Author: Shyanne Hardy

November 4	Daylight Saving Time ends
November 6	Election Day
November 8-16	Undergraduate spring course registration - Remind your student to register on Patriot Web
November 9-11	Family Weekend
November 11	Veterans Day
November 21-25	Thanksgiving Recess - No classes
November 22	Thanksgiving Day

You can help your student develop and pursue a career plan with confidence by encouraging them to enroll in a career education course this spring semester. George Mason University has a robust Career Education Program of 1-credit courses for students at all stages of career development, from exploring majors and career options, to preparing for the transition to the world of work.

This spring, Mason students can select from the following courses (including online options):

Explore majors and careers to help choose and decide how to use their degree with Decide/Confirm Major (UNIV 220), for second-semester freshman or higher. Mason students say:

• “If you are unsure about your major, this course helps you combine your passion with your skills and reach a decision.”
• “This course helped me learn about the opportunities Mason has to offer and it also helped me declare my major. I wish other students could also take this course.”

Pursue internships and gain other relevant experiences with Internship/Career Readiness (UNIV 320), for sophomores or higher. Mason students say:

• “If you are struggling with finding an internship, this class will help you find one.”
• “I would recommend this to any student who is interested in gaining the skill set required to find an internship in their field of interest.”

Set goals and market themselves for a job or a career after Mason with College to Career (UNIV 420), for juniors and seniors. Students with majors in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHHS) should also consider enrolling in a degree-specific College to Career course through CHSS. Credits for these courses may vary. Mason students say:

• “I firmly believe this class can be the difference between employment and unemployment for recent graduates.”
• “In terms of help for my career, I got more from this one-credit course than I got from almost any of my other courses.”
• “I believe all seniors should take this course. I am glad I did!”

Research, select, and apply for graduate and professional programs with College to Graduate School (UNIV 421), for juniors and seniors. Mason students say:

• “I learned everything I needed to know about preparing for graduate school.”
• “This course allowed me get second opinions and create connections with people in my field through the mock interview and the informational interview I conducted. I am very satisfied with what I got out of it.”

Prepare for workplace realities by building skills employers demand with Developing your Professional Edge (UNIV 422), a one-credit course for graduating seniors. Mason students say:

• “Everything I learned in this class was very helpful for me now and in my future profession, and I will be sure to recommend this class to some of my friends!”
• “All in all, I learned an incredible amount during my time in this course, and I know I am ready to now join the work-force in full stride knowing I have (mostly) developed the career competencies we were taught.”

If your student is interested in enrolling in any of the above courses, more information is available on University Career Services’ website at careers.gmu.edu.

Rachel Lindsey
Assistant Director
University Career Services

Family Weekend registration closes on Sunday, October 28 at midnight (EST). Purchase your tickets now to ensure a smooth check-in process and to guarantee that space is available for your family before registration closes at masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu!

Registration: If you do not register before the deadline, you can register and pay on-site at check-in (cash and check only), which begins Friday, November 9 at noon. Please note that events requiring special event tickets fill up quickly and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. If an event is sold out when online registration closes, we will not sell tickets at check-in. Note: All Family Weekend fees are non-refundable.

Family of the Year nominations: October 26 is the deadline for your student to nominate your family for Family of the Year! Written essays and short videos are accepted and must be submitted online. Apply here!

In addition to being recognized and awarded at Mason’s Got Talent: Dinner and a Show on Saturday evening of Family Weekend, the Family of the Year will receive the following:

• Commemorative plaque
• Family Weekend registration fees will be waived or refunded if already paid in full (up to $300)
• $200 of merchandise from the University Bookstore
• Four tickets to George Mason Men’s Basketball game
• Featured article on our Mason webpage
• Family photo shoot and featured cover photo on the upcoming Mason Family Calendar

Care Packages: During Family Weekend, you will have the opportunity to create your own care package that will be delivered to your favorite Mason student after the weekend. You will be able to choose from a variety of snacks and fun items to help your student finish the semester strong. Cash, check and credit card will be accepted on site.

