Facilities

Author: Ariel Sierra

Updated Procedures for Trash Collection and Cleaning in Campus Offices

George Mason University is making a few changes to how office spaces are cleaned to improve efficiency and manage costs.

Starting July 1, these updates will apply to offices at Fairfax Campus, Mason Square, and the Science and Technology Campus.

Here’s what’s changing:

  • Personal offices and workstations: These will be cleaned once every two weeks.
  • Trash can in your workspace: Housekeeping will empty desk, cubicle, and private office trash cans every two weeks as part of that schedule.

What this means for you:

  • You’ll still need to empty your own trash daily into the larger bins in common areas.

What’s not changing:

  • Common areas and high-traffic spaces will still be cleaned daily, and those trash bins will be emptied at least once a day.
  • There’s no change to cleaning in classrooms, labs, restrooms, kitchens, or other shared spaces.

Questions?

  • Check out the FAQ below for more details.
  • You can also contact Facilities & Campus Operations' Customer Service at 703-993-2525 for help.

FAQs

2025 Facilities & Campus Operations Team Member Awards

Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) is excited to announce the 2025 Team Member Awards!  All F&CO team members, and those outside the division, are encouraged to nominate their peers.

F&CO leadership and the Culture Champion Committee have partnered on this initiative and are excited to present the annual awards listed below, including four new awards:

  • Rookie of the Year Award, $250
  • Facilities & Campus Operations Innovation Award, $500
  • University Community Partnership Award, $500
  • Safety Champion of the Year Award, $500

All F&CO employees are eligible for ALL awards, except student wage employees.

Nominations will close on Friday, October 24, 2025. 

Award Categories

Team Member Awards These awards recognize people by their co-workers and peers who has demonstrated dedication, collaboration, contribution, and perseverance within their department or team. This person demonstrates a sense of care for those they interact with as well as a seriousness to their role and responsibilities. 
8 Team Member Awards will be given out for the following groups:

  • Facilities Management Operations, $1,000 each (3 winners) - All Zones Employees, CHCP, Energy Management, Building Automation
  • Facilities Services, $1,000 - Warehouse, CSC, Waste & Recycling, General Services, Auto Shop, Grounds
  • Regional Campuses, $1,000 - All Regional Campuses Staff, including BRL and Freedom Center (excluding Zone 1 and 2 and wage)
  • Business Services and Facilities Administration, $1,000 - All Business Services, Sustainability, Real Estate, Environmental Compliance Employees
  • Planning, Design, and Construction and Asset Management, $1,000 - All PDC and AM Employees
  • Janitorial Services, $1,000 - Janitorial and Housekeeping Staff
  • Rookie of the Year Award, $250: FTE hired in the calendar year
  • Wage Employee, $250 each (4 winners) - non-student wage employees 

Supervisor of the Year, $1,000 This award recognizes a professional staff member who demonstrates a robust, informed supervisory experience for their team, allowing for personal and/or professional development of supervisees, guidance through success within their position, and overall holistic care. This award recognizes a person who inspires others, demonstrates trust in their team, and advocates for the betterment of those they serve. Those who supervise full-time staff members are eligible for this award. 

Culture Champion of the Year, $500 Award specifically selected by the C3 to recognize an employee who goes above and beyond to improve the culture in F&CO through engagement, kindness, connection, and making others feel welcome. This employee exemplifies the mission of the C3: recognition, engagement, and community. This award also honors an individual who actively promotes and prioritizes workplace wellness. It recognizes those who foster a culture of care, balance, and well-being within Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO), contributing to a healthier, more supportive work environment.  All F&CO employees are eligible for this award.

Innovation Award, $500 This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional creativity and innovation. It honors those who not only generate forward-thinking ideas, but also take initiative to implement them effectively, resulting in measurable improvements.

University Community Partnership Award, $500 This award recognizes a collaborative partnership between a member of F&CO and a colleague or group outside the division that has significantly enhanced the visibility, reputation, or impact of F&CO. The award celebrates cross-functional teamwork that strengthens relationships across the university and contributes to a more connected, innovative, and service-oriented campus environment.*all Facilities & Campus Operations full-time equivalent (FTE) employees and George Mason University full-time equivalent (FTE) employees are eligible.

Safety Champion of the Year Award, $500 Someone who prioritizes safety in all aspects of their work for themselves and their colleagues, to ensure folks are protected, safe, and always learning about safety requirements and resources

Special Initiative / Project Team, $500 each (multiple winners) This award recognizes a group work who worked together to complete a special project or initiative with a specific deliverable and timeline. The group may be cross-functional and include members of multiple departments, representing teams from across Facilities & Campus Operations. Their work demonstrates commitment to the mission and a willingness to take on additional tasks beyond the requirements and expectations of the job for an important time-bound and deadline-driven initiative.

 

The following award will be selected by F&CO Leadership. No nominations are being solicited.
Employee of the Year, $1,000 + 2 Days of Recognition Leave The Employee of the Year award is selected by F&CO Leadership and recognizes one Employee of the Month recipient who demonstrates extraordinary service, dedication, and contributions to the department beyond the requirements and expectations of the job. 

Nominations will close on Friday, October 24, 2025. 

New Volunteer Intern: Nakki Watanabe

Highlighting our a new volunteer intern: Nakki Watanabe – An Environmental Studies student. Nakki reached out to Supervisor of Recycling and Waste Management, Kevin Brim, to learn more about Mason’s waste management.
Nakki is involved in Mason’s zero-waste efforts and helps with the expansion of collection bins on campus over the next couple months. Here she is with Ravy Pho sorting recycling so it can be processed.