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Events and campus updates curated for university faculty and staff.

Around Mason 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
• This Week in AI
• Event Highlights
• Human Resources News
• ITS Bits and Bytes
• Policy Updates
• Coming to a Student Near You
• Patriot Pets

Campus Operations

Budget Forum: Budget Model Year 1 Debrief

Co-hosted by the Faculty Senate and the Office of the Provost, this offers an opportunity for faculty to reflect on the first year of George Mason’s budget model, with a focus on the experiences of our colleges and schools. Join university academic leadership for an open and transparent discussion about the model’s implementation, lessons learned, and an opportunity to have your questions answered. Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 3–4:15 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall, Room 1201, and virtually on .

Policy Management Group: Opportunity to share feedback

are created and maintained through a centralized process facilitated by the , which includes representatives from various academic and administrative units at George Mason. University policies are reviewed on a routine basis and are revised when necessary.  

The Policy Management Group will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Members of the university community are invited to and share written feedback on new policy proposals/revisions prior to Nov. 10. To share questions or feedback on university policies, contact upm@gmu.edu.

No classes on Election Day, Nov. 3

There will be no classes on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for Election Day. University offices will be open. View the and the for guidance.

Thanksgiving break regional shuttles

Book a one-way or round-trip ticket to/from the Fairfax Campus for Thanksgiving break with regional shuttles to New York City and Virginia Beach. George Mason ID required when boarding. .

Rave Guardian public safety app

The Rave Guardian public safety app offers a virtual safety escort feature, allows you to submit tips to George Mason Police anonymously, and functions as a virtual blue light phone that can relay your profile information and location if you activate an emergency call from the app. The app also has a map of all AEDs, Bleeding Control Kits, and Narcan on campus. This app is free to all George Mason students, faculty, and staff through the iTunes store and the Google Play store.

Professional Development and Training

Threat Evaluation and Reporting Overview (TERO) training

George Mason's Threat Evaluation and Reporting Overview (TERO) training provides campus community members with an introduction on how to support the identification of threats or concerning behaviors on campus. The session covers a variety of topics including targeted violence, behavioral threat assessment and management, and how to recognize the warning signs. The session emphasizes the importance of community involvement and raises awareness about the behavioral approach to violence prevention.

The training is based on primary sources including a collection of publications from contemporary peer-reviewed scientific literature and federal agencies involved in the prevention of targeted violence.

on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 1–2:30 p.m. in the Johnson Center, Room E.

Research and Scholarship at George Mason: Orientation and Refresher

Research and Scholarship at George Mason: Orientation and Refresher is a series of one-hour virtual sessions designed to help faculty navigate the grant lifecycle and access resources that support externally funded research, scholarship, and creative activities. 

The first session, "Working with the Office of Sponsored Programs," will be held via Zoom on Nov. 16 from noon to 1 p.m. Learn how the Office of Sponsored Programs supports proposal submissions, coordinates required reviews and approvals, and manages contracts and agreements related to sponsored projects. .

Upcoming opportunities from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning

Looking for a meaningful way to strengthen your teaching and earn a credential along the way? Upcoming workshops and clusters offer valuable opportunities for faculty of all appointment types, experience levels, and disciplines. 

Do you want to grade efficiently? Do you want students to use your feedback to improve their performance on assignments? In the "Grading and Feedback Strategies that Work for Your Workload" workshop on Friday, Nov. 13, from 10-11 a.m. via Zoom, graduate instructors will consider a case study on how to adapt grading to changing circumstances. Open to all graduate students, this workshop is required for the SkillCraft Level 1 Essentials Credential.

Earn the Level 1 Teaching Essentials credential by attending Stearns Center's High Impact Practices Cluster on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Thursday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon. Earn the Certified Mason Core Instructor Certification by also attending Solving the Puzzle on Friday, Nov. 6, from 11 a.m. to noon. 

Faculty:
By now you’ve probably heard of ChatGPT or one of the other various new large language models (LLMs) that have taken the world by storm. But do you know how to deal with ever-evolving artificial intelligence technology as it relates to your teaching? In this mini course, you will be exposed to the basics of redesigning your course as it relates to learning outcomes and instructional activities. This is a five-session program running weekly on Mondays from Nov. 2–30. Successful completion will earn participants a level 2 CPD credential from the Stearns Center.

from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning.

