ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mandatory Fire Drills

2009 White House Holiday Ornaments Have Arrived

2010 Teaching Excellence Awards

Inside Audit

Complimentary Capitals Hockey and Wizards Basketball Tickets

Helpful Hints for Using the New Voice Mail System

Potomac Arts Academy Classes

Commuter Choice Monthly Benefit Requests Due Now

Mason Dining

Apple Federal Credit Union

Additional Parking Deck Permits Available

Is Your Pet Mason’s Top Dog (or Fish or Cat or Iguana…)?

Reminder: Special Offer for Faculty & Staff, Discounted Entertainment 2010 Books

Need Your Tires Balanced or Rotated?

HR/Payroll

EVENTS

Fall Convocation - State of the University Address

One Week Left to Get Your Wayne Brady Tickets, Don't Miss It

Second Lecture in the Vision Series: How We Learn: Human Exceptionality and Cognition

Mason Soccer Programs to Host Boy Scout/Girl Scout Outings

Open Access Week: October 19-23

Judaism, Monotheism, and the Political

Harry Markopolos Lecture

48th Annual SPEP Conference

Fall ITU Projects Briefing

Golf Scramble, October 18

Masonvale Open House

The Origin of the World: An MFA Thesis Exhibition, by Jessica Clements

Family Weekend 2009

Disability Awareness Month Events

Celebrating Disability Awareness Month

Mason Madness Tips Off Basketball Season on Friday, October 16

School of Art Building Dedication

2009 CAA Blood Challenge

Jim Larranaga and Peter Pober to Speak at Fairfax’s Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day

TRAINING

New Faculty Advisor Workshop

OSP Workshops

Fiscal Services Workshops

Environmental Health and Safety Office

HR

Mason E-Files

Posted October 12, 2009

2009 White House Holiday Ornaments Have Arrived

The Child Development Center has received its first shipment of White House Holiday Ornaments and they are now available for purchase. To purchase your ornament and pick up at the same time, go to the CDC Building (by the water tower). The CDC is holding the cost of the ornament to the same amount as last year at $20 each. Each ornament comes in a blue gift box, ready for wrapping.  Or, to order with delivery via campus mail, email Anchalee Burbach at aburbach@gmu.edu or by phone at 993-4786.

2010 Teaching Excellence Awards

The Center for Teaching Excellence is pleased to announce that we are currently accepting nominations for the 2010 George Mason University Teaching Excellence Awards. You are encouraged to take this opportunity to recognize teaching excellence at Mason and nominate someone you view as an outstanding educator for this honor.

Teaching Excellence Awards are open to all faculty members across the institution with at least 3 years of Mason teaching experience, without regard to full-time or part-time status. Mason also offers a Teaching Excellence Award in General Education and Teaching with Technology.

The deadline for 2010 nominations is Thursday, October 15. Send 2-3 paragraphs explaining why you believe your nominee should be considered for a teaching award to cte@gmu.edu.

For additional information about the Teaching Excellent Awards and the nomination process, visit the Center for Teaching Excellence website at http://cte.gmu.edu.

Complimentary Capitals Hockey and Wizards Basketball Tickets

As part of the University contract Patriot Center's Centre Management provides Mason with complimentary tickets to several Wizards and Capitals games during the upcoming season. These tickets will be distributed to the university administration, faculty and staff through group and individual lotteries.

For information and request forms, go to the Office of Events Management website at events.gmu.edu. Get your request in soon as the first games are in October. For more information, contact Office of Events Management, 993-2853 or email gmuevent@gmu.edu.

Helpful Hints for Using the New Voice Mail System

This week’s Helpful Hint is how to assign tags to your messages in the new voice mail system. 

