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.
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Photo of the Week: Perfect Pair. George Mason track and field will have two women’s athletes competing at the NCAA Championship. Abby Weening (left) advanced as one of the nation’s top 24 heptathletes during the outdoor season. Kennedy Drish will compete in the pole vault. The championships begin on June 11. Read more.
Campus Operations
Bookstore transition updates
In April, George Mason announced plans to move its apparel, bookstore, and course materials operations to Rally House and eCampus.com, effective July 1. To facilitate the transition, the bookstore on the Fairfax Campus will be closed from June 2–14, and the Mason Square bookstore will be closed starting June 2 (reopening date TBA). For updates and FAQs, visit the Bookstore transition updates page.
Fairfax Campus Notice: High school graduations at EagleBank Arena
Heavy traffic is expected on and around George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus as EagleBank Arena hosts local high school graduation ceremonies through Wednesday, June 17.
EagleBank Arena will host up to three ceremonies each day, so traffic may be entering and exiting campus from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Please allow extra travel time on and around campus. View the full schedule of high school graduation ceremonies.
To avoid event traffic, drivers should park in Rappahannock Parking Deck, using the General permit parking areas on levels 1–2 and the ramp leading up to Level 3. Shenandoah Parking Deck will be open for General permit overflow parking on all graduation days from May 28 through June 17. Please return your vehicle to your authorized parking area by Thursday, June 18, at 7 a.m.
As a reminder, Parking Services has relaxed the parking requirements for the summer so that Reserved, Resident Lite, Field House, and West Campus permit holders may park in General permit parking areas 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation. Visit parking.gmu.edu for more information.
Mason Square: Wilson Boulevard Streetscape Improvement project
In the summer of 2026, Arlington County will begin work on the final segment of the Wilson Boulevard Streetscape Improvement project to widen sidewalks and implement safety improvements near Mason Square.
The project will take place on Wilson Boulevard between North Kenmore Street and 10th Street North, and on parts of 10th Street North between North Jackson Street and North Ivy Street. This work is expected to be completed in 2028. Read more.
Professional Development and Training
Power + Character Training
The Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement invites George Mason faculty, staff, and graduate student employees to a dynamic professional development opportunity, the Power + Character Training. This free, three-day experience will explore the core idea that "Power + Character = Citizenship" and is designed to spark a lifelong commitment to civic engagement. Learn about tools you can immediately apply in your work, whether in teaching, mentoring, leadership, or student support. The training will take place on July 27–29 on the Fairfax Campus in The Hub ballroom. Register.
Summer Knowledge Share Series: Working in Uncertain Times
Registration is now open for University Business Consulting’s annual Summer Knowledge Share Series. This summer’s series follows the theme, "Winning this Season: Building your personal playbook for stewardship, strategy, and leadership in uncertain times."
Faculty and staff are invited to sign up for the following sessions (choose as many as you like):
- Tuesday, June 9 – Defensive Fundamentals: Operating with clarity in constrained times
- Wednesday, July 8 – Offensive Moves: Adapting and coordinating in a complex institution
- Tuesday, Aug. 11 – Coaching Your Team: Accountability, well-being, and communication
Sessions will be hosted at noon on the Fairfax Campus in Merten Hall and via Zoom. Find out more and register.
Register for 'Thrive at Mason'
"Thrive at Mason" is a professional development opportunity with sessions and workshops featuring experts from across the university on topics like managing complex teams, leadership, collaboration, and training on practical policies and procedures at George Mason.
This summer, join "Thrive in Practice: Practical tools, efficient processes, and skill-building techniques to strengthen your effectiveness and confidence at work."
Join the all-day, virtual event on Wednesday, July 15. Select the sessions that meet your needs and interests. Leave with strategies you can use right away and feel ready to thrive in your role at George Mason. View the schedule and register.
Mental Health First Aid
Taking good care of our mental health is an important part of being resilient. George Mason students, faculty, and staff can learn how to help someone suffering from a mental health crisis by taking Mental Health First Aid training. Increase your knowledge about mental health and break down the stigma associated with mental health and substance use challenges.
Choose from and register for these upcoming sessions:
- July 21 and 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (wait list)
- August 11–12 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Thriving Together
Faculty and Staff Book Scholarship: Call for applications
George Mason faculty and staff are invited to apply for the Faculty and Staff Book Scholarship, a $500 scholarship dedicated to paying for academic materials for George Mason courses. Learn more about eligibility and apply. The deadline to apply is July 6 at 5 p.m.
