Category: September 2024

Join the Supervision Collective for an interactive session to build the skills and strategies necessary to lead and inspire Gen Z, ensuring a productive and harmonious workplace for all generations. The session will be facilitated by the Supervision Collective on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 2 p.m.

During the session the presentation will provide tips, strategies, and a conversation space to share challenges and successes working with the youngest generation in our workforce.

Presenters will focus on the following topics:

• The importance of setting and maintaining clear expectations for your team
• Using the position description as a foundation to support staff in navigating their roles and understanding their interconnectedness to the unit, division, and institution
• Strategies to help staff understand the complexity of workplace dynamic

Resources will be provided for participants to continue the conversation with their teams following the session.”

Register, here.

 

Faculty and Staff Experience Survey Town Hall on September 18

Faculty and Staff Engagement invite you to join President Washington, Gallup Senior Partner Stephanie Marken, and Human Resources on September 18 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the HUB Ballroom (Fairfax Campus).

This is your chance to review the key findings of the Faculty and Staff Experience Survey and collaborate on the next steps to enhance our community at George Mason University.   

This important event will also be available via live-stream webinar to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate.  

Upcoming Performance Management Session: Setting Performance Goals and Maintaining Momentum

As we are preparing for the Mid-Cycle Check-In, consider joining a Setting Performance Goals and Maintaining Momentum training session.   

The session helps participants understand the importance of setting goals for achieving performance and success, and how to track these goals throughout the year. By using SMART goals and objectives in performance planning, and potentially incorporating AI to draft these goals, employees can more effectively direct their work, inform supervisors and colleagues of their progress, document their successes, and create opportunities for growth and professional development. 

Fairfax Connection Opportunity: Tuesday Treks Kick-off – A Journey to Well-Being

Revitalize your mind and body this September 17 with the Human Resources Team as we kick off our Fall Tuesday Treks. Join us for a day packed with mindfulness, movement, and meaningful connections. 

Engagement in Action Trainings 

Join the Faculty and Staff Engagement team for upcoming Engagement in Action workshops.   

With the review of the Faculty and Staff Experience Survey data underway, we are pleased to offer sessions focused on the next steps of engaging our George Mason faculty and staff.   

Training options include the following: 

• Engagement in Action: Strategies for Supervisors 

Supervisors are encouraged to join an interactive session focused on faculty and staff engagement. Participants will take part in discussions surrounding Gallup survey engagement data and current best practices and learn new strategies to enhance the faculty and staff experience at George Mason. 

• Friday, September 27th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Virtual 

• Tuesday, October 1st, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Merten Hall, Room 1204 

View upcoming sessions and register in MasonLEAPS. 

•  Engagement in Action: Non-supervisor Contributions 

Non-supervising Mason faculty and staff are encouraged to join an interactive session focused on individual contribution to Mason’s engagement culture. Participants will increase awareness of Gallup survey engagement data, discuss engagement strategies that non-supervisors can implement and promote, and learn about resources available for recognizing and engaging colleagues. 

• Friday, September 27th, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

• Tuesday, October 1st, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

View upcoming sessions and register in MasonLEAPS.  

Contact engagehr@gmu.edu with questions! 

Faculty and Staff Student Loan Repayment Information Session  

Human Resources and the Student Support and Advocacy Center have partnered together to hold an information session on how to repay student loans. This virtual event is open to all George Mason faculty and staff and will take place on Wednesday, October 9th at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. 

Shannon Osborne, Associate Director for Financial Well-Being, will present the latest information on Student Loan Repayment. This will include an overview of repayment plans, updates on the current status of the SAVE plan, and information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which Mason employees qualify for.   

Please register through the Zoom link below so we can provide all attendees with the recording of the presentation and PowerPoint. 

 Here is the Zoom registration for the event: 

https://gmu.zoom.us/j/92971586817?pwd=BEbfz0hYbO5hcFAPhPZeagongdkrFT.1 

For any questions please email the Financial Well-Being team at fwb@gmu.edu. 

Guidance for Classified Staff and Administrative/Professional Faculty

All A/P faculty and classified staff will receive an automated email from MasonLEAPS inviting them to begin the optional check-in process by completing their self-reflection. For more information including due dates and process, please click here. 

Workplace Appreciation 

The Faculty and Staff Engagement Team is excited to announce upcoming professional development focused on Workplace Appreciation.  Based on the book “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace,” this training aims to help George Mason faculty and staff, including supervisors and non-supervisors, discover strategies for assessment and practical application of genuine workplace appreciation. Participants will have the chance to discuss the five languages of workplace appreciation, reflect on personal preferences for receiving appreciation, and determine impactful means of appreciating George Mason colleagues.  