Message Delivery Options from Your Mailbox

1. From your extension, dial 3-4500
2. Enter your security code
3. Press 2 to send a message, record your message, then press #
4. Enter 7-digit destination mailbox number (for example, 993-XXXX)
5. Press zero to review routing options
1. To restrict forwarding, press 1
2. To mark as urgent, press 2
3. To request a return receipt, press 3
4. For future delivery, press 4
6. To send your message, press #

Message Delivery Options When Leaving a Message

1. Dial the extension you wish to call
2. When you hear the greeting, press # to skip the standard greeting (note: if you hear a second greeting then the extension has enhanced voice mail, press * to skip the greeting, then press 1)
3. Record your message and press #
4. If satisfied with message, press 1 (note: if extension has enhanced voice mail press 5)
5. To send message with normal delivery, press 1
6. To send message with urgent delivery, press 2

Much more information is provided on our web site at http://voicemail.gmu.edu. For additional assistance, contact Telecom Admin at 993-3546.

Mason Dining

Join our Facebook page, The Official Mason Dining Page, http://www.facebook.com/masondining for free coupons and to find out latest news and specials.

Decrease Mason's carbon footprint by purchasing a new, sleek reusable Mason Dining Mug - Get one at Peet's Coffee or La Patisserie in the Johnson Center, One Stop Patriot Shop at Blue Ridge Hall, and Jazzman's in the Johnson Center or SUB I. Refill it at a discounted rate.

George's, located on the 3rd floor of the Johnson Center, is now all-you-care-to-eat. Stop in to check out new daily specials.

The grill in the Bistro, located on the ground floor of the Johnson Center, is open Wednesdays & Fridays. Now serving grilled chicken.

The Mason Rathskeller, the new sports bar in SUB I, is open to everyone. You do not have to be 21 to enter. 11 beers on tap. Come and watch the DirecTV Sports Packages.

Apple Federal Credit Union

Switch to eStatements and Snag a Free Reusable Tote Bag. Bank green and shop green. Stop by the Mason Apple branch today to sign up for eStatements and receive a free reusable tote bag. Only available while supplies last – so stop by today.

Tackle Your Debt Loan & Giveaway. Has lingering high-interest debt kept you on the financial sidelines? Tackle those high rates and multiple payments by consolidating up to $35,000 with rates as low as 7.99% APR. Plus, your loan qualifies you for our Tackle Your Debt Giveaway – prizes include a 52’’ HDTV and more. Don’t take a time out—apply today at AppleFCU.org, any Apple branch or call 703-788-4800.

Apple’s Groovy Auto Loans – Offer ends Oct. 31. Cash in on new and used auto rates as low as 3.74% APR. Plus, receive an additional .25% discount when you purchase a hybrid vehicle. Apply for a loan today.

For rules and restrictions of Apple promotions, and up-to-date rates, visit AppleFCU.org or stop by the Mason Branch in the Johnson Center.

Additional Parking Deck Permits Available

Since the start of the semester, the traffic and usage patterns for all of the reserved parking areas on campus have been tracked. This includes the Mason Pond, Sandy Creek, and Rappahannock River parking decks.  After careful consideration, a limited number of Mason Pond and Sandy Creek permits will be available for purchase. Also, there is still plenty of guaranteed permit parking available in the new Rappahannock River Parking Deck.

Making the Request: The permits are only available for faculty and staff members at this time.  If you are interested in switching into one of the reserved parking areas on campus, or switch from a different reserved parking area on campus, then completely fill out the information in the following link, Parking Change Request.  The link will not be active until October 14 starting at 9:00 am and will remain active until 5:00 pm on October 16.  Provide your name, Mason G-number, a daytime contact phone number and your Mason e-mail address; then place a “1” in the box next to the location that you wish to move to.  Keep in mind that space is available on a first come, first served basis only.  If you have a second preference, put a “2” in the corresponding box and so on.  If you have no desire to park in the other areas available, you do not need to respond.

Processing the Upgrade: You will be notified via email if your request can be accommodated. If you paid for parking in full at the beginning of the semester, you need to return your current permit and pay the difference to upgrade to the new permit.  If you are currently on payroll deduction, you need to return your current permit in exchange for the new permit, and then the new amount to be deducted will show up on your next paycheck. 

Access to the Parking Decks: If you are switching to a parking deck, you need to have an access device that will allow you to enter/exit the reserved area of the parking deck.  There is a $25 refundable deposit that is required for the access device.  If you are switching from one parking deck to another, then just bring back your old access device and swap it for one that corresponds to your new parking permit.

