We are less than 40 days from Family Weekend and 30 days until online registration closes on Sunday, October 27 at masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu. Access passes are only $5 for each family member and FREE for Mason students and children ages 2 and under. (Be sure to add your entire family, even your Mason student, to your registration.) This pass allows you to join in on the fun that is Family Weekend and grants you entrance into the more than 50 events that do not require special event tickets. Check out some of the free events below:
All Weekend
Recreation Open House
Use Mason’s state-of-the-art recreation facilities on the Fairfax campus – the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC), Aquatic and Fitness Center (AFC), and Skyline!
Friday, November 8
What’s Buzzing at Mason?
12-2 p.m., Johnson Center, Dewberry Lobby
German Perilla, Director of the Honey Bee Initiative at the School of Business and College of Science, will host a honey tasting and exhibition showcasing the Mason honey bee program. Come see what all the buzz is about!
Photo Booth
12-6:30 p.m., Johnson Center, Dewberry Lobby
We know you’ll want to remember this weekend, so stop by our photo booth to capture the moment with your family in front of some unique Mason backdrops!
True or False? Uncovering Fake News
2-3 p.m., Johnson Center, Bistro
Join the Mason Libraries for a fun, family-friendly workshop on identifying fake news. This interactive session addresses the many faces of news today from the slightly misleading to the biased to the truly outrageous.
Academic Receptions
3:30-5 p.m., Various campus locations
You are invited to stop by to mingle with Mason faculty and staff from the following academic Colleges and Schools:
- College of Health and Human Services
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Science
- College of Visual and Performing Arts
- Schar School of Policy and Government
- School of Business
- School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution
- Volgenau School of Engineering
Patriot Tech Open Game Play
4-6 p.m., Johnson Center, Patriot Tech Store
Join other Mason students and families in video game open play! Multiple gaming unit will be available. Snacks and board games will also be available.
An Evening Under the Stars
7:30 p.m., Research Building, Room 163 & Observatory
Visit the College of Science’s on-campus observatory for an introductory tour and observation of the night sky through our 0.8-meter diameter telescope (weather permitting). Depending upon conditions, you will observe available planets, stars, galaxies, and more!
Saturday, November 9
Mason Families Give Back
10 a.m.-12 p.m., Johnson Center
Join fellow Mason students and families for various service projects – stay for the entire time or drop in to help these great causes! We will make animal chew toys for rescue animals in foster care at Operation Paws for Homes. We also encourage you to bring items for the Patriot Pantry or contribute monetarily to the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund.
Faculty Spotlights
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Various campus locations
Mason faculty are not just professors. They are researchers, too! Four of Mason’s faculty members will present at different times throughout the day on Saturday and share their studies and experiences on the topics of study abroad, criminal minds, peacebuilding, and artificial blubber.
Little Patriots Lounge
1-4 p.m., Johnson Center, Gold Room
Calling all future Mason Patriots! Mason students can bring their siblings, cousins and friends to enjoy crafts, Wii games, giveaways, and more. Feel free to drop Little Patriots off here and explore other programming like our Faculty Spotlights!
Regatta de Cardboard
2-4 p.m., Aquatic and Fitness Center, Competition Pool
Want to prove yourself to be the best on the water? Put your sailing skills to the test in the Regatta de Cardboard! Participants will create sea-worthy vessels out of only cardboard and duct tape, and then race across the AFC competition pool.
Play the Patriot Way
4-6 p.m., Skyline
Play the Patriot way and join us for an afternoon of interactive games and activities, including corn hole, four square, and giant jenga!
Sunday, November 10
Free Play at Corner Pocket
11 a.m.-11 p.m.
The Hub, Corner Pocket
Enjoy free billiards, table tennis, video games, air hockey, foosball, and more!
Do you need to make accommodations? 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:
- Courtyard Fairfax Fair Oaks: Book by October 24
- Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks: Book by October 24
- Residence Inn Fairfax City: Book by October 24
- Springhill Suites Fairfax Fair Oaks: Book by October 24
Check out our full schedule of events for the weekend! Visit masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu and download our schedule app at masonfw19.sched.com to create your custom schedule. Questions about Family Weekend? Call (703) 993-2475 or email families@gmu.edu.
Rebecca Stauffacher
Assistant Director of Family Programs
New Student and Family Programs
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