The August 2016 Staff Senate Newsletter is now available!
Categories
Category: August 2016
Categories
Message from the Chair
Welcome to a new and exciting school year! As August winds down, life will return to the campus and the temporary calm felt across the university will be transformed with new life. The class of 2020 is arriving!
One thing that I love to do around this time of year is be helpful. These little moments happen in the Johnson Center food court, or while walking near the statue, when a parent or a student is trying to find their way in their new world. I do my best to carry my Mason ID and make it visible, so they know I can help.
Soon, students will wander through the campus with fresh perspectives. As part of their daily lives, we help craft their experiences. I have no doubt that there is a staff member each student can look back on and thank for their kindness. We bring out the best in Mason!
I hope that the start of the new school year is kind to you and the stress is manageable. Remember, we are working for futures here!
Nicole Roth
Chair, Staff Senate
nroth@gmu.edu
Categories
Welcome Mason’s Newest Staff Senators
Congratulations to our newly elected Senators and returning Senators!
Fairfax:
- Wajahat Ahmed, Human Resources and Payroll Coordinator, Housing and Residence Life (incumbent)
- Eric Fowler, Clery Compliance Coordinator, Police and Public Safety
- Amanda Kennedy, Fiscal Technician, FAST, Fiscal Services (incumbent)
- Jenna McGwin, Executive Assistant to the Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Ann Moran, Parking Services Coordinator, Parking and Transportation
- Christina Sanders, Global TelePresence Specialist, Collaborative Video Technologies
- Rebecca Stone, Project Coordinator, ITS Strategic Business Operations
Arlington:
- Lauren Reuscher, Integrated Campuses Manager, University Information (incumbent)
Science and Technology:
- Erin Iacangelo, Events Coordinator, SciTech Executive Office
- Tiffany Sandstrum, Administrative Assistant, School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism
At-Large:
- Amanda Corrigan, Administrative Assistant, Staff Senate
- Cloud Spurlock, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, INTO Mason (incumbent)
Fairfax Campus:
- $25 Barnes & Noble gift card, courtesy of the Mason Bookstore: Courtney Martin
- Four tickets to Disney on Ice at EagleBank Arena, courtesy of EagleBank Arena: Jean Callahan
- Semester parking pass, courtesy of Mason Parking and Transportation: Patricia Freiberg
Science and Technology Campus:
- $25 Barnes & Noble gift card, courtesy of the Mason Bookstore: Carol Stockman
- Two tickets to any Hylton Presents performance, courtesy of the Hylton Performing Arts Center: Colby Grant
- Semester parking pass, courtesy of Mason Parking and Transportation: Sean Ordway
Arlington Campus:
- $25 Barnes & Noble gift card, courtesy of the Mason Bookstore: Officer Stuart Hensley
- $20 Park Lane Tavern gift card and gift bundle, courtesy of Park Lane Tavern: Minhee Noh
- Semester parking pass, courtesy of Mason Parking and Transportation: Arielle Singleton
Construction of the Sandy Creek Transit Center has begun. As a result, several major changes to shuttle operations, garage operations, and traffic patterns are occuring:
- The Sandy Creek Shuttle Stop is temporarily closed during the construction project.
- All Mason Shuttles summer schedules have changed for the remainder of the summer, effective July 18. Visit shuttle.gmu.edu for revised schedules.
- Sandy Creek Way is closed beyond the second-level entrance to the Shenandoah Deck. The first-level visitor entrance and second-level permit entrance/exit remain open. As the project progresses, the third-level permit entrance/exit will be closed and replaced with a permit exit on the first level onto York River Road.
- Short-term parking spaces in front of Parking Services are closed. Visitor parking is available on the first level of the Shenandoah Deck, with the first 30 minutes free. When parked over 30 minutes, the cost reverts to the posted hourly rates.
- Disabled parking in front of Enterprise Hall and across from Research Hall is closed. Permit holders with disabled parking access needs can be given access to disabled parking in the Shenandoah Deck. Permit holders should bring their disabled placard and DMV disabled registration to the Parking Services office, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer.
- Disabled access is also available through the Patriot Lift program, where students and employees with mobility impairments may schedule point-to-point golf cart rides in advance. See transportation.gmu.edu/patlift.html for details, or call 703-993-2828.
- York River Road between Patriot Circle and the disabled parking lot beside Nguyen Engineering Building will open to two-way traffic during construction.
Updates will be posted at building.gmu.edu.
For questions about Mason Shuttles, contact shuttle@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828. For questions about parking, contact parking@gmu.edu or 703-993-2710.
Categories
Fall 2016 Dining Updates
Check out the following updates from Mason Dining for the fall semester:
- Wingzone now open in The Hub
- Argo Tea is scheduled to open in Fenwick Library during the first week of August
- Au Bon Pain scheduled to open at the Arlington Campus in late August
- Randall’s Cafe, after recent renovations, will reopen in late August and will now offer Starbucks Proudly Brewed program
Auxiliary Enterprises has a new comprehensive website, Shopmason.gmu.edu.
