Provost's Newsletter

About the Provost's Newsletter

The Provost issues a weekly newsletter during the academic year that highlights graduate education, undergraduate education, faculty affairs, academic innovation and new ventures, university life, Mason in the news, and a variety of upcoming meetings that involve faculty and staff. To read past issues, click on the links below. If you have a story suggestion, please email gmuprov@gmu.edu.

FALL 2021 SEMESTER

December 15, 2021
Congratulations to Mason's 2021 Graduates!; Newsletter to Take Hiatus Until Jan. 19; Be Sure to Watch Provost Ginsberg's Year-End Message; Reminder: Get Your Booster Shot; Messages from the Stearns Center; Welcome2Mason Funding Requests Due Jan. 5; Submit Nominations for Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence by Feb. 4
December 8, 2021
Thank You for Making the Fall Semester Successful; A Brief History of Mason’s Clarence J. Robinson Professor Program; Changes Coming to Taxability of Reimbursements;Mason Community Invited to Participate in Virtual Climate Action Plan Town Hall Dec. 15; Messages from the Stearns Center; Second Annual Research and Scholarship at Mason Scheduled for Jan. 19; Interactive Workshop Series Kicks off Jan. 19 to Discuss Grant Seeking and Grant Writing 101; Welcome2Mason Funding Requests Due Jan. 5; Submit Nominations for Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence by Feb. 4
December 1, 2021
Faculty and Staff Are Invited to Winter Graduation Ceremonies; President Washington Extends Provost Ginsberg’s Term Through June 2025; GEO Monitoring New COVID-19 Variant; Gratitude: Why It’s Important and How to Practice It; Final Faculty Affairs and Research Development Interactive Workshop Series Set for Dec. 2; LAST CHANCE: Nominate Faculty for 2022 Online Teaching Excellence Award by Dec. 3; University Holiday Party to be Held on Three Campuses; Summary of the Nov. 17 Faculty Senate Meeting; Jason McKnight Hired as Director of Graduate Academic Success; Apply for Summer Team Impact Project by Dec. 3; View Fall Virtual Celebration of Student Scholarship Dec. 9 and 10; Participation Requested in Strategic Planning Survey; Welcome2Mason Funding Requests Due Jan. 5; Encourage Students to Apply for Summer 2022 Virginia Statewide Life Science Internship Program by Jan. 31; Submit Nominations for Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence by Feb. 4
November 17, 2021
Upcoming Newsletter Schedule for Final Weeks of Fall 2021 Semester; Nov. 30 Vision Series to Cover How Data Fights Transitional Crime; Ideas Needed for 50th Anniversary Giving Day Fund; Mason Community Encouraged to Attend Climate Action Plan Town Hall Nov. 19; Deadline to Submit Nominations to Term Faculty Committee is Nov. 18; Graduate Student Poster Session Set for Nov. 19; Final Faculty Affairs and Research Development Interactive Workshop Series Set for Dec. 2; Apply for Summer Team Impact Project by Dec. 3; Mason to Compete in NCFA Championship Game Dec. 4; Winter Faculty Writing Retreat: Register by Dec. 10
November 10, 2021
MASON-SECURE Retirement Delayed Until Summer 2022; Provost Ginsberg Meets with AAPI Faculty, Announces Importance of Recognizing Contributions; Mason Community Invited to Hear Title IX Coordinator Give Presentation Nov. 12; Share Campus Scholarship Opportunities with Graduate and Undergraduate Students; Mason Career Influencers Network to Hold Training for Faculty and Staff in November, January and March; Conversation with Ambassador Ertharin Cousin on Resolving Hunger and Malnutrition; TODAY: Panel to Share First-Gen Paths Through Graduate School; Apply for Summer Team Impact Project by Dec. 3; Term Faculty Committee Call for Nominations; Winter Faculty Writing Retreat: Register by Dec. 10
November 3, 2021