The Faculty and Staff Engagement team will notify all applicants of their status and the next steps by Aug. 6. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your academic success! Contact awards@gmu.edu with questions.
Summer discounts: Patriot Perks and more
For summer fun—and all year long—the Mason Nation can access discounts and savings through Patriot Perks. Get exclusive deals when you present your George Mason ID at local businesses including restaurants, entertainment, professional services, travel, and more. Faculty and staff are also eligible for additional savings through the Virginia Employee Discounts Marketplace.
Mason Rec summer membership discount for faculty and staff
Prioritize your wellness this summer with the Mason Recreation Faculty and Staff Promotional Membership. Whether you want to hit the pool, challenge a colleague to pickleball, or refresh your gym routine, we have everything you need to stay active right here on campus.
The cost is $75 for access from May 16 through August 15, 2026. Eligibility: must be a current George Mason faculty/staff member. Payroll deduction cannot be used to cover this membership. Enroll online or in-person.
Extra benefits include:
- One free InBody Scan over the summer
- 20% off an annual membership purchase after the summer, and a second free InBody Scan to track your progress
BioEBuzz summer camp
Rising high school juniors and seniors can join George Mason's Department of Bioengineering for an immersive one-week summer camp exploring biomechanics, biomedicine, and biomaterials through hands-on labs, 3D printing, cell culture, motion capture, and robotics. Tour cutting-edge facilities, enjoy campus life, and compete in a team challenge. Winners earn a summer internship in a bioengineering research lab. Three summer sessions are available. Applications are accepted through June 22. Learn more. Contact bioebuzz@gmu.edu with questions.
Math enrichment camp: 50% discount for faculty and staff
Mason Math Odyssey enrichment camp is a place for rising 6–9th graders who are curious about math to learn about mathematics concepts typically not taught in K-12 curriculum. Students will engage in fun and friendly team competitions that will help build mathematical maturity while honing problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills. George Mason faculty and staff are eligible for 50% off camp registration. Learn more. Mason Math Odyssey is hosted by the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Intro to Mindfulness Sessions
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to learn mindfulness meditation techniques to boost resilience and overall well-being through online Intro to Mindfulness sessions this summer:
- Intro to Mindfulness Part 1: Wednesdays from 4–5:15 p.m. on June 10, 17, 24, and July 1
- Intro to Mindfulness Part 2: Wednesdays from 4–5:15 p.m. on July 8, 15, 22, and 29
John Forgy, environmental graphic designer and sign program manager, Campus Planning, Facilities and Campus Operations
Aquanetta Betts, Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations
Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding
Action-packed and kid-approved: George Mason welcomed 262 “Junior Patriots” and their families for Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day at the Fairfax Campus and Mason Square on April 23. Junior Patriots visited departments and offices to explore life on campus.
Event Highlights
Coaches Caravan with George Mason Athletics
George Mason Athletics invites the Mason Nation to the Coaches Caravan on Saturday, June 27, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Old Town Square Park (10415 North Street) in the City of Fairfax. This community event brings together coaches, staff, alumni, fans, donors, families, and community members for a fun and interactive evening.
The Coaches Caravan will include a meet and greet with coaches and George Mason Athletics leadership, a coaches panel and Q&A, prizes, and giveaways. RSVP.
Kick it with D.C. United
Join the Mason Nation for a night with D.C. United on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Discounted game tickets are available for the match as D.C. United takes on the Nashville SC. Purchase tickets.
Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center announce 2026–27 seasons
Subscriptions are now available to the 2026–27 performance seasons at George Mason University's Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center. George Mason faculty, staff, and retirees are eligible for 50% off tickets to select performances when purchasing subscriptions to three or more performances. Learn more on the Center for the Arts and Hylton Center websites.
Upcoming performances and arts events at George Mason
ARTfactory Actors Theatre: 'Disney’s Newsies: The Musical'
June 5–21, multiple performances
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
Inspired by the true story of the 1899 Newsboy Strike, this Tony Award-winning Broadway musical tells the rousing tale of Jack Kelly and his band of spirited newsboys who dream of a better life. When publishing giants raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies young workers from across the city to stand up and fight for what’s right.
George Mason Jazz Camp
June 22–26, multiple performances
Fairfax Campus
The George Mason Jazz Camp includes daily concerts that are free and open to the public; no tickets or camp registration required. Performances include a Faculty Showcase, Steve Williams Mighty Little Big Band, Roxy Coss, US Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, and a Student Showcase.