Upcoming sessions include the following: 

• Tuesday, October 8th, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Merten Hall, Room 1204 

• Thursday, November 7th, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Virtual  

View upcoming sessions and register in MasonLEAPS. 

Additionally, business units can request the Workplace Appreciation workshop to be tailored to their unit goals and delivered at team meetings, retreats, etc.   

Reach out to engagehr@gmu.edu with questions or to schedule a customized Workplace Appreciation workshop.   

 

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Byte Plans are still available!
It’s not too late to grab a Byte Plan and enjoy flexible dining options on campus. With plans starting at $105, you can save on meals, connect with colleagues, and make the most of your campus experience. Plus, unused swipes roll over from fall to spring, so there’s plenty of time to take advantage!

Mason Commutes
We understand the importance of flexible commuting options and encourage you to explore all the great transportation alternatives available! Whether you’re interested in shuttles, metro access, biking, or our commuter program, there are plenty of ways to get to campus. Learn more about your options here: George Mason Transportation Services.

Shake Smart Grand Opening
Shake Smart is now open in Fenwick Library, and to celebrate, they’re offering free shakes on September 12! Founded by two college students, Shake Smart focuses on making healthy eating more accessible, balancing nutrients with an emphasis on protein. Stop by to try their shakes, smoothies, acai bowls, and more!

Patriot Tech is Now in the Bookstore
Patriot Tech has moved into the Bookstore at the Johnson Center! Don’t forget, you can use Payroll Deduction to purchase electronics and other tech essentials. Take advantage of this convenient option and visit the new location today!

New Procedures for Trash Collection and Cleaning in Campus Offices 

• • George Mason University implemented new procedures for trash collection and cleaning in campus offices. These changes support the university’s efforts to increase efficiency and cut costs. As of August 1, 2024, these changes are in effect in university offices at the Fairfax, Mason Square, and Science and Technology campuses:
    • Faculty and staff are responsible for emptying the individual trash can in their workspace into larger trash receptacles in common areas. Housekeeping staff no longer empty personal trash cans located at desks/cubicles/private offices.
    • Workspaces/offices are cleaned weekly.
  • Common spaces and high traffic areas are cleaned daily, and trash is removed from common area trash receptacles at least once daily. The cleaning schedule did not change in restrooms, kitchens, and common areas.
  • These changes were implemented after a pilot program was conducted on the SciTech Campus and in Merten Hall on the Fairfax Campus during the 2023–24 academic year. Read more about the changes.

Notice something that needs to be fixed/repaired? Need to request additional pick-up for large volumes of trash/recycling?

• • • You may submit a work order online or contact the Facilities Customer Service Center at 703-993-2525 for repairs and pick-ups of large volumes of trash/recycling. Recycling collection will remain the same: once a week, unless additional collections are needed. If an additional pickup is needed, you will not be charged a fee for large volume trash/recycling pick-ups.

 

Deadline for IT Security Awareness Training

Information Technology Services (ITS) reminds all employees, including contractors, affiliates, and student wage workers, that the deadline to complete IT Security Awareness Training is Thursday, October 31.

The training has been assigned to all Mason employees in their MasonLEAPS accounts. The assigned training includes mandatory role-based training for those in specialized roles.

This year, ITS has changed how it tracks and enforces compliance with meeting the training requirement.

Users who fail to complete the training by the deadline will not have their accounts disabled immediately. Users will be given an opportunity to complete their training during the semi-annual password reset process. When the password is reset, the user will have 14 days to complete the training. Failure to comply will result in the user’s account being disabled.

To get the account re-enabled, the user must then contact the ITS Support Center. The user’s manager or supervisor will be asked to submit a written commitment to support@gmu.edu ensuring the user will complete the training. Persistent non-compliance will be escalated to the IT Risk and Compliance office and the user’s senior leadership.

If you have questions about the training or the new enforcement action, please contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or support@gmu.edu.

MESA to M365 Migration

To provide user experience support for the MESA to Microsoft 365 (M365) migration, ITS is holding training through September. To register for a training session, submit the following, OneDrive, Teams and SharePoint Training Sign-up form. All session recordings are available via the Collaboration Collective MS Team – MESA Migration Project channel. For the latest project details, visit the MESA to M365 Roadmap.

 

 

 

 

Registration is open for volunteers to decorate trunks and compete for prizes at the 3rd Annual George Mason Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 26th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you are part of a student club, work for a university office, or maybe a local business, we hope you will encourage your members or coworkers to participate in this opportunity to give back by giving out candy to kids in our community. Register here.

 

The September Staff Senate meeting featured Deb Dickenson, Executive Vice President for Finance & Administration.

For those who missed the meeting, or would like to re-watch the session, the recording is now available here.

*A note of correction from Deb Dickenson: There will not be a virtual option for the Finance & Land Use committee on September 17th.  The meeting will only be available in person at Merten Hall 1201.