Strengthen how you connect with others

Strong workplace relationships begin with understanding our experiences and the perspectives of others. Explore conversation, storytelling, cultural awareness, curiosity, and perspective-taking as practical tools for stronger relationships through upcoming virtual workshops hosted by the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community ():

• Building Community with Compassionate Conversation: Nov. 3, noon to 1:30 p.m.
• The Story of Me, the Story of Us: Nov. 16, noon to 1:30 p.m.
• Nurturing Cultural Awareness: Nov. 30, noon to 1:30 p.m.
• Cultivating Empathy: Dec. 3, noon to 1:30 p.m.

Grand Challenge Lightning Talks and Matchmaking Mixer

The Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact invites George Mason faculty and potential partners to the Grand Challenge Lightning Talks and Matchmaking Mixer on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 1–4 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall, Room 1204. 

Attendees can explore innovative research, connect with collaborators, and learn more about the Grand Challenge Initiative. Interested in presenting? Submit a 100-word research idea summary by Oct. 26. Each presenter will have three minutes to share their concept and collaboration needs. Following the talks, participants can network and discuss future proposals. .

Sexual Violence Prevention and Awareness training

All employees, including student wage employees and those who are confidential employees (as defined in University Policy 1202), must complete each calendar year. Employees may complete the training in one of two ways: 

1. Completing Title IX and Related University Policies—Required Employee Training online through Mason LEAPs; or 
2. Attending a live training in person or via Zoom conducted by the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community (OACC).

Each year, OACC offers live trainings at various points of the academic year. Upcoming live trainings:

• Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. via Zoom.  
• Thursday, Feb. 11, 2027, at 11 a.m. via Zoom.

For questions, contact Hortense Rascoe.

Thriving Together

November Staff Senate meeting

The November Staff Senate meeting will feature guest speaker Sumeet Shrivastava, rector of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Board of Visitors, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 11 a.m. to noon. Attend in person on the Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall, Room 1201, or via Zoom. .

Clear the air(ways): Respiratory iIllness vaccine clinic on Nov. 11

Before you travel this holiday season, protect yourself and others from respiratory illnesses like flu, RSV, COVID, and pneumonia. This event is free and open to George Mason employees (full- and part-time) and their families (ages 18 and up) who have health insurance plans that participate with Giant Pharmacy. . Vaccines will be offered on the Fairfax Campus, Population Health Center (connected to Peterson Hall).

Individuals insured through Kaiser or with other coverage should verify their eligibility before signing up for an appointment. Those ineligible for this event should speak to their healthcare provider or visit to find an appointment. 

In most cases, vaccines can be co-administered. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your vaccination needs. Remember to bring your health insurance card with you to your appointment.

This Week in AI

Professional development session with the AI Community of Practice

Curious about how AI can make your work day a little easier? Join the Staff Senate and the George Mason AI Community of Practice for a special session designed for George Mason staff looking to work smarter, simplify tasks, and explore the possibilities of AI. 

The session will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. Attend in person on the Fairfax Campus, Merten Hall, Room 1204, or virtually. . 

From the CAIO: What universities must preserve when agents deliver

Why will the mathematicians keep working? Why will the scientists keep inquiring? from ��ɫ��Ƶ Chief AI Officer, Amarda Shedu, on her Substack.

Well-being webinar: Compassionate Leadership in the Age of AI

Join the on Tuesday, Nov.10, from noon to 1 p.m. for a webinar, "Compassionate Leadership in the Age of AI: Where the Evidence Meets Your Team’s Experience.” Discover how compassionate leadership drives engagement, retention, and well-being. Suzie Carmack, the center's senior scholar, will discuss the business case for compassionate leadership, evidence-based leadership practices, and practical ways to use AI while maintaining authentic human connection. .

Mini Course: Introduction to AI Inspired Pedagogies

The Stearns Center's  "" mini course is for faculty who are interested in updating assignments for their spring courses in the age of generative AI. Part of the . Weekly sessions from Nov. 2–30, 1:30-3:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Join the George Mason AI Community of Practice

The AI Community of Practice is a peer-learning community for non-instructional staff who want to explore AI tools, develop time-saving workflows, and learn from colleagues across the university. Members share real-world examples, practical tips, and lessons learned while gaining access to free training on AI tools available at George Mason. . 