ARTfactory Pied Piper Theatre: 'Disney’s The Lion King JR.'
June 26–28, multiple performances
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
The unforgettable journey of Simba comes to the stage in this timeless coming of age story that follows a curious cub as he navigates the Circle of Life, confronts his wicked Uncle Scar, and discovers his place on the throne with the help of friends. The whole family will love this production that features all your favorite songs from the Disney classic.
Access to Excellence Podcast: 'AI is a clinician’s newest diagnostic partner.' Professor of health informatics Farrokh Alemi joins President Gregory Washington to discuss the unique juncture of health care, industrial engineering, and now, artificial intelligence; specifically, what AI can do for educators and clinicians.
Today @ Mason is George Mason's official university calendar. Whether looking for a specific event or browsing for something to do, it's all there.
Community Calendars
Human Resources News
Performance management update: A simpler path to recognition
Effective immediately, George Mason 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. Learn more.
This Week in AI
CIO Charmaine Madison honored with Change Champion Award
Charmaine Madison, vice president for information technology and chief information officer, has been honored by Cloudforce with a Change Champion Award for leading transformative change at George Mason in the realm of AI, inspiring teams, and challenging the status quo to adopt new ways of working. Learn how Madison champions the adoption of generative AI across the university.
AI Day Research Showcase and video playlist
At George Mason’s AI Day research showcase, faculty shared how they use artificial intelligence to advance responsible innovation across disciplines. Watch the video. Check out the full playlist of AI Day presentations.
ITS Bits and Bytes
Adobe Licensing Update
This summer, changes to Adobe licensing will take effect following a new enterprise agreement and recent updates to Adobe’s higher education licensing model. As a result, existing Creative Cloud licenses will transition to Adobe Acrobat Studio, George Mason’s new standard Adobe platform for faculty and staff, emphasizing creativity, accessibility, efficiency, and automation. Impacted users have been contacted directly, with more information to come for the larger community this fall. For more details, visit the New Adobe Products page.
Microsoft 365 storage update
Microsoft 365 (M365) Outlook emails that are 90 days old or more located in the "Deleted Items" folder will be tagged for permanent removal on a rolling basis. This change was effective on May 18. Evaluate your data with University Records Management Resources. If there are deleted items you want to keep, move them to another Outlook folder or another appropriate storage space such as OneDrive or SharePoint. For more project details, see the M365 Storage Roadmap.
Policy Updates
New Food and Beverage Event Policy now in effect
Planning an event with food or beverages on campus? A new university-wide Food and Beverage Event Policy (Policy 1135) is now in effect and outlines updated requirements for catering, approved vendors, and event planning. All faculty, staff, and student organizations hosting events are encouraged to review the policy to ensure compliance.
For a list of all university policies including recent updates, visit universitypolicy.gmu.edu.
University Policy 1205: Reasonable Accommodation on the Basis of Religion
George Mason University recently adopted Policy 1205: Reasonable Accommodation on the Basis of Religion. George Mason recognizes that Reasonable Accommodations relating to university policies, procedures, or academic, employment, or other requirements may be necessary for individuals to exercise Religious practices, beliefs, or observances. George Mason shall adhere to all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to engaging in an interactive process to identify and provide Reasonable Accommodations as necessary to afford individuals the opportunity to exercise Religious practices, beliefs, or observances. Read the complete policy.
For a list of all university policies including recent updates, visit universitypolicy.gmu.edu.
Coming to a Student Near You
Career Plans Survey now open for May 2026 grads
The Career Plans Survey is now open for all May 2026 grads (undergraduate and graduate). All students are encouraged to take the survey, even if their plans after graduation are not yet final. You can share what you know right now, and you will have the chance to update the information later. The information you provide on this survey helps add value to your degree—George Mason uses this information to highlight the overall outcomes of students to area employers, graduate programs, and future students.
From the Offices of...
Somebunny special. Bunny the dog visited the beach for the first time over spring break and had lots of fun in the sand. She enjoyed barking at beachgoers and playing with her canine sister, Birdie. At home, she loves gazing out the window while holding a bone in her mouth. Bunny lives up to her name: when she gets excited for food or treats, she will hop in circles while she waits.
Have something to share on this page? Review submission guidelines and submit an announcement from your unit through the online form.