Frequently Asked Questions
Online Reservation Questions
What is my Mason G Number?
When applying to the university, studentts will recieve a computer-generated ID number from our Admissions Office, which is your Mason G Number. If you do not have a G number, please contact the Admissions Office at 703-993-2400.
What if I need to change my reservation?
For us to better serve our new students, we ask that you refrain from changing your session date unless absolutely necessary. When requesting a new Orientation date, keep in mind the following:
- You may only reschedule your orientation to a date in which your Major is represented.
- Changes are contingent on space being available on the new Orientation date requested.
- Chages must be made no later than five days prior to the new Orientation date requested.
To change or cancel your date, please call 703-993-2475
What is I miss my scheduled Orientation?
If you miss your scheduled Oreintation, you are responsible for contacting our office and signing up for a new session. When signing up for a new date, you will be required to attend a session in which your major is represented on a space-available basis.
Freshman Orientation
Why do I need to attend Orientation?
You will gain many benefits from attending Orientation. You will meet faculty, staff, and administrators; speak with an academic advisor; register for classes; spend time getting information about university services, programs, and resources; meet other new students; spend time with your Patriot Leader; learn about campus life; catch the Patriot spirit; and have fun! All new students are required to attend
Orientation to be eligible to register for classes.
Will my family members and guests be with me during Orientation?
You will be with your family members and guests during part of Orientation. We have a number of sessions designed specifically for students. During these programs, family members and guests will be in programs designed especially for them.
Can my friend come with me to Orientation?
We do not encourage students to bring friends. At this time, you need to focus and learn about the new opportunities that await you. In addition, no housing will be available for friends
to stay overnight. There is a nonrefundable fee of $30 per family member or guest who attends Orientation with you.
What should I bring to Orientation?
You will need to bring a photo ID. If you have a reservation to spend the night on campus, bring your $25 room fee (payable by check or money order only), a book bag, and an alarm clock. We also encourage you to bring your parents and/or family members!
Do I have to stay for the entire Orientation?
Orientation is a two-day program. To benefit from the program and register for classes, you must attend both days.
When do classes start?
Classes for the fall 2009 semester will begin Monday, August 31, 2009.
Is there a fee for Orientation?
Undergraduate students enrolling for the first time are charged a $160 New Student and Orientation Fee. This fee covers the cost associated with Orientation preparation and materials, mailings and publications, catered meals, parking, and new student programs offered throughout the school year. This mandatory, nonrefundable, onetime fee will appear on each student’s account upon registration for classes. The fee is assessed regardless of enrollment or Orientation attendance.
When can I register for my classes?
You will be advised and able to register for classes at Orientation; however, all students must attend both days to register.
Do I need to take the Math Placement Test?
Most Mason students, regardless of major, will need to take a math course. Every beginning math course has, as a prerequisite, a particular score on the Math Placement Test. Therefore, most students who know their major need to take the test. Information regarding math placement testing can be found online at math.gmu.edu. You will have an opportunity to take this test at Orientation. If you live nearby and prefer to take the test prior to Orientation, the web site lists a number of dates and times when the test is offered.
When are my immunizations due?
You will not be eligible to register for the spring 2010 semester without complete immunization records. Even though you will be able to register for your fall 2009 classes at Orientation, it is recommended that you submit your forms prior to the start of the fall 2009 semester. Forms must be returned to the Immunization Office by October 1, 2009. For additional information regarding immunizations, please contact the Student Health Services Immunization Office at 703-993-2836
or immunize@gmu.edu.
Is there an office that provides services for students with disabilities?
If you have a documented disability, the Office of Disability Services is available to serve you. The center is in Student Union Building I, Room 211, on the Fairfax Campus (703-993-2474, TTY 703-993-2476).
Who should go to the Information and Transition Workshop for Students with Disabilities?
Any student who has a documented disability should attend this workshop. The session will answer questions about documentation, registering for services, and how to secure reasonable accommodations at Mason. The afternoon session provides students who specifically have a learning disability or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with feedback on how prepared they are to study
in a university and what resources are available to help them be successful college students.
When will I receive information about on-campus housing?
Initial information and the housing viewbook were included in your admittance packet to the university. A wealth of information and the housing application are also available at housing.gmu.edu. Remember to apply early! Housing requests are honored in the order of the date your Housing Application is completed online, not the date your $300 housing deposit is posted at Student
Accounts. Please remember that OHRL cannot guarantee new incoming freshman the availability of a fall space if their application or deposit is recieved after May 1.
