Did you know? In 2021, Mason eliminated all single-use plastic bottles for the sale of water and soda, replacing them with much more easily recyclable aluminum cans.
If you currently bring bottled water to campus, you can support the Buy Less, Buy Better waste reduction initiative by switching to a reusable option. Take a look at the Sustainability Map to find a water refill station near you.
See more information about the Buy Less, Buy Better initiative.
Read about the Plastics Free Mason initiative.
Role: One of the most exciting opportunities we offer dance majors at Mason is the experience of performing in significant dance works of master choreographers. I am fortunate to work closely with these world-class guest artists to book travel and housing arrangements, blending their busy schedules with the classes and rehearsals of our dance majors.
However, working with our own full-time and adjunct faculty is a joy and the highlight of my daily life here. School of Dance faculty have danced on Broadway, in the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, in the “Romeo and Juliet” rock musical, with the preeminent male classical dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, and around the world, including Germany, Italy, London, New York City, Hawaii, and many more places. I assist faculty in a plethora of ways using known skills and learning new ones as needed.
Mason journey: My Mason journey began in July 2005 as the administrative assistant to the associate dean of undergraduate programs/Student Services in the engineering school. I learned much during those 13 years and served on Staff Senate for nearly half of that time. In 2018, I took a job in industry before returning to Mason in 2021. Returning to Mason was a Best. Decision. Ever. My supervisors, mentors, and co-workers are problem solvers, enthusiastic and energetic, and totally committed to the mission of Mason.
Best thing about working at Mason: It’s not easy choosing just one “best” thing. Here are a few of my favorites: The people, including faculty, staff and students; our beautiful campus (especially in spring); education benefits; exposure to new situations and responsibilities; and access to cultural offerings. Mason always has things going on for those of us who work here as well as for the surrounding community. Living less than 5 miles from campus certainly ranks high on my list of best things.
Why I serve on the Staff Senate: The Staff Senate helps shape the future at Mason. It provides networking opportunities with people who can help in my role. I enjoy collaborating with other senators to work for the benefit of all staff at Mason.
At the end of the day: … as I leave the deLaski Performing Arts Building, I see the smiling faces of our dancers who are anxiously awaiting their evening rehearsals (sometimes until 9:30 p.m.) and I wish them well. I hope they know from my interactions with them that day that I believe in them.
View the complete schedules for the Center for the Arts and the Hylton Performing Arts Center.
1,001 Plays
Mason School of Theater
Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Event
1,001 Plays is an annual 10-minute play festival presented by Global Partners worldwide — the first international new play exchange of its kind. Students write, perform, direct and dramaturg original works for the stage, exploring multiple perspectives on a single idea. These short student works are performed live online and followed by a talkback, allowing both students and audiences the opportunity to share, reflect and respond.
Virginia Opera: La Traviata
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Saturday, March 11 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 12 at 2 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Featuring one of the most demanding, sumptuous, and recognizable scores of all time, Virginia Opera concludes its season with Giuseppe Verdi’s tours de force La Traviata. Verdi’s three-act tragic and romantic opera follows a sophisticated courtesan, Violetta, who falls in love with a man she cannot have, Alfredo Germont. La Traviata will hold you spellbound from the first to last note. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
KODO
One Earth Tour 2023: Tsuzumi
Saturday, March 18 at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Experience the power, grace, and joy that KODO’s athletic percussionists bring to the stage in their much-anticipated 40th anniversary performance: Tsuzumi. As masters of the ancient art of Japanese taiko drumming, KODO bewitches audiences with visually stunning performances that combine raw athleticism and refined percussive virtuosity. Their One Earth Tour 2023 traces the group’s origins back to the beginning to reflect on its history and reaffirm what has shaped KODO today. This performance is appropriate for all ages.
Dervish
Sunday, March 19 at 4 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Take a musical journey along Ireland’s rugged and wild coastline with traditional Irish music icons, Dervish. The internationally acclaimed ensemble includes some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians, including Cathy Jordan (vocals and drums), Shane Mitchell (accordion), Liam Kelly (flute/whistle), Brian McDonagh (mandola/mandolin), Tom Morrow (fiddle), and Michael Holmes (bouzouki). Don’t miss “the most compelling, most soulful Irish traditional folk band playing today” (The News Journal). This performance is appropriate for all ages.
Visual Voices Lecture Series with Koyoltzintli Miranda-Rivadeneira
Mason School of Art
Thursday, March 23 at 4:45 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Koyoltzintli Miranda-Rivadeneira is an Ecuadorian American artist and curandera from Queens, New York who investigates Indigenous ways of relating to the land, through photography, video, ceramics, and sound. The artist captures within a multifaceted exchange between herself and the land, achieving levels of intimacy as both a creator and a subject, an intimacy that is often withheld through the Westernized lens of photography and video’s history of colonial bias.