Updated COVID Safety Guidelines for the Thanksgiving Holiday Break; Provost Office Refresh: Faculty Affairs; Mason to Celebrate World Kindness Day and Kindness During November; Virginia Course Materials Survey; Academic Publishing for New Authors; Winter Faculty Writing Retreat: Registration Now Open; Submit Comments on Draft Report from the Graduate Education Reimagine Task Force Draft Report by Nov. 5; Apply for Summer Team Impact Project by Dec. 3; Term Faculty Committee Call for Nominations
October 27, 2021
Mason Now Offering Pfizer and Moderna Booster Shots; Provost Office Refresh: Academic Administration; Summary of the Most Recent Faculty Senate Meeting; Mason to Honor Veterans at Luncheon Nov. 12; Libraries Celebrates Open Access Week 2021; Virginia Course Materials Survey; Academic Publishing for New Authors; Interested in Publishing Your Work? Join A Conversation with George Mason University Publishing; Feedback on Mason's QEP Due THIS FRIDAY; Comments on Draft Report from the Graduate Education Reimagine Task Force Due Nov. 5; Apply for Summer Team Impact Project by Dec. 3; Encourage Students to Apply for Upcoming SAIL Alternative Breaks; Term Faculty Committee Hosts Fall Community Conversation Nov. 11; International Education Week 2021: Empower Yourself and Others Through Exploration; Faculty and Staff Housing Available at Masonvale
October 20, 2021
Eduroam to Replace Mason-Secure as Primary Wi-Fi Network; President Washington's Investiture Set for Thursday; Provost Office Refresh: Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning; FERPA Training Required Every Two Years; URSP Applications Now Open, Proposal Workshop TODAY at 5PM; Apply for Summer Team Impact Project by Dec. 3; Schar School’s ACE! Lands NIH Grant to Fund Diversity Mentoring; November Events to Help with Teaching; Two-Day Celebration Scheduled for 2021 University Day Service Awards; 4-VA@Mason Awards Collaborative Research Grants to 11 Faculty Members Across Disciplines; Learn From and Ride with Mason Police on Oct. 28; Term Faculty Committee Hosts Fall Community Conversation Nov. 11
October 13, 2021
Exercise is Medicine Month; Draft Report from the Graduate Education Reimagine Task Force Now Available; Provide Comments Now; Provost's Office Refresh: University Life; Faculty and Staff Should Complete Annual ITS Training by Nov. 15; The New MIX Now Open in Horizon Hall; GRADReCon - Graduate Research Connections Set for Oct. 28 – 29; Mason Libraries Selected to Participate in Leading the Charge Grant; Submit Feedback on Mason's QEP by Oct. 29; Researchers Release Findings on Long-Term Trends Among Nonprofits; Nominations for Mason Alumni Association’s Celebration of Distinction Due Nov. 1; 2022 Teaching Excellence Awards Deadline Extended to Oct. 15; Faculty Asked to Share Details for Building Community for Students of Diverse Identities Event; Adjunct Committee Call for Nominations; Mason Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots to Eligible Populations; Flu Shot Appointments Now Available on Three Campuses
October 6, 2021
In today’s newsletter: Clarification on Emails Faculty Receive When Positive COVID Case Identified in Class; Mason Community is Invited to Attend President Washington's Investiture Oct. 21; Mason Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots to Eligible Populations; Submit Feedback on Mason's Quality Enhancement Plan by Oct. 29; Register for Webinars to Help with Online Courses; Adjunct Committee Call for Nominations; Final Master Plan Engagement Session Set for Oct. 7; Nominations for 2021 Spirit of Advising Excellence Award Due Oct. 15; Make Your Flu Shot Appointment Today for Mid-October on Campus; Join Mason Speakers and Help Connect Campus with Community; Nominations for Kindness Ambassadors Due Oct. 8
September 29, 2021