Send all questions or concerns to parking@gmu.edu

Is Your Pet Mason’s Top Dog (or Fish or Cat or Iguana…)?

Does your pet have what it takes to be named Mason’s Cutest Pet?  If so, send a photo to Shannon Finley at MS 3C5 before October 26 or drop off his or her photo when you sign in for the Fairfax Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day on October 28 (drop off early to be sure you don’t miss any votes).  Voting will take place from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm and the winners in each of 5 categories will be announced at the final door prize drawing of the day.  The categories are cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, and exotics and each winner will receive a gift card. Be sure your photo is 5x7 in size and include your pet's name and your name, mail stop and phone number.  Want more information on Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day?  Visit http://hr.gmu.edu/training/ for all the details.

Reminder: Special Offer for Faculty & Staff, Discounted Entertainment 2010 Books

Entertainment 2010 Books are available to purchase at the same low price as last year -- $15.00 per book. Local and national vendors, thousands of dollars of potential savings. Makes a terrific gift. Email worklife@gmu.edu to pre-order your book(s). Books will be available for pick up at the Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day Resource Fair in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall on Wednesday, October 28 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm.  You can pay for your book(s) by cash or check (payable to Entertainment Publications) on the day of pick-up.

Need Your Tires Balanced or Rotated?

TireVan will be on the Fairfax campus on Friday, October 16 to balance and rotate tires or install windshield wipers.  By appointment.  See the work/life homepage for details.

HR/Payroll

National Save for Retirement Week is October 18-24. Research shows that more than half of all workers in the United States, 53 percent, have less than $25,000 in total savings and retirement investments, excluding their home and defined benefit plans. With longer life expectancies and rising costs, especially for health care, it is critical that Americans understand the importance of saving for their future - now.

National Save for Retirement Week is a good time to take a look at your retirement savings. Experts estimate that you will need about 80 percent of current earnings to live comfortably in retirement. The easiest way for employees to save is through an automatic payroll contribution to an employer-sponsored tax-deferred savings plan, such as the 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan or the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan. For more information visit http://hr.gmu.edu/benefits/retire/supplemental.php

Individual Retirement Counseling by ING on Campus. Virginia Deferred Compensation plan 457(b) administrator ING will be on campus on Wednesday, September 16 in the Johnson Center, Room 243 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. To make an appointment email benefits@gmu.edu

State COVA Care Disease Management Program. COVA Care offers a program called ConditionCare (see page 2 of the COVA wellness flyer for details).  This voluntary and confidential program is designed to help individuals with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.  Participants in COVA Care may receive calls from Anthem representatives as part of routine COVA Care plan outreach to state employees. During these calls, you may be asked to confirm your mailing address or date of birth.  This is very important, because Anthem never wants to share medical information with anyone other than the actual person who has been identified with a condition.  An exception is that a parent may be asked to provide this information on behalf of a minor child.  A social security number should not be requested or revealed in the call, and this is understood by the Anthem outreach specialists. 

If you have any questions regarding ConditionCare outreach calls, contact the State Office of Health Benefits at ohb@dhrm.virginia.gov or 1-888-642-4414.

State Dependent Eligibility Audit Response Deadline was on Friday, October 9. The deadline for employees with dependents to respond to the state health benefits dependent eligibility audit was this past Friday, October 9.  To date, the Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit unit has received more than 32,000 responses and mailed almost 19,000 confirmations. 

Fall Convocation - State of the University Address

All university faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the State of the University address by President Alan G. Merten on Wednesday, October 14, at 3:00 pm, in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall on the Fairfax campus. The address will be broadcast to the Prince William Campus (Bull Run Hall, Room 130) and the Arlington campus (Arlington Original Building, Room 250). Mason’s budget and enrollment are among the topics expected to be covered by the president. In addition, new faculty and staff members will be recognized.  A reception will follow.

