Highlights

University Libraries hosted its AI Boot Camp in August, bringing together members of the George Mason community to explore generative AI concepts, tools, opportunities, and considerations. The session featured insights into Azure AI Foundry and emerging AI capabilities, helping participants deepen their understanding of how AI can support teaching, learning, research, and administrative operations across the university. The event highlighted the collaborative efforts of University Libraries, Microsoft partners, and ITS colleagues to advance AI literacy and foster informed exploration of these rapidly evolving technologies.

The Facilities team completed a number of projects in August, including the new pedestrian bridge between the Mason Theater Building and Performing Arts Building, which had kicked off back in May of 2025. More than 40 classrooms were refreshed or renovated this summer across the Fairfax and Mason Square campuses, completing a 6-year plan to update all university classrooms built or refreshed prior to 2021 — 179 classrooms in total. Finally, four other renovation projects were completed in August that had started this past May, including the replacement of all underground utility piping serving all 7 buildings of The Commons residence halls, fire alarm system replacement at Dominion Hall, roof replacement at Blueridge and Sandbridge residence halls, and updates to the Aquatic & Fitness Center pool and locker rooms.

Facilities’ Recycling and Waste Management program is being recognized by The Arc of Northern Virginia with its 2026 Commitment to Employment of Persons with Disabilities Award for exceptional dedication to creating employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The award will be presented at their Independence Belongs to Everyone Gala on Saturday, November 7 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.

As temperatures soared this summer, so did demand for power on the electric grid. To help manage demand during the highest-usage windows, George Mason worked with grid operators to reduce electricity utilization in exchange for financial incentives. The Central Heating and Cooling Plant modified operations to reduce its load while successfully maintaining sufficient cooling across campus, ensuring continued, comfortable operations for the campus while maintaining grid integrity.

The Mason Card Office has partnered with Thompson Hospitality to expand meal swipe options to select off-campus restaurant locations, giving students, faculty and staff greater flexibility and convenience in using their meal plans beyond traditional campus dining. New options include participating Velocity Bar+Kitchen, Wiseguy Pizza, and Big Buns locations.

RSR Emergency Management & Fire Safety has partnered with Spectrohm, a security technology company, to advance development of emerging public safety technologies. George Mason will be deploying Spectrohm's state-of-the-art bag scanning technology at select student events to help test new security products, while enhancing event safety. Spectrohm was recognized at George Mason’s 2025 Accelerate conference as the top prize winner for its innovative portable bag screening technology, and the company is also advancing its research through federal Small Business Innovation Research awards.