University Life

Author: Samantha Hill

Scholarship endowment for EIP grads honors Mason stalwarts

Patriot Leaders will continue helping incoming Mason students transition, but orientation is now in a virtual format. Photo was taken in January by Ron Aira/Creative Services.
Patriot Leaders 2020. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

To honor the legacy of Mason benefactors Paul and Gwen Patton, the University Life Advisory Board and Paul’s colleagues at CACI have established a scholarship endowment for students who graduate from Mason’s Early Identification Program (EIP).

Read the full article.

Spreading Kindness: Give a Pat to a Pat Today

Sibs and Kids with the Patriot

The Mason Chooses Kindness Committee is conducting the Pats for Pats program, an initiative to spread kindness throughout the campus by giving shout-outs and recognition throughout the Mason Community. Pats for Pats are a free and easy way to thank, recognize, show appreciation for a Mason colleague or student who has taken the time to do something kind, generous or thoughtful towards others.

Learn more or nominate an individual.

Career development opportunities for your student

The Spring Career Fair, February 19–20 in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

A full house of employers is expected for the 2022 Spring Career Fair on February 23-24 from 12-4 p.m. in Dewberry Hall of the Johnson Center. The market is strong and there are plenty of employers looking to recruit Mason students and alumni! Don’t let your student miss out on networking with more than 150 employers.

Read the full article.

Homecoming 2022

students in green and gold at a basketball game

Homecoming 2022, which kicks off Mason’s celebration of its 50th anniversary, begins Friday, Feb. 4, with Student Involvement’s Tip-Off Party. Head out to the Hub to pick up exclusive Homecoming goodies and a special Homecoming shirt. Homecoming will conclude the following weekend with the men’s and women’s basketball games.

Check out the schedule.

Mason’s LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance provides opportunities for advocacy

LGBTQ sidwalk chalk drawing. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services
LGBTQ sidwalk chalk drawing. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

George Mason University’s LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance provides opportunities for LGBTQIA + faculty and staff to socialize, develop community and discuss ways to further create a more inclusive on-campus environment. While the alliance has existed informally for years, it created bylaws in March 2021 and has begun a concerted effort to grow in its visibility, outreach and advocacy.

Read the full article.

Updates on COVID testing for faculty and staff

Governor Ralph Northam is greeted by president Greg Washington during a visit to the Fairfax campus of George Mason University. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Office of Communications and Marketing Photo Taken:Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Governor Ralph Northam is greeted by president Greg Washington during a visit to the Fairfax campus of George Mason University. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Office of Communications and Marketing Photo Taken:Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Dear Mason Faculty and Staff:

As we welcome students back for the first day of Spring 2022 classes, I want to thank you for your collective work and diligence to make this spring’s resumption of classes another safe one. On Friday we completed a very successful pre-arrival week of screening and other preparations.

We continue to encourage all members of the Mason faculty and staff to complete an on-campus COVID screening test when asked so that we can extend our track record of keeping the prevalence of COVID-19 on our campuses to a minimum. However, in observance of Virginia Department of Human Resource Management directives released last week, we now strongly encourage unvaccinated employees or high-contact role employees to be tested, which is a departure from our previous requirements for these groups

Because we maintain our own internal testing capacities that do not draw from available tests in the greater Virginia community, we are able to continue conducting more frequent and large-scale screening of Mason students, faculty, and staff. This remains a key part of our larger strategy to track and minimize the spread of COVID-19 this spring. COVID testing centers will continue to operate on our Fairfax, Arlington and Sci-Tech campuses with free COVID tests available both by appointment and also on a walk-in basis.

We also will continue to operate a free drive-through diagnostic COVID testing center at Peterson Hall for members of our university community who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms.

As a reminder, Mason offers free testing, masks, and vaccines to all students, faculty, and staff. We continue to strongly encourage you to get tested, use N-95 or KN-95 masks when you observe our masking requirements, and get vaccinated and boosted. These are the three most effective ways to minimize the spread of COVID-19 on our campuses.

Thank you again for contributing to a successful return to classes. I’ll see you around our campuses.

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington
President

Patriots Thriving Together offers new resources for spring

view of the Johnson Center through the tulips

Mason’s Offices of University Life and the Provost and the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being joined forces and created Patriots Thriving Together, an awareness campaign that focuses on improving and sustaining mental health and well-being for the Mason community.

Learn about what’s planned for this semester.

COVID won’t be on break. Patriots, get your booster

Gregory Washington was named 8th president of George Mason University on Feb. 24, 2020. Photo provided by University of California-Irvine.