One Week Left to Get Your Wayne Brady Tickets, Don't Miss It

George Mason University Life and Student Activities are excited to announce Emmy award winning comedian Wayne Brady will be performing at the Patriot Center on October 17 at 8:00 pm.

Brady is a multifaceted entertainer with his talents excelling on television, film, and the stage. Currently the host of Fox’s Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Brady has also demonstrated his improvisational creativity as a performer on ABC’s Whose Line is it Anyway? He will soon be hosting the old daytime game show, Lets Make a Deal, scheduled to replace Guiding Light on CBS this month.

Most known for his comedic abilities, in 2008 Brady revealed a different side with the release of his debut album A Long Time Coming. The album received critical acclaim and Brady’s cover of A Change is Gonna Come earned a Grammy nomination.

Brady’s high-energy live shows combine improvisational comedy and song and dance tributes to his biggest inspirations.

There are a limited number of tickets left. Make sure to get one while they last.

Mason Students: $5 (Max. 2 with a valid Student ID) (Patriot Center Box Office Only)
Mason Faculty & Staff: $15 (Max. 2 with a valid Faculty/Staff ID) (Patriot Center Box Office Only)
Mason Student's Family Members: $15 (Max. 2 with a valid Student ID) (Patriot Center Box Office Only)
General Public: $25 available at all Ticketmaster locations.

Girl Scout Day is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, when the Mason women host Delaware (2:00 pm) at George Mason Stadium. The day will feature a halftime sing-a-long for the girl scouts featuring songs such as Girl Scouts Together, and This Land is Your Land. The girl scouts in attendance will also be invited to be part of player introductions before the start of the match.

Tickets can be purchased by girl scouts and their families for $1 per person in advance of the game. Reservations must be made by October 15 by contacting the Mason Athletic Ticket Office at 993-3270 or faxing in the order form.

Boy Scout Night will be held on Saturday, October 24, when the men's team hosts Georgia State at 7:00 pm.
The first 200 Boy Scouts in attendance will receive a commemorative patch. Tickets can be purchased by boy scouts and their families for $2 per person in advance of the game. Tickets must be ordered by October 21 by contacting the Mason Athletic Ticket Office at 993-3270 or faxing in the order form.

Judaism, Monotheism, and the Political

What is the relationship between monotheism and the political? Is biblical monotheism compatible with modern Western democracy or does biblical monotheism fund intolerance and conflict with a culture of democratic pluralism? Recently, a number of leading philosophers and political thinkers including Alain Badiou, Giorgio Agamben and Regina Schwartz have renewed modern, European criticisms of Jewish monotheism as particularistic and conflict-generating. In this symposium, a panel of leading scholars of Jewish philosophy and political thought will address the question of the relationship between Judaic monotheism and the political.

Panelists will pay particular attention to an analysis of the biblical account of Mosaic monotheism and the impact of this account upon the openness of the Judaic legal tradition. Panelists will use these analyses to respond to recent challenges to Jewish particularity within contemporary political philosophy.

The symposium will be held on Wednesday, October 28 from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm in Research I, Room 163. For more information visit religious.gmu.edu/events or contact Randi Rashkov, rrashkov@gmu.edu, 993-2778.

Harry Markopolos Lecture

Come hear Harry Markopolos give a lecture in the Concert Hall Lobby on Thursday, October 15 from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm. A reception will follow the lecture and it is free and open to the public. Harry Markopolos is the 30-year veteran of the financial industry who blew the whistle on Bernie Madoff and his $50 billion Ponzi scheme, unearthing what is believed to be the largest financial fraud in history.

Visit ncc.gmu.edu for more information.

48th Annual SPEP Conference

The Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy Conference will take place from Thursday, October 29 - Saturday, October 31 at the Key Bridge Marriott, in Arlington.

For registration information visit http://www.spep.org/. For further information contact Wayne Froman, wfroman@gmu.edu, 993-1298.

Fall ITU Projects Briefing

The Fall Information Technology Unit (ITU) Projects Briefing will be held on Wednesday, October 21, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am in Research I, Room 163, on the Fairfax Campus. The briefing will be video conferenced to Arlington Original Building, Room 250 and Prince William Occoquan Building, Room 221.

