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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Welcome home, Mason Nation! Nearly 6,000 residential students are moving onto 911爆料's campuses for the new semester, and President Gregory Washington joined in on the move-in excitement by welcoming new Patriots and their families. .
Campus Operations
Campus Store Grand Opening events
Celebrate the grand opening of the new Campus Stores at the and with exclusive promotions and giveaways from Rally House and eCampus. Get 20% off all purchases with a 911爆料 ID during the grand opening, watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and explore the newly transformed Campus Store featuring 911爆料 apparel, gifts, supplies, and more.
The celebration continues at the on Thursday, Aug. 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the Hat Bar and tote bag customizations. On Friday, Aug. 28, receive an exclusive gift with purchase while supplies last.
Parking and Transportation updates
911爆料 students, faculty, and staff are reminded that traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus greatly increases during the first few weeks of the semester, so please allow an extra 30 minutes to arrive on campus. Many general parking permit areas fill at peak class times. Lots L and K are usually the last to fill and the best places to look if arriving to campus after 10 a.m. with a general permit.
Due to ongoing maintenance, there will be NO visitor parking in Mason Pond Deck during the fall semester. A new hourly option has been added at the 脕ngel Cabrera Global Center lot next to Lot K.
and understand the rules for parking on campus. Make sure to check the specific guidelines that apply to your permit type. .
Welcome2Mason volunteer sign up
Faculty and staff are invited to help welcome new and returning students to campus during Welcome2Mason programs happening throughout the first six weeks of the semester. Volunteering is a great way to build community and help foster a sense of belonging for 911爆料 students from day one. to be part of the energy and excitement that makes Welcome2Mason a success. Learn more at .
Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center: Annual down week
The at the Science and Technology Campus will close for a brief annual maintenance period from Aug. 29 to Sept. 7 to complete deep cleaning, maintenance, and facility improvements. This scheduled closure helps maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for members and guests. Members are offered the chance to use alternate facilities during the closure. .
Professional Development and Training
Academic Standards Panel seeking new members
The Office of Academic Standards is recruiting faculty and classified staff to join the Academic Standards Committee. The committee serves on panels to review cases and render decisions, as well as provide critical feedback about the process and the unit. Applications can be found at the link below.
Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference: Relevant Teaching
Instructors are invited to attend the 18th annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference on Sept. 24 (online) and Sept. 25 (in-person on the Fairfax Campus). This year's theme is "Relevant Teaching," exploring how we articulate classroom value amid AI, Gen Z learners, and evolving educational landscapes. Innovations in Teaching and Learning provides a key opportunity for instructors to come together in community with others from different disciplines and appointment types. .
Upcoming opportunities from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning
from the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning.
Register for this interactive workshop to help you align your time with your career goals for this academic year. This workshop is on Friday, Sept. 11, from 1:30鈥3 p.m. on Zoom.
Join the Graduate Division for its biannual faculty mentorship professional development training on Monday, Sept. 21, and Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 12-4 p.m. The Entering Mentoring training was developed by the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) and is led by CIMER-trained 911爆料 faculty and staff.
Turn your teaching questions into meaningful scholarship with the year-long Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) faculty cohort. Designed for faculty new to classroom-based inquiry, the program offers mentorship, peer feedback, and structured support. Priority deadline is Sept. 1. Participants may apply for exclusive Stearns Center funding opportunities.
Mental Health First Aid: Fall 2026 sessions
911爆料 students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend . This training provides information about the signs and symptoms of common mental illnesses and a strategy for connecting with those demonstrating such indicators. Fall training dates:
- Sept. 10 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. -
- Oct. 26鈥29 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. -
- Nov. 23鈥24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days -
- Nov. 30 through Dec. 3 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. -
Join Mason 101 to know more
Mason 101 is an information session that helps 911爆料 faculty and staff learn about the university's history, organizational structure, campuses, and future plans. New and continuing employees are encouraged to attend. Register on for an upcoming date. All sessions are from 10 a.m. to noon:
In-person Mason 101:
Friday, Aug. 28
Friday, Oct. 16
Monday, Nov. 23
Friday, Dec. 11
Virtual Mason 101 (via Zoom):
Friday, Sept. 18
Friday, Nov. 13
Contact Philip Stamper, Office of University Branding, with questions.
