Author: Amanda Corrigan

September 2019

Outstanding Achievement Awards

Post author By Amanda Corrigan
Post date September 9, 2019

The 2019 Outstanding Achievement Awards celebrate the hard work, dedication, and achievements of Mason’s faculty and staff across 13 award categories. These categories include the Civility Star Award, the Adjunct Faculty Service Award, and the Margaret C. Howell Award.

To recognize a faculty or staff member’s dedication and contributions to Mason, nominate them for a 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award. These guidelines can help you prepare a nomination.

The nomination deadline is September 26, 2019, and the ceremony is October 31, 2019, from 10–11:30 a.m. in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall.

Questions? Please contact Beth Baroody at 703-993-2739 or bbaroody@gmu.edu.

September 2019

Healthy Campus Week and Happy Heart Walk

Post author By Amanda Corrigan
Post date September 9, 2019

Healthy Campus Week

Healthy Campus Week is September 23 – 27, 2019! Support your well-being by attending the available sessions on leading a healthy life. View the flyer to see a list of sessions throughout the week. To register for a session, click on the session you would like to attend, and click “Request” on the MasonLEAPS session page.

Sessions will be available via Webex on both the Arlington and SciTech campuses.

If you have any questions, email worklife@gmu.edu. To learn more about the Healthier Campus Initiative, visit the Partnership for a Healthier America website.

Happy Heart Walk

Time to get “pumped!” It is time for our annual Happy Heart Walk! This year marks the 11^th year of the Happy Heart Walk and we encourage you to join your fellow students, faculty, and staff for a walk across all campuses to promote heart health.

Awards will be given to the team with the most spirit and to the largest department team…so encourage your colleagues to attend! Did we mention there will be giveaways? Doesn’t that set your heart aflutter? (See what we did there?)

Details: September 25, noon, see flyer for locations

View the flyer for more details. No need to register! Questions? Contact worklife@gmu.edu.

Bring your walking shoes and your best heart puns!

September 2019

Training and Seminars from Human Resources and Payroll

Post author By Amanda Corrigan
Post date September 9, 2019

Flexible Work at Mason Seminar

Details: September 19, Fairfax, Merten Hall 1202, 12 – 1 p.m.

As a follow up to the August Anthem Employee Assistance Program seminar, “Successful Teleworking,” Human Resources and Payroll is offering a seminar on flexible work options specific to Mason. This seminar is for employees who currently use or are looking to use one of Mason’s many flexible work options and will discuss:

Different flexible work options at Mason
What flexible work option may work for you
How to discuss flexible work options with your supervisor
How to document and communicate your arrangement
Policies related to flexible work
Flexible work resources available

All employees are welcome to attend. To register, visit the Flexible Work at Mason details page on MasonLEAPS and then click “request.” If you have questions, please contact hr@gmu.edu or 703-993-2600.

Supervisor Boot Camp is a program designed to provide essential information, resources, and contacts to supervisors who are new to Mason or new to supervising! This boot camp includes four half-day sessions over the course of eight weeks from October 2, 2019, through November 13, 2019. Participants must supervise at least one employee who is either administrative/professional faculty or classified staff.

View the Supervisor Boot Camp page for more details!

To register, or if you have questions, contact Margaret Vu at mvu20@gmu.edu. Space is limited and registrations are first come, first served.

September 2019 October 2019

October Staff Senate General Meeting: Active Threat Preparedness and Response

Post author By Amanda Corrigan
Post date September 6, 2019

David Farris, Environmental Health and Safety Office. Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University

The October Staff Senate general meeting will feature guest speaker David Farris, executive director of safety and emergency management, Environmental Health and Safety. The discussion will focus on active threat preparedness, response procedures, physical security, and Q&A regarding initiatives and resources at Mason.

Wednesday, October 2, 2019
10:30 a.m. to noon
Fairfax: Research Hall, Room 163
Arlington: Van Metre Hall, Room B119 (videoconferenced)
SciTech: Colgan Hall, Room 221 (videoconferenced)
WebEx: gmu.webex.com / Meeting Number (access code): 648 314 965 / Meeting password: 2ktMam99 or join by phone: 1-240-454-0879

David Farris will visit from 10:30 to 11 a.m. The general meeting will occur from 11 to noon.

