University Life

Mason’s Early Identification Program for local students pivots to online services

When the coronavirus pandemic shut down her school, Meeha Bhuiyan, a rising senior at Gar-Field High School in Woodbridge, Virginia, struggled. But Bhuiyan had mentors from George Mason University upon whom she could rely.

“I texted my mentors when I was down, and they would text me back encouragement,” said Bhuiyan, who plans to apply to several colleges, including Mason. “And I was also able to do one-on-one sessions with them virtually.”

Read more about the Early Identification Program

Get involved at the Get Connected Fair

George Mason University is home to more than 400 Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).  At the beginning of each academic year, the university hosts the Get Connected Fair for students to meet the number of RSOs on campus as well as various offices at Mason. This is a great event for students to explore a variety of involvement opportunities and to start building their community.

This year’s event will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 9 through the Mason360 platform.

Read more about the Get Connected Fair

Virtual Family Weekend coming soon!

In following with Mason’s Safe Return to Campus plan, New Student and Family Programs has made the tough decision to host a Virtual Family Weekend series with events that will span from mid-October to mid-November. Although they are unable to provide our traditional, in-person events, they are committed to helping you make your own Family Weekend experience!

Read more about Virtual Family Weekend

Mason 101 Available Online

Mason 101 is a one-time, two-hour workshop for Mason staff and faculty to learn more about the history, organization, resources, and future of George Mason University. This class is now online with upcoming sessions this Friday, Aug. 28; Friday, Sept. 11; and Wednesday, Sept. 16. Sign up on masonleaps.gmu.edu. For more information, contact Philip Stamper at [email protected] or 703-993-5308.

Mason welcomes largest, most diverse group of students

This week Mason welcomed its largest and most diverse group of new students in university history. Enrollment totals 38,406 students, a 2% increase over last year, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is resulting in smaller incoming classes at some universities.

Welcoming students to ‘a start like no other’

As part of Welcome2Mason events, students participated in events like a virtual Q&A with Tiffany Haddish on Friday and Sunday’s drive-in movie (pictured above). Learn more about the happenings around campus. Watch the video of Mason President Gregory Washington talking with students during the New Student Convocation. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Mason students begin returning to campus with Move-In Weekend

The start of the Fall 2020 semester is just around the corner. Students began returning to the George Mason University campus on Saturday and moving into their residence halls.

Safety protocols to protect against COVID 19 global pandemic meant that things looked somewhat different from previous years, but there was the usual palpable excitement that comes with the start of a new year.

See photo gallery of Move-In Weekend

Disability Services ensures equal access for students

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a variety of changes to the Mason student experience. This “new normal” can be especially challenging for students with varying abilities.

Disability Services—an Office of University Life serving 2,000 students with a wide spectrum of disabilities and conditions—acted quickly to adapt its programs and services to ensure equitable academic access in this new environment. For example, students with autism or ADHD needed support to best adapt to new routines in quarantine. During finals, students who would have utilized the Disability Services Testing Center on campus for extra time or specific technologies needed to be accommodated in a different way.

Read more about Disability Services

Welcome2Mason Events Coming Soon

The fall semester can be a busy time for both new and returning students. To help in this transition, Mason offers a variety of programs and events throughout the first month of the fall semester to support the entire Mason community.

For new students, learning to navigate campus, making connections with peers, and understanding university resources can be overwhelming, but Mason strives to aid students during this pivotal time. The Preamble and Welcome2Mason are a few of the first experiences in the fall semester that will usher in the 2020-2021 year.

Read more about The Preamble and Welcome2Mason

Gradstravaganza: Graduate Student Welcome to be Held August 21

All new and continuing Mason graduate students are invited to Gradstravaganza, Mason’s annual graduate student welcome event. Join us for a virtual version of Gradstravaganza, featuring mini-workshops highlighting strategies for success in graduate school, special sessions for Graduate Assistants (GRAs, GTAs, and GPAs), opportunities to meet and connect with fellow Mason graduate students, and more! Brought to you by Graduate Student Life, the Office of the Provost, the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Graduate and Professional Student Association. More details, including a full schedule of session and how to participate, will be available on the Graduate Student Life page in early August.