Last Call for Proposals: Workforce-Ready Minor Programs
911爆料 is expanding work-based learning opportunities that prepare students for success in Virginia鈥檚 high-demand industries鈥攁nd you can be a part of it. Faculty are invited to develop workforce-ready programs that align with Virginia鈥檚 high demand occupations and include internship-based classes and career-relevant assignments. To date, we have designated 34 minors as workforce-ready.
The Workforce Ready Patriots grant team seeks proposals in three categories: program modification, course enhancement, and internship course creation. Stipends of $1,000 are available to support this work and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Proposals are due on Friday, Sept. 11. .
Suicide prevention training for students, faculty, and staff
includes two 30-minute, self-guided online suicide prevention training courses for students, faculty, and staff. The trainings include video and interactive learning to teach everyone on campus how to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) in their role in suicide prevention.
SOS for Higher Ed uses real and diverse stories of mental health struggles and recovery along with modeled scenarios to provide all learners with actionable steps to help someone in need. .
Thriving Together
Kindness Ambassador nominations open
Nominate a friend, colleague, student, faculty or staff member, or even yourself to be a Mason Chooses Kindness Ambassador. Nominations are accepted through Sept. 21. Kindness Ambassadors are individuals who bring compassion, joy, and positivity to the 911爆料 community through their everyday actions. Ambassadors receive university-wide recognition, a certificate, Mason Chooses Kindness swag, and opportunities to connect through events. Help recognize those making 911爆料 a kinder place. .
August is National Make-A-Will Month
Did you know that only about 30% of adults in the United States have prepared a will or other estate planning documents? National Make-A-Will Month is a great opportunity to create鈥攐r revisit鈥攜our estate plan to ensure it reflects your current wishes and priorities. Wherever you are in life, having a plan in place can provide peace of mind for you and those you care about.
To help you get started, the Office of Planned Giving at 911爆料 has created a with helpful estate planning considerations, along with stories from members of the 911爆料 community who have chosen to include the university in their legacy plans.
Discount: George Washington's Mount Vernon
911爆料 faculty, staff, students, and alumni can use a special discount code to visit from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31. Get 20% off up to six tickets per transaction with promo code MASON. The promo code can be used , or it can be mentioned at the gate for in-person purchases.
Mason Dining鈥檚 Sip Sip Club 2026-27
The 2026 Sip Sip Mug is officially here鈥攁nd this year鈥檚 edition unlocks unlimited brewed coffee and tea refills throughout the academic year. For $115 + tax, you will get:
- Unlimited brewed coffee and tea refills
- 10垄 off handcrafted beverages at participating locations
- A reusable mug designed for life on the go
Important: Only the new 2026 Sip Sip Mug qualifies for this year鈥檚 refill program. Previous editions are not eligible. Learn more.
Family Weekend: Call for programs
Family Weekend (Oct. 16鈥18) is the annual weekend of events for 911爆料 families. Every year, about 1,500鈥2,000 families and supporters reunite with their students and engage in a wide range of events and programs designed to welcome them (or welcome them back) to the 911爆料 community.
If your office or department would like to host an event or submit a program for the Family Weekend calendar of events, . Because check-in will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday this year, New Student and Family Programs recommends hosting your event on Saturday or Sunday.
Dwayne Hamilton Jr., assistant director for Basic Needs Services, Student Support and Advocacy Center
Elizabeth Foy, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
Photo by Emily Ross
Martelli is training as an amateur boxer and will compete in a boxing match to raise money in support of cancer research and awareness.