If you are not able to come to campus for Family Weekend, you can let your favorite student know you are thinking about them by sending a Campus Survival Kit care package filled with fun treats, snacks, and a handwritten gift message! Visit http://www.campussurvivalkits.com/mason and select any kit. Packages will be delivered to the Mason Mail Hub or your student’s off-campus address after Family Weekend.

Where to stay: We have partnered with our friends at Marriott to offer a variety of discounts at local hotels that we encourage your family to take advantage of as you plan for Family Weekend. Although some of the booking deadlines have passed, Springhill Suites Fairfax Fair Oaks still has discounts available until October 25.

Patriot Pantry donations: We will collect donations for the Patriot Pantry at the Family Weekend Check-In, which is dedicated to helping Mason students. On Saturday between 10 a.m.-Noon in the Johnson Center Atrium, we invite you to participate in Mason Families Give Back to help sort and store donations. We encourage your family to bring any of the following needed items:

Nonperishables:
Pre-made meals/pre-made on-the-go snacks, granola bars/snack bars, chips and crackers, rice, cereal, non-perishable milk, healthy snacks, peanut butter, oatmeal, pasta, pasta sauce, canned meat (chicken, beef, pork, etc.)

Hygiene products:
Deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrushes/toothpaste, laundry detergent/dryer sheets, feminine hygiene products, hand soap, body wash, and shaving cream/razors

School supplies:
College-ruled paper, notebooks, planners, folders, binders, scantrons, #2 pencils, highlighters and index cards

We look forward to celebrating with all of our Mason families on November 9-11! Stay updated on all things Family Weekend – follow our George Mason Family Programs Facebook page, view our schedule of events and frequently asked questions at masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu, and download our schedule app at familyweekend2018.sched.com.

Sam Greenberg
Associate Director of Family Programs
New Student and Family Programs

Halloween is right around the corner, and while this time of year involves a lot of fun, there are some things your students should do to stay safe before going out with their friends. Below are a few safety measures for your student to consider before participating in Halloween events and activities:

Halloween/party safety tips for your student

• Go with a group and leave with the same group. Keep an eye on friends and designate a place to meet after the event.
• Have a reliable (and sober!) way back to the residence hall or apartment if going to a party or gathering with alcohol.
• Eat and hydrate properly before the party.
• Know their body’s limits. When they think it’s time to stop drinking – stop.
• Stay alert and do not accept alcohol handouts.
• Leave if they feel uncomfortable.
• Avoid costumes that make them unrecognizable.
• Don’t wear a costume that includes anything that could be confused with a real weapon.
• Charge phone to full capacity.

Share these tips with your student to ensure that they stay safe and enjoy their Halloween experience. Also, check out this article at goo.gl/kBUuvb in the Huffington Post for more information and safety precautions for your student: How to Have Fun While Staying Safe at a College Halloween Party.

How to contact Mason Police
Mason Police’s non-emergency phone number is (703) 993-2810. Encourage your student to save this number in their phone. They should notify Mason Police, campus security, or a university employee of any individual who appears not to have legitimate business on campus or whose actions arouse suspicion or concern.

Students may request a security escort any time on campus by calling Mason Police at (703) 993-2810.

Download the new Emergency Preparedness App — RAVE GUARDIAN
Rave Guardian is a campus safety mobile application that enhances preparedness and safety on campus using interactive features and allowing students to create a virtual network of friends, family, and campus safety personnel. The application also includes anonymous, two-way crime reporting through text and picture messaging.

The application is available to all students with a university email address for free through the Apple App store and the Google Play store.

We encourage you to talk with your student about campus safety and personal preparedness. For more information and resources, visit police.gmu.edu or contact the Department of Police and Public Safety at (703) 993-2810. We also encourage you to view the Annual Security Report at police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report.

Lieutenant Michael Guston
Community Outreach Officer
George Mason University Police Department