Author: Amanda Corrigan

March at Mason can be snowy, but with spring break, it is also a month of slowing down. For students, this is a time to recharge before the final half of the academic year. As a staff member, I always look forward to spring break as a time to take a breath and grab a Starbucks in less-than-normal wait times. It’s also a great time to remember that spring is just around the corner.

This month, I encourage you to take an hour for yourself during Spring into Well-Being. Many departments across campus are hosting workshops, events, and information tents to help you focus on your personal well-being. This is a great time to find out how Mason is working toward creating a healthy balance for you in the workplace and striving toward the university’s strategic plan.

Stephanie Payton
Chair, Mason Staff Senate

It’s not too late to apply to rent a community garden plot at Mason. Grow your own food, bond with your staff, learn useful new skills, and enjoy nutritious, sustainably-grown foods.

The raised bed plots are four feet by eight feet in size, six inches tall, and located in the Potomac Heights Garden. The use of one plot costs $10 per month. The season runs from March 1 to November 1. Funds benefit the George Mason University Garden Association.

Complete the application online. For questions, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Interested in completing the Mason Advisor Certificate (MAC) program? The MAC program is designed to provide a structured training process to enhance and develop the Mason academic advising experience. This six-module training series is intended for new and existing advisors. The program provides a cohesive curriculum centered on topics related to advising approaches, Mason policies and procedures, advising tools, university resources, developing your advising philosophy, and much more.

To register, visit the Human Resources and Payroll training website: hr.gmu.edu/learning/mac.php.

Contact Emily Kalinowski at [email protected] with questions.

The second annual Spring into Well-Being, a celebration of well-being at Mason, will be held from March 19 – April 30. Spring into Well-Being is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Mason events that highlight a dimension of well-being (physical, career, social, community, psychological, and financial). Events are hosted by various Mason units, organizations, students, staff, faculty, and affiliates. Most events are free and open to the public. View the complete list of events and activities during this special celebration, and find something to promote your own well-being!

Wednesday, March 4
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Fairfax Campus: Innovation Hall, Room 334
Arlington Campus: Founders Hall, Room B119 (videoconferenced)
Prince William Campus: Bull Run Hall, Room 254 (videoconferenced)

Guest Speakers:
Connie Benson, Director of Recreation, Mason Recreation, and Amanda Meiklejohn, Recreation Program Manager and Camp Director, Freedom Center, will offer information about fitness and recreation options available to staff at Mason.

Guest speakers begin at noon, followed by time to ask questions, express concerns, or offer accolades about issues concerning Mason staff. The Staff Senate business meeting begins at 1 p.m. All are welcome, and registration is not necessary.

A heartfelt congratulations to Shams Bahabib, Education Support Specialist in the Volgenau School of Engineering, for being selected as the February 2015 Employee of the Month award winner.

Read more about Shams 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 & Recognition at [email protected] with questions.