Category: May 2019

Mason Shuttles Summer Schedules Available

Parking and Transportation has posted the summer shuttle schedules at shuttle.gmu.edu. The summer schedules begin on Monday, May 20.

There will be no shuttle service on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.

For questions, contact shuttle@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828.

Bike Maintenance from The Bike Lane

The Bike Lane will visit the Fairfax Campus with their mobile van to offer fee-based, on-site bike maintenance by appointment on May 13 and 16. They will set up in the Merten Hall parking lot.

For details and to schedule an appointment, visit the Parking and Transportation website.

Contact 703-993-2828 or transpo@gmu.edu with questions.

Motor Pool Fuel Cards, Required Training, and Reminders

Fuel cards are available for motor pool rentals to charge fuel costs back to the university. Drop by the Transportation office, located in Lot C, to check out a fuel card before your rental pick-up date.

Entering Fuel Agreements or allowing Enterprise to refuel after returning vehicles empty is not permitted.

Drivers for Enterprise vehicles through motor pool must complete a University Driver Safety Awareness Training and a refresher training every two years through the Office of Risk Management to be eligible to drive.

To drive a maxi van, you must be at least 20 years of age and pass the Van Driver Familiarization Class. Outside the Commonwealth of Virginia, Enterprise’s age requirement to drive a 12–15 passenger van is 25.

For upcoming training sessions and important reminders, visit the website.

Contact transpo@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828 with questions.

The June Staff Senate meeting will feature guest speaker Ángel Cabrera, president, George Mason University.

Wednesday, June 5, 2019
10:30 a.m. to noon
Fairfax: Merten Hall, Room 1201
Arlington: Founders 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

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.

Are you curious about LinkedIn? Do you want to create or enhance your profile and connect with colleagues, but don’t know where to start?

The Staff Senate would like to help! Join us as we partner with University Career Services to offer the inaugural session of our professional development series for staff!

Linking Up with Colleagues: Making Meaningful Connections on LinkedIn
Tuesday, June 11
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Fairfax: Research Hall, Room 163
Arlington: Founders Hall, Room 720 (videoconferencing)
SciTech: Bull Run Hall, Room 254 (videoconferencing)

Saskia Clay-Rooks, executive director of University Career Services, will provide an overview of LinkedIn, including:

• How to enhance your profile and promote your professional brand
• How to leverage the tool to make meaningful connections

This session is open to classified and non-student wage staff. Register today!

For questions, contact staffsenate@gmu.edu.

This Mother’s Day, take a “mom”ent to reflect on the moms who shape and contribute to the diverse and talented workforce at Mason! The Mason Staff Senate would like to celebrate and honor: 1) the wonderful mothers who work on our campuses; and 2) mothers of those working at Mason.

Join the celebration by emailing staffsenate@gmu.edu with the material listed below by Friday, May 10:

Mason Working Moms:
1. Submit your selfie, portrait, or photo with your child(ren) or family to staffsenate@gmu.edu. Include your name and the department/unit where you work.
2. Optional: Include one piece of advice or encouragement that you can offer other working moms.

AND/OR:

Honor Your Own Mom:
1. Submit a photo of your mom to staffsenate@gmu.edu. Please include your mom’s name, your name, and the department/unit where you work.
2. Optional: Include one fun fact about your mom, or some memorable advice she has given to you.

We will put together an album of entries on our Facebook page on May 12 to celebrate and recognize our moms. Submit your entry by Friday, May 10, for the chance to be included. Like us on Facebook to celebrate with us!

Open Enrollment for health benefits and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) is from May 1 – May 15, 2019!

What is Open Enrollment?

During Open Enrollment, you may:

• Enroll in a health insurance plan
• Change your current health insurance plan
• Add or remove family members to/from your health insurance plan
• Enroll or complete your annual re-enrollment in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Waive state health coverage
• Enroll or re-enroll to receive Premium Rewards

The Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) has mailed information, called Spotlight on Your Benefits, to the home addresses on file in Patriot Web and electronically to your Mason email.

If you did not receive either of those communications, a comprehensive Open Enrollment Site is available online that includes all the pertinent information for Open Enrollment. Please review the entire Spotlight on Your Benefits for important health notices, additional information on Open Enrollment options, and contact information for your health vendors.

DHRM also offers ALEX, an online interactive tool to help you compare plans and select the right one for you and your family.

If you have questions regarding health care and FSA open enrollment, please stop by one of the drop-in sessions, read the Open Enrollment Announcement, visit the Benefits section of the HR & Payroll website, email benefits@gmu.edu, call 703-993-2600, or visit the DHRM Open Enrollment Site.

Are you enrolled in a degree or certificate program at Mason? Then apply for the competitive $250 book scholarship for faculty and staff!

The application deadline is Friday, June 14, 2019. For details and to apply, visit the Faculty/Staff Book Scholarship webpage.

 

 

Looking for specific ways to support your well-being? Scroll through the Human Resources and Payroll Instagram highlights to see all the ways we support the different dimensions of your well-being!

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @GMUHRandPayroll.

Open Enrollment Drop-In Sessions

Open Enrollment is from May 1–15, 2019! Prepare by attending a drop-in session to ask questions and turn in forms. The remaining drop in sessions are listed below:

Fairfax Campus – Merten Hall, Room 4102

• May 10, 2019, from 10 a.m. to noon

SciTech Campus – videoconferencing in Colgan Hall, Room 221

• May 8, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you have any questions, contact the Benefits team at benefits@gmu.edu or 703-993-2600.

Free Financial Counseling

Want to make the most of your retirement account? A session with a financial consultant can help you prepare for your future. Financial consultants from ICMA-RC and Virginia Retirement System (VRS) visit Mason for free, on-campus, individual counseling appointments throughout the year. 

For a list of available dates and to sign up, visit the Human Resources and Payroll retirement website. For questions, contact the Benefits team at benefits@gmu.edu or 703-993-2600.

Monthly Discount Highlight: Cell Phone Services

Looking to make updates to your cell phone or cell phone plan? As a Mason employee, you have access to a variety of discounts offered by AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Check out the Mason discounts technology page for more details.

WeightWatchers at Work meetings are held every Friday at 11:30 a.m. in Merten Hall, Room 2500.

Anyone who purchases a WeightWatchers membership between now and May 10, 2019, can redeem a free starter kit! Additionally, the Commonwealth of Virginia and WeightWatchers bring eligible faculty and staff special pricing and a 50% reimbursement opportunity on valuable and convenient weight-loss solutions.

For more information on how to join WeightWatchers at Work meetings, visit the Human Resources and Payroll website or contact hrlearn@gmu.edu.

Recognizing Mason superstars is an important job and everyone can participate! Do you work with an incredible Mason administrative/professional faculty member, classified staff member, or wage employee who goes the extra mile, collaborates with their colleagues, and supports the university? Then nominate them for Mason’s Employee of the Month award!

Ready to nominate someone? Additional information can be found on the HR & Payroll website.