Faculty/Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
October Staff Senate Meeting with President Gregory Washington
The will feature Â鶹ÊÓƵ President Gregory Washington.
Wednesday, Oct. 5
10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. – Staff Senate general business meeting
10:45 a.m. to noon – Guest speaker (President Gregory Washington)
The Staff Senate represents all classified and non-student wage employees at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Working closely with university administration, we address concerns that have an impact on the quality of work-life for the Â鶹ÊÓƵ community. The work of the senate is accomplished through open and continuous communication with its constituents. .
Nominate a Kindness Ambassador
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Chooses Kindness (MCK) is excited to accept nominations for the 2022–23 . We need your help to identify at least 100 new Kindness Ambassadors. Nominations are open to all Â鶹ÊÓƵ students, faculty, staff, and alumni through Oct. 12.
. Kindness Ambassadors will be recognized on Nov. 14 in celebration of World Kindness Day for demonstrating the following:
- Compassion and kindness toward others
- Enthusiasm about spreading kindness
- Positive words and actions
- Joy in helping others
. For questions, contact mck@gmu.edu.
$5 Fridays at Ike’s and Southside
Every first Friday of the month, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Dining offers a discounted $5 lunch to faculty and staff at Ike's and Southside. The remaining fall dates are:
- Oct. 7
- Nov. 4
- Dec. 2
Coins4Change
The next time you order coffee or pizza on campus, consider donating to Coins4Change.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Dining has partnered with the to create a donation program that is easy to participate in and has far-reaching impact.
Donating just a few coins at the register supports the , and money collected is converted into meal swipes for Â鶹ÊÓƵ students experiencing food insecurity. Coins4Change is available at most retail locations across campus and accepted with Â鶹ÊÓƵ Money, credit/debit cards, and cash.
Winter Wellness Flu Shot Clinics
to receive your flu shot at a Winter Wellness Flu Shot Clinic on campus. Clinics will be hosted on the Fairfax Campus, SciTech Campus, and Â鶹ÊÓƵ Square. Clinic tips:
- On the day of your appointment, wear a mask and short sleeves.
- Complete and bring the to ensure a faster process. Bring your health insurance card and a valid form of ID.
- Plan to spend 10–15 minutes at the clinic after your shot to ensure there is no adverse reaction.
. Clinics are open to COVA Care and Kaiser Permanente members.
Questions? Contact the Faculty and Staff Engagement Team at engagehr@gmu.edu.
shopÂ鶹ÊÓƵ Presents AMPLIFY
Join shopÂ鶹ÊÓƵ for a festive new celebration this fall: . This exciting outdoor event will be hosted on the Merten Lawn on Tuesday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
AMPLIFY will feature food trucks, games, giveaways, music, bike rides, and more. Engage with shopÂ鶹ÊÓƵ units including the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Bookstore, Dining, Card Office, Parking and Transportation, Student Centers, Wells Fargo, and several off-campus Â鶹ÊÓƵ Merchants and Patriot Perks members. We can't wait to see you there. .
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Vision Series: A Forecast of the National and Global Economy
The next installment of the will be held on Monday, Oct. 17, from 7–8 p.m. and will feature , associate professor of economics, who will discuss a forecast of the national and global economy.
Jones will talk about the national and global economy—whether and why a recession is looming, where the inflation is coming from, and how to fight it.
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Vision Series is a forum for Â鶹ÊÓƵ researchers and scholars to share their work with both university colleagues and the community more generally. It is an opportunity for invited Â鶹ÊÓƵ faculty members to share the frontiers of their scholarship in an accessible style that also inspires lively discussion among students, faculty, staff, and the wider reaches of the community.
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Vision Series will be live streamed through . Participants will have the opportunity to engage in the discussion by submitting questions via email or Twitter using #VisionSeriesÂ鶹ÊÓƵ. .
Transportation Fairs: Oct. 13
Join Â鶹ÊÓƵ Parking and Transportation for at the Fairfax Campus and Â鶹ÊÓƵ Square on Thursday, Oct. 13:
- Fairfax: Thursday, Oct. 13, from noon to 2 p.m. on Merten Lawn
- Â鶹ÊÓƵ Square: Thursday, Oct. 13, from 4–6 p.m. on Founders Plaza
Local and regional transportation providers will be available to share information and answer your commuting questions.