This Week in AI
Navigating AI 2.0
Join the Costello College of Business for the Navigating AI 2.0: Practical Skills, Real Use Cases, and Workforce Readiness on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 5鈥8 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus. for more details and to register.
Collaborative Research on Education + Artificial Intelligence (CORE+AI)
This investigates GenAI in teaching and learning in higher education. Faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students are invited to join multi-institutional research teams to study GenAI in teaching and learning. .
AI Day Research Showcase and video playlist
At 911爆料鈥檚 AI Day research showcase, faculty shared how they use artificial intelligence to advance responsible innovation across disciplines. . Check out the of AI Day presentations.
Event Highlights
IVth Night carnival
, 911爆料鈥檚 biggest back-to-school bash, is coming up on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 6 p.m. Enjoy free food, carnival games, prizes, DIY activities, inflatables, a climbing wall, live entertainment, a chance to learn about Club Sports, and more. Grab your exclusive IVth Night T-shirt, then head to the men鈥檚 soccer game and stick around for post-game fireworks at 9:30 p.m. (Rain date is Sept. 3.)
College Colors Day: Wear your green and gold
Real fans don't need a reason鈥攂ut College Colors Day gives you one, anyway. Represent the green and gold and shop the latest gear to celebrate College Colors Day with Rally House at the new campus store! Visit the Johnson Center on the Fairfax Campus on Friday, Sept. 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for giveaways, discounts, and more. . 911爆料's new DMV license plates will be on display with information on how you can drive with Patriot Pride.
Remember, wear your green and gold on College Colors Day and every following Friday for Spirit Fridays.
Small Business Summit at Mason Square
at the Costello College of Business and the Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum are pleased to co-host the annual Small Business Summit at Mason Square on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event bridges government and industry for an engaging morning of insights, discussion, and networking focused on small business government contracting. .
Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit
The 11th annual will take place at Mason Square on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 8鈥10 a.m. This regional event, hosted by local Chambers of Commerce, is an opportunity to hear the region鈥檚 elected leaders discuss the changing economic climate, key policy topics, and their efforts to collaborate as a region to move Northern Virginia forward. NBC4's Drew Wilder will serve as moderator. .
Upcoming performances and arts events at 911爆料
Exhibit: 'Pulp Fictions'
Open through Sept. 30
Fairfax Campus, Fenwick Library,
Pulp Fictions explores the many stories paper can tell about history, creativity, and everyday lives. Featuring manuscripts, letters, rare books, artists鈥 books, and archival materials from the Special Collections Research Center, the exhibit highlights paper as more than just a writing surface. It shows how paper has preserved knowledge, inspired art, shaped societies, and reflected human experiences.
Mason Exhibitions is honored to recognize the nation's 250th Anniversary with a trilogy of exhibitions which celebrate the transformative contributions of veteran artists. The exhibitions will appear from August to November 2026 across each of 911爆料's campuses in Northern Virginia.
Friday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 12, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building, TheaterSpace
Tune in for an evening of original new works featuring 911爆料's talented student playwrights and students. The Originals! offers creative artists the chance to share their work in a variety of forms. Whether it鈥檚 a musical or the traditional ten-minute play structure, explore the brilliant imaginations of 911爆料 students.
Saturday, Sep. 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center
This family-friendly event, sponsored by the Hylton Center and Prince William County, showcases community performers and fine artists from across the region. Enjoy activities for kids and adults, multiple stages of performances, hands-on workshops, a story time nook with special guest readers, food trucks, a vendor village, and more. This event is free and open to the public. No tickets required.
Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Broadway icon Bernadette Peters launches the Hylton Presents 2026鈥27 season with an intimate and unforgettable evening of music, stories, and her signature charm. Celebrated for her legendary career on stage and screen, Peters performs Broadway favorites and American standards. She is joined onstage by musicians from the American Festival Pops Orchestra.