In today’s newsletter: Mason Changes Surveillance Testing Strategy Due to Low COVID Case Numbers; Vice President Kamala Harris Visits Mason; Deadline to Order Regalia for President Washington’s Investiture is Sept. 30; Provost Office Refresh: Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact; Patriots Thriving Together Campaign to Help Mason Community Tackle Mental Health Issues; Update from Most Recent Faculty Senate Meeting; Flu Shot Appointments Available Oct. 14 & Oct. 19; Inclusive Excellence and Student Support Resources for Faculty Now Available; Mason to Celebrate First BIPOC Well-Being Month in October; Tenure-line Faculty Encouraged to Attend Virtual RPT Forum on Oct. 15; Mason Staff Place in Area 21 Contest; TODAY: Dean to Give State of the College Address; CEHD Receives Six Research Grants from National Science Foundation; Nominations for Kindness Ambassadors Due Oct. 8
September 22, 2021
No Plans to Pivot Online Following Thanksgiving Break; Reminder: Wear Masks Indoors; Download Guide for Faculty and Staff to Support Student Well-being and Mental Health; Mason Vision Series: Climate Change to be Topic of Sept. 27 Event; Provost Office Refresh: Universities Libraries; Evaluation of Administrators Survey Due Sept. 23; Emily Green and Amaka Okechukwu Named 2021-22 Fenwick Fellows; Tenure-line Faculty Encouraged to Attend Virtual RPT Forum on Oct. 15; Faculty Affairs and Development Launches Virtual Workshop Series; Reminder: Faculty Have Free Access to NCFDD; TODAY: Mason Graduate Showcase; Executive Development Launches News Diversity Program; Nominations for Kindness Ambassadors Due Oct. 8
September 15, 2021
Update: Mason's Surveillance Testing Strategy; Provost Office Refresh: Enrollment Management Pier; Faculty: Please Fill Out Evaluation of Administrators Survey by Sept. 23; THIS FRIDAY: Virtual RPT Forum for Tenure-line Faculty; Faculty Senate Updates Committees and Approves Task Force on Reimagining Faculty Roles and Rewards; Call for Nominations: School of Computing Stakeholders Committee; Saving Lives: Mason Researchers, 3M Recognized with a Major Award for Disrupting Counterfeit PPE; Success Coaches to Help Students Find Their Way; Phi Beta Kappa Members: Please Identify Yourselves; Campus Compact Impact Awards Applications Due Sept. 30; Register for the Mason Nation Thriving Together Virtual 5K Oct. 15 – 17; Kindness Ambassadors Nominations Due Oct. 8
September 8, 2021
9^th Annual Mason Nation 9/11 Day of Service Set for Friday; Provost Office Refresh: Academic Affairs Pier; REGISTER NOW! Innovations in Teaching & Learning Conference Scheduled for Sept. 20-24; New Retention and Diversity Dashboards; Kindness Ambassadors Nominations Due Oct. 8; Mason Club Now Open
September 1, 2021
What to Do If a Student in Your Class Tests Positive for COVID; Provost’s Office Launches New Inclusive Excellence Webpages; Mason’s Compliance Office Gets Interim Title IX Coordinator and New Name; Call for Nominations: School of Computing Stakeholders Committee; Lebovic Wins NEH Fellowship; Summer Peer Advisors Welcome New Graduate Students to Campus; Mason Club to Re-Open Sept. 7; New Reservable Group Study Rooms at the JC; Exclusive Staff and Faculty Membership Offers for Fall
August 25, 2021
Provost's Office Issues Faculty Guidance on Managing COVID-19 Policies in Classrooms; Hakeem M. Oluseyi Chosen as Visiting Robinson Professor; Disability Services Implements Changes of Approved Testing Accommodations; Student Complaints Website Now Live; Stearns Center Teaching Squares: Applications Due Sept. 3; Exclusive Faculty and Staff Meal Plans Now Available; Kickstarter Creator Perry Chen to Speak Oct. 7; Fulbright Researcher Jennifer Oreta Joins Schar School’s TraCCC; CARES Act/HEERF III Funding Released to Students; IDIA Announces Winners of Seed Funding; School Supply and Diaper Drive to Support Afghan Refugee Families
August 18, 2021
Welcome Home to Mason!; Fall 2021 Expectations for Faculty; Fall 2021 Syllabus Guidance; Aditya Johri Receives Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award; Are You Teaching Online this Fall?; Faculty Spotlights; Mason Internationalization Lab Report Completed; ScienceConnect to be Held on Fairfax and SciTech Campuses in Mid-September; Find Your Patriot Perks!