The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at George Mason University. Working closely with university administration, we address concerns that have an impact on the quality of work-life for the Mason community. The work of the Senate is accomplished through open and continuous communication with its constituents.

All are welcome to attend the Staff Senate general meeting.

For questions, contact staffsenate@gmu.edu.

August 2019

September Staff Senate General Meeting with President Anne Holton

Post author By Amanda Corrigan
Post date August 20, 2019

Anne Holton, interim president, George Mason University. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Strategic Communications

The September Staff Senate general meeting will feature guest speaker Anne Holton, interim president of George Mason University.

The meeting will also feature a brief presentation from Adrienne Bryant Godwin, programming manager, College of Visual and Performing Arts. Adrienne will discuss the upcoming performance season at Center for the Arts and the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019
10:30 a.m. to noon
Fairfax: Merten Hall, Room 1201
Arlington: Van Metre Hall, Room B119 (videoconferenced)
SciTech: Colgan Hall, Room 221 (videoconferenced)
WebEx: gmu.webex.com / Meeting Number (access code): 648 314 965 / Meeting password: 2ktMam99 or join by phone: 1-240-454-0879

All are welcome to attend the Staff Senate general meeting.

For questions, contact staffsenate@gmu.edu.

August 2019

The Mason Club

Post author By Amanda Corrigan
Post date August 20, 2019

August 2019

Staff Senate Chair Serving on Presidential Search Committee

Post author By Amanda Corrigan
Post date August 19, 2019

On July 26, the Board of Visitors announced the members of the search committee who will help select the next president of George Mason University. Lauren Reuscher, chair of Staff Senate, will serve as a staff representative on the committee.

The committee’s first order of business will be to develop a profile for the position and a timeline for the search.

To submit feedback to the committee, visit go.gmu.edu/pres-search.

Lauren also invites staff members to reach out to her directly to share ideas and feedback.

For more information about the search, and to view the complete list of committee members, visit the presidential search website.

August 2019

July and August Employees of the Month

Post author By Amanda Corrigan
Post date August 19, 2019

Congratulations to July Employee of the Month Paul Didier and August Employee of the Month Crystal Hall Brett!

Do you know a superstar? Make sure they receive 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 website.

George Mason University July 2019 Employee of the Month Paul Didier with former President Ángel Cabrera. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Strategic Communications

August 2019

Nominate Your Supervisor for the Outstanding Supervisor Award by August 30!

Post author By Amanda Corrigan
Post date August 19, 2019

The Outstanding Supervisor Award, sponsored by the Mason Staff Senate, seeks to recognize supervisors who routinely go above and beyond to provide unparalleled leadership, mentorship, and support within their departments or offices. Outstanding supervisors model and promote a positive work-life balance and strive to serve not only their departments or offices but also their personnel. Other activities that an outstanding supervisor demonstrates include:

Acknowledging exemplary performance
Supporting innovation and soliciting input from employees
Being fair and flexible
Encouraging and providing opportunities for professional growth
Promoting diversity and inclusion

Does this sound like your supervisor? If the answer is yes, we want to know!

Consider submitting a nomination form for the Outstanding Supervisor Award. More details can be found on the Mason Staff Senate website. The nomination period ends on August 30, 2019. Email completed nomination forms to staffsenate@gmu.edu.

Questions? Contact Amanda Corrigan, Staff Senate (3.4141 or acorrig2@gmu.edu)

The winner(s) will be officially recognized during the Outstanding Achievement Award ceremony.

August 2019

Research Administration Certificate Program

Post author By Amanda Corrigan
Post date August 19, 2019

The Research Administration Certificate Program, developed in collaboration with a cross-campus advisory committee and coordinated through the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), is a professional development opportunity designed to educate staff about sponsored programs administration.

The curriculum provides a deeper understanding of key concepts related to grant and contract administration. Participants attend 10 sessions, engage in problem-based learning exercises, and other hands-on activities to receive the Research Administration certificate.

The kick-off session will be held on September 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Merten Hall, Room 1202, and will cover topics including the research and regulatory environment, sponsored projects policies, the life cycle of an award, and an overview of the Office of Sponsored Programs. The requirements of the certificate program will be reviewed, and there will be time for questions and answers.

Click here to register for this session, or contact Pat Sperry, associate director, outreach and systems administration in OSP, for additional information.