| ||
|
The Purchase and Travel Charge Card Vendor is Changing Request for ITU Customer Service Excellence Award Nominations Nominations for Mary Roper Award Security Tip - Use Hard to Guess Passwords for All of Your Accounts George Mason Parking Services is Moving All Classified and Non-Student Wage Staff Are You Assigning Papers? Schedule a Writing Center Roadshow The Flying Karamazov Brothers - Life, A Guide for the Perplexed Three Hotels Performance - Katrina Benefit Monitoring and Evaluating International Development Programs Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 - October 15 CAS Celebration of Scholarship Symposium College of Nursing and Health Science Town Hall Meeting Roundtable Discussion for Financial Administrators of Special Projects Environmental Science & Policy Fall Seminar Series
|
Mason E-FilesPosted September 19, 2005 | |
| Announcements | ||
|
| ||
|
The Purchase and Travel Charge Card Vendor is Changing The Department of Accounts (DOA) has selected GE Corporate Payment Systems (GE) to be the new Corporate Card contractor for state agencies and institutions. The University will soon convert from American Express to a new General Electric MasterCard for both the Corporate Purchasing and Corporate Travel Cards. The transition process has already begun from a high level approach between DOA and GE MasterCard. The anticipated roll out of the new cards will be in mid-October of this year. Although the exact details are not yet known, DOA expects the switch to cause minimal disruption to cardholders. We will keep you informed as we know more details, such as when to destroy your AMEX card, and when and how you will receive your new MasterCard. Employees with a Purchasing Card will be automatically reissued a new MasterCard, but must take certain steps in anticipation of the conversion. Existing Travel cards will not be automatically reissued. Individuals who require a Travel Card must complete an application. For information on both the Purchasing and Travel Card conversion, visit the Fiscal Services web site at http://fiscal.gmu.edu/Procedures/PCard%20Conversion.htm | ||
|
Request for ITU Customer Service Excellence Award Nominations The Information Technology Unit recognizes individuals and teams every fall with the Customer Service Excellence Awards. These awards acknowledge outstanding service and customer satisfaction. Online nominations for the 2005 ITU Customer Service Awards will be accepted until October 7. If you receive service you think is deserving of recognition, take a minute, visit our Web site, and complete the nomination form. The selection committee, consisting of a representative from the Staff Senate, Human Resources, and the university community will review the nominations. The winners will be announced shortly after National Customer Service Week, October 3 -7. Nomination Form: http://itucustomerservice.gmu.edu/index.asp?pID=awards&sID=nomination Additional Information: http://itucustomerservice.gmu.edu/index.asp?pID=awards | ||
| Construction site barriers are plentiful on all three campuses. The barriers are to warn persons regarding dangerous conditions - debris, trip hazards, boards with nails, and equipment. Faculty, staff, and students who enter these posted areas do so at their own peril. Plan your trips across campus to avoid these hazards. You can check the following web site for information on campus construction: http://www.gmu.edu/departments/facilities/construction. If you have any safety concerns contact the Safety Office, 993-2479. | ||
|
A couple of weeks ago, the Safety Office published a reminder to pedestrians to be careful when crossing our roads. As a result of construction, the usual crossing patterns continue to change and those cautions are even more valid today. Drivers also need to exercise a high degree of caution, especially when there is heavy pedestrian traffic. The Police have stationed officers at critical points to help control both foot and vehicle traffic, but every driver needs to focus on driving safely (i.e. delay that cell phone call until you are stopped). A lapse of attention for even a few seconds can have disastrous results. Any time a pedestrian and a vehicle come together violently, it is the pedestrian who loses. Also, remember that the right of way is something that must be given - not taken. Thanks for driving safely on our streets. | ||
| Nominations for Mary Roper Award The College of Arts and Sciences invites nominations for the Fifth Annual Mary Roper Award for Outstanding CAS Staff Service. The award is named for Mary Roper, Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Staff, who worked in the Department of Biology and in the CAS Dean’s Office for a total of 14 years. It is given to a classified staff member in CAS who has shown outstanding service in support of the core goals of the college. Nominations are due by October 3. For additional information, visit the CAS website | ||
