Author: Amanda Corrigan

International Professional Development Opportunity: Applications Due Date: June 13

GPSE Postcard.jpg The Office of Global and International Studies, with support from the Mason Staff Senate, is sponsoring the second annual Mason Global Professional Staff Exchange Program. The program is poised for its second year, with plans to send one staff member to Switzerland and another to South Korea in 2014-2015. This program, which garnered unprecedented attention in its inaugural year, aims to open the global experience, a key element in the Mason strategic plan, to classified staff members who have at least two years’ experience at Mason. The awardees are mentored through the Office of Global and International Strategies in preparation for a week of professional and social activities and events. Travel, housing and meals are a part of the award package.

All application packets, available on the Office of Global & International Studies Website, must be received in the Staff Senate office by 5:00 pm, Friday, June 13, 2014. Applications must be submitted electronically to [email protected]. Receipt of applications will be acknowledged; incomplete and late applications will not be considered in the selection process.

To learn more about the program, the application process, and the selection process, please visit http://masonglobal.gmu.edu/initiatives/staff-exchange-program/. For questions about the program, please contact Rita Rowand, Global Relations Specialist, Global & International Strategies, Provost’s Office, at 3-5146 or [email protected]. For administrative questions, please contact the Staff Senate at 3.4141 or [email protected].

Staff Senate April General Meeting

Wednesday, April 2
12:00 – 2:00 pm
Meese Conference Room, Mason Hall*

The Staff Senate April general meeting will feature guest speaker Cathy Wolfe, Director, Campus Planning, will discuss the upcoming changes to University Hall. Additionally, Shernita Parker, Jessica Cain and Pat Donini from Human Resources and Payroll. They will discuss the Employee Relations division and the services it provides. Guest speakers begin at noon, followed by time for constituents to take the microphone to express their concerns or accolades. The business meeting begins at 1:00. All are welcome, and registration is not necessary.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, April 2, 12:00 – 2:00 pm on the Fairfax campus in the Meese Conference Room, Mason Hall. *It will be videoconferences to Arlington, Founders Hall 322; Prince William, Bull Run Hall 254; and Loudoun 202; and Front Royal, Academic 219.

Rescheduled: Global Professional Staff Exchange Information Session

Monday, March 24
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Fairfax Campus: Meese Conference Room, Mason Hall
Videoconferenced to: Prince William, Bull Run 254; Arlington B119; Loudoun, Ridgetop 202; Front Royal, Academic 219.

The Office of Global Strategies, in coordination with the Staff Senate, supports Mason’s global mission and professional development opportunities for its staff. The Global Professional Staff Exchange Program offers staff the opportunity to travel abroad to institutions of higher education. The first recipient, Meggan Ford, Assistant Director, Academic Services, School of Management, will share her experiences traveling to Hohenheim University in Stuttgart, Germany. Thereafter, Rita Rowand, Global Relations Specialist, Office of Global Strategies, will provide a program about where this year’s staff exchange will occur, discuss the next round of opportunities, the application process, followed by questions and answer period. Feel free to bring lunch. No registration is required.

For more information about the program, please contact Rita Rowand, Global Relations Specialist, Provost’s Office3.5146, [email protected]

For more information about the event, please Kathrin Breitt Brown, Administrative Assistant, Staff Senate, 3.4141, [email protected]

Staff Senate March General Meeting: Wednesday, March 5

Wednesday, March 5

12:00 – 2:00 pm
Fairfax, Mason Hall, Meese Conference Room. Video conferenced to: Arlington, Founders Hall B119; Prince William, Bull Run Hall 254; Loudoun 202; Front Royal

Guest Speakers:

Janet Walker and Wendi Carroll, from Human Resources, along with David Robinson from ITU and Natalie Webster from Telecom Admin, will share the new Flexwork website and the options available to Mason staff.

NOTE: Originally scheduled speakers Shernita Parker and Jessica Cain, from Human Resources and Payroll, who were to discuss the Employee Relations services offered to staff have been rescheduled for the April 2, Staff Senate general meeting.

Guest speakers begin at noon, followed by time for constituents to take the microphone to express their concerns or accolades. The business meeting begins at 1:00pm. Visitors may attend any location. All are invited and no registration is necessary.

Questions may be directed to Kathrin Breitt Brown at [email protected] or 3.4141.

Nicole Roth Named February 2014 Employee of the Month

Sharon Thomas Named January 2014 Employee of the Month

Mason Matters: Making Mason an even better place to work

From J.J. Davis and Peter Stearns:

We are excited to launch Mason Matters, a new program designed to solicit creative ideas from faculty and staff to reduce expenses, increase revenue and improve efficiency at Mason. Do you have an idea that will:
•    Improve EFFICIENCY and help us better organize, manage and utilize our resources on a university-wide basis?
•    Lead to INNOVATION that will help us operate in a more cost efficient new way?
•    Increase REVENUE from new or existing activities?
Please visit https://MasonMatters.gmu.edu to learn more about Mason Matters and electronically submit your idea. The University Process and Improvement Committee (UPIC) will manage the program and review all ideas. The email address for UPIC is [email protected].

Thank you for participating in Mason Matters. We look forward to receiving your idea.

Exciting News from Parking & Transportation

Shuttle Pilot Program for Employees Traveling on I-95 – We need your help!

Good news! Mason Shuttles is starting a shuttle pilot program for employees who travel on I-95 to get to work. But we need your help to determine where to pick up passengers along the route. Please take this brief survey if you’re interested in this service: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GMUshuttle

A large portion of the I-95 freeway is under construction and traffic will only get worse. To help mitigate traffic, Fairfax County has generously offered to pay for 50% of the cost to run a shuttle for Mason employees who would normally have to drive on I-95 to get to work.

If you have any questions, please contact Marina at [email protected].

Burke VRE Express Shuttle – Starts on Monday, September 23

On Monday, September 23, Mason Shuttles will start a new shuttle service between Burke VRE and the Sandy Creek bus stop. The new Burke VRE Express shuttle schedule will be posted online at http://shuttle.gmu.edu. Ample free parking is available at the Burke VRE stop. Faculty and staff are encouraged to take the VRE train or drive to the Burke VRE train station and then hop onto the Burke VRE Express to get to campus!

Mason 101: Prince William Campus

Not familiar with thePrince William campus? Would you like to learn more about the campus and the services offered? Join University Information for a Mason 101 – Prince William Campus session for faculty, staff and students with a specific focus on the Prince William Campus. Attendees become familiar with the administrative structure of the university, learn information about key offices at the Prince William campus and take a virtual tour of all campuses. The next session will be held on Friday, June 6, 2014, 10:00am-11:30am in Occoquan Building, Room 110A. Registration is required at the HR learning web site, e-mail [email protected], or call Sarah Kersey at 703.993.8341.