A&O Celebrates 2025 Winter Graduates
More than 4,900 students were recognized at the degree celebrations, representing 87 countries and 38 states. Ali Manouchehri, BA Philosophy ’99, who co-founded a business from his room in Dominion Hall, served as the Commencement speaker. Remarks were also delivered by student speaker Ayham Elayan, a bioengineering graduate and Honors College student, and by Scott Hine, BS in Decision Sciences ’85, before graduates joined a global alumni network of more than 250,000.
Exploring Repurposing Data Center Waste Heat
On December 10, George Mason hosted a District Energy and Data Center Workshop at the SciTech Campus, focused on capturing and repurposing waste heat exhausted by data centers. The university is currently exploring opportunities to partner with these data centers, which have proliferated in the area. While this process is established in Europe, it is not currently employed at any of the Northern Virginia data centers. The conference was organized by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, International District Energy Association, and Ramboll.
Ongoing Public Safety Improvements
In Fall 2025, the university made a number of physical security enhancements on our campuses, including the implementation of an event security rubric, securing a third-party contract for as-needed additional event support, deployment of vehicle barriers for outdoor venues, and procuring a weapons detection system for events and venues. These reflect the continuous, collaborative efforts of Risk, Safety, & Resilience, in partnership with University Events, University Police, University Life, Auxiliary and Business Services, and others across our campuses, dedicated to keeping our community safe.
TimelyCare Launches for Faculty and Staff
Risk, Safety, & Resilience officially launched TimelyCare to provide George Mason employees with free, confidential mental health and well-being support, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
SMS Service Disabled on University Phones
To protect the university community from unwanted text messages and smishing attempts, SMS texting was disabled on Vonage, the university’s phone service provider. This proactive measure reduces exposure to malicious SMS attacks. Reinstatement of SMS service will now require a Pinnacle ticket submitted through your telecom coordinator, ensuring tighter control and oversight. Visit the Vonage Phone & Voicemail Services page for more information.
Microsoft 365 Storage Quotas Implemented
ITS continued implementing new storage quotas to manage growth within the Microsoft 365 environment. Phases included applying quotas in Exchange (email and calendar), creating a MyHub request process for additional MS Teams and SharePoint spaces, and investigating retention policies. In 2026, ITS will focus on refining account lifecycle management and respective policies. This effort improves efficiency and safeguards resources. See the M365 Storage Roadmap for updates.
Mason Dining Halls Receive Green Restaurant Association Certification
Mason Dining achieved Green Restaurant Association Certification for all four dining halls on campus, marking a significant milestone in sustainability, environmental stewardship, and responsible dining operations. The Green Restaurant Association is a national nonprofit that evaluates dining programs on an extensive set of environmental criteria, including water and energy efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable food purchasing, and pollution prevention. Mason Dining’s certification reflects the coordinated effort of dining partner, Chartwells, and Auxiliary and Business Services to implement sustainability improvements.
Facilities Kicks Off Fleet Management Pilot
In December, Facilities & Campus Operations launched a GPS pilot program to improve the university’s vehicle management program, with the installation of Geotab GPS tracking units in vehicles and golf carts. This provides real-time insights into vehicle locations, usage, maintenance needs, and performance, which will help make informed decisions, extend the life of our vehicles, and deliver consistent, reliable service to the George Mason community. The six-month Facilities and Campus Operations pilot lays the groundwork for a broader university rollout, with pilot results and next steps expected in summer 2026.
Improved EagleBank Arena Concessions and Merchandise Access
EagleBank Arena now offers contactless checkout systems and roaming concession hawkers during events, powered by Mashgin contactless systems. These improvements create a seamless and convenient concessions experience for guests while increasing operational efficiency and driving additional revenue. Outside the venue on game days, George Mason Bookstore fans can visit the new mobile merchandise trailer, launched alongside the debut of the Collect the Spirit campaign, creating a high-energy retail experience that expands on-site merchandise access for fans.
Patriots Gather at Home to Support Men’s Basketball on the Road
George Mason Nation gathered on December 6 for the Patriot Perks Watch Party at Banditos to support the men’s basketball team on the road against Virginia Tech. A partnership between Auxiliary and Business Services, Athletics, and the Alumni Association, the event drew more than 125 attendees, fostering strong student engagement and off-campus partnerships that enhance the George Mason fan experience.
University Completes Wi-Fi Transition to Eduroam
ITS simplified George Mason University’s Wi-Fi network in fall 2025 by fully transitioning to eduroam and retiring MASON-SECURE. Eduroam has served as Mason’s primary Wi-Fi network since 2022, offering secure and seamless access across all campuses and at hundreds of participating institutions worldwide. With MASON-SECURE permanently shut down on December 19, the transition streamlined connectivity, strengthened security, and ensured consistent access for students, faculty, and staff both on campus and at partner institutions. For more information, see the MASON-SECURE Retirement FAQs.