| Security Tip - Use Hard to Guess Passwords for All of Your Accounts Your user ID and password identify you (authenticate who you are) and your access rights (authorization-what you have permission to see and do) to data on a server. Hackers use special programs that attempt to find your password by running through every word in the dictionary, every common proper name, every sequence of 1-12 numbers, and various combinations of these. Once they have your password, they control your computer. For step-by-step instructions go to http://security.gmu.edu/desktopsecurity see Basic Security Step 2. | ||
| George Mason Parking Services is Moving Be advised that on Thursday, September 22 at 12:00 noon the Parking Office will be closed. The office will reopen in its new facility, located next to the Sandy Creek Parking Deck, on Monday, September 26. Make sure to take care of any parking issues you may have before the office closes. Any questions can be directed to Ann Moran, University Services, 993-8868 | ||
| All Classified and Non-Student Wage Staff The Staff Senate is calling for nominations to fill open seats in the 2005 special elections. If you are interested in nominating yourself or your co-workers, submit the required information (name of nominee, department, MSN, phone, e-mail, the campus where you/they work, and a short bio about what you/they do in your/their position with the University and why you/they want to serve on the Staff Senate). Be specific about which seat you wish to fill. Submission deadline for sending information to staffsenate@gmu.edu is 4:30 pm Monday, October 10. Or you may fax your nominations to 993-4150. Seats (terms effective immediately upon election): Fairfax F1 - Two-year term beginning immediately and ending 6/30/2007 (4 seats). F2 - One-year term beginning immediately and ending 6/30/06 (2 seats). Total of 6 seats Arlington A1 - One year remaining on a two-year term ending 6/30/2006 (1 seat). Total of 1 seat Prince William PW1 - Two-year term beginning immediately and ending 6/30/2007 (1 seat). PW2 - One year remaining on a two-year term ending 6/30/2006 (1 seat). Total of 2 seats. Requirements: 1. All nominees must be either classified or non-student wage. 2. All must be permanent non-probationary employees. 3. Nominees may only represent the campus at which they currently work. 4. You may nominate anyone across the three campuses. (For example, if you are a Fairfax employee, you may nominate someone on the Arlington campus. However, that Arlington employee can only be nominated to fill an Arlington seat). We encourage you to read the By-laws and Constitution at our Web site. If you have questions, e-mail us at staffsenate.gmu.edu. | ||
| Latest Details on Classified Employee Raises. The state's Department of Human Resources Management has issued its final guidelines for performance increases. Classified employees who began their state service prior to July 25, 2005 with Performance Evaluation Ratings of Fair or higher will receive a 3% increase on November 25. This increase will be reflected on the December 16 paycheck. Classified employees with five or more continuous years of state service will receive an additional $50 per year; this additional increase will be applied before the 3%. For details, visit the HR web site and click on the link provided under What's New. Faculty ORP Participant? Considering retirement in the next few years? Register now for the pre-retirement information conference on September 28, 2005 to receive access to valuable information and resources from the experts to help you plan your retirement. Pay Check Questions? Forgotten how Deferred Pay works? Check it out at http://hr.gmu.edu/gen-info/deferredpay.shtml. Need to change your emergency contact or address? Log into Banner Self Service. Forgotten how to log on? Just visit http://hr.gmu.edu/time/ESS.doc. Daycare. Need assistance finding day care for your children? Visit http://www.FindingDaycares.com, a childcare finder website under development by some Mason graduate students. The site currently lists all licensed daycares in Virginia, as well as state inspection information. It allows you to search based on city or zip code. This site is in its beta stages; if your needs require any additional information or functionality, the designers would appreciate your feedback. Community Service Leave. Now that public school is back in session, we wanted to remind you that full time classified employees receive 16 hours of community service leave each year which can be used for parent teacher conferences, accompanying your child on field trips, and other school and community