| October 4-5 | Fall Job and Internship Fair |
| October 7 | Saturday classes in session |
| October 9 | Columbus Day recess (Monday classes/labs meet Tuesday; Tuesday classes do not meet) |
| October 12 | Flu shots begin |
| October 12-15 | Alumni Weekend |
| October 13 | Midterm evaluations end |
| October 13 | Mason Madness |
| October 25 | Family of the Year nominations close |
| October 29 | Family Weekend registration closes |
| October 31 | Halloween |
Are you interested in getting involved at Mason by serving as an ambassador to current and prospective families? If so, consider joining the Parent and Family Council!
The Parent and Family Council was established by Orientation and Family Programs and Services as a way to enhance communication between the university and families, and to foster an opportunity for families to become engaged and informed members of the Mason community.
The Council meets twice a year on the Fairfax campus to learn more about the university, plan programs and events to involve parents and families, and contribute knowledge of the student experience to help inform practices at Mason. Council members are also required to attend at least two events throughout the year as a way to further connect to families of current Mason students.
We currently have openings on the Council and will be accepting applications through Friday, November 3. For more information on the expectations of Council members and the application process, visit masonfamily.gmu.edu/parent-and-family-council/membership-information.
If you would like to communicate directly with a Parent and Family Council member about their experience, email askpafc@gmu.edu. For general questions about the Council or the application process, contact Orientation and Family Programs and Services at families@gmu.edu or (703) 993-2475.
Isaac Agbeshie-Noye
Director
Orientation and Family Programs and Services
The seventh annual Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award, which will be presented at Family Weekend 2017 on November 10-12, was established to recognize the critical role families play in their student’s experience at Mason and to remind us that you are an essential part of our students’ support network.
Instructions
Mason undergraduate students have the opportunity to nominate their family by either writing an essay or creating a short video essay that describes why their family is worthy of this honor. Both written and video entries will be judged using the following criteria:
• Must pertain to George Mason University
• 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
All entries, both written and video, must be accompanied by a nomination form, which can be found at masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu/2017-family-of-the-year-application. Entries must be submitted in either written or video format, and the deadline to submit an entry is 5 p.m. on October 25. The guidelines below will be considered in the selection process:
• Written submissions should be no more than 1,000 words and can be submitted using the space on masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu/2017-family-of-the-year-application or uploaded as a PDF document.
• Video submissions must follow YouTube rules and guidelines, be no longer than than three minutes, must not exceed 500MB, and you must have ownership of the video and permissions from anyone appearing in it. Video submissions should be emailed to families@gmu.edu.
• It is the sole discretion of George Mason University Orientation and Family Programs and Services to determine acceptability of content or style.
Selection Process
Family of the Year Award nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. on October 25. A panel of university representatives comprised of faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate students will choose the winning family. The winning family will be notified via email. The 2017 Family of the Year will receive the following:
• A commemorative plaque presented at “Mason’s Got Talent: Dinner and a Show” on Saturday, November 11
• All fees associated with Family Weekend registration will be waived or refunded if already paid in full (up to $300)
• $200 worth of merchandise from the University Bookstore
• Four prime tickets to Mason’s first men’s home basketball game on Friday, November 10
• A featured article on gmu.edu
• A family photo shoot and featured cover photo on the upcoming Mason Family Calendar print publication
To register for Family Weekend on November 10-12, visit masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu. For questions about the Family of the Year Award, contact Lindsey Conner, Project Coordinator for Orientation and Family Programs and Services, at lconner3@gmu.edu.
Rebecca Stauffacher
Coordinator for Family Programs
Orientation and Family Programs and Services
| October 1 | Immunization record deadline |
| October 1 | Suit-Up Mason |
| October 1 | Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available |
| October 4-5 | Fall Job and Internship Fair |
| October 7 | Saturday classes in session |
| October 9 | Columbus Day recess (Monday classes/labs meet Tuesday; Tuesday classes do not meet) |
| October 12 | Flu shots begin |
| October 12-15 | Alumni Weekend |
| October 13 | Midterm evaluations end |
| October 13 | Mason Madness |
| October 25 | Family of the Year nominations close |
| October 29 | Family Weekend registration closes |
| October 31 | Halloween |