The event, open to the entire Mason community, provides an opportunity to learn about projects and activities happening across all areas of the ITU.  Some of the scheduled presentations (subject to change) include:

• Student Email
• myMason Portal: Information and Announcements
• Library Research Portals
• Banner 8 Upgrade
• Data Center Move

Some applications will be demonstrated, and there will be a Q & A following the presentations. 

For information on this or previous briefings, visit the Projects page on the Project Management Office website, or contact Robert Nakles, rnakles@gmu.edu, or John Prette, jprette@gmu.edu, of the ITU Project Management Office.

Masonvale Open House

Lincoln Property Company cordially invites you to attend an Open House at Masonvale from Monday, October 19 through Thursday, October 22. We will be opening up the homes from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm each day to give you the opportunity to view the various floor plans. Leasing Specialists will be available to answer any questions you may have about the exciting opportunity to become one of the first Masonvale residents.

You can be a part of Masonvale from the very beginning. With brand new stacked flats and town homes, Masonvale offers the newest in luxury housing designed specifically for you, the faculty and staff of George Mason University. Located on the Northeast corner of campus, you’re right where you want to be: walking and biking distance to campus locations and buses, minutes from old town Fairfax, and less than five miles to the Metro. Available now at 5-10% below local market rates, Masonvale is the first and last place you’ll want to see. Come see what all the excitement is about.

Visit www.masonvale.com for more information and don't hesitate to call the leasing office at 703-865-4870 with any questions.

The Origin of the World: An MFA Thesis Exhibition, by Jessica Clements

This series of old-master-style paintings explores labor, childbirth, and postpartum.  The paintings illustrate what happens to a woman’s body during birth, show what it is like to have a healthy and natural birth, offer an opportunity to confront our cultural fear of birth, and demonstrate the strength and beauty of a birthing woman and her child.  The paintings will be on exhibit in the Johnson Center’s Gallery 123 from October 5 – 16, from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm (weekends by appointment). 

Family Weekend 2009

Family Weekend is nearly here.  Plan to spend October 16-18 with us as we welcome our students, their families and your colleagues from across campus to participate in fabulous fun-filled family events.  What a great chance to introduce your family at home to your family at Mason. 

A complete Family Weekend schedule and the Mason Faculty and Staff Registration Form can be found at http://masonfamily.gmu.edu. 

Faculty and Staff who register will receive complimentary admission for themselves and up to three family members. See the online packet and schedule for details on specific events.

To Register: Complete the Mason Faculty and Staff Registration Form available at  http://masonfamily.gmu.edu and return it to Orientation and Family Programs and Services via email to families@gmu.edu, campus or US Mail to: The Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services, MS 5G2, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, or in person to our offices in Northern Neck Hall, Room 108. 

Feel free to contact the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services at 993-3961 if you have additional questions. 

Disability Awareness Month Events

This week's events for Disability Awareness Month are the following:

Wednesday, October 14: The Effects of Discourse about Autism and Disability with Dr. Tyler Cowen. 12:00 noon, SUB II, Rooms 1 & 2.

Thursday, October 15: Pre-Mason Madness Social Event. 4:30 pm, Johnson Center, Room A.

Celebrating Disability Awareness Month

October 27, Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall South, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

This single day conference is designed to provide attendees with information about disabilities and related services. This event is open to anyone interested in learning more about local disability related businesses and Mason disability related offices. Join us in celebrating Disability Awareness Month. For more information on attending or staffing a table call 993-4329.

Jim Larranaga and Peter Pober to Speak at Fairfax’s Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day

Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Larranaga and Faculty Senate Chair Peter Pober are confirmed to speak at this year’s Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day at the Fairfax Campus.  This free all-day event includes breakout sessions on a wide variety of topics, a resource fair featuring local vendors, networking opportunities and door prize drawings.  All Faculty, Administrative/Professional Faculty, and Classified Staff are invited to register for the event, which will take place at the Fairfax Campus on Wednesday, October 28 and at the Prince William Campus on Friday, October 30.  Registration is still open, but spaces are filling up fast.  Questions?  Contact Robyn Madar at 993-4180 or visit http://hr.gmu.edu/training/ for the full agenda and more information.

