MINUTES
Arlington Campus Management Team
November 9, 2009
Alan Abramson, Mariama Boney, Josh Cantor, Lori Cohen, Maureen Danforth, Jennifer Gantt, Amanda
Harrison, April Kelley, Robert Kitchens, Amanda Martin, Colleen Morretta, Karen Newman, Janet Niblock,
Karen Pirhalla, LeAnn Pittman, Anna Rabinowitz, Ian Reynolds, Doris Rollins, Sandy Scherrens, Shamika
Stevens, Carol Swigart, Karen Tai, Jennifer Torney, Ruth Townsend, John Wickline
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, December 9, at 10:30 am in the Truland building, Room 555
Wednesday, January 13, at 10:30 am in the Truland building, Room 555
Special Guest
Chuck Fanshaw, Director, Facilities Planning
703-993-9173
Mr. Fanshaw gave an excellent and comprehensive PowerPoint presentation focusing on construction
activities taking place across all Mason campuses. Currently Mason has 26 projects in development,
under construction or recently finished. The combined value represents an investment of $800 million. If
you would like to learn more or arrange a presentation for your department, please contact Facilities
Planning.
Anna Rabinowitz, University Information
703-993-8993
Please continue to send your announcements to arlcamp@gmu.edu by Friday at noon. University
Information is in discussion regarding providing concierge service for the hotel and conference center
opening in spring/summer. University Information is making revisions and updates to Mason 101;
reducing the length of the session and putting some things online. In addition, look for Mason 101 to
begin being offered at Arlington and Prince William campuses. University Information is putting in place
an historical tour at Fairfax, to most likely begin spring 2010. Guides will include folks from the
community: VIPs, faculty/staff. As of December 1, all lost and found policies and guidelines will be
modified. To update information posted on Mason’s People Finder, a link is provided on People Finder
that will assist with this effort. Complete the information and changes are made on line once a week.
University Information does coordinate with Human Resources to add new staff.
Maureen Danforth, Office of Continuing Professional Education
703-993-2111
OCPE is involved in a lot of contract credit classes for continuing education at the Fairfax campus. OCPE
has a new contract with BAE Systems this semester. Another cohort with SAIC begins in the spring with
the Army.
Jennifer Gantt, Arlington Administration
703-993-9153
There were 47 faculty/staff members who participated in the seasonal flu shot clinics at the Arlington
Campus. Karen Pirhalla followed up on behalf of Student Health Services regarding the H1N1 flu clinics.
She shared that it is important to note the following:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Vaccine requests are handled by county
PW County – responded before Fairfax/Arlington – making 400 doses available to the
PWC Campus (these are only being administered to high risk groups)
For Arlington there has not been a response back from the health dept
Student Health has asked for 5,000 doses
Presently only the nasal vaccine is available at the Fairfax Campus
As soon as vaccines are made available to the other campus locations – clinics can be
set up in 48 hours
Arlington Administration held its quarterly custodial meeting with Martin Myers in housekeeping.
Housekeeping has reduced the level of cleaning due to budget cuts. It’s gone from Level 2 to Level 3.
This change does not affect common areas or classrooms, but it does affect all offices (vacuuming and
dusting will now be performed once a week). Arlington Administration will hold its 4th quarterly meeting
with REIT Management (focusing on Truland building matters) in the next week or so. If you have any
concerns or issues, please share them with Arlington Administration as possible so they can be included
in the agenda/discussion.
Doris Rollins, Telecom Administration
703-993-3470
ITU is preparing for the move into Founder’s Hall. All departments moving into Founder’s Hall need to
provide Doris with the spreadsheet that was distributed to departments this past summer. The
spreadsheet outlines who is moving to Founder’s Hall, the space they are vacating and each user’s
equipment needs in the new building. This spreadsheet is an essential component of the move to
Founders Hall as it will help ITU size the telephone system needed for the Arlington campus. If you are
not the telecom coordinator for your department, please check with your telecom rep to ensure that this
information is being pulled together for your unit. If you are the telecom coordinator and have any
questions, please contact Doris at 3-3470.
Janet Niblock, Office of Continuing Professional Education
703-993-2114
It has taken a year, but the university has obtained approval from Arlington County to build-out the
remaining space on the first floor of Truland. This initiative will create two labs and two offices. The
university now faces lease negotiations and contractor permitting from Arlington County. The hope is for
OCPE to occupy the space by this summer.
April Kelley, Arlington Library
703-993-8057
The librarians are conducting a survey of faculty to ascertain instructional needs. The link to the survey
can be found at gmuacl.workpress.com. The Library will be closed Wednesday, November 25, at noon
for Thanksgiving and will reopen the following Saturday and Sunday with normal weekend hours.
Jennifer Torney, School of Public Policy
703-993-3179
SPP is currently conducting two searches, one for the new dean, and another for an assistant professor
for economic development. The hope is to have a candidate selected for the dean’s position by the end
of January. SPP is at full occupancy - several faculty were recently moved to office space (suite 150) on
the first floor of Truland. SPP has five faculty currently up for promotion and tenure.
