Mason Staff Senate

From Our Friends in Human Resources and Payroll

sun1Reminder: Summer Flex
A reminder that the four hours of additional Special Flex Holiday leave provided to salaried staff (and faculty) last month has to be used, with supervisor permission, by the end of August 2016.

An FAQ is available on the Human Resources and Payroll homepage at hr.gmu.edu. If you have any questions that are not addressed in the FAQ, contact 703-993-2600. 

Adult Caregiving Support Group: Regular Meetings
Due to positive feedback at the June interest meeting, Human Resources and Payroll will host regular meetings to support Mason faculty and staff caring for adult loved ones (i.e. adult children, spouses/partners, and parents). Meetings will provide opportunities for members to share stories, strategies, and resources as they navigate the unique challenges of adult caregiving.

If you are interested in participating, join us in Merten Hall, Room 4102 on the first Thursday of every month from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Upcoming meetings dates:

  • August 4
  • September 1
  • October 6
  • November 3
  • December 1

For questions, contact the Life/Work Connections team at worklife@gmu.edu.

New Online Financial Well-Being Classes from TIAA
TIAA has some new online financial well-being offerings! You do not need to be a TIAA member to participate. August and September will feature some special topic, live webinars that may be of particular interest:

  • Estate Planning
  • Annuities
  • Social Security
  • Demystifying Life Insurance
  • 529 College Savings Plans

For a complete schedule, including dates and times, visit TIAA Q3 Webinars. Register at tiaa.org/VE.

Well-Being Seminar on Mason Cultural Tours
Join Rita Rowand, Mason’s Cultural Tours Program Manager, as she reprises her engaging travel planning seminar on Thursday, September 1, at noon. During this session, learn about travel opportunities through the new Mason Cultural Tours program, which invites everyone to take part in cultural travel programs throughout the world. Hear about exciting destinations which incorporate learning and fun, while traveling with friends of Mason.

Learn how you can take advantage of group rates and travel in comfort and safety with the services of a Mason Study Abroad staff member. To register, visit hr.gmu.edu/learning/hr.php. This session will be videoconferenced to Arlington and SciTech. 

Summer Bridge Camp
Sometimes summer camps end a little too soon, leaving time that needs to be “bridged” before public elementary schools start. To help with that challenge, Human Resources and Payroll is piloting a summer bridge camp from August 15 to September 2 for children ages 6-10. Choose one, two, or three weeks.

The camp theme is “Junior Detective Agency.” Camp will be held on the Fairfax Campus. For details, including camp pricing and before/after camp care, see the Summer Bridge Camp flyer. If you have questions or would like to discuss this new opportunity, contact Tina Morris at 703-993-5807 or tmorris1@gmu.edu.