2023 Mason Dance Company Gala Concert
Mason School of Dance
March 24 and 25 at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
The highlight of the Mason Dance Company. This concert features works by important artists of our time, performed by talented dancers at the start of their professional careers.
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon
Family Series
Enchantment Theatre Company
Sunday, March 26 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.*
*The 4 p.m. performance of The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon will be sensory-friendly. These performances are designed to create a welcoming and comfortable arts experience for people with autism or other disabilities.
Center for the Arts
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon follows the zany adventures of an inventive young boy. Harold creates the world he wants to explore, using nothing more than a big purple crayon and his sky’s-the-limit imagination. Combining life-size puppets, pantomime, dance, magic, and original music, The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon will delight and amaze its audiences—anyone, in fact, whose heart is young and adventurous. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Big Band Showdown
Dewberry School of Music
Monday, March 27 at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Join the Mason Jazz Ensemble (director Jim Carroll) and the Jazz Workshop (director John Kocur) for an evening that celebrates the hot sounds and swinging beats of the Big Band era!
The Hunchback of Seville
Mason School of Theater
March 30, 31**, April 1, 5, 6, 7 at 8 p.m.
April 1 and 8*** at 2 p.m.
** ASL Interpreted Performance and Talkback
***Audio Described Performance
Harris Theatre
At the turn of the 16th century, Christopher Columbus has just returned from the New World with gold in his pockets and blood on his hands. Maxima Terriblé Segunda, the brilliant, adopted sister of dying Her Royal Highness Queen Isabella, is living out her life locked away in a tower…until it is decided that the future of the country is in her nerdy, reclusive hands. In a bitingly funny and madcap take on Spanish history and colonialism, Maxima weaves her way through mountains of prejudice, politics, religion, and the horrors of history.
Cirque FLIP Fabrique
Muse
Friday, March 31 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 1 at 2 p.m.
Center for the Arts
In this all-new, high-energy production, the seven acrobats of FLIP Fabrique don high heels, then football shoulder pads to dazzle audiences of all ages. Set to an original score by beatmaker Millimetric and featuring live onstage vocals by singer Flavia Nascimento, this performance combines breathtaking artistry and athleticism. Prepare for whimsy and wonder as mighty women, elegant men, and gravity-defying humans rejoice in who they are. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Daniel Hope and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra
America
Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Violin luminary Daniel Hope returns with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra to reveal the charisma of American music in a program named after his new album, America. This concert celebrates our country’s most recognizable tunes, including Copland’s iconic “Hoe-down” from Rodeo and “At the River” from Old American Songs; Gershwin’s Song Suite featuring “I Got Rhythm” and “Summertime,” “Barber’s Adagio for Strings,” music by Duke Ellington and Florence Price, highlights from Kurt Weill’s The Threepenny Opera, and “Echorus” by Philip Glass. With new classical and jazz arrangements by Paul Bateman, Hope illuminates the American spirit. The acclaimed musicians of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra create the perfect partnership with Hope’s violin mastery for this concert of music that features chamber orchestra, jazz trio, piano, vocals, and percussion. Don’t miss this concert overflowing with beautiful American music that resonates in the hall and in your soul. This performance is appropriate for all ages.
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra
Jim Carroll, conductor
Bobby Floyd, organ
Saturday, April 8 at 8 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Calling all cool cats to head to the Center for the Arts for a swinging evening of jazz with Northern Virginia’s own Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, featuring keyboardist/organist Bobby Floyd on the Hammond organ and led by founder, artistic director, and virtuoso saxophonist Jim Carroll. Don’t miss this signature event including some of the most remarkable jazz musicians in the metro region.
Need to grab a quick snack or meal between meetings? The Patriot Snack Stops are back on the Fairfax Campus, located near the Nguyen Engineering Building and Wilkins Plaza!
Vegan and vegetarian options are available, as well as value meals and comfort food. Breakfast sandwiches, Einstein’s Bagels, Dunkin’, Subway products, La Colombe Coffee/Cold Brew, sweet shots, salads, oatmeal, and much more. Visit the Mason Dining website to learn more.
Registration Open: Bike to Mason
Celebrate cycling at Mason! Whether you bike to campus regularly for school or work or are contemplating starting to bike, this event is open to all Mason cyclists.
There will be food, resource information, and fun giveaways. For planning purposes, please let us know that you’ll be coming! To register, visit transportation.gmu.edu/biketomason. Questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at transpo@gmu.edu.
