Author: Samantha Greenberg

It is hard to believe but Siblings Weekend has arrived! We are happy so many siblings have decided to join us for the weekend’s festivities, and we hope everyone has a great time exploring Mason and all of the opportunities on our schedule.

Schedule and Check-In
We have great activities planned for students and siblings over the weekend such as a scavenger hunt, mystery game, movie night, circus, and much, much more! All siblings that have paid the registration fee and will be joining us for Siblings Weekend have received an email from [email protected] with additional updates on the weekend as well as a parking pass.

Please note that this email does not contain your official check-in materials for Siblings Weekend. Students and siblings will still need to stop by check-in, located in Side Pocket on the second floor of the Hub. Check-in will be held from 9:30 a.m. – noon on Saturday, April 18. Your student will receive a full schedule of events, Siblings Weekend t-shirts, giveaways, and other helpful information when he or she checks in for the weekend. 

Waivers
Additionally, all siblings attending Siblings Weekend (or the parent/guardian if under 18 years of age) must complete a Permission of Participation Waiver in order to participate.

If a sibling is between the ages of 12-18 and will be staying overnight in the residence hall on April 18 they must complete the Overnight Stay Waiver. Please note, all siblings under the age of 12 are prohibited to stay overnight in the residence halls and are encouraged to arrange other overnight accommodations.

*Failure to return all waivers will prevent siblings from being able to participate in the weekend’s festivities. 

Parking Pass
If you are planning to join us for brunch on Sunday, April 19 at Southside or will need to leave your car on campus, you can download a parking pass for the Rappahannock Parking Deck.

If you have any questions as your student prepares for Siblings Weekend please do not hesitate to email [email protected], or call 703.993.2475. We look forward to seeing students and siblings on Saturday!

Kristen Wright
Graduate Assistant
Family Programs and Services

The end of the semester is fast approaching, and before we know it students will be on summer break. With the amount of “stuff” students collect over a year it can be tricky getting your student’s belongings home and then back to Mason again in the fall. The UPS Store, however, is able to help!

The UPS Store, conveniently located in Merten Hall on the Fairfax campus, offers a summer storage program so you won’t have to haul all of your student’s belongings away for the summer. As part of the program, your student would pack all items he or she would like to have stored and we will pick them up in front of his or her residence hall between May 7 and May 14. All belongings will be stored in a safe and secure warehouse over the summer and will be delivered back to Mason in the fall.

The Basic Storage Plan costs $249 and includes up to five 18x18x18 boxes and a roll of packing tape. Encourage your student to sign up before April 20 to receive a $15 discount! Upon payment at The UPS Store, your student will receive the boxes and tape, a packing tip sheet, and in inventory sheet. The inventory sheet must be filled out and returned to us at the time of pick-up. Please be aware that retrieving anything from storage is costly so students should plan not to pack anything they may need over the summer, such as important papers or passports.

We even offer storage for large items such as TVs and mini refrigerators! Visit gmustorage.com and click on the “summer storage” tab for more detailed information on the various storage packages, additional charges for storing large items, and sign up for the service. Your student can also stop by The UPS Store in Merten Hall to register for the storage program.

As an alternative to our storage program, or if you have a student that is graduating, we also offer pack and ship services. We are experts in packing and shipping to all destinations, including international locations, and would be happy to help your student ship their belongings. Our pack and ship guarantee assures your packages will arrive safely and on time.

Encourage your student to visit gmustorage.com, call 703-865-5544, or stop by our location in Merten Hall for more information on all services the UPS Store offers!

Ilka Lazaroff
Manager
The UPS Store, Fairfax Campus

April 7	Fall 2015 registration begins
April 9 - 18	International Week
April 10	Deadline to register for Siblings Weekend
April 18 - 19	Siblings Weekend
April 25	Mason Day
April 27 - May 1	De- Stress Fest

Mason is excited to celebrate its thirty-fourth International Week from April 9 – 18.   This weeklong celebration is a chance for students from the 130 countries represented here at Mason to join together to develop a program of activities that showcase their different cultures.

Registered Student Organizations, Housing & Residence Life, Living-Learning Communities, Multicultural Greek Council, academic programs, and other campus units have come together to sponsor several International Week events including an opening ceremony, culture nights, and the greatly anticipated dance competition! Students, families, and community members are welcome to enjoy the international cuisine, music, lectures, and dance featured during the week.

International Week is one of the most colorful and energetic times on campus. Students plan for months to host their events and even longer to prepare their dance routine for the competition. The talent of our students always impresses their audiences, and we highly encourage you and your student to check out as many events as possible.

To learn more about International Week, check out iweek.gmu.edu, or view the 2015 opening ceremony video or the 2015 dance competition for more information. 

Amber Duffey
Program Coordinator, Student Organizations
Student Involvement