SUMMER 2021 SEMESTER

August 11, 2021
Cynthia Lum and John S. Earle Named University Professors; Pres. Washington Announces New Mask Requirement for Mason Community; Financial Framework to be Revamped; The MIX to Reopen in Horizon Hall; Dymon Bailey Named Special Assistant to Chief DEI Officer; Schar School Professors Teach Climate Change as a National Security Issue; Center for the Advancement of Well-Being launches new series of free presentations; Adjunct Faculty Workshop Scheduled for Aug. 14; Mason to Screen Documentary Picture a Scientist on Nov. 4
July 28, 2021
Revisions Made, New University Policies Created and Available for Download; Vaccinations Required for All; New FAQ Shares Details About the Reopening of Campuses; Save the Date: Welcome Back Mason Nation! Convocation to Kick Off Fall Semester on Aug. 20; Units Need to Fill Out SCHEV Survey by Aug. 28; Adjunct Faculty Workshop Scheduled for Aug. 14; VIVA Open Adopt Grants Now Accepting Applications; Reminder About the Libraries’ New Course Reserve System; Sutters Recognized for Leadership and Instruction in Art Education; OSCAR Virtual Celebration of Student Scholarship Set for Aug. 5-6; Nationals to Host Mason Day on Sept. 17
July 14, 2021
More Safety Precautions Put in Place for Fall Semester; Mason Ranks 7^th in Best Online Master’s Programs by Optimal; MESA Will Not be Replaced by Office 365; Please Submit Textbook Orders to the Bookstore; Dr. Jason Dodge Hired as Director for ADVANCE; Mason Links to Presidential Appointees in US Department of Education; Scholars Building Resources to Help Student Communications Skills; Study: Robotic Automation Will Make Public Sector Agencies Faster, More Efficient, and Cost-Effective; Four CEHD Scholars Named Editors of Prestigious Education Journal; OSCAR Virtual Celebration of Student Scholarship Set for Aug.5-6; Mason Study Abroad Week Set for Sept. 20-24
June 30, 2021
Cleaning Supplies to Remain in Classrooms; President Washington Issues Message on Campus Reopening and Vaccination Requirements; Please Submit Textbook Orders to the Bookstore; Judges Needed for Fenwick Fellowship Proposals; July Professional Development; New Course on Racial Justice to Teach Understanding; Newest Mason Reads Book Announced; Center for Government Contracting Wins Over $1 Million for Defense Finance Studies; Schar School Faculty Members Assume Co-Editorship of Nonprofit Journal
June 16, 2021
Deans Review Inclusivity Plans and Pledge to Promote Diversity; Campus Mask Requirement Lifted for Vaccinated Individuals; Research-Related Guidance Now Follows Main COVID Protocols; Faculty Handbook Updated; Learn About Two New Blackboard Tools on June 24; Apply Now to be a Faculty Writing Fellow; Welcome2Mason Funding Requests Now Open; Curriculum Impact Grants Winners Announced; Department of Information Sciences and Technology NOVA Advance Partnership; Off-Campus Housing Virtual Fair Set for June 29
June 2, 2021
Brian Gibson Departs GEO, Marie alice Arnold Appointed Interim Executive Director; Additional Information Announced Regarding Mason COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements; How to Prepare for MasonLive Migration to Office 365; No Automatic Extensions on Degree Conferral Deadlines; Mason Korea Selects Pat Quinn As New CBO; New Seed Grant Starts Work on Infrastructure Protection, Emergency Response; Changes to NCBI Access; Apply for the Emerging Leaders Supervisor Series; Encourage Students to Apply for Mason’s Break Through Tech Guild Program
May 19, 2021
Thank You For Making Commencement Week a Success; MasonLive Student Email Migrating to Office 365; Deadline for Annual Assessment Reporting in Tk20 is June 1’ Graduate Council Recommends Not to Grant an Automatic Extension of “Time to Degree Policy”; Annual Adjunct Faculty Committee Summary; Soyoung Kwon Appointed as Member of Incheon’s Peace City Initiative Committee; Professor's Book Examines Mexico's Drug Wars; Schar School to Host Three-Day Workshop on Pandemics and Global Health; Apply for the Emerging Leaders Supervisor Series; Encourage Students to Apply for Mason’s Break Through Tech Guild Program

