Categories
November 2016

November Staff Senate Newsletter

The November 2016 Staff Senate Newsletter is now available!

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Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
November 2016

Message from the Chair

Nicole Roth, Staff Senate. Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University
Nicole Roth, Staff Senate. Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University

If I had one message to send, it would be the following: Speak up! There are several opportunities coming in the next few months to speak up on behalf of yourself and other staff.

On Wednesday, November 2, Provost Wu and Senior Vice President Davis will host a Budget Town Hall. This will be an opportunity to engage and discuss issues pertaining to the state of the university. The Staff Senate will be taking questions to ask anonymously, so send them on! We are happy to ask the tough questions.

Next month, we will host President Cabrera at the Staff Senate meeting to discuss a wide range of topics. Again, we will be glad to ask questions on behalf of other staff members. This meeting is open to all and we would be happy to see more staff attend! Questions can be submitted anonymously using our online contact form. Again, we urge you to use us as your voice.

The Staff Senate will also host Shernita Parker from Human Resources, Training and Organizational Development, to speak on topics such as workplace bullying at our meeting on December 7.

There is a lot coming up, and I hope you’ll be able to attend a meeting or to stop by and discuss any issues you might have. We are here to advocate for you!

Nicole Roth
Chair, Staff Senate
nroth@gmu.edu

Categories
November 2016

Dog Day: November 1

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University
Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Academic Affairs (CHSS UAA) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will host Dog Day on Tuesday, November 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. between the Johnson Center and David King Hall.

Therapy dogs will be on site to provide students (and faculty and staff) with some animal therapy. Even if you do not like dogs, you will leave this event with a smile!

This event will kick-off CHSS UAA’s Month of Giving to Mason’s Pop-Up Pantry. Donations can be made on November 1, or throughout the month, in Mason Hall, Room D217.

Questions may be directed to Katie Clare at kclare@gmu.edu.

Categories
November 2016

Outstanding Supervisor Award Winners

Eileen Kennedy, 2016 Outstanding Supervisor Award winner
Eileen Kennedy, 2016 Outstanding Supervisor Award winner
John Kettlewell, 2016 Outstanding Supervisor Award winner
John Kettlewell, 2016 Outstanding Supervisor Award winner

The Staff Senate is pleased to announce the 2016 Outstanding Supervisor Award winners. Chosen from a competitive pool of nominees, the two winners exemplify outstanding leadership skills and embody the Mason spirit:

  • Eileen Kennedy, development director, Hylton Performing Arts Center, College of Visual and Performing Arts
  • John Kettlewell, director, technology support services, Information Technology Services

Eileen Kennedy is an encouraging, supportive, and exemplary supervisor. She sets standards for her staff about taking leave, taking advantage of Mason’s unique benefits, and encouraging work-life balance both in how she manages and by example. One of her nominators, Emily Robinson, appreciates that Eileen “encouraged and provided incentives for us to enroll in courses, not only those which would directly benefit our work, but also those which would provide a creative or physical outlet.”

Eileen also ensures that staff have the abilities and opportunities to grow and tackle both work and life. According to Jacqueline Connor, another of Eileen’s nominators, Eileen is “always encouraging staff to take advantage of professional education opportunities,” while also ensuring that “employees can work from home as needed to deal with life issues.”

Eileen welcomes ideas and suggestions from her staff to improve the way they accomplish their goals. Jacqueline Connor praises her for taking suggestions that are not traditionally utilized in fundraising, making their processes and events more successful. Emily Robinson goes on to say that Eileen’s management approach retains employees much longer than is typical in development work.

John Kettlewell leads his staff by example, encouraging the sharing of ideas and working together toward shared goals. John also urges his staff to take the time they need to achieve a harmonious work-life balance. One of his key methods is being a team-player, and inspiring others to do the same. When he finds a tool or an idea that is helpful to his organization, he shares that with other organizations. Many other offices, such as Auxiliary Enterprises, Fiscal Services, School of Business, and University Life have adopted some of the tools and ideas John’s team has implemented.

One of John’s nominators, Teresa Gibbons, says, “John encourages us to look past differences and to focus on the big picture to find solutions that will benefit our students, faculty, staff, and the entire university.” In addition to professional successes, John stresses the importance of work-life balance. Teresa states, “John makes it very clear that family is the most important thing, and that the Mason family understands that.” He insists that staff adjust their schedules and take the time off they need to deal with issues outside of work.

Eileen Kennedy and John Kettlewell will be formally recognized at Mason’s Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony on November 3. Nicole Roth, Chair of the Staff Senate, will present these awards on behalf of the Staff Senate.