related activities. (Part-time classified employees receive this leave based on the proportion of a 40 hour week they work.) This leave is designed to allow employees to provide service to their communities. Such service may be provided through school assistance or as a volunteer member of a community service organization. Appropriate uses of this leave also include donating blood, assisting at a local public school, delivering meals to shut-ins, etc. This leave is designed to enable you to provide voluntary hands on services (not to attend planning meetings or to take a vacation). It may be used to provide hurricane relief services, but not for relief training. Thinking about improving your health? Consider joining Wellness Works, a fitness campaign in conjunction with the Washington Board of Trade that encourages employees to participate in physical activity. Visit the What's New section of the HR web site to find out more about this competition and to register for the opening walk scheduled for noon next Tuesday, September 27. | ||
|
Print Services would like to assist you by meeting all your photocopying needs (black and white and color copying). We have several locations to serve you. | ||
| Fairfax - Johnson Center, Room 135, 993.9083 | ||
| Robinson Hall, Room B301, 993.2560 | ||
| Fenwick and Johnson Center Library walk-up copying, 993.9010 | ||
| Pay for Print in Student Labs at various locations | ||
| Arlington - Law Library Copy Center, Room 134, 993.8141 | ||
| Pay for Print in Student Labs | ||
| Prince William - Bull Run Hall Copy Center, Room 108, 993.8474 What types of services do we provide other than copying? Finishing – spiral bind, velo-bind, bind fast, coil binding, cover binding, stapling, folding (various types), and shrink-wrap; Laminating (Johnson Center only); T-shirt production (Johnson Center only); Incoming and outgoing faxes. Your originals can come by eTransfer to DocuTech print que (Johnson Center only), email, campus mail, or disk or other storage devices. For more details or turn-around time, call you nearest copy center. | ||
| Are You Assigning Papers? Schedule a Writing Center Roadshow Writing Center tutors are available to visit your class for 10 minutes to introduce your students to our services. If you or your students would be interested in such a presentation, send an email to Sarah Baker at sbaker@gmu.edu. Include the name/number of your course, the date and time you would like us to visit, and your classroom location. Writing Center locations include Fairfax (Robinson and Enterprise), Arlington, and Prince William. We hope you will include the Writing Center URL http://writingcenter.gmu.edu/ on your syllabus and mention us in your class. Our web site includes many helpful resources and we now have online scheduling for appointments. | ||
|
| ||
| Events | ||
| Celebration of Success - September 24 Tickets are still available for Exceeding Expectations: The Campaign for George Mason University on September 24 at 8:15 pm in the Concert Hall, a lively look inside the campaign with CNN special correspondent and George Mason's own Frank Sesno. Dessert and dancing to follow, 9:00 - 11:00 pm. Tickets are complimentary, but reservations are required. To reserve your tickets, visit www.campaigncelebration.gmu.edu. | ||
|
Chanticleer, universally praised for their high level of artistic measure, performs EarthSongs, featuring folk songs, madrigals, poetry from Dickinson and others, and contemporary compositions on Sunday, October 2 at 7:00 pm in the Concert Hall. An artistic discussion, free to ticket holders, begins 45-minutes prior to the curtain. Tickets are $44, $36, $22 and are available at Tickets.com, 703-218-6500 or www.tickets.com. | ||
| The University Libraries Copyright Office will present Sex, Lies and File-Sharing: P2P Theory Versus Practice? on Tuesday, September 20 from 10:00 -11:30 am at the Johnson Center, Conference Room 311. Topics will include all aspects of file-sharing and most recent legislation, as well as important facts that you should know to avoid criminal prosecution. This workshop is geared toward students, faculty and staff. To register, go to http://www.irc.gmu.edu/wems/workshops/default.cfm or email copyright@gmu.edu, or call 993-2544. | ||
|
The Flying Karamazov Brothers - Life, A Guide for the Perplexed The Flying Karamazov Brothers have been seen in the most prestigious theatres in the English-speaking world from Singapore to Scotland; and toured extensively throughout the United States. The Center for the Arts welcomes this imaginative and wildly entertaining quartet, who have elevated juggling to high art, on Sunday, October 7 at 7:00 pm. The performance is Family Friendly – all children 12 and under are half price. A pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, is held 45-minutes prior to the curtain on the Hall’s Grand Tier. Tickets are $40, $32, $20 and are available at Tickets.com, 703-218-6500 or www.tickets.com. | ||
