Wondering where to nosh during winter break? Mason’s Dining Services has the scoop. Click here for hours for all dining establishments on campus.
To learn even more about dining options on campus, like The Official Mason Dining Page on Facebook.
Happy New Year! I hope your winter break was filled with joy and peace, as we were able to spend a few extra days with family and friends. I am looking forward to seeing you at the beginning of this new year at our Staff Appreciation Winter Warm-Up. Don’t forget to mark your calendars now.
Before we get back into the swing of things here on campus, I want to encourage you to add a resolution to your list for 2015. I challenge you to take advantage of one new benefit, service, or training that Mason provides. It could be a professional development training offered by Human Resources, a fitness class offered by Mason Recreation, or setting aside $5 month in a retirement account. My hope is that this small step will help you accomplish more here at Mason or just lead to a better work life balance.
Let me know what you decide to do or follow my own #MasonResolution on Twitter.
Stephanie Payton
Staff Senate on Hiatus for January General Meeting
No Staff Senate general meeting this month! The Staff Senate is putting its energy into the Staff Appreciation Winter Warm-up! Stop by to meet your senators, hang out with colleagues, and enjoy a cup of cocoa on us! Read more about the event here.
The next general meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 12:00 to 2:00 pm. Information on guest speakers and location will be available on our website soon.
A heartfelt congratulations to Hermione Pickett, adult learning program coordinator in the Office of Undergraduate Education in the Office of the Provost, for being awarded the December 2014 Employee of the Month award.
Read more about Hermione in this Mason News article.
Do you know a superstar? Make sure her or she gets 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 & Recognition at [email protected] with questions.
Hylton in the Highlands
Saturday, January 24 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Spend the day celebrating the rich culture and history of Scotland with performances, exhibits, and interactive experiences for all ages. From fiddles and dancing to bagpipes, tea, and whisky tastings, there’s something for everyone at the Hylton in the Highlands Festival. Tickets include all day access to all performances, interactive experiences, presentations and exhibits.
Performances by:
Interactive Experiences:
Presentations:
Exhibits:
Highlighting authentic crafts and goods for sale—including jewelry, pottery, traditional apparel and much more by:
For even more detailed information about these exhibits, click here.
Taste of Scotland:
Additional fees apply for Taste of Scotland events. For more details about these offerings, click here.
The Gallup StrengthsFinder Assessment is free of charge to all Mason students, faculty, and staff as part of the Well-Being University Initiative. StrengthsFinder is a discovery tool to help participants identify their top five strengths, along with innovative ways to use them in everyday life. Participants will learn what they are best at doing and how to leverage those strengths. Participants may use the software to design action plans, access resources, and create groups to share their strengths with others.
To take the assessment, visit wbu.gmu.edu/strengths-academy. For more information, contact [email protected].
I came to Mason just before the Hylton Performing Arts Center opened on the Prince William Campus in April 2010. During and immediately after college, I worked on several political campaigns in South Carolina, Virginia, and Illinois. After I finished working for Bill Foster for Congress in Illinois in 2008, I decided I wanted to go back to working in the field that I grew up in – the arts. During my career transition, I interned at the Kennedy Center and was an Assistant House Manager at Ford’s Theater.
I joined the Staff Senate to connect with more staff members across the university and to have the opportunity to work with people on the other campuses. When I joined, the Senate was entering a time of transition, and it has been great to see how it has grown over the past couple years. The Senate is extremely active and involved on all campuses. I have enjoyed serving on various university committees, because it has given me the opportunity to work with other Mason employees with whom I would have never otherwise worked.
This year, I am on the Events Committee. This committee is responsible for the bi-annual Staff Appreciation Events. I also serve on the University Process Improvement Council (UPIC) and the Recreation Advisory Committee as the Staff Senate representative. UPIC is responsible for Mason Matters and improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of university processes. The Recreation Committee has student, faculty, and staff representatives and hears ideas for Mason Recreation from the campus community.
I am equally as active in my life outside of Mason as I am in my life at Mason. I ran my first 5K on Thanksgiving Day and love to watch British period dramas. I love musical theater and try to see as much as I can when our theater schedule allows. I enjoy visiting historic homes (especially Colonial era). Recently, I started running and also enjoy taking spin classes.
Child Development Center Hat Drive
To help the children understand compassion and humanitarian efforts, the CDC is in the midst of a Hat Drive to benefit children at Inova Fairfax Hospital who are undergoing treatment for childhood cancer. It is part of a wider program called Ellie’s Hats. If you would like to donate a new store-bought or home-made hat, please drop it by the HR & Payroll office (Merten 4100) or inter-office mail it to mailstop 3C3. The CDC hat drive is underway through the end of January but HR & Payroll will have a hat box in its lobby on an ongoing basis as Ellie’s Hats collects year-round. If you have any questions, please contact Tina Morris at [email protected]
Child Development Center (CDC) Cookbooks Available
Looking for some new recipes to WOW the family? How about a gift for that special someone who loves to cook? Look no further! The Child Development Center has produced a delightful cookbook full of terrific recipes shared from across the CDC, Mason, and beyond. Literally everything from soup to nuts; all for $15. To order, please visit http://hr.gmu.edu/cdc/fundraisers.php or head directly to the order form at http://hr.gmu.edu/cdc/docs/CookBook.pdf.
Lunchtime Possibilities
Taking a break mid-way through your day is important to well-being. There are many ways to get involved on campus and some of them occur over lunch. We’ve compiled a sample of what is available at Lunchtime Possibilities.
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.
