Category: October 2019

Presidential Search Community Session

A Presidential Search Community Session is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. It will be held on the Fairfax Campus in the Hazel Conference Room, Merten Hall 1201, and will be accessible through Webex (details below). This open session is an opportunity for the university community to provide comments to and/or ask questions of the committee co-chairs, Jimmy Hazel and Shannon Davis.

This event is open to the public and your attendance and engagement is encouraged.

Webex: Join here | Audio conference: US Toll +1-415-655-0003 | Access code: 647 842 272

Additional information related to the search is available at gmu.edu/presidential-search.

October Staff Senate Newsletter

Parking and Transportation Update: Oct. 2019

Bike parked on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

Volunteer Opportunity: Parking Appeals Board

The Office of Parking and Transportation is looking for faculty/staff volunteers to serve on our Parking Appeals Board. The board meets once a month to hear parking citation appeals from faculty, staff, and visitors. If interested, please email parking@gmu.edu

October Biking Classes at Mason

Celebrate autumn on your bike! Develop new, or enhance your already existing biking skills, culminating in a terrific ride from the Fairfax Campus to Burke Lake Park and back. For additional information and to register, visit bike.gmu.edu.

Thursday, Oct. 10, noon to 1 p.m.: Bicycle Commuting 101, Taught by Rick Holt, free.
Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to noon: Bike Skills Building Class with the Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB), just $10*.
Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Social Ride with FABB from Mason to Burke Lake Park and back, $10*.

*Pricing at a significant discount as Parking and Transportation is subsidizing both events.

Shuttle Schedule During Fall Break

There is an abbreviated Mason Shuttles schedule during Fall Break (October 13-14). For details, visit transportation.gmu.edu/archive/columbus-day-weekend-shuttle-schedule. If you have any questions, contact shuttle@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828.

DMV2Go on the Fairfax Campus

Take care of your Department of Motor Vehicles business at a convenient Mason location. DMV2Go will be on the Fairfax Campus on Tuesday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Merten Hall parking lot. For available services with DMV2Go, visit the DMV2Go website. For the remainder of the 2019 DMV2Go schedule at the Fairfax Campus, click here.

Veterans Day Luncheon

The Office of the President and the ROTC unit at George Mason University invites all Mason community members who have proudly served the country to attend the Annual Veteran’s Day Luncheon.

The event will take place on Friday, November 8, 2019 from 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. (11:45-13:15) in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall, Main Lobby. Following the luncheon on Grand Tier III, guests are invited to a 30-minute Patriotic Concert presented by George Mason University’s School of Music’s Tuba Euphonium Ensemble.

Please register to attend. Registration is not required, but recommended as space is limited.

For questions, contact University Events at 703-993-2853 or gmuevent@gmu.edu.

Two-Factor Authentication Verification Changes

Information Technology Services (ITS) is enhancing the Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) program at Mason. The first phase of this effort is to simplify authentication options to align with current security standards.

Effective November 19, 2019, users will need to use the Duo Mobile App (Duo Push or Passcodes), a Yubikey, or Bypass Codes as their second factor. Telephone calls and SMS text messages will not be available as they are no longer considered secure.

If the Duo Mobile App is enabled on your phone, you use a Yubikey, or have Bypass Codes, you are ready for the transition. If not, you will need to take action to get ready. Information about preparing for the change is available at its.gmu.edu/knowledge-base/2faroadmap.

If you have any questions, contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or support@gmu.edu.

Miss our Staff Senate October General Meeting with David Farris? Watch here!

Upcoming Performance at Mason

Taj Express

The Bollywood Musical Revue

Merchant Hall, Hylton Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 15, at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $48, $41, $29

This international sensation explodes onstage with the look and feel of the Indian Bollywood movies that have been entertaining people around the globe for generations. Taj Express follows the story of one man’s passion and another’s genius and is packed with action, romance, comedy, and glamour. Captivating dance numbers are performed to India’s pop hits, including the songs of Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, along with folk classics. This intoxicating production is the brainchild of acclaimed Bollywood choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant and her sister, director/producer Shruti Merchant. Taj Express is sure to dazzle with vibrant costumes, rollicking music, joyous dance, and Bollywood film excerpts for a soaring adventure like no other.

Mason Kindness eCards

Webinar for 529 Presentations

Details: October 9, 2019, Live Webinars, 1 – 2 p.m.

A 529 plan is a savings plan that helps families save for future qualified higher education expenses. Taxpayers enjoy the additional benefit of a state income tax deduction on contributions to their 529 accounts. Learn about saving for future higher education expenses—for yourself or a loved one—at the Virginia529 and Maryland529 webinar!

Register for the Virginia529 presentation or the Maryland529 presentation. If you have questions, email hr@gmu.edu.