|
| ||
| The Academic Advising Center and the Office of the Provost would like to invite undergraduate faculty and advisors to attend an advising roundtable breakfast on Friday, September 23, in the Mason Hall Board Room, from 8:30 – 10:30 am. The Roundtable discussion will focus on the of the new degree audit and the financial policies that have been implemented. Reservations are required. Call or e-mail Lynn Siegel at 993-2477 or lsiegel@gmu.edu to reserve a place. | ||
|
| ||
| Maestro Peter Mark’s 30th Anniversary production with Virginia Opera is La Traviata. Fulfilling Virginia Opera’s mission of discovering and nurturing young artists, Virginia Opera Artistic Director Peter Mark has chosen soprano Cristina Nassif to sing the coveted leading role of Violetta in Verdi's romantic tragedy, La Traviata – the tale of a beautiful courtesan in 19th century Paris who sacrifices everything in the name of love. The company brings the production to the Center for the Arts on Friday, October 14 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, October 16 at 2:00 pm. Pre-performance discussions, free to ticket holders, are held 45-minutes prior to each curtain on the hall’s Grand Tier. Tickets are $84, $68, $44 and are available at Tickets.com, 703-218-6500 or www.tickets.com. | ||
|
| ||
| Three Hotels Performance - Katrina Benefit The Thursday, September 29 performance of Three Hotels at George Mason University's Theater of the First Amendment (performed in Harris Theater) has been designated as a benefit performance in support of the American Red Cross's efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina -- 50% of all the box office proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross. | ||
|
| ||
| Monitoring and Evaluating International Development Programs The Global Humanitarian Action Program of Mason's Center for Global Education is organizing a workshop on Monitoring and Evaluating International Development Programs with Kyung Endres, CEO of True Panacea and international consultant on food security and strategic planning. The workshop is on September 21 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Arlington Campus, Original Building, Room 256. Those interested in attending should contact Marcel Kitissou at mkitisso@gmu.edu by September 20 at 4:00 pm. | ||
| Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 - October 15 Hispanic Americans: Strong and Colorful Threads in the American Fabric is the national theme for Hispanic Heritage Month 2005. The Office of Diversity Programs & Services joins numerous university departments, offices, and student organizations to provide educational programs that celebrate Hispanic history and culture. Events and activities include a keynote address by Marie Arana, editor of the Washington Post's Book World; a showing of the movie Maria Full of Grace; and the annual Shades of Brown poetry festival featuring Puerto Rican poet Judith Ortiz-Cofer. The calendar of events for George Mason University's celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month are now available. Come by the Office of Diversity Programs & Services located in SUB I, Room 224 to pick up a copy of the calendar. You can also find a list of events on our website: http://www.gmu.edu/student/msaf/HHMmain.htm If you have any questions, contact the Office of Diversity Programs & Services at 993-2700. | ||
|
CAS Celebration of Scholarship Symposium On Wednesday, September 21, 2:30 - 4:30 pm in Dewberry Hall, North a panel of past scholarly award winners will discuss the interplay between scholarship and teaching, the importance of communicating scholarship to laypeople, and the fundamental question of what fully constitutes scholarship. Panelists include Lois Horton, James Pfiffner, Peter Brunette, Kevin Avruch, Robert Ehrlich, Debra Bergoffen and Linda Seligmann. Daniele Struppa, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, will facilitate the discussion. | ||
| College of Nursing and Health Science Town Hall Meeting The College of Nursing and Health Science is proposing a significant expansion of mission and related change in organization and name. The proposed changes have been approved by the College faculty and by the Department of Social Work, the units most involved. The proposals can be viewed from the Faculty Senate website. The town hall meeting, sponsored by the Senate and the Provost's office, responds to standard requirements for a change of the sort being considered. The Town Hall meeting will be held Thursday, September 29, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm in Mason Hall, Room D3 A&B. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 993-8776. | ||
