The April Staff Senate newsletter is out!
Category: April 2015
April is my favorite month of the year. Not only is it my birthday month, but there are so many great events to attend in D.C. and Northern Virginia. I use Mason Transportation daily to get to campus, but I also use it to travel between campuses and to get to the Vienna Metro station. If you like to get some exercise while going to and from campus and around town, don’t forget to register your bicycle with Parking Services and get a free bike lock!
While the weather is nice, enjoy discounted lunches arranged by Human Resources and Payroll and Dining Services. You can “hike” across campus to dine at the Globe or Ike’s, getting some exercise and enjoying a meal with colleagues. For more information, view the Hikes flyer.
Stephanie Payton
Chair, Mason Staff Senate
My first experience at Mason was as a full-time undergraduate student, earning my B.A. in Psychology. While working on my degree, I also had a job on campus− I worked as a receptionist for ITU (now called ITS). I have also worked as an administrative assistant for Telecom Administration. I now work in the Division of Special Education and disAbility Research in the College of Education and Human Development.
I joined Staff Senate because I love meeting new people and sharing a vision with others. Staff Senate provides me with the opportunity to do that. I get to meet new individuals from the Mason community at meetings and events, but I also get to push for the changes they want to see on campus.
My favorite thing about Staff Senate is how well we work together. We are a team, and everyone contributes in different ways based on their own areas of expertise. I have also been able to build relationships with people I may not have met outside of Staff Senate, which is very rewarding.
I serve on the Staff Senate Events Committee, which plans events for staff, like the Staff Appreciation Events that we hold in winter and summer.
When I’m not working, I enjoy cooking and finding new recipes on Pinterest. I also love reading, running, and spending time with my eight-year old!
A heartfelt congratulations to Melvin Parada, Print Services Supervisor with Print Services, for being selected as the March 2015 Employee of the Month award winner.
Read more about Melvin 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 awards@gmu.edu with questions.
Every three years, Mason surveys all faculty and staff regarding the quality of work life at the university. Important policies and initiatives have resulted from employees’ suggestions in previous surveys, including telework and flextime options, the Prince William Shuttle, and an expansion of the Commuter Choice Program and Child Development Center.
Please note – this survey is different from the “Chronicle of Higher Education – Great Colleges to Work For” survey that some of you may also have the opportunity to complete. Details for that survey are also available in this edition of the Staff Senate Newsletter.
Look for the Mason Quality of Work/Life survey in your email inbox in April. The survey will be open from April 7 – 30. We hope you will take a few minutes to share your thoughts and suggestions.
Contact Human Resources and Payroll at 703-993-2600 with questions.
Every day is a great day to let colleagues know how much you value their efforts. Spread a little sunshine today and every day! For ideas on how to say, “Thanks, I couldn’t have done it without you,” or “I appreciate your support and kindness,” visit Human Resources & Payroll’s Pinterest page at pinterest.com/workingatmason.
For more ideas on Reward and Recognition at Mason, visit hr.gmu.edu/awards.
Hike to Ike’s was so popular, it is coming back every Friday during Mason’s Spring into Well-Being. This time, we are adding the Globe as another hike destination. Join fellow faculty and staff around campus as they lace up their sneakers and hike to some fun, new dining venues on campus for lunch. Faculty and staff receive a discounted lunch rate of $8 at these locations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Save even more money when you sign up for a Faculty/Staff BYTE Plan. Cash, credit card, and Mason Money are accepted.
View more details. Contact Wendi Carroll at wcarrol2@gmu.edu for more information.
Mason is once again participating in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For” program. This is a wonderful opportunity to benchmark Mason as an employer. As part of the process, 600 full-time faculty and staff, along with 300 adjunct faculty, will be randomly selected to complete a survey, which will run from March 16 to April 13.
If you are selected for the survey, we hope you can take a few minutes to complete it. Thank you for all you do to make Mason a great place to learn and work.
Contact Janet Walker at jwalker8@gmu.edu or 703-993-2604 with questions.