Create an Account: MasonCommutes.com
What is MasonCommutes.com? It’s the go-to site for planning your commute to Mason. Looking for someone with whom to share a ride? See who might live in your general area and be coming to campus at similar times. Looking for a bike buddy to ride with? Want to track your commutes and see how much CO2 you’re reducing? The more people who create an account, the more robust the site will quickly become. Create an account today!
Mason Shuttle Schedule Changes for Spring Break
Spring Break will bring significant modifications to the Mason Shuttle schedules. Details are available at shuttle.gmu.edu. A Spring Break schedule summary is available.
Transit Driver Appreciation Day: March 18
Mason Shuttles is celebrating Transit Driver Appreciation Day! It’s a wonderful time to celebrate our dedicated shuttle drivers. Help us say thank you to these folks with whom you share part of your work or school day by sending us your kind words about your experiences on Mason Shuttles. Your email compliment will enter you into a drawing for a $20 Starbucks gift card. For details, please visit transportation.gmu.edu/transit-driver-appreciation-day-2023.
Learn to Ride a Bike with FABB
Want to learn to ride a bike? The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB), Mason Parking and Transportation, and the City of Fairfax are offering an Adult Learn to Ride class on Saturday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Parking Lot C. Just $10. Bikes and helmets provided. For residents of Fairfax County, City of Fairfax, or Mason students, faculty, and staff. Spaces limited. Get details and register.
Spring 2023 Parking Permits to be Pro-Rated
If you haven’t purchased a permit yet, beginning March 13, you will see pro-rated pricing on our permit pages for Spring 2023:
If you have questions about pro-rated permits, please contact Parking Services at 703-993-2710 or via email at parking@gmu.edu.
The Jack Wood Award highlights the outstanding contributions of faculty, staff, students, businesses/not-for-profits, community members, and elected officials/staff who demonstrate leadership in fostering mutually beneficial relationships between the university and the community. This illustrious distinction honors former Mayor Jack Wood, who played an instrumental role in establishing Mason in Fairfax and establishing Town-Gown relations between the university and the community. Awardees will be notified by April 10. The Board of Visitors will honor awardees on May 4.
Nominations are due by March 24. Self-nominations are welcome. Community relations/outreach professionals are not eligible. Questions? Contact Traci Kendall at tkendal2@gmu.edu.
To learn more, click here.
Join Disability Services and the University Life Supervision Collective Committee on Wednesday, March 8th from 11:00am to 12:00pm in the Johnson Center Bistro for facilitated conversations focusing on neurodiversity in the workplace. By attending this session, participants will better understand neurodiversity and develop strategies for fostering an inclusive workplace for neurodiverse employees.
Register at https://go.gmu.edu/NeurodiversityConvo.
If there is anything we can do to make this workshop more accessible to you (i.e., accommodations), please contact Kim Dao (ddao7@gmu.edu).
The Office of Sponsored Programs would like to share that there are now on-demand videos and resources available in MasonLEAPS for the PI Reports and Reconciliation in MicroStrategy. Whether you are new to navigating the PI Report and/or reconciling sponsored awards, or just need a refresher in these areas, the following resources are now easily accessible in MasonLEAPS (must login to access) and provide a great introduction and overview to the PI Reports and sponsored fund reconciliation:
The direct link to the full curriculum above can be found by logging into your MasonLEAPS account and clicking the following: PI Reports and Reconciliation in MicroStrategy Curriculum. You can also search for the above resources directly in MasonLEAPS.
Yassmin Salem, Murals at Mason Program Manager with Mason Exhibitions, helps divert waste while supporting students by creating a free art supply sharing resource at the School of Art. The Free Art Supply Cabinet is a socially conscious resource that provides access to valuable art supplies that aren’t always affordable, promotes a culture of sharing amongst students, and encourages recycling unused or unneeded materials instead of throwing them away. To learn more, click here.
The 2023 Green Game was held on January 25, 2023, during the George Mason women’s Basketball team vs. University of Rhode Island game. With the help of 21 volunteers, who completed 66 hours of service learning, Mason successfully achieved an 84.2% diversion rate, or the portion of weight not sent to the incinerator, (i.e., 41.6% compost and 42.6% recycling) through a post-game waste audit. To learn more, click here.
The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School’s Point of View (POV) retreat facility is kicking off the spring semester with new pollinator-friendly landscaping. Its exterior boasts a custom trellis for flowering vines, redesigned beds along entrances with perennial shrubs and flowering plants, and new native and flowering trees. The plants were chosen with the local ecology and long-term resiliency in mind to create a vibrant new exterior for the facility that complements its serene landscape overlooking Belmont Bay where wildlife thrives. To learn more, click here.
The March Staff Senate meeting featured David Farris, Executive Director, Safety and Emergency Management, and Angela Chezem, MD.
If you missed the session, you can watch or listen to the recording.
