Author: Rebecca McCrory

Each year, Orientation and Family Programs and Services recognizes one family with the Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award. This award acknowledges the important role that families play in their students’ experience at Mason. This year, the award will be presented at the Family Weekend Welcome Dinner on Friday, October 14. To register for Family Weekend, click here.

In 2015 we were thrilled to honor the Brandon Family with this award. Maya Brandon wrote in her application essay: “There were many times where I lost my way, but my mother was always there to pick me up and get me back on track. Where she found herself lacking financially, she made up with faith and an astounding dedication to excellence, for herself and her daughter. She has pushed me to be all I can be and then some. I attribute my successes simply to my mother and I could never give back to her all that she has given to me. I could never express my gratitude in a way that fully displayed how grateful I am that she was chosen to be my mother.”

Maya and her family truly reminded us of the essential role all Mason Families play in our students’ support networks. Encourage your student to nominate your family for this award, by clicking here to complete the application form and submit a short written or video essay.

The selection committee will review submitted applications based on the following criteria:

• Evidence of family’s support for student’s college success
• Evidence of family’s enthusiasm for Mason
• Ability to articulate why their family is deserving of this honor

The Family of the Year will receive a commemorative plaque, $200 worth of merchandise from the George Mason University Bookstore, a featured article on the George Mason University website, a featured cover photo on the upcoming Mason Family Calendar, and will have all fees associated with Family Weekend registration waived or refunded up to $300.

We can’t wait to see you and your family at Family Weekend and hope that your student will take the time to nominate your family for the Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award! Please contact families@gmu.edu if you have any questions.

Lindsey Conner
Graduate Assistant
Family Programs and Services

Orientation brings thousands of students to campus throughout the summer months, many of which have one important thing on their minds: where to live come August. Whether your student is new to Mason or returning, it is essential to start now to make sure students secure housing as soon as possible.

One of the best ways to get to know what off-campus housing is like in Northern Virginia is to attend the Off-Campus Housing Fair on July 14 from 2 – 4:30 p.m. in the Johnson Center. Properties will come to campus and will share information on what they have to offer. Even if your student is not looking for immediate housing, the fair gives students a great idea of what apartments around Fairfax are like. Furthermore, Off-Campus Student Programs and Services will be available to help with roommate, budgeting, and transportation options for new off-campus students.

Before the Off-Campus Housing Fair, your student can prepare by visiting the Off-Campus Housing website. This will allow them to filter properties by price, location, transportation accessibility, etc. to find a great place to live. This website gets over one million hits throughout the year and is the recommended way to search for housing for Mason students, staff, and faculty.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact Off-Campus Student Programs and Services at offcamp1@gmu.edu or 703-992-2475.

Emilie Dubert
Associate Director
Off-Campus Student Programs and Services

Whether your student is arriving on campus this fall for his or her first semester, or for the beginning of senior year, Parking and Transportation would like to share some information to help you and your student plan for a smooth commute to campus.

Parking Permits 
Parking permits will go on sale on Wednesday, July 22 at parking.gmu.edu. Once your student has purchased his or her parking permit, the hangtag will be mailed to your student’s home address and he or she can print a temporary pass for use up to ten days in the meantime. Students who join Zimride, Mason’s free rideshare network, will be able to buy a parking permit two days early on Monday, July 20. Student can use Zimride to find or share a ride, or to find a carpool partner. For information on permit choices and rates, click here.

Detours and Lane Closures 
Through approximately August 22 there will be some detours and lane closures on the northwest part of the Fairfax Campus as Patriot Circle is rebuilt to the south of its current location between George Mason Boulevard and Aquia Creek Lane. The George Mason Boulevard entrance to campus is closed as well this summer as part of the construction of the Petersen Family College of Health and Human Services Building. You and your student can keep up with the latest construction and other impacts at building.gmu.edu.

Alternative Transportation: Mason Shuttles and Bicycles
Mason shuttles and bicycles are not only convenient, but are great green transportation options for your student to try this fall. There are currently six Mason shuttle routes with various on- and off-campus destinations including the Vienna Metro, Burke Centre VRE, regional malls, and our Science and Technology Campus (formerly Prince William Campus). All shuttles and the CUE Bus are free with Mason ID and are equipped with a bike rack. Schedules and maps for the shuttles are available at shuttle.gmu.edu.

Through the end of August, the Sandy Creek shuttle stop will be closed as the Transit Center project begins construction. This new transit center, which is financed by Fairfax County, will quadruple bus capacity at the main shuttle hub. For more information, click here. Information about shuttle schedule changes related to this project will be found at shuttle.gmu.edu and on Twitter.

Mason is also a designated Bicycle Friendly University with over a 1400 bike racks bike pumps, and fix-it stations. Students can register their bike at bike.gmu.edu to receive a free U-lock, bike lights, and maps.

If you have any questions about your new commute or need more information, please contact us at transpo@gmu.edu or 703.993.2828.

 

Joshua Cantor
Mason Parking & Transportation
transportation.gmu.edu
Mason Parking
Mason Shuttles
Mason Parking & Transportation Facebook

July 4	Independence Day (University closed)
July 5	Summer Recess (Classes do not meet)
July 6	Final drop deadline (50% tuition penalty)- Summer session C
July 14	Off-Campus Housing Fair
July 20	Parking Permits Available for Purchase
July 27	Last day of classes- Summer session D
July 28	Last day of classes- Summer session C
July 28-30	Exam period- Summer session D
July 29-30	Exam period- Summer session C