing you learned?
3. How will you apply what you learned to your job?

Family Matters at Mason: An Invitation for Feedback
A Mason working group composed of faculty, staff, and administrators has been formed to explore faculty and staff needs and ideas in the area of family support. We are currently seeking feedback on two specific initiatives related to the child care needs of our faculty and staff living near or working on the Fairfax Campus:

Spring Break Camp for school-aged children (12 and under)
Extended Hours Care (before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m.) for children 2-12 years old

We also invite faculty and staff at all Mason locations to share their specific family care challenges, including child care, eldercare, special needs support, and other family care matters.

As you know, the university recently implemented a new Parental Leave Policy for Instructional 9-Month Faculty. Through the survey below, we hope to gather further feedback on family-related challenges and potential university supports. Depending upon your responses, there is a maximum of 12 questions, and we anticipate the survey will take less than seven minutes to complete.

The Family Matters Survey is available for the next couple of weeks. Feel free to email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Nominations for Employee of the Month
Recognizing Mason superstars is an important job, and everyone can participate. If you work with an incredible Mason Admin/Prof faculty member, classified staff member, or wage employee who goes the extra mile, collaborates successfully, and supports our students and colleagues, nominate them for Mason’s Employee of the Month award. Additional information can be found at hr.gmu.edu/awards/eotm.php.

Contact Reward and Recognition at 703-993-2739 or [email protected] with any questions.

Reminder: Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign
The 2015 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) is underway. Contact Helga Yunker at [email protected] for pledge cards or additional information. Online giving is available for both payroll deduction as well as one-time credit card donations at eDirect.virginia.gov. A list of charities can be viewed at cvc.virginia.gov/directorylist.html.

Help the Child Development Center Help Others
Mason’s Child Development Center (CDC) is taking the concepts of sharing and caring beyond the classroom and into the community by supporting a philanthropic cause for this year’s season of thanks. Ellie’s Hats is a program that collects new winter hats (bought or handmade) through December 16 for local children battling childhood cancer. A flyer is available to post in your office. Your generous donation can be dropped off at the CDC or Human Resources and Payroll (Merten Hall, Suite 4100).

Financial Well-Being Seminar Series: December Classes
Financial education classes are just a click away. Upcoming on-site classes are listed below. Both sessions will be video conferenced to the Arlington and SciTech Campuses. Visit hr.gmu.edu/learning/hr.php to register.

December 3, 12 p.m.: Raising Money Smart Teens with Tom Katovsich of the Virginia Credit Union
December 10, 12 p.m.: Halfway There – A Retirement Check Up with Lisa Fulco of TIAA-CREF

Contact [email protected] or 703-993-2600 with questions.

Registration Now Open: Leading to Well-Being Conference 2016
Registration is now open for the 2016 Leading to Well-Being: Cultivating Resilience Conference, co-sponsored by MasonLeads and the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. This year’s keynote speakers are Dr. Dan Siegel, Dr. David Cooperrider, and Dr. Annie McKee. Optional Thursday Pre-Conference Intensives include:

The HeartMath Institute
David L. Cooperrider/Appreciative Inquiry
The Strozzi Institute
The Chopra Center

A limited number of discounted tickets are available for Mason employees. Space for optional Thursday Intensives is limited. Mason employees who register by December 4 receive an extra $25 off the Friday conference ticket.

For more information and to register, click here. Contact Brandice Valentino at 703-993-5049 or [email protected] with questions.

Fall for Vogel Collection Fundraising Campaign

*Polyptik in Yellow, Blue, Red, Green,* Vogel Art Collection

The Hilde Vogel-Michalik Collection consists of over 2,200 paintings donated to Mason and housed at the SciTech campus. Many pieces are displayed throughout the university via the Internal Loan and the Adopt-a-Painting Programs.

Help support the collection by purchasing Vogel greeting cards. Each set has six cards depicting a different Vogel painting on the front; cards are blank inside for a personal message. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the cards ($10 plus tax) are used for the care and maintenance of the Vogel Collection.

Inquire about a card sales liaison for your campus/building, and order a set today. For questions, contact Donna Tressler at [email protected] or 703-993-8355.