• Make sure you know your passwords! Visit the Password Management website if you forgot or need to reset your password.
• Make sure you have your Two-Factor Authentication device(s) with you. If you only have one device registered, consider adding another option as a backup.
• Ensure your devices are secure:
  • Install all patches and software updates
  • Review Security Best Practices
  • Make sure you have antivirus protection
• Gather the supplies you need to do your job and communicate with others effectively. These may include:
  • Microphones & speakers for conference calls (if your computer does not have them built-in)
  • Power adapters
  • Keyboard & mouse (if you’ll be working from a laptop)
  • Physical files and records
• Consider the files and applications you’ll need to use and test them before beginning remote work. These may include:
  • Blackboard
    • Blackboard knowledge articles
  • Kaltura
    • Kaltura knowledge articles
  • MESA Personal Storage and MESA Departmental Shared Storage
    • MESA knowledge articles
  • Microsoft Teams
    • MS Teams knowledge articles
  • myMason
    • myMason knowledge articles
  • Office 365 Email
    • Office 365 knowledge articles (email, calendar, OneDrive, etc.)
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
    • Two-Factor Authentication knowledge articles
  • Virtual Private Network (VPN)
    • Virtual Private Network knowledge articles
  • Patriot Virtual Computing
  • Zoom
• Review Mason’s Flexible Work website
• Sign up for ITS Alerts

Email

Office 365 is the official email and calendar for Mason. It can be accessed via the login at mail.gmu.edu using your Mason credentials (Mason NetID and Patriot Pass Password) and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).

• Office 365 knowledge articles

Collaboration & Productivity Tools (chat, web conferencing, document sharing, etc.) 

• Class Collaborate (formerly Blackboard Collaborate Ultra)
  • It is primarily used for real-time collaboration and virtual classrooms designed for teaching and learning.
• Microsoft Teams
  • It is commonly used for chat, audio calling, video calling, screen share, and access to several additional Office 365 shared features:
    • MS Teams Quick Start
    • Intro to Microsoft Teams
    • Start Chats and Calls
    • Set up and Customize your Team
    • Collaborate in Teams and Channels
    • Work with Posts and Messages
    • MS Teams Training Videos
• OneDrive for Business
  • Provides 1TB of cloud-based storage and uses Office 365 to store Mason-related files in the cloud, making it easy to access your files and collaborate from anywhere and from multiple devices
    • OneDrive knowledge articles
• Zoom
  • Mason’s preferred cloud-based web conferencing tool for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems
  • Employees are granted a Pro Zoom account. This allows the hosting of up to 300 participants for a maximum of 24 hours per meeting. If your business needs require additional Zoom features, you may request an upgraded account at Zoom.
    • Schedule a Meeting
    • Host a Meeting
    • Join a Meeting
    • Manage Audio & Video
    • Recording
    • Share Content & Present
    • Accessibility Features
    • Host a Webinar

See all Email and Collaboration Tools knowledge articles for how-tos and FAQs.

Connecting from home
For most types of work—email, cloud apps, collaboration platforms—you should be able to connect through your regular home internet service. Just navigate to the sites you need to use and log in using your Mason NetID and Patriot Pass Password. If you are an employee, including student workers, be ready to use Two-Factor Authentication to complete the login process.

If you don’t have broadband internet at home
If you don’t have the internet at home, or if your connection speed is too slow to allow you to work the same way you would if you were at Mason, be sure to let your supervisor and co-workers know and come up with a plan for how to keep collaboration flowing. You could connect periodically to send and receive emails and files, share files through a removable ‘thumb’ drive, or use a cellular hotspot.

Connecting through a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
For some types of work, like working in an application or service that can only be accessed through the Mason wired or Wi-Fi networks, you might need to use the Virtual Private Network (VPN). The VPN allows a user to appear as if they are logging in from within Mason’s network. If you require the VPN, it’s a good idea to test the connection before starting remote work, if possible.

• VPN Information
• VPN How-to’s and Frequently Asked Questions
• Connecting to the VPN Service at Mason

Connecting Via Patriot Virtual Computing (PVC) on a Personal Device 
For some individuals, bringing home your work computer is not an option. If you need to work remotely but still need access to specific applications on your personal device, the PVC service can provide an experience similar to being on-campus connected to a computer in your office. The PVC service is secure remote access to a Windows desktop environment that provides access to Mason applications from off-campus.  

• PVC information
• Access to the PVCI requires 2FA for Office 365

Call forwarding to an external line, such as a cell or home phone, is available. Contact your department’s Telecom Coordinator (if unsure, contact your office manager or Telecom Administration) to coordinate getting this service.

All telephone and voicemail requests must be processed through your department’s Telecom Coordinator.

• About telephone and voicemail services available at Mason

• Continuity of Instruction: How to Keep Teaching When You Can’t Meet in Person
• For more information on Blackboard, please see Blackboard Courses
  • Blackboard Readiness- Moving Courses Online
  • What’s new in Blackboard?
  • How to Use Blackboard at Mason (for Instructors)
  • Introduction to Class Collaborate
  • Just in Time videos
  • Blackboard Instructional Technology Support for Faculty
  • Mason’s Blackboard support staff is available for help during emergencies via this request.
• How to Use Zoom to Conduct Meetings or Classes Remotely
  • Schedule a Meeting
  • Host a Meeting
  • Manage Audio & Video
  • Recording
  • Share Content & Present
  • Accessibility Features
  • Secure Your Distance Learning Classroom
  • Set-up Breakout Sessions
• How to Access Academic Software Remotely
  • The Citrix Virtual Lab provides remote access to academic software. Students and faculty with a VPN connection can access the necessary software needed to support online coursework. The Citrix Lab provides a standard computer lab image that usually is available in University Computer Labs.

