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Events and campus updates curated for university faculty and staff.

Around �鶹��Ƶ keeps you informed about the latest updates, opportunities around the campuses (and beyond), and resources for you. Bookmark this page, which is updated at the end of each week.

Jump to the latest on:

• Campus Operations
• Professional Development and Training
• Thriving Together
• Event Highlights
• Human Resources News
• ITS Bits and Bytes
• Policy and Compliance Updates
• Coming to a Student Near You
• Patriot Pets

President’s town hall sessions scheduled for the spring 2026 semester

�鶹��Ƶ President Gregory Washington will host two 90-minute town hall sessions to discuss the state of the university and to engage with faculty and staff. The first town hall, for George �鶹��Ƶ employees working in non-academic units, will take place on Thursday, March 19, from 9–10:30 a.m. on the Fairfax Campus in The Hub ballroom. The second town hall, for George �鶹��Ƶ employees working in academic units, will take place on Thursday, March 19, from 1–2:30 p.m., on the Fairfax Campus in The Hub ballroom. Read more.

Campus Operations

George �鶹��Ƶ named a Best Workplace for Commuters across all of its Virginia campuses

�鶹��Ƶ has once again been recognized for its commitment to providing employees with high-quality commuter benefits and transportation options. This year, all three of George �鶹��Ƶ’s Virginia campuses—Fairfax, �鶹��Ƶ Square, and the Science and Technology Campus—have earned the Best Workplace for Commuters recognition. Read more about commuter-friendly programs at George �鶹��Ƶ.

Supportive dining options during Ramadan

�鶹��Ƶ Dining will offer supportive dining options for students who are observing Ramadan. Adjustments include extended dining options and enhanced meal flexibility to ensure continued access to nutritious meals. In addition, the �鶹��Ƶ Mensch at The Eaterie is now serving halal-certified meats to expand available options for our campus community.

Ramadan started on the evening of Feb. 17 and ends the evening of March 19. . Contact dining@gmu.edu with questions.

Professional Development and Training

Request for Proposals: Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference

�鶹��Ƶ faculty, graduate instructors, and staff are invited to submit proposals for the 18th annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference, hosted by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning. This year’s theme is "Relevant Teaching," where instructors can address strategies for meeting recent changes in higher education and teaching. The hybrid conference includes online sessions via Zoom on Sept. 24 and in-person sessions on Sept. 25. for a full description of the conference and the call for proposals.

Apply for the Leadership Legacy Program

Human Resources is currently accepting applications for the 2026-27 Leadership Legacy Program. The program is designed for George �鶹��Ƶ faculty and staff who are committed to furthering their leadership development, whether they are newly entering a leadership role, wish to prepare for alternative positions, or simply want to strengthen their capacity to lead from their current position. 

This in‑person, October–May program includes leadership seminars grounded in higher‑ed contexts, guided reflection, and coaching from George �鶹��Ƶ leaders and certified external coaches. Participants meet for nine Friday sessions (9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), plus a Thursday–Friday kickoff in October.

The program curriculum provides opportunities for participants to advance their conceptual and experiential understanding of leadership in the context of university settings. . 

Suicide prevention training for the George �鶹��Ƶ community

SOS for Higher Ed includes two 30-minute, self-guided online training courses. The trainings include video and interactive learning to teach everyone on campus how to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) in their role in suicide prevention. Participants will learn:

• How to recognize signs of suicide risk 
• How to have caring conversations that encourage someone to seek help 
• How to build community connections that foster positive mental well-being 
• An overview of available student mental health resources, on and off-campus

.  

Sexual Violence Prevention and Awareness Training

All George �鶹��Ƶ employees, including student wage, must annually complete Sexual Violence Prevention and Awareness training. This training requirement can be fulfilled by completing Title IX Non-Confidential Employee Training online through �鶹��Ƶ LEAPs, or attending a live training via Zoom. .

Thriving Together

Benefits Fair

The 2026 Benefits Fair is your opportunity to explore your options, ask questions, and make the most of your benefits as a George �鶹��Ƶ employee. This event brings all your benefits providers to one place so you can:

• Get clear, personalized answers from the experts who manage your plans
• Explore benefits you may not realize you have access to
• Compare options and understand the best choices for you and your family
• Prepare with confidence for Open Enrollment in May
• Walk away knowing exactly how to maximize the value of your benefits 

Benefits Fair
Thursday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall 

Health Benefits: 

• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Kaiser Permanente
• Aetna
• Delta Dental
• Liberty Dental
• Inspira Financial (Flexible Spending Accounts) 

Retirement Benefits: 

• TIAA
• Fidelity
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Voya

Other Financial Benefits: 

• Virginia529
• Virginia Credit Union 

This event is open to benefited faculty and staff. For questions, contact benefits@gmu.edu.

