Explore Mason

REGISTRATION FOR EXPLORE MASON IS NOW OPEN!

Explore Mason will take place on Friday, July 8 and Friday, July 22, 2022. This event will have a welcome session, large group presentations, breakout sessions, a lunch, and select post-event opportunities such as a campus tour. Students and their guest will largely move through the program together. Check-in for this event will begin at 9am and the formal program will go until 2pm, with optional activities until 5pm EDT.

There will be no walk-on registrations or waitlist.  If this event has to be cancelled for any reason, immediate correspondence will be sent to all participants and there will not be a replacement event.   

Questions or registration issues? Contact New Student and Family Programs at orientu@gmu.edu or 703-993-2475.

While George Mason University understands the value of visiting the university’s campus in-person, the health and safety of the George Mason community and our visitors is top priority. We are monitoring health conditions in the region and following safety guidance from state and federal officials to limit the spread of COVID-19.

We are requiring that all Explore Mason participants and their one guest comply with the following protocols:

• Complete the Mason COVID Health Check questionnaire on the day of your visit. Each participant must show a green check within the app to gain access to the Explore Mason event. This will require separate logins.
• Follow face covering requirements  as stated in  University Policy 1415.
• Comply with all COVID-19 related instructions, guidelines, requirements, and signage, including requirements for