Mason Staff Senate
Categories
April 2026

OLLI Mason Ideas Festival Celebrates Lifelong Learning

Staff are invited to attend the first-ever Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Mason Ideas Festival on May 8-9. The free festival will introduce adults 50 and older to OLLI Mason’s quality educational, social, and cultural opportunities.

Held on the Fairfax campus, the OLLI Mason’s Ideas Festival will include a panel discussion on global perspectives in aging, as well as 20 educational classes on topics from art to health to history to yoga. Many of OLLI’s clubs will also take part in the festival, showcasing the variety of hobbies and interests that older adults can explore through the program.

You can learn more and RSVP on the OLLI Mason website.

Categories
March 2026

March Benefits Corner: Grubhub+ Membership

George Mason students, faculty, and staff with active George Mason email accounts automatically receive a FREE Grubhub+ membership (Valued at $9.99/month).

Follow the steps below to activate your membership.

  • Step 1: Download the Grubhub app and create a new account. If you already have an account, skip to the next step.
  • Step 2: Go to “Account,” tap “Campus Dining,” then select “George Mason University” and your affiliation.
  • Step 3: Verify your George Mason credential and add Mason Money or other credit/debit cards as a payment solution.

You can learn more about this on the Free Grubhub+ Membership webpage.

Categories
April 2026

April Benefits Corner: Mason Money

Mason Money Returns: Central HR Gift Card Program

Human Resources is excited to share that Mason Money is once again available as an option within Human Resources’ Rewards & Recognition gift card program! This expanded offering provides a flexible, meaningful way to recognize faculty and staff while making the process simple and efficient.

Human Resources will process requests submitted through MyMasonHR and coordinate directly with the Mason Card Office to upload the funds. Funds are loaded directly onto the recognized employee’s Mason ID Card, making this a convenient and highly accessible form of recognition.

Why Choose Mason Money for Rewards & Recognition?

In addition to being easy to use, Mason Money offers meaningful, everyday value for employees. We recommend highlighting these benefits within your department’s recognition and appreciation practices:

  • Funds go straight onto the Mason ID Card – no extra steps for faculty and staff
  • Can be used at all campus dining locations
  • Accepted at the bookstore for merchandise, supplies, and more
  • Mason Money rewards bring employees into campus life, supporting local dining partners and increasing engagement with university services.
  • We also encourage departments to extend this recognition option to student employees, who often benefit most from on-campus spending flexibility. Note: Student employees are eligible for $10 gift cards.
Categories
March 2026

President’s Town Hall Spring 2026 Sessions

Gregory Washington, President, Office of the President, George Mason University. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/ George Mason University

George Mason University President Gregory Washington will host two 90-minute town hall sessions to discuss the state of the university and to engage with faculty and staff.

The first town hall, for George Mason employees working in non-academic units, will take place on Thursday, March 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., in the HUB Ballroom.

The second town hall, for George Mason employees working in academic units, will take place on Thursday, March 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., in the HUB Ballroom.

For those unable to attend in-person, both sessions will be livestreamed on Zoom; these sessions will not be recorded. Please contact your respective unit leadership for Zoom links and passwords. While questions will be taken at the conclusion of each town hall, please note the Zoom chat function will not be enabled. Should virtual attendees have any questions, please provide them to your designated unit contact so they can be shared in-person during your respective town hall session.

Captioning will be available on the livestream. If you are in need of sign language interpreters for this event, please reach out directly to the Office of Disability Services. If United Language Group (ULG) services are needed, please reach out directly to the Office of Human Resources.

Categories
March 2026 April 2026

George Mason AI Day

April 29, 2026 is AI Day at George Mason at Fuse at Mason Square. This all-day event will bring together researchers pursuing foundational questions in AI, faculty integrating these tools into teaching and scholarship, policymakers wrestling with governance, students navigating a shifting landscape, and practitioners deploying systems in the field.

The program highlights high-impact George Mason research and student talent, practical AI literacy initiatives and credentials, and grounded discussions on governance, procurement, and outcomes, paired with real use-case demonstrations and an industry dialogue on AI infrastructure and data centers.

Faculty, staff, and students can register for FREE.

Categories
March 2026

Updates from Parking and Transportation

Categories
March 2026

You Spoke; We Acted: How George Mason Is Bringing Your Feedback to Life

Your voice continues to shape the George Mason experience. The Faculty and Staff Experience Survey remains one of our most important tools for understanding how employees experience their workplace – what’s working, where challenges remain, and where we must grow together. The feedback you shared in the 2024 survey directly informed several major university-wide improvements, and we want to share the progress made because you spoke up.

In response to your input, George Mason launched a comprehensive staff classification and compensation study to modernize career paths, strengthen pay equity, and build a clear Career Architecture framework for the future. Your feedback also highlighted well‑being as essential, leading to expanded support such as TimelyCare, enhanced workplace coaching, and significantly increased supervisor and leadership development programs. Recognition and appreciation have also been strengthened through redesigned awards, updated tools, and more consistent unit‑level practices across the university. Additionally, performance engagement has evolved with updated rating categories, new feedback workshops, and improved tools designed to support both supervisors and employees.

As we prepare for the next Faculty and Staff Experience Survey launching in April 2026, we hope you’ll make your voice heard once again. Your feedback drives meaningful change – and helps shape a stronger, more supportive George Mason community. Visit the Human Resources website for more information.

Categories
March 2026 April 2026 May 2026 June 2026

Center for Community Mental Health Services

The Center for Community Mental Health (CCMH) offers therapy and diagnostic assessments on an affordable sliding scale to children, teens, and adults in the D.C. area. 3 FREE sessions, focused on building coping skills, are available to George Mason students, staff, faculty, and contractors. Call 703-993-1370 or email [email protected] for more information. You can also visit the CCMH website for more information.

Categories
February 2026 March 2026

2026 Nominations for the Jack Wood Award

The Jack Wood Award highlights the outstanding contributions of faculty, staff, students, businesses/not-for-profits, community members, and elected officials/staff who demonstrate leadership in fostering mutually beneficial relationships between the university and the community. This illustrious distinction honors former Mayor Jack Wood, who played an instrumental role in establishing George Mason in Fairfax and establishing Town-Gown relations between the university and the community. Awardees will be notified by March 26. The Board of Visitors will honor awardees on April 30.

Nominations are due by March 13. Self-nominations are welcome. Community relations/outreach professionals are not eligible.

Questions? Contact Traci Kendall at [email protected].

Categories
February 2026

Intro to PatriotAI: Hands-on Training

Information Technology Services (ITS) is hosting, “Intro to PatriotAI” at Mason Square (Arlington Campus) on Tuesday, February 17, and Thursday, February 19, for faculty, staff, and students. These hands-on sessions are designed to introduce this suite of AI tools and provide tips and best practices to set users up for success – no prior experience required. Whether you’re exploring PatriotAI for personal growth or professional innovation, the training will help you build confidence and clarity.

You can learn more and register for an event on the ITS website.