AI training schedule from ITS

Information Technology Services (ITS) has released its fall AI training schedule. . Additional training options will be added throughout the semester, so be sure to check back regularly.

Event Highlights

Veterans Day Luncheon

��ɫ��Ƶ celebrates and honors Veterans Day, which is nationally recognized on Nov. 11. This is a day that commemorates veterans of all wars and those who have proudly served in defense of America and its values.

George Mason's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program and the Office of the President will honor veterans with a luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 11:45 a.m. George Mason Community members who have proudly served the country are invited and encouraged to attend. .

At George Mason, we aspire to serve our veterans with as much dedication and devotion as they have provided to our country. We hope all veterans have a memorable Veterans Day. ��ɫ��Ƶ salutes you!

After Virginia Votes

, Virginia's premier post-election retrospective, returns on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. This year's discussion will feature four panelists providing insight into the strategic and tactical decisions shaping the outcomes of Virginia's 2026 midterm elections. This free event will be recorded in front of a small studio audience at Mason Square and simultaneously broadcast live via YouTube. 

After Virginia Votes is organized by the Virginia Public Access Project and supported by the Schar School of Policy and Government at ��ɫ��Ƶ. .

Collegiate Eating Disorder Symposium

Join Student Health Services and the Eating Recovery Center for the Collegiate Eating Disorder Symposium: From Awareness to Action. This interactive educational experience focuses on advancing campus-based eating disorder assessment and treatment strategies and includes expert-led presentations across a range of topics. The program is designed for health care professionals but is open and relevant to any campus professional who works with students at risk. Continuing education (CE/CME/CNE) accredited. Friday, Dec. 11, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fairfax Campus, The Hub ballroom. .

18th-Century Baking Challenge with University Libraries

��ɫ��Ƶ Libraries will host the 18th-Century Baking Challenge on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The event features a panel discussion with historic cooking scholars and practitioners, followed by a baking challenge featuring , an 18th-century manuscript cookbook held by the Special Collections Research Center.

Panelists Lacey Villiva, culinary history educator at Gunston Hall, and CiCi Williamson, past president of Culinary Historians of Washington, will discuss 18th-century cookery and answer questions. 

Participants may attend without entering the baking competition. Bakers may prepare one or more of three selected recipes: Rasbery (raspberry) Clear Cake, Chocolate Puffs, or Potatoe Bread. Attendees will judge the entries. . To compete, email Megan Reichelt by Nov. 16.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Final Round

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a research communication competition in which George Mason doctoral (PhD) candidates and MFA students present their research to a non-specialist audience in three minutes using only one visual aid. Students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis or dissertation research and its significance. Watch the finalists present their research on Friday, Nov. 6, from 3–5 p.m. at the Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, cinema. .

Upcoming performances and arts events at George Mason

Open through Nov. 21
Curator: Cheryl D. Edwards
Mason Exhibitions Arlington (3601 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia)
This exhibition brings together works by veteran artists whose practices emerge from the enduring afterlives of military service. This exhibition examines memory, history, and the physical and psychological residues of war. In the context of the United States’ 250th anniversary, it reconsiders national narratives as contested and ongoing rather than resolved.

Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
The George Mason Jazz Workshop, directed by John Kocur, explores the creative possibilities of improvisation and composition in a fresh and experimental way. This performance will feature rearrangements of classic compositions by jazz legends Joe Henderson, Mary Lou Williams, and Wes Montgomery, alongside new jazz compositions by Dan Pugach, Chuck Israels, and Roxy Coss. This concert is free and open to the public.

Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Faculty and students from George Mason’s nationally-renowned School of Dance present diverse choreography, delivering compelling performances that explore personal and universal themes.

Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Join an evening where memorable music meets heartfelt stories that honor our brave veterans. This performance is free, but tickets are required.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
The Jazz Combos (directed by Shawn Purcell) and Braddock Road Brass Band (directed by Graham Breedlove) perform their fall concert featuring music by Trombone Shorty, Herbie Hancock, Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne, Antonio Carlos Jobim and more! This concert is free and open to the public, with no tickets required.

Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Jazz4Justice™, an award-winning partnership between the George Mason jazz program and Legal Services of Northern Virginia. Proceeds from this concert help provide free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families facing issues such as housing, domestic violence, consumer protection, family law, veterans' services, and public benefits. The evening will feature swinging classics from the golden age of the big band, celebrating both the enduring spirit of jazz and a remarkable partnership that has helped strengthen our community.

Monday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts 
Join Darden Purcell, the Mason Jazz Voice Studio, the DownBeat Award-winning Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, and very special guests, Forest Park High School's "Platinum" Vocal Jazz Ensemble (directed by Lara Brittain), for an unforgettable evening of swinging jazz standards, infectious Latin American songs, and timeless classics from the Great American Songbook.

Nov. 20–21, multiple performances
Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building, TheaterSpace
The classic story of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, as told through radio theater. Adapted by Isabel Smith-Bernstein, based on the novel by Mary Shelley. Co-directed by Nick Horner and Lena Salins. Nov. 20 performance will include a post-show talkback. 

Saturday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Art imitates life—and life can take unexpected turns. A traveling troupe of comedians arrives in a lively town, ready to bring laughter to the stage. But behind the painted smiles and playful costumes lie secrets, jealousy, and a hidden love affair that threatens to tear the group apart. What begins as an evening of lighthearted entertainment erupts into a suspenseful tale of heartbreak, suspicion, and revenge. Sung in Italian with English captions. 

Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
A leading force in Taiwan’s classical percussion scene, Ju Percussion Group makes its debut at the Hylton Center in Energy ∞ Infinite. Founded over 30 years ago, Ju Percussion Group blends traditional and contemporary influences, fusing Asian and Western cultures through inspiring music.

Saturday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
See a half a dozen of the world’s most talented four-legged performers in an uproariously funny, comedy dog spectacular that is leaving audiences everywhere howling for more! The all-star lineup includes a Guinness World Record holder, an America’s Got Talent fan favorite, and a host of amazing dogs that will dance, prance, flip, and skip their way right into your heart. 

Friday, Nov. 27, at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
SciTech Campus, Hylton Center, Merchant Hall
Virginia National Ballet's gorgeous production of The Nutcracker sells out early each year and is the perfect way to start the holiday season. The whole family will enjoy the spectacular backdrops and scenery, beautiful costumes, and world class choreography and dancing. 

Human Resources News

HR News Podcast now available

What if catching up on Human Resources (HR) news felt more like listening to a colleague than reading another email? The HR News Podcast makes it easy to stay informed while commuting, walking across campus, exercising, or taking a break. Each episode features conversations about benefits, well-being, professional development, and other resources designed to support faculty and staff. It's a simple way to stay connected, learn something new, and discover tools that can help you thrive at George Mason. Listen on or

ITS Bits and Bytes

Alumni email is changing 

Email service for George Mason alumni is transitioning to an email forwarding service. After multiple email solutions were offered over the years, a forwarding service was chosen to provide a sustainable and affordable solution for alumni to stay connected to the university. The new forwarding service offers an @gmualumni.org email address that forwards messages to a non-George Mason email address. This change does not affect current students or employees. .

New school year, same old phishing

The new school year brings an increase in phishing attempts by cybercriminals who know people are busy. As students, faculty, and staff are settling into the new academic year, it is an important time to remain on guard and to received. Reporting phishing emails allows George Mason's Information Technology Services (ITS) to properly assess and notify others who may be targets. , or by calling ITS Support at 703-993-8870. 

Policy Updates

New university policies and recent updates

New policies on and were approved in July. The was updated to distinguish processes for online degree programs and online degree pathways, as well as to define online courses. 

Revisions were also made to the following policies:

• and more.

To see all policy updates, visit .

Coming to a Student Near You

Gold Rush

, an annual George Mason tradition, is a fun-filled gameday festival at EagleBank Arena on Friday, Nov. 6, at 5:30 p.m. Get your free T-shirt while supplies last. Cheer on the Patriots at the men's basketball game vs. Coppin State at 7 p.m.

Thanksgiving break regional shuttles

Book a one-way or round-trip ticket to or from the Fairfax Campus for Thanksgiving break. Shuttles travel to New York City and Virginia Beach, with stops along the way. George Mason ID required when boarding. .

From the Offices of...