Reminder: Summer Flex
A reminder that the four hours of additional Special Flex Holiday leave provided to salaried staff (and faculty) last month has to be used, with supervisor permission, by the end of August 2016.
An FAQ is available on the Human Resources and Payroll homepage at hr.gmu.edu. If you have any questions that are not addressed in the FAQ, contact 703-993-2600.
Adult Caregiving Support Group: Regular Meetings
Due to positive feedback at the June interest meeting, Human Resources and Payroll will host regular meetings to support Mason faculty and staff caring for adult loved ones (i.e. adult children, spouses/partners, and parents). Meetings will provide opportunities for members to share stories, strategies, and resources as they navigate the unique challenges of adult caregiving.
If you are interested in participating, join us in Merten Hall, Room 4102 on the first Thursday of every month from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Upcoming meetings dates:
- August 4
- September 1
- October 6
- November 3
- December 1
For questions, contact the Life/Work Connections team at worklife@gmu.edu.
New Online Financial Well-Being Classes from TIAA
TIAA has some new online financial well-being offerings! You do not need to be a TIAA member to participate. August and September will feature some special topic, live webinars that may be of particular interest:
- Estate Planning
- Annuities
- Social Security
- Demystifying Life Insurance
- 529 College Savings Plans
For a complete schedule, including dates and times, visit TIAA Q3 Webinars. Register at tiaa.org/VE.
Well-Being Seminar on Mason Cultural Tours
Join Rita Rowand, Mason’s Cultural Tours Program Manager, as she reprises her engaging travel planning seminar on Thursday, September 1, at noon. During this session, learn about travel opportunities through the new Mason Cultural Tours program, which invites everyone to take part in cultural travel programs throughout the world. Hear about exciting destinations which incorporate learning and fun, while traveling with friends of Mason.
Learn how you can take advantage of group rates and travel in comfort and safety with the services of a Mason Study Abroad staff member. To register, visit hr.gmu.edu/learning/hr.php. This session will be videoconferenced to Arlington and SciTech.
Summer Bridge Camp
Sometimes summer camps end a little too soon, leaving time that needs to be “bridged” before public elementary schools start. To help with that challenge, Human Resources and Payroll is piloting a summer bridge camp from August 15 to September 2 for children ages 6-10. Choose one, two, or three weeks.
The camp theme is “Junior Detective Agency.” Camp will be held on the Fairfax Campus. For details, including camp pricing and before/after camp care, see the Summer Bridge Camp flyer. If you have questions or would like to discuss this new opportunity, contact Tina Morris at 703-993-5807 or tmorris1@gmu.edu.
Categories
Summer Fitness
Mason Recreation invites you to incorporate some fun and fitness into your Fridays this summer. All faculty and staff (with a Mason ID) have complimentary access to the RAC and the Aquatic and Fitness Center on Fridays through August 12, 2016. Visit recreation.gmu.edu for the summer schedule and hours of operation.
Stop by for a workout, or participate in any of the exercise classes they offer. Try a walking meeting on the treadmills, or a workout meeting with the weights. Or just come by for some “me” time. You choose!
With your supervisor’s permission, combine Free Fridays with a flex schedule (e.g. four 9-hour days and one 4-hour day), so your workout fits nicely into your workday. Come in a little earlier or stay a little later on Fridays to enjoy a workout when it works for you and your team.
Try some Free Friday Flex Fun and Fitness, courtesy of Mason Recreation!
Summer deals are sizzling! Check out these new discounts available to Mason staff:
NEW Life/Work Connections Discounts:
- REV Pilates Gym: Faculty and staff have a 20% discount on all of Rev Pilates Gym’s service offerings. This includes all drop-in classes and package purchases (both class packages and private sessions). Memberships are excluded from this offer. Use the code GMU20 to receive the discount. Rev Pilates Gym is located in the University Mall Shopping Center at 10621-E Braddock Road in Fairfax.
- Green N Brown: Faculty and staff receive a discount ranging from 3% to 15%, plus free shipping, on all merchandise purchased online through Green N Brown. Note: This is an additional store-wide discount on top of any current discounts available. Use the code GNBEMPL to redeem the discount.
- TicketMonster: Florida destinations, theme parks, restaurants, movies, and more. Codes available by logging onto MyMasonHR from the Life/Work Connections discount page.
- TicketsatWork: Now offering special rates on Broadway shows. Codes available by logging onto MyMasonHR from the Life/Work Connections discount page.
NEW Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) Discounts:
- Carowinds: If you are vacationing in the Carolinas this summer
- Hotels.com: 10% off
- Orbitz: 5% off at select hotels
See all your DHRM discounts at dhrm.virginia.gov/employeediscounts.
Please note: The Optional Benefits listed on the DHRM discount page are not available at Mason.
Heartfelt congratulations to Bridget Peabody, training assistant for Human Resources and Payroll, for being selected as the July 2016 Employee of the Month award winner. Read more about Bridget 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 Human Resources and Payroll awards page.
Contact Reward and Recognition at awards@gmu.edu with questions.