SPRING 2021 SEMESTER

May 12, 2021
Thank You, Faculty and Staff; First Year of National Science Foundation-Funded Training Project Draws to a Close; Subscribe to the Special Summer Series of the Online Teaching Coaching Newsletter; Terry Gudaitis Named 2021 Career Connection Faculty; First-Generation Faculty and Staff Needed in the Career Influencers Network; Mason Aims for Zero Waste; Summer Dining Hours at Mason Eateries
May 5, 2021
Message on Final Exam Period; Mason Students and Vaccines: Reminder to Faculty; Newsletter to Publish Bi-Monthly During Summer; Graduation Week Volunteers Needed; Classroom Software Installation Requests Due July 15; Faculty Senate Elects Melissa Broeckelman-Post as Chair; Andrew Light Nominated for Assistant Secretary of International Affairs at U.S. Energy Department; SCHEV Approves School of Computing; Criminology Professors Receive Awards; Padhu Seshaiyer Receives Top Educator Award from NCWIT; MSSC Expands Virtual Services; OSCAR Spring Celebration of Student Scholarship Runs Through May 7; Deadline to Submit 2021 ITL Conference Proposals for the On-Demand Collection is May 31; Recording of Mason QEP Town Hall Available; Student Success Virtual Symposium Set for May 19 – 20
April 28, 2021
Mason Academic Advising and Success Coaching Update; Thomas Lovejoy Inducted into National Academy of Sciences; Graduation Week Volunteers Needed; Spring 2021 Student Evaluations of Teaching Open; Donation to Support Underrepresented Students Studying International Affairs and Diplomacy; Mason Awarded Scholarship to Dublin City University; 2021 Teaching Excellence Award Winners Announced; Daniel A. Menascé Receives David J. King Teaching Award; Secure Manufacturing Saves Energy and Protects Businesses; Mason Conference, Schar School Testimony Lead to High Court Reversal of a Decision; J-RIG Offers Rapid Response Research Grants; Apply Now to be Faculty Fellow for Faculty Affairs and Development; Reminder About the Libraries’ Course Reserve System; Libraries Offer Workshops Teaching Essential Data and Computational Skills
April 21, 2021
Faculty encouraged to support students who may be experiencing vaccine side effects; Domestic Travel No Longer Needs UTAC Approval; Fall 2021 Accommodations, Adjustments, Modifications Process for I/R Faculty; Library Survey on Journal Article Access; Apply Now to be Faculty Fellow for Faculty Affairs and Development; P.J. Maddox Named Faculty of the Year; Philip Martin Among Guggenheim Foundation Distinguished Scholar Awardees; Center for Government Contracting Taps Two Fellows; Mason Team Analyzes Genomes to Support Conservation, Cloning Project; Graduate Education Reimagine Task Force Formed; Winners of 3MT Competition Announced; Save the Date: Family Weekend
April 14, 2021
Next Vision Series is 4/19; Mason QEP Town Hall on April 28; Highlights from the April 7 Faculty Senate Meeting; Emily Sample Awarded Phi Kappa Phi Dissertation Fellowship; Film Celebrates Earth Day; TEDxGeorgeMasonU Conference Set for April 16; Victims’ Rights Run/Walk During Week of April 18; LuLu Géza Kelemen’s Work on Gender Identity to be Featured in Sociology Textbook
April 7, 2021