Health and Fitness Expo

Join the 29th annual Health and Fitness Expo on Thursday, March 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. This annual event is free and open to the public. Our mission is to promote health, wellness, well-being, fitness, and disease prevention. Stop by to learn about resources available on campus and in the community that can help you lead a happy, thriving life. .

Become a Patriots Thriving Together Ambassador

is �鶹��Ƶ’s campus-wide mental health and well-being initiative, offering resources and support for the entire community. Students, faculty, and staff who are passionate about mental health and well-being are invited to serve as Patriots Thriving Together Ambassadors. 

Ambassadors will be added to a Microsoft Teams group where we share:

• Upcoming events 
• Promotional opportunities 
• Well-being resources

The role is simple and flexible: become familiar with the Patriots Thriving Together website, help spread awareness of mental health and well-being resources, and offer ideas, feedback, or suggestions. . 

March Staff Senate Meeting 

The Staff Senate meeting on Wednesday, March 4, will feature guest speaker Chris Ackerman, vice president and chief human resources officer, and a panel of other George �鶹��Ƶ Human Resources leaders. .

The guest speaker will present from 10–11 a.m. The general business meeting will follow from 11 a.m. to noon. Constituents may attend in person on the Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall, Room 1201, or join via Zoom. George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics will provide tickets to the March 7 men's basketball game to meeting attendees.

Nominations for the Jack Wood Award for Town-Gown Relations

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 award is named for former Mayor Jack Wood, who played an instrumental role in establishing George �鶹��Ƶ in Fairfax and establishing town-gown relations between the university and the community. Nominations are due March 13. Awardees will be notified by March 26, and the Board of Visitors will honor awardees on April 30. .

Thrive at �鶹��Ƶ 2026: Call for Proposals

Thrive at �鶹��Ƶ Bootcamp will be hosted virtually on July 14-15, and the is underway. This year’s theme, "Thrive in Practice: Tools, Processes, and Practical Skills," focuses on actionable approaches staff can apply directly in their day-to-day work. This event is designed to support practical learning through knowledge sharing, real-world examples, and skill-building experiences.

George �鶹��Ƶ faculty and staff are invited to submit session proposals that highlight effective tools, streamlined processes, and practical skills. Proposed sessions may take the form of presentations, interactive workshops, demonstrations, panels, and facilitated discussions. . Speakers will be selected by the end of March. Contact fscomm@gmu.edu with questions.

Free mental health support for faculty and staff

George �鶹��Ƶ faculty and staff now have access to TimelyCare for free, confidential mental health support. Connect with licensed counselors and access support when you need it, at no cost.

Benefits include 24/7 emotional support with the TalkNow line, up to 12 free scheduled counseling sessions per academic year, health coaching, self-guided resources, mindfulness tools, and peer support. .

Event Highlights

George �鶹��Ƶ Night with the Washington Capitals

Celebrate  as the Patriots fill the arena to watch the Capitals take on the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m. Several ticket options are available. Prices include discounted seats and a George �鶹��Ƶ and Capitals co-branded tumbler.  to join the Alumni Association for a pregame reception at Clyde's of Gallery Place before attending the hockey game.

Sojourner Truth Lecture

The Sojourner Truth Lecture is an annual event jointly sponsored by Women and Gender Studies and the African and African American Studies programs at �鶹��Ƶ. This year's event will feature Tiffany King's talk, "Looking for Lindsay," on Tuesday, March 3, from noon to 3:30 p.m. in the Fenwick Library reading room on the Fairfax Campus. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. . 

King is the Barbara and John Glynn Research Associate Professor of Democracy and Equity and a faculty member in the Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Virginia. King is the author of The Black Shoals: Offshore Formations of Black and Native Studies and is a co-editor of the collection Otherwise Worlds: Against Settler Colonialism and Anti Blackness. King is also a co-director at the Black and Indigenous Feminist Futures Institute, a project funded by the Mellon Foundation. 