Ian Reynolds, Human Resources
703-993-2659
Benefits – Unum open enrollment continues through November 30. Comp & Class – Classified employee
evaluations were due back in October. HR needs your evaluations as just a little over 50% have been
submitted to date. The furlough days are dependent on the new government. Things may change with
the new administration; more information will be available in the new year. Employment – HR will
continue to post on the Washington Post site for free. HERC (Higher Education Recruiting Consortium) is
for spouses of new employees to help them look at potential job opportunities in the area. Janet &
Patrice are looking for ideas for the Arlington Campus. Massage therapy was one of the options,
workouts and a wellness Wednesday. Contact Janet Walker 3-2604, if you have any ideas. Encouraging
flexible work options – as managers you can consider flexible work options for employees, working from
home ½ day while transitioning to the new building, etc. E-files will have a lot of announcements coming
up on elder care, training, etc. There is a new training class for experienced supervisors who have
graduated from the supervisor series. TIAA-Cref and Fidelity reps have not been finalized for Arlington.
Ian will check with the Benefits Team and get back to us. The Child Development Center (CDC) is being
honored for being in the top 100 CDCs nationally.
Amanda Martin, Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution
703-993-4453
ICAR had its first round of master’s admissions for spring. There were more applicants than expected.
There will be an orientation session in January. ICAR is having an open house on Thursday, November
12, in Truland room 555. It is open to anyone who wants to check out what ICAR is doing. ICAR and the
Sierra Club are co-hosting a documentary screening of Coal Country. You can register for the free movie
screening through the Sierra Club. The event will held in Truland, room 555. ICAR has gained some
additional office space for the Engaging Governments in Genocide Prevention group and several GRA’s
on the first floor of Truland (suite 150).
Karen Tai, Arlington Events Management
703-993-2095
The Arlington Campus holiday party is scheduled for December 15th from 1-3pm. A planning meeting is
scheduled for November 19th. If you are interested in giving ideas, please send Karen Tai an email at
ktai5@gmu.edu and she’ll send you the time and location.
Shamika Stevens, Events Management, Fairfax
703-993-2122
Mason will be displaying approximately 107 pieces of the AIDS Quilt in and around the Johnson Center
as well as at the Regional Campuses. Our Mistress of Ceremonies will be Hydeia Broadbent, a popular
AIDS activist who was born with HIV. Big Tigger, a celebrity DJ will be doing a live broadcast from
Fairfax. The display begins on December 1st. Events Management is seeking faculty and staff volunteers
to assist with the unpacking, hanging and repacking of the quilt. The website is: masonaidsquilt.com if
you are interested in volunteering or seeing the agenda. Arlington is scheduled to receive two or three
quilt panels, they are very large.
Carol Swigart, Alumni Affairs
703-993-9101
Alumni Affairs is holding their annual awards ceremony in April and is looking for nominations for
Professor of the Year. Please nominate your professors. The nomination form is available online at
alumni.gmu.edu and click on Awards or you can send them to Carol at MSN 3B3. Anyone can nominate
a professor. Alumni Affairs is also looking for nominations for Senior of the Year, Alumnus of the Year
and nominees for the Alumnus Service Award. The deadline for nominations is December 15. Alumni
Affairs gives three awards at the Arlington campus, the Distinguished Law Alumnus, Distinguished School
of Public Policy Alumnus and the Distinguished Alumnus for Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution.
Please include no more than three letters of recommendation with the nomination forms for all of the
awards. Please save the date of October 1 – 3, 2010 for the next Alumni weekend.
Josh Cantor, Parking & Transportation
703-993-1239
Spring parking permits will go on sale in December. Parking Services is working on providing online
permit sales for the Arlington campus. There have been issues with the restrictions on Arlington permits
that have prevented Parking Services from selling the permits online. Parking Services hopes to have
these issues resolved soon. For the third year, Parking Services is partnering with the Staff Senate and
Regional Campuses in the Toys for Tots and Canned Food Collection Program. If you have an
outstanding citation, Parking Services will accept a toy or canned food donation in exchange for credits
towards reducing your citation. This only applies to current citations; you cannot bank credits to apply to
possible future citations. Watch for more information. Feel free to donate, you don’t have to have a
citation.
Lori Cohen, University Life
703-993-4495
University Life will send out a message for the canned food drive and the Toys for Tots program. There
will be six bins across campus for the canned food drive, in addition to the bins at parking services. Toys
can be dropped off at the University Life Office, Parking Services and the Dean’s suite in the Law School.
University Life will ensure all toys get to Fairfax. The food drive is already underway. The Arlington
campus will be making two deliveries of canned food, one before Thanksgiving and another before the
winter holiday break. Please watch for more information. University Life is preparing for DEstress days.
There will be snacks and a massage therapist from December 14 – 18. Watch for more details.