How else can I learn about on-campus housing at Mason?
We highly recommend that you attend the optional Housing Information Session when you attend Orientation this summer. You will gain detailed information and helpful tips about on-campus housing, the assignment process, and new student move-in at Mason.
When will I find out about my housing assignment? By early August, initial assignment letters will be sent to your Mason e-mail account. This message will indicate the type of room (double, triple, quintuple) and the building to which you have been assigned. Given this information, you can either accept or decline on-campus housing at Mason. You will be sent an Academic Year
Housing and Dining Services Agreement via your Mason e-mail account.
- To accept your assignment, complete the instructions and return your agreement by the August 4, 2009, deadline.
- To decline your assignment, please contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life in writing to notify that office that you will not be accepting the assignment.
When will I receive roommate information and move-in instructions?
In mid August, you can log in to your account at https:// housing.gmu.edu:442/ and look under "Bookings" for your room and roommate information. Move-in instructions will be posted on the main website at housing.gmu.edu.
Where can I go to meet people?
Orientation will provide you opportunities to meet other new students and learn firsthand about the best ways to become involved at Mason.
How do I get a parking permit?
Once you have registered for your classes and received your Mason ID, you can purchase your parking permit. Parking permits are available from Parking Services, located in the Parking Services Building next to the Sandy Creek Parking Deck. You can also purchase the permit online at parking.gmu.edu. Freshman residents are only allowed to purchase a West Campus permit and must
park their vehicles in the West Campus Lot M-F 7am-8pm. Check the Parking Services website for information about when permits will be on sale.
What is the Student Transition and Empowerment Program (STEP)?
STEP is an ongoing Diversity Programs & Services initiative, established to enhance the recruitment,
satisfaction and retention of an intentionally diverse array of selected, first-year, George Mason University students. Nominated recipients are all Virginia residents and are often first generation college students.
The overall objective of STEP is to give students curricular and co-curricular support prior to and
during their tenure as Mason students. They will gain an appreciation for service, leadership, diversity and academic excellence. Participants of this incentive- based program are given a jump-start to their scholastic endeavors through academic preparation, career exploration, cultural awareness opportunities, service learning projects, and empowerment services. Students currently enrolled in STEP are asked to attend Orientation on or before June 25-26. However, if that session date is not an optimal choice, STEP students are asked to attend Orientation on or by June 25-26.
For more information, call the Office of Diversity Programs and Services at 703-993-2700.
What do I do if I cannot attend Orientation?
After notifying the Office of Orientation and Family Programs and Services, you will need to call your
academic department and seek advising on your own. You will be responsible for obtaining the information reviewed at Orientation. We encourage you to stop by our office once you arrive on campus for classes to obtain resource information regarding your successful transition to Mason. If you do not come to Orientation but have been advised, you can register on or after July
25, 2009.
Transfer Orientation
Why do I need to attend Orientation?
You will gain many benefits from attending Orientation. You will meet faculty, staff, and administrators; speak with an academic advisor; register for classes; get information on university services, programs, and resources; meet other new students; learn about campus life; and catch the Mason Spirit! Orientation is required of all new students in order to register for classes.
I have a hectic schedule and do not have time to come to Orientation. What should I do?
We understand the hectic schedules many students have; therefore, we offer an evening program. This program offers a nuts-and-bolts approach. The program allows you to be advised and register for classes. The program begins at 5 p.m. and ends by 9 p.m.
Do I have to stay for the entire Orientation?
To benefit from the program and register for classes, you will need to attend the entire session.
I was a George Mason Extended Studies student, and now I will be a degree-seeking student. Will I be required to attend Orientation?
As an Extended Studies student, you were not required to attend Orientation; however, as a degree-seeking student, you are required to attend Orientation.
What are the Orientation activities for parents and guests?
A brief family program is offered during the daytime sessions only. This program offers parents and guests the opportunity to spend time in the family programs and with student leaders to learn more about the opportunities at Mason and beyond.
What should I bring to Orientation?
You will need to bring a photo ID and the parking pass located on page 31 in this booklet, click here to be directed to it. In addition, you will need the following:
• Documentation of course recommendations if you have already seen an academic advisor prior to Orientation
• All documentation sent to you by the Admissions Office, including your Transfer Credit Evaluation
• A copy of your unofficial transcripts from previous institutions you have attended
Do you provide overnight accommodations?