�鶹��Ƶ Empty Bowls

From local potters’ wheels to George �鶹��Ƶ students’ plates, �鶹��Ƶ Empty Bowls transforms art into action in the fight against food insecurity on campus. Join the event on Wednesday, March 25, from 7–9 p.m. at the Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus. 

The evening will include music, community, a simple shared meal, and meaningful impact. Each guest will leave with a beautiful handmade ceramic bowl—a lasting reminder that for many students, their “bowls” are not always full.

Empty Bowls is part of a global movement that brings people together through art and shared meals to raise awareness and funds for hunger-related causes in local communities. At George �鶹��Ƶ, 100% of event proceeds directly support the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund. .

Reel Health Film Series: 'Bending the Arc'

Join Amy Page, assistant professor of social work, and Iulia Fratila, assistant professor of global and community health, for a screening of the documentary film on Tuesday, March 3, from 2–4 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus in Horizon Hall, Room 4010. A short discussion will follow the film. All are welcome. to reserve your popcorn! 

'Trail Blazing: Connecting and Keeping the Appalachian Trail' Exhibit Closing Event

Join the Special Collections Research Center for the closing of Trailblazing: Connecting and Keeping the Appalachian Trail, an exhibition featuring materials from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) Archives. The closing event will happen on Thursday, March 5, from 2–4 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Fenwick Library, Room 2400. The event will feature a description of the ATC Archives and a tour of the exhibit, with a reception to follow.

George �鶹��Ƶ became the guardian of the ATC Archives in 2022. This century-old archive includes correspondence, publications, more than 1,000 historic maps, and thousands of photographs. It serves as a vital resource for scholars, students, authors, and enthusiasts worldwide, providing insights into a century of conservation efforts. The items in this exhibition (photographs, documents, books, and artifacts) illustrate major aspects of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s work and celebrate the past 100 years of the ATC and the trail.

Upcoming performance from the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music

University Singers Concert: Finding Home
Tuesday, March 3, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
Join a choral musical journey of hope, courage, and belonging featuring works from immigrant and first-generation choral composers. The University Singers Concert will be a collaboration with the Northern Virginia Community College-Annandale Choir under conductor James Wolter. .

Human Resources News

You spoke; we acted: How George �鶹��Ƶ is bringing your feedback to life

Faculty and staff voices help shape George �鶹��Ƶ. The Faculty and Staff Experience Survey is one of our most important tools for understanding how employees experience work and where we need to grow. Because you spoke up in 2024, we launched major improvements—from expanded well‑being resources to strengthened recognition efforts, enhanced performance tools, and a comprehensive compensation and career architecture study. As we prepare for the April 2026 survey, we want to share the progress your feedback set in motion. Every response matters. .

Performance management update: A simpler path to recognition

Effective immediately, George �鶹��Ƶ is discontinuing the Acknowledgment of Extraordinary Contribution form for classified staff performance evaluations, following guidance from the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM). Supervisors can now assign an Outstanding overall performance rating without the extra form. Documentation is still required to show how exceptional performance advances unit or institutional goals. .

ITS Bits and Bytes

Report phishing incidents

�鶹��Ƶ community members who receive phishing emails should report them to phish@gmu.edu. Reporting phishing emails allows Information Technology Services (ITS) to issue alerts and notify recipients.  

If you clicked on a link, replied, or downloaded attachments from an email you later realized was a phishing attempt, contact ITS Support by phone: 703-993-8870 or for assistance. Information about reported phishing emails is available on the .

Wi-Fi update: Time to switch to eduroam

Information Technology Services (ITS) has simplified George �鶹��Ƶ's Wi-Fi network to help the community stay better connected across campus. All campus Wi-Fi users should connect to eduroam. To get started, visit . MASON-SECURE was permanently shut down at the end of the semester. For details, . 

Policy and Compliance Updates

Hazing Prevention Policy and Reporting Obligations

�鶹��Ƶ has adopted an updated in compliance with the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA). This policy builds on the work of and reinforces our commitment to a safe and respectful learning, living, and working environment for all members of the community. Non-confidential employees (i.e., employees who are not part of confidential offices, such as Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Support and Advocacy Center, and Student Health Services) are required to report hazing to the appropriate university authority. .

Coming to a Student Near You

Workshops at The MIX

The MIX is the central hub for innovation, exploration, and creativity at George �鶹��Ƶ. Did you know that students, faculty, and staff can attend a variety of workshops to learn new skills? Topics include woodworking, 3D modeling, podcasting, sewing, and more. . 

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