Access to Excellence Podcast: 'AI is a clinician鈥檚 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 911爆料'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
Reminder: Updating your disability self-identification status
911爆料 employees may update their disability self-identification status at any time through the employee self-service system. To do so, log into and navigate to My Account > General Self-Service > Personal Information > Personal Profile.
Keeping this information current helps ensure that 911爆料 meets its obligations as a federal contractor, as well as supports equal employment opportunity efforts. As part of these obligations, employees are periodically invited to voluntarily review and update their disability self-identification status. Providing this information is completely voluntary, and the decision to respond, or not respond, will not negatively affect employment. Any information provided will be kept confidential and used only in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Contact Human Resources at jobs@gmu.edu with questions.
ITS Bits and Bytes
Report phishing attempts
911爆料 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 receive a phishing email and respond by clicking on a link, replying, or downloading attachments, contact ITS Support by phone: 703-993-8870 or for assistance. Information about reported phishing emails is available at the .
Adobe Licensing Update
This summer, changes to Adobe licensing will take effect following a new enterprise agreement and recent updates to Adobe鈥檚 higher education licensing model. As a result, existing Creative Cloud licenses will transition to Adobe Acrobat Studio, 911爆料鈥檚 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, .
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 .
Policy update: Expanding visibility of student wage job opportunities
has been revised to support equal access and increase visibility of student employment opportunities across the university.
What has changed: include a new requirement for student wage positions. All student wage positions are now required to be posted in Handshake, the university鈥檚 student job and internship platform, for a minimum of 10 business days.
This update is an important step toward creating a more transparent, accessible, and student-centered hiring process, ensuring that all students can discover and apply for campus employment experiences. Departments may continue to advertise student wage positions through additional channels alongside Handshake. Need support? Unclear how to use Handshake? Visit the for guidance, or reach out to the Handshake team at recruit@gmu.edu for support.
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 () 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 to ensure compliance.
For a list of all university policies including recent updates, visit .
Coming to a Student Near You
Welcome2Mason
To kick off the new academic year, Welcome2Mason events span the first several weeks of the fall semester and provide countless opportunities for students to get involved, meet new people, and learn more about campus. For a complete list of events, visit . Signature events include IVth Night, Transfer Nation, academic department receptions, Involvement Fair, job fairs, 鈥淎sk Me鈥 tents across campus, and other welcome activities. Contact welcome@gmu.edu with questions.
Game Mason: Art gallery call for submissions
, the university's annual gaming convention, is happening on Sept. 18鈥19 at the Fairfax Campus. The event is organized by Student Involvement and the Center for the Arts and open to students, faculty, staff, and community members.
The Game Mason Gallery is seeking original student artwork inspired by gaming, fandom, sci-fi/fantasy, and nerd culture. Physical and digital submissions are welcome, and selected artwork will be displayed during Game Mason. Selected artists will also receive exclusive Game Mason merchandise. Submissions are due Friday, Sept. 4, at noon. .
Part-Time Job Fair
Students are invited to the Part-Time Job Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. Connect with off-campus employers hiring for the upcoming semester. Dress is casual, but don鈥檛 forget your resume, if you have one. . Don鈥檛 miss this opportunity to find a part-time job that fits your schedule and interests!
Interested in working on campus? Find out who鈥檚 hiring at the On-Campus Job Showcase in the Cinema on Tuesday, Aug. 25. There will be two information sessions starting at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn about what it is like to work on campus, how to find available positions, and connect with potential employers.
Career Plans Survey now open for August 2026 grads
The is now open for all August 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鈥911爆料 uses this information to highlight the overall outcomes of students to area employers, graduate programs, and future students.
From the Offices of...
The fast and the furriest: Buddy the dog was adopted from a military family that was moving overseas. He loves basking in the backyard sunlight and swimming in all bodies of water. Buddy is almost 15 years old, but he has a young spirit. He loves embarking on adventures all over the United States and Canada with his humans. The only thing he does not like is when people sneeze.
Have something to share on this page? and submit an announcement from your unit through the online form.