We are unable to provide overnight accommodations; however, a number of hotels are located within a five-mile radius. Please refer to our web site for a listing of area hotels (orientation.gmu.edu, click on Hotel and Lodging) or see page 32 of this booklet.
When can I register for my classes?
Transfer students should log on to the Transfer Center website for information about pre-orientation departmental advising http://www.gmu.edu/departments/transfer. All transfer students must also attend an orientation.
When do classes start?
Classes for the Fall 2009 semester will begin Monday, August 31, 2009.
Whom do I contact about my transfer credit evaluation?
If you have questions concerning your transfer credits, please contact the Admissions Office at
703-993-2400.
Where can I go to meet people?
Orientation will provide you opportunities to meet other new students and learn firsthand about the best ways to become involved at Mason.
How do I change my address?
You will need to contact the the Registrar’s Office to change your address. It is located in the North Chesapeake Module on the Fairfax Campus.
How do I change my major?
If you wish to change your major, you may do so by submitting the Change/Declaration of Academic Program Form to the Registrar’s office. The form is available at http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms/index.html.
How do I find off-campus housing?
For information on off-campus housing, please visit och.gmu.edu.
When can I take the Math Placement Test?
The test is offered during Orientation, as well as throughout the semester. If you live in Northern Virginia, we strongly encourage you to come to campus and take the test before or after Orientation. Taking the test before Orientation will allow you to concentrate on other activities at Orientation. Please refer to the Math Placement web site for dates and times the test is offered math.gmu.edu.
Do I need to take the Math Placement Test?
Most Mason students, regardless of major, will need to take a math course. Every beginning math course has, as a prerequisite, a particular score on the Math Placement Test. Therefore, most students who know their major need to take the test. Information regarding math placement testing can be found online at math.gmu.edu. You will have an opportunity to take this test at Orientation. If you live nearby and prefer to take the test prior to Orientation, the web site lists a number of dates and times when the test is offered.
Do I need to take the Foreign Language Placement Test?
For information regarding the Foreign Language Placement Test, please refer to mcl.gmu.edu/resources/placement_testing.html or call 703-993-1220.
Is there an office that provides services for students with disabilities?
If you have a documented disability, the Office of Disability Services is available to serve you. The center is in Student Union Building I, Room 211, on the Fairfax Campus (703-993-2474, TTY 703-993-2476).
Who should go to the Information and Transition Workshop for Students with Disabilities?
Any student who has a documented disability should attend this workshop. The session will answer questions about documentation, registering for services, and how to secure reasonable accommodations at Mason. The afternoon session provides students who specifically have a learning disability or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with feedback on how prepared they are to study in a university and what resources are available to help them be successful college students.
How do I get a parking permit?
Once you have registered for your classes and received your Mason ID, you can purchase your parking permit. Parking permits are available from Parking Services, located in the Parking Services Building next to the Sandy Creek Parking Deck. You can also purchase the permit online at parking.gmu.edu. Freshman residents are only allowed to purchase a West Campus permit and must park their vehicles in the West Campus LotM-F 7am-8pm. Check the Parking Services website for information about when permits will be on sale.
When are my immunizations due?
Immunizations are due before October 1, 2009. Please turn in your records as soon as possible, if they are not received by October 1, 2009, there will be a hold placed on your student account and you will not be able to register for Spring classes until we receive and/or complete your immunization records. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Student Health Services, Immunization Office at 703-993-2836
What are the immunizations requirements?
The requirements for GMU and the State of Virginia are as follows:
Hepatitis B must receive 3 doses of vaccine OR provide
1. titer report indicating positive immunity or sign waiver
Tetanus and Diptheria: Last booster within 10 years. OR
2. Tetanus Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) for the decennial booster Two (2) doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
3. vaccine administered after your first birthday AND after 1967. OR Two (2) doses of the following vaccine: Measles vaccines, mumps and rubella. All must have been administered after your first birthday AND after 1967.OR Titer report indicating MMR immunity is acceptable in place of vaccine documentation. Meningococcal Vaccine: must receive vaccine or sign
4. waiver Tuberculosis Screening (PPD) - Tuberculosis screening
5. is required of all students at high risk for tuberculosis as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Foreign born persons from countries that have a high prevalence of tuberculosis.
If you do not have your immunization records please call or stop by the Immunization Office in Student Union I, Room 215 to discuss your options or call 703-993-2836 or 703-993-2135.