Training

New Faculty Advisor Workshop

The Academic Advising Center staff will be conducting a workshop for new faculty advisor's in Student Union Building I, Rooms A, B & C from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm on Wednesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 15. You just need to attend one day. Come to learn basic advising skills, university general education requirements, campus referrals, and important academic policies. Register by 5:00 pm on October 12 by emailing Angela Butts at ajenkin1@gmu.edu. If you have any questions contact Angela Butts at 993-2477.

OSP Workshops

Administering Personnel Costs on Sponsored Programs. Tuesday, October 13, 9:30 am to 11:30 am in Research I, Room 92. This session will cover topics related to personnel working on sponsored programs. The focus will be on the hiring, terminating, and changing the funding source for employees. Reallocation of salary, Funding Change & Cost Transfer forms, labor encumbrances, fringe benefits and reconciling labor charges will be discussed.

PI Report Workshop. Tuesday, October 20, 9:30 am  to 11:00 am in Johnson Center, Room 311B. Hands-on training for using Discoverer reports to view financial transactions related to sponsored projects.

OSP Roundtable. Wednesday, October 28, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon in Research I, Room 163. The Office of Sponsored Programs will hold a roundtable session for departmental administrators working with sponsored projects.

Environmental Health and Safety Office

The Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHS) is offering the following fire safety training session on Tuesday, October 13, at the Fairfax campus, in the new Police and Safety Headquarters, Room 230.  Check in at the reception window on the second floor.

10:00 am to 11:00 am - Fire Extinguisher Training

EHS is also offering the following laboratory safety training sessions on Wednesday, October 14, at the Fairfax campus, in the new Police and Safety Headquarters, Room 230.  Check in at the reception window on the second floor.

10:30 am to 12:30 pm - Chemical Safety
1:00 pm to 2:15 pm - Biosafety
2:15 pm to 3:00 pm - Bloodborne Pathogen Training for Laboratory Personnel
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm - Laboratory Safety Refresher

For complete training session descriptions and to register for training, visit the EHS Web site at http://ehs.gmu.edu. It is the policy of George Mason University to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodations to fully participate in training, contact EHS prior to the training date. For non-English speaking employees, translation services may be available upon request.

HR

New SUPERvisor Series: When Domestic Violence Comes to Work. Domestic and dating violence will directly impact 1:3 women in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control.  These 1:3 women live in your community, work with you and even attend Mason as students. Domestic violence does not stay at home and its red flags can often be seen in the workplace or the classroom.  Come to this workshop to learn how you can recognize, respond and refer friends, co-workers and students who may be in violent relationships.  Come learn how you can speak up when you see a red flag.  All Mason supervisors are invited to attend this workshop on October 15 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm in Research I, Room 162.  Light refreshments will be served.

Life Planning Seminar: Advance Planning for Elder Care Giving...Thoughts from the Trenches. Join Kate DeWitt from Personal Money Matters, LLC as she addresses getting organized in your caregiving role.  Thursday October 22, SUB II, VIP I from 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm.

I-9 Training. Are you now in a position to assist new employees in completing the I-9 form? Do you have questions about the process? Get your questions answered and learn the procedures needed to accurately complete the I-9 form.  This workshop will take place on October 19 from 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm in Johnson Center, Room A.

Customer Service Certificate Program: Networking at its Best @ Prince William Campus. Learn how to use your resources to build a network that can help you deal with just about anything.  This training session will provide you with tips and techniques for creating, cultivating, and capitalizing on networking relationships and opportunities.  Find out how to get to know the people you need to know; how to keep relationships up-to-date and alive; how to ask for what you need when you need it; how to sparkle in the information age and on the Intranet; and how to avoid the top ten networking turn-offs.  Join us at PWC in Occoquan Building, Room 110A on October 23 from 10:30 am - 12:00 noon.

To register for any of these classes, visit http://hr.gmu.edu/training and click on Courses.