Spring 2021 Commencement to Have In-Person Options; Mason to Begin Faculty and Staff Vaccinations April 10; Jackie Luu Named Mason’s First Goldwater Scholar; Master of Science in Finance Degree Launched; International Week Celebrates 40^th Anniversary
March 31, 2021
Mason Has 8 Graduate Programs Ranked Among Top 25 Nationally; SCHEV Approves Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing; Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning Updates; Apply Now for Fenwick Fellow Program; International Week Starts Friday
March 24, 2021
Continue Wearing Your Face Mask Even If You’ve Been Vaccinated; Messages from the Stearns Center; Highlights from the General Faculty Meeting; Recording Available for Term Faculty Info Session; Nominations for Adjunct Committee Members Due April 1
March 17, 2021
Updates to Your Mason Zoom Account; Vision Series to Tackle COVID-19; TODAY: General Faculty Meeting; Summer Study Abroad Programs Cancelled; CHHS Publishes COVID-19 One-Year Milestone Special Report; Mason Offers New Data Analytics Credential; IDIA Issues Call for Proposals
March 10, 2021
In today’s newsletter: Planning and Modifications for Fall 2021; Andre Marshall Joins Mason as VP for Research, Innovation and Economic Development; Solidarity with Our Mason Asian Community; Highlights of March 3 Faculty Senate Meeting; Academic Help Available for Students
March 3, 2021
Board of Visitors Approves Changes to Faculty Handbook; Mason Awarded Grant to Further Diversify Region’s Tech Ecosystem; Patriot Learning Pod to Hold Spring Break Explorers Club for K-3 Children; OSCAR Launches Research and Mentoring Program with MITRE; Distinguished Mentor Applications Due March 12
February 24, 2021
Faculty Should Not Ask Students for COVID Test Results; Exposure Guidance for Those Who Have Been Vaccinated and Then Exposed to COVID; Get Zoom Updates; General Faculty Meeting Set for March 17; Tenure Clock Extension Update
February 17, 2021
Mason Vision Series kicks off Feb. 22; Anti-Racism Inclusive Excellence Town Hall Set for Feb. 23; Patriot Learning Pod Accepting Students; Stearns Center Establishes YouTube Channel
February 10, 2021
RRP&T Processes for Term & Tenure-line Faculty; Gift Card Scam Targets Mason Faculty; Highlights of Feb. 3 Faculty Senate Meeting; Submit Nominations for the Jack Wood Award AND Outstanding Achievement Awards
February 3, 2021
In Lieu of Spring Break, We Suggest Mason Meeting Free Week; Changes Student Evaluations of Teaching; Anti-Racist & Inclusive Pedagogy Team Members Needed; Winners of 2021 Provost’s Summer Team Impact Projects Competition
January 27, 2021
Provost Ginsberg Thanks Faculty & Staff; Reminder of National Guard Deployment & Mason’s Military Activation Policy; Changes to Disability Services Student Support & Testing Center; Faculty Spotlight; Weekly Well-Being Tip
January 20, 2021
Covid Vaccine Schedule for Virginia and Mason; Messages from the Stearns Center; Introduction of Faculty Affairs Well-Being Program; STIP Announced; Library Announcements; OLLI Offers Virtual Lifelong Learning Classes

FALL 2020 SEMESTER

SUMMER 2020 SEMESTER

SPRING 2020 SEMESTER

2019 - 2020 Academic Year

2018 - 2019 Academic Year