The Staff Senate would like to recognize all who were nominated for their outstanding contributions supervising Mason staff: 

  • Alka Rastogi, Internal Audit and Management Services
  • Lauren Hutt, Housing and Residence Life
  • Patrick Buchanan, Facilities Management/Energy Management
  • Crystal Clemons, Learning Space Design/CaLT/ITS
  • Misty Krell, School of Integrative Studies
  • Jerrelyn Madden, Student Health Services
  • Ann Ludwick, Schar School of Policy and Government
  • Renee Younes, Mason Enterprise Center, Fauquier
  • Paige Wolf, School of Business
  • Mike Lighthiser, Police and Public Safety
  • Raechel Timbers, University Career Services
  • Sharon L. Cullen, Office of the President
  • Darren Troxler, Office of Admissions
  • Susan Ridley, Psychology
  • Eric Woodall, Communications and Marketing
  • Pelin Kurtay, Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Angela Detlev, Institutional Research
  • Deborah Keene, Law Library
  • Naomi Martinez-Jones, Disability Services
  • Lisa Shaw, School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
  • Amy Takayama-Perez, Office of Admissions
  • Lauren Wagner, Office of Admissions
Categories
November 2016

November Staff Senate Meeting

Staff Senate General Meeting
Wednesday, November 2
12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Fairfax: Merten Hall, Room 1201
Arlington: Founders Hall, Room 322 (video-conferenced)
SciTech: Bull Run Hall, Room 254 (video-conferenced)

The Staff Senate will not host any guest speakers at the November General Meeting, due to the Budget Town Hall Meeting scheduled to occur at 1 p.m. that day. The Staff Senate will hold its General Meeting, to conduct Senate business, from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2.

Staff Senators and all Mason staff are encouraged to attend the Budget Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, November 2, at 1 p.m.

Categories
November 2016

Budget Town Hall Meeting: November 2

Provost and Executive Vice President S. David Wu and Senior Vice President Jennifer (J.J.) Wagner Davis will host a Budget Town Hall on Wednesday, November 2, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Johnson Center Cinema.

Provost Wu and Senior Vice President Davis will discuss financial, operational, and research activities.

After the presentation, the floor will be open for questions. The Town Hall may be accessed as follows:

  • Arlington: Founders Hall, Room 322
  • SciTech: Bull Run Hall, Room 254
  • Loudoun: Signal Hill, Room 101
  • Front Royal: Academic, Room 219
Categories
November 2016

Free Positive Parenting Webinars

090330561-mMason’s Center for Psychological Services invites members of the Mason community to participate in free, upcoming webinars on the topic of positive parenting:

  • Positive Parenting: Helping Your Child or Teen Manage Stress
    Tuesday, November 1, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
    Growing up is stressful! School, family, extracurricular activities, and other commitments can add stress to your child’s life. Positive Parenting: Helping Your Child or Teen Manage Stress is a free webinar on ways that you can help your kids manage stress. Register online.
  • Positive Parenting: Taking Care of You! 
    Tuesday, November 15, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
    As a parent, you have to manage many demands—and most parents don’t take care of themselves enough. Join us as we discuss ways to manage your own stress and increase your self-care in realistic ways. Register online.

For questions, contact the Center for Psychological Services at psycclin@gmu.edu or 703-993-1370.

Categories
November 2016

OneDrive for Business Now Available to Mason Employees

OneDrive for Business (OneDrive) is now available to active Mason employees at no cost. OneDrive provides 1TB of cloud-based storage for work-related files and collaboration.

Mason employees have access to OneDrive as part of their Mason Office 365 accounts. OneDrive uses Office 365 to store work-related files in the cloud, making it easy to share and collaborate from anywhere and from multiple devices.

Active employees automatically have an account, and no sign-up is necessary. OneDrive is accessible via Outlook on the web and mobile devices. For more information about OneDrive, including instructions and frequently asked questions, visit office365.gmu.edu/OneDrive.

Contact the ITS Support Center at support@gmu.edu or 703-993-8870 with questions.

Categories
November 2016

Veterans Day Luncheon

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Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University

The Veterans of George Mason University and the Cadets of Mason’s ROTC Patriot Battalion cordially invite the Mason community to attend the 2016 Veterans Day Luncheon on Friday, November 11, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The luncheon will take place in the Center for the Arts, Concert Hall Lobby on the Fairfax Campus.

RSVP to Ms. Hilary Munger at arotc@gmu.edu. Join us for the opportunity to honor those who have served.

Categories
November 2016

Mason Toastmasters

The Mason community attends the Staff Appreciation Day sponsored by the Staff Senate. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University
Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

Mason Toastmasters is open to everyone. Whether your public speaking skills are at the beginner’s stage, or you consider yourself to be a seasoned professional, you can gain experience as a member. Come to any meeting as a guest and you can join if you like what you see.

Locations may vary, so visit our website for details: toastmasters.gmu.edu.