LeAnn Pittman, Classroom Technologies
703-993-4963
Classroom Technologies’ phone number in the University directory is incorrect. Please use the number
noted in People Finder.
Karen Pirhalla, Arlington Campus Operations
703-993-8333
Kathleen Q. Johnson has accepted the position of Assistant Vice President for Regional Campuses,
effective November 16, 2009. In this role, she will report to the Vice President for Administration (Larry
Czarda), with a matrix reporting line to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (Linda Schwartzstein). Ms.
Johnson comes to Mason from her position as Vice President for Financial and Administrative Services at
Lord Fairfax Community College, which has campuses in Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray, Virginia.
Prior to her service at LFCC, Kathleen served for over nineteen years in financial and administrative
positions in The Volgenau School for Information Technology & Engineering. A Northern Virginia native,
she is also an Alum of Mason earning both bachelors and masters degrees. Ms. Johnson’s office will be
in the Regional Campus Offices in Patriot Square and her contact information will be made available
shortly. Any correspondence or questions for her can be directed to Kay Rongley at: vrongley@gmu.edu
or phone at (703) 993-9755.
Truland Space Rezoning Authorization - REIT/HUB Properties and Mason have reached a successful
resolution with Arlington County regarding the Site Amendment required to move forward with work on
the first floor of the Truland Building to allow OCPE to begin their new training programs. This approval
was part of the "Consent Agenda" for the Arlington County Board’s October 24th meeting. Mason is now
engaged in negotiations to finalize the lease and OCPE is finalizing their drawings with Facilities. Once a
permit is obtained from Arlington County – work can begin. The university anticipates a summer 2010
occupancy of the space.
Founders Hall Update – Project is 65% complete
o
o
o
o
o
Facilities has initiated FF&E meetings to work through budgetary impacts and to
identify outstanding needs
Debbie Brady (Senior Interior Designer) now reaching out to units to confirm furniture
plans
Doris Rollins (Telecom Support) has begun reaching out to units to confirm
equipment needs in order to size the building telecom equipment
Arlington Administration is initiating meetings with service & support units
(Facilities/Police/Photo ID/etc) to confirm staffing levels for building
opening/readiness
Public Plaza Working Group (Mason & Arlington reps) engaged in talks about use of
public spaces
Tom Hennessey (University Chief of Staff) and Betty Jolley (State Government Relations Director) will
begin convening small legislative round tables at each of Mason’s regional campus locations to include
NVCC reps and local legislators. The Arlington round table is currently being scheduled for early
December. Additional details can be obtained from Arlington Administration, Karen Pirhalla.
The FDIC MOU is up for renewal in December. Several minor changes are being proposed to the
existing agreement going forward. (During this discussion, it was shared that there appears to be some
confusion regarding the FDIC lodging rates. One academic department indicates their contract says
rates are good until 12/31/2009 at $150/night. However, FDIC continues to charge $160 because they
say that is the new contract rate. Travel (Mason) insists it is still $150. Karen Pirhalla will be sure this
concern is addressed with University Council; who is assisting with the renewal process.)
Eight original works of art from Hilde Vogel are now on display on the 2 nd floor lobby of the Original
Building. These pieces are part of a larger collection containing 1,200 individual works of art which were
donated to the university. Additional information on the art and the artist herself – can be obtained at:
http://princewilliam.gmu.edu/VogelCollection.htm
Arlington Emergency Contact #s – Arlington Administration continues to reach out to Arlington support
services and academic units in order to obtain current contact information on key personnel for
emergency purposes.
Arlington Table Top Emergency Exercise: Karen will be working with each of the Arlington units along
with David Farris (Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response) on After Action Items. The
overriding issue that came up after the exercise was effective communication.
Amanda Harrison, Arlington Campus Operations
703-993-8754
Print Services is conducting a survey for the Arlington Campus. Copies of the survey are available at the
Copy Center in the Law Library. Fiscal Services is offering eVA training from 9am-Noon on December 8th
(Original Bldg, Computer Lab). You need to register at the IT Training website. Fiscal Services
welcomes walk-in assistance from 1:30 – 3:30 on the 8th as well. HR will hold a training session on
“Experienced Stress Stations, Practical Steps to Reduce Stress Now” this Friday (Original Building, Room
268) from 10:00-12:00. . Please register through the HR website. The Child Development Center is
selling the White House Holiday Ornaments as a fundraiser. If you would like to order, please let Amanda
know, orders need to be submitted by Monday. Ornaments can also be purchased at the CDC and at the
Johnson Center.
Ruth Townsend, Office of Equity
703-993-8730
The Equity Office has launched a new web page. This is an umbrella website so it includes information
for faculty, staff and visitors. At the bottom of the page you can find the “Accessibility at Mason” site that
goes over resources for faculty, staff and students. The online sexual harassment module will soon be
available as a follow-up to the in-person training. Equity is working through some technical issues and
will keep everyone posted on the official roll-out date.