• George Mason University employees teleworking are reminded that any devices used to access Mason’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) must have a current operating system and updated software. Devices using the VPN should only be used by Mason employees. Devices managed by ITS in MESA Active Directory and Jamf Pro for Mac OS are automatically set up to receive the latest operating system and software. Employees are encouraged to use a managed system whenever possible. Employees who access sensitive information should only use Mason-owned devices.
• Employees using their personal home computers to telework should use the Patriot Virtual Computing service. This service provides secure remote access to a Windows desktop environment. Employees using this option on their personal devices are not approved for storing sensitive data and, therefore, should not print sensitive data using the print to PDF option. However, data can be stored on the M: drive. Understand that PVC is intended for university work only, and employees are bound by all university policies when using this resource.
• When working remotely, it is imperative to remain vigilant about data security. Ensure you are on the appropriate connection for each task; for example, use a VPN or other equally secure connection when handling sensitive or restricted data. Additionally, be aware of the increased risk of phishing attempts. Check with your department IT support staff to make sure you are equipped to work safely while off-campus.
• Antivirus Software
  • Mason provides Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) to Mason-owned computers through the Software Center (Windows) or Mason Self Service (Macs).
  • If your Mason-owned computer is not managed, see Desktop Support and click the Request Managed Enrollment button.
  • Students, Faculty, and Staff (personal computers): The IT Security Office recommends these free options for employees’ personal computers
    • For Windows: Avast, AVG, Sophos, Microsoft Windows Defender
    • For Mac: Avast, AVG, Sophos
• Read Mason’s University Policy 2202: Flexible Work
• Review University Policy 1301: Responsible Use of Computing that explains what constitutes acceptable and appropriate use of campus computing and network resources

Getting Hardware 
ITS requires that faculty and staff use Mason-managed endpoint devices for their work and research. For assistance configuring a computer system, contact the ITS Support Center. For more information, go to:

• ITS-Approved Standard Endpoint Devices for Faculty & Staff
• ITS-Approved Computer Hardware Standards for Faculty & Staff Mason Standard System Requirements

Password Reminders for Computing Remotely
You are required to reset your Patriot Pass Password every 180 days. ITS sends daily emails to users 14 days before passwords expire. Be alert for these messages and reset your password before it expires to avoid disrupting access to Patriot Web, employee email, Blackboard, etc.

• Mason-Managed Windows Users: If you are working remotely and reset your password, you must connect to the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to sync your new password and complete the reset process.
• Mason-Managed Mac Users: Most Mac users do not require additional steps to sync their computer after resetting their password.
• Additional details and instructions for syncing your computer are available at How to Sync Your Computer After Resetting Your Password.

Software on Managed Mason-owned Computers
Software is available through System Center Configuration Manager-SCCM (for PCs) or Jamf Pro (for Macs).

Users on Mason-managed computers should routinely connect to the VPN to ensure that they receive timely software updates.

Unmanaged Computers and Non-Standard Software
Support Resources for Non-Standard Software and Tools

Users on unmanaged Mason-owned systems are encouraged to be managed to receive Mason enterprise software and routine operating system updates. To request to have a Mason-owned device managed, visit Desktop Support and click the Request Managed Enrollment button.

Electronic Signatures
The Code of Virginia and federal law, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, permit the use of electronic signatures on contracts; however, such signatures must be unique and verifiable as they demonstrate each party’s intention to be bound to the contract terms. If electronic signatures are to be used, both parties should agree that digital or electronic signatures are acceptable. It should be explicitly stated and agreed to in the contract language.

Guidance for the Use of Electronic (Digital) Signatures at Mason

To stay effective during events that necessitate telework, it’s important to make preparations, ideally before the disruption occurs. Within your department or group, you should:

• Discuss how your group(s) will handle business disruptions
• Develop and document a communication plan that covers how your department or group will:
  • Provide important updates and information
  • Communicate during emergencies
  • Conduct routine collaboration on projects
• In your communication plan, clarify which tools and platforms will be used for routing information. These could include:
  • Your departmental intranet or shared drive
  • Email
  • Web conferencing for virtual meetings
  • Telephone features such as call forwarding
  • Online chat (via Microsoft Teams)
  • VPN or Patriot Virtual Computing to connect to Mason applications from off-campus
• Assign responsibilities, and assemble a list that includes names and contact information (including personal phone numbers) for the people who are carrying out the plan
• Share documentation of your plan within your group in a location where all members can easily access
• Review your plan at least annually, updating contact lists and tools as appropriate
• Make sure your group members are signed up for ITS Alerts

Keep in mind that some online services may not be available during a major disaster until they are recovered or restored.

If you need help while working remotely, the ITS Support Center is here for you!

• Phone: 703-993-8870
• Email: support@gmu.edu
  • Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.  (*closed Thursday 3 p.m.–4 p.m. for a team meeting)
  • Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: 1 – 9 p.m.

Browse our knowledge base articles, request a service, or submit a help ticket.