Religious Holidays and Inclusive Scheduling
As part of ²Ñ²¹²õ´Ç²Ô’s commitment to inclusive excellence, be sure to consult University Life's when scheduling important activities. Use this resource to avoid scheduling events, meetings, or major deadlines on religious holidays that many individuals across our campuses observe.
We encourage you to share this resource with those in your department with scheduling responsibilities so we can all work together to ensure a workplace and learning environment where we thrive together.
Virtual Graduate Fair
The Office of Graduate Admissions invites prospective grad students to attend a Virtual Graduate Fair. Explore more than 127 different degree programs Â鶹ÊÓƵ offers at the master’s, doctoral, and professional levels, as well as our 100+ graduate-level certificates.
Representatives will be in attendance to discuss various graduate programs, as well as how you can further your studies and continue to work while pursuing your degree. Sign up today because you don’t want to miss this informative event.
Thursday, Oct. 6
5:30 to 7 p.m. ET
This event will take place online via Zoom. Space is limited, so be sure to to reserve a spot.
13th Annual Happy Heart Walk
It's time for our annual Happy Heart Walk on Wednesday, Sept. 28! This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Happy Heart Walk. Join your fellow employees and students in promoting heart health.
No need to register. Simply join the walk in-person at on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at noon. Share your Happy Heart Walk photos on Twitter or Instagram with #HappyHeartWalk.
Can't make it on Sept. 28? to search for a heart walk near you.
The Patriot Success Survey Is Now Live
The is now live! Encourage your students to fill out the survey, which is sent to all undergraduate students to enhance our understanding of what contributes to their success at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Students are then connected with resources and services based on their survey responses.
Specific questions about students’ plans to return to Â鶹ÊÓƵ, sense of belonging, financial concerns, and involvement interests are used to inform direct outreach from offices on campus. The survey closes Friday, Oct. 7.
Shuttle Schedule During Fall Break
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Shuttles will operate under an abbreviated schedule during Fall Break (Oct. 9–10). For details, . Contact shuttle@gmu.edu or 703-993-2828 with questions.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
²Ñ²¹²õ´Ç²Ô’s is available online. Federal law requires this report to contain the following:
- Crime and fire statistics for all Â鶹ÊÓƵ campuses (2019–21)
- Information on reporting crimes and emergencies
- Emergency response and evacuation procedures
- Crime prevention information and personal safety tips
- Options for reporting sexual violence and misconduct
- Safe and positive options for bystander intervention
- Information on sexual violence risk reduction
- ²Ñ²¹²õ´Ç²Ô’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures
- Other important information related to campus safety
As a reminder, campus safety is a shared responsibility. Promptly report all suspicious activity, crimes, and emergencies to Â鶹ÊÓƵ Police at 703-993-2810 (non-emergencies) or 911 (emergencies).
Training and Professional Development
Toastmasters Open House
George Â鶹ÊÓƵ Toastmasters invites you to an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at noon in Merten Hall, Room 3300, or via Zoom. Toastmasters provides an opportunity to practice your speaking and leadership skills.
The open house will help attendees learn more about Toastmasters, see a meeting in action, participate in Table Topics and impromptu speaking practice, and ask questions about the club. Snacks will be available for those attending in person.
To learn more, see the meeting schedule, and get the Zoom link for virtual attendance, visit Contact Rupa Mehta with questions.
Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ community is invited to the this Friday, Sept. 30. Join us for a day of workshops, panels, teaching-focused presentations, and networking with colleagues.
This conference will include a variety of in-person activities, a diverse menu of livestreaming options, and on-demand content. for more information and registration details.
Keynote speaker , author of Student Engagement Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty, will share her principles of teaching students to advance learning and develop classroom engagement in higher education.
Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Conference: Registration Now Open
You are invited to Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s fiÂrst Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Conference at Â鶹ÊÓƵ Square (formerly Arlington Campus) on Monday, Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The ARIE Conference will provide a forum for higher education, industry, government, nonprofit, and other stakeholders to critically discuss anti-racism and inclusive excellence in the academy, share effective practices and resources to advance anti-racism and inclusive excellence, and amplify the visibility and impact of research, scholarship, and creative activities conducted by Â鶹ÊÓƵ researchers and other national scholars on anti-racism and inclusive excellence.
. Â鶹ÊÓƵ faculty, staff, and students are eligible for free registration.
Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day Microsessions: Second Chance to Attend
Missed this summer's ? Didn't get a chance to attend all the sessions that caught your eye? Not to worry—the Organizational Development and Learning team is bringing back a select few sessions as standalone workshops this fall. .
Resources for You
Virginia529 Webinar: Saving for Education
Thinking about saving for education? Join the Human Resources and Payroll team and Virginia529 for a special webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m.
Saving for future education expenses for a child, grandchild, or even yourself can seem overwhelming. In this webinar, you’ll learn how a Virginia529 account can help you save for tuition and other costs, take advantage of tax-free earnings, and meet your savings goals.
As a bonus, employees who attend this webinar will receive an exclusive offer: a $25 gift code to open a new Invest529 account. .
On Wednesdays, We Juggle!
Test your coordination and dexterity with juggling lessons every Wednesday on the plaza at Â鶹ÊÓƵ Square from noon to 1 p.m. Stay for the whole time, or just enjoy watching fellow jugglers put their skills to the test. All skill levels are welcome. Equipment provided.
Did you know that free community events happen every weekday on the plaza at Â鶹ÊÓƵ Square? .
The Cheuse Salon: Elena Medel and Leeya Mehta in Conversation
Join Â鶹ÊÓƵ's for a conversation with novelist Elena Medel, followed by a wine reception and book signing. The event will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 27, from 5–7 p.m. in Fenwick Library.
Medel is the Cheuse Center’s 2022 International Writer-in-Residence. Her debut novel, The Wonders, is winner of the Francisco Umbral Prize. During the event, Medel will be in conversation with Leeya Mehta, director of the Cheuse Center, discussing themes of class, gender, voice, and agency. .
Veterans and the Arts Initiative: Upcoming Workshops
The Hylton Performing Arts Center offers these upcoming workshops as part of its . These workshops are free and open to veterans, servicemembers, military family members, and military caregivers.
Wednesdays, Oct. 5–26, at 7 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Novant Health|UVA Health System Rehearsal Room
Create custom-made sneaker sculptures based on the Jordan 5 using paper, fabric, and other unique materials. Templates and instruction will be provided to participants, who will use their own materials, including photos, packaging, shopping bags, posters, wallpaper, and more. This step-by-step process led by Andy Yoder, adjunct professor at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, allows plenty of room for personal customization and creativity.
Wednesday, Oct. 19, and Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m.
Location: Potomac Library, Woodbridge
Take better portrait photos of your friends and family members. Learn basic camera settings, composition, background selection, lighting concepts, poses, and how to utilize native software and free apps for post-processing to enhance the images. Participants must bring a smartphone with a working camera.
Upcoming Performances at Â鶹ÊÓƵ
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Exhibitions and School of Art
Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Hosted on Zoom
Jon Henry is a visual artist working with photography and text. His work reflects on family, sociopolitical issues, grief, trauma, and healing within the African American community. Known foremost for the cultural activism in his work, his projects include studies of athletes from different sports and their representations.
Monday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m.
Johnson Center Cinema
Join us for a screening and discussion of the documentary Faya Dayi with filmmaker Jessica Beshir. At once poetic and incisive, Mexican Ethiopian artist Beshir's film explores the complex worlds of khat, a euphoria-inducing and addictive plant once valued for its purportedly mystical properties. Shot in exquisite black and white, the documentary offers a dreamlike experience for viewers as it also presents the intertwined economic, social, and political histories of the crop.
Wednesday, Oct. 5, at 1:30 p.m.
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Join award-winning cellist Alicia Ward as she performs an impressive afternoon of classical music. Making her orchestral debut as a featured soloist at the age of 12, Ward has since performed throughout the United States and abroad as a chamber musician, recitalist, and soloist. Ward will be joined by a pianist, who will be announced at a later date.
Saturday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9, at 2 p.m.
Center for the Arts
Mortals are caught up amidst struggles between capricious gods in Richard Wagner’s opera The Valkyrie, from his legendary Ring cycle. Virginia Opera boldly opens its 2022–23 season with the classic, adapted from Norse mythology. Set in the magical realm with giants, dwarves, and Valkyries, Wagner’s fiery masterpiece is a feast for the eyes and the ears. Sung in German with English surtitles.
Dewberry School of Music
Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 8 p.m.
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Soo Han, is comprised of outstanding string, wind, and percussion players from throughout the School of Music.