Dear Patriots,

As our semester comes to a close and we finalize plans for winter break, we want to take a moment and encourage all Mason Patriots – whether near or far – to please continue to prioritize your health and safety. Here are a few departing reminders to help ensure that we close out this year happy and healthy!

Get a Booster!

The omicron variant is moving quickly, and the delta variant remains a threat, so we must be diligent during this holiday season. While experts are still determining if omicron poses an increased threat, health officials agree: getting vaccinated (to include boosters) is the best way to combat COVID. The CDC is recommending COVID booster shots for anyone who is eligible for a booster, which includes anyone over 18. In addition, the FDA on Thursday authorized Pfizer booster shots for all eligible 16- and 17-year-olds who completed their two-shot Pfizer series at least six months ago. Vaccines and boosters have proven to be effective in helping to reduce the spread of COVID and the severity of COVID illness. We strongly recommend boosters for all Mason Patriots who are eligible to receive one, and Mason is offering booster shots Monday-Friday for free. Appointments can be made at https://vaccine.gmu.edu and hours will be expanded to accommodate the end-of-semester demand.

Test Before Traveling

For those who are leaving campus, we recommend testing before and after holiday gatherings. Mason will continue to provide walk-in tests through December 17. Please take advantage of this service before you leave. International travelers need to check with their airline and get tested 24 hours before travel to the US. If you are unvaccinated, you must quarantine upon arrival and get tested 3-5 days after arrival. The CDC provides travel guidance at their website.

Mason will also offer limited walk-in surveillance testing on Monday, Dec. 20 and Monday, Dec. 27 from 9-noon at Fenwick A Wing on the Fairfax Campus. Surveillance testing will reopen at Fenwick only on Monday, January 3.

Stick with What Works

As many of us plan to gather with family and friends, it’s more important than ever to continue the practices that have kept our community safe. We know our plan works, let’s continue to work it. Let’s maintain our safety protocols throughout the holiday break:

  • Continue to use Mason COVID Health Check, as this is the provides our health experts the ability to understand the extent and impact of COVID on campus. We will streamline the Mason COVID Health Check in the new year. Look for more information soon.
  • Stay home if you feel unwell.
  • Wear masks when in large groups.
    • Follow the CDC’s guidance for close contact situations. If you are notified that you are a close contact please:
      • Get a surveillance test 5-7 days after potential exposure if you are vaccinated and asymptomatic.
      • Quarantine for 14 days from date of exposure if you are unvaccinated and get tested 5-7 days after exposure.

Thank you ALL for helping to keep Mason safe and open. Your consistency and care for your fellow Patriots has contributed to a successful fall semester. Please continue to do your part by following these guidelines so that we can start 2022 healthy and strong. Enjoy your winter break!

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington
President

Mason Career Influencers Network to Hold Training for Faculty and Staff in November, January and March

Career Services portraits. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

University Career Services will offer its Career Influencers Network training in November, January and March. The Career Influencers Network provides faculty and staff the opportunity to learn how to best support students in becoming career ready and achieving post graduate success in today’s quickly evolving world of work. The Career Influencers Network contributes critical career readiness guidance and feedback to Mason students and is open to all Mason faculty and staff. Career Influencers:

  • Support students seeking career path and job-search advice;
  • Describe and share the career development process with students;
  • Refer students to University Career Services for career counseling and industry-specific advising;
  • Support employer recruitment efforts in compliance with Mason policies and NACE ethical standards;
  • Receive on-going professional development on career readiness topics, events and industry trends; and
  • Promote Handshake and other career resources available to Mason students.

Participants must participate in ALL THREE scheduled workshops in the series to complete the training (4.5-hours of training. The workshops are intended to be undertaken in the order offered, so plan to participate in the workshops on all three mornings. Click on the below links to register.

November Cohort (Virtual)

  • Tues, Nov 16; 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
  • Wed, Nov 17; 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
  • Thurs, Nov 18; 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

January Cohort (In-Person)

  • Fri, Jan 21; 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (lunch included)

March Cohort (Virtual, Spring Break Week)

  • Tues, March 15; 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
  • Wed, March 16; 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
  • Thurs, March 17; 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

This piece is from the 11/10/21 Provost’s Newsletter

Mason celebrates World Kindness Day with week of activities

Mason chooses kindness for World Kindness Day
Mason chooses kindness for World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day, celebrated globally on Nov. 13, was created by the World Kindness Movement. George Mason University will celebrate the week of Nov. 8 with events to promote kindness and caring across all campuses, as part of the Mason Chooses Kindness (MCK) initiative.

Read more about World Kindness Day.