|
Roundtable Discussion for Financial Administrators of Special Projects Friday, September 30, from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon, in Johnson Center, Room D; and Thursday, November 10, from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon, in Johnson Center, Gold Room (ground floor) The Office of Sponsored Programs invites all administrative personnel who participate in financial administration of sponsored projects to two meetings scheduled this semester. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss various areas of sponsored programs financial administration and to provide an open forum for discussion about topics that are of particular interest to financial administrators. The discussion topics for the first meeting will include: unallowable costs; reallocation timeliness (cost transfers); miscellaneous pay for faculty; effort reports; cost share documentation practice—audits; financial review of accounts/closeout (financial management of grants); and update on new reports being developed Future topics will be developed by requests or clearly identified needs. Contact Eve D’Angelo, edangelo@gmu.edu or 993-2988. | ||
|
On Tuesday, September 20, the Staff Senate will hold its regular monthly meeting from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm in Mason Hall, Room D1. Cathy Hubbs, IT Security Coordinator, will be making a presentation on Security Issues. Stop by and get to know your senators. | ||
| Environmental Science & Policy Fall Seminar Series Perspectives in Human Ecology are presented on Tuesdays from 10:30 am - 12:00 noon. October 11. Willet Kempton, Anthropologist, University of Delaware, Forestalling Catastrophic Climate Change: Our Generation's Task, SUB II, Room 3 . October 18. Timothy Heleniak, Geographer, University of Maryland, Population and Development in Siberia and Northern Russia, SUB II, Room 3. October 25. Igor Krupnik, Anthropologist, Smithsonian Institution, Bridging Human and Environmental Studies in the North: A Vision for International Polar Year 2007-2008, SUB II, VIP 2. November 15. Noel Broadbent, Archaeologist, Smithsonian Institution, The Search for a Past. The Prehistory of the Indigenous Saami in Northern Coastal Sweden, SUB II, Room 7. November 29. Kathy Metzo, Anthropologist, UNC-Charlotte, Pipelines in Siberia: Debating Conservation, Development, & Heritage and Ellen Bielawski, Native Studies, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Diamonds on Dene Land: A Canadian Story, SUB II, Room 7. Questions, contact Susan Crate, ESP, scrate1@gmu.edu. | ||
|
| ||
| Training | ||
| Administrative Faculty Performance Evaluations. Administrative faculty evaluations are due at the beginning of October. A session focused on administrative faculty evaluations will be conducted at Innovation Hall, Room 334 and teleconferenced to Prince William, Occoquan Building, Room 221 and Arlington, Original Building, Room 335, on September 19, from 10:00 am to 12 noon. Solving Problems Without Pain. Learn practical ways to address difficult situations and manage conflict. September 27, 8:30 to 11:30 am, Johnson Center, Gold Room. Register online on the HR website or call 993-2621. Fiscal Basics. An overview presented by Fiscal Services. September 21, 9:00 to 11:00 am, Innovation Hall, room 215G. Register online on the HR website or call 993-2621. Pre-Retirement Seminar for Participants in the Optional Retirement Program. September 28, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, Johnson Center, Cinema. Register online on the HR website or call 993-2621. e-Work at Mason. An introduction to Mason's electronic system for recruiting faculty and classified employees. September 27, 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the Arlington Campus. Classified Performance Evaluations. Classified evaluations are due by mid-October. A session focused on classified evaluations will be conducted on the Fairfax campus in the Johnson Center, Gold Room (lower level) on October 4 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Additional sessions will also be scheduled. Travel Training. An overview presented by Fiscal Services. October 5, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon, SUB II, Room 1&2. Health Check Screening. The CommonHealth HealthCheck Program is coming to the Fairfax Campus. October 18, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm and 2:30 - 3:30 pm, Facilities Administration Building, Room 208. | ||
| ||||||||||
| Site
maintained by: | ||||||||||
| Bobbie
Fuller, Information Services | ||||||||||
| (703)
993-1005 | ||||||||||
|
Last
updated: September 16, 2005 | ||||||||||
| http://www.gmu.edu/departments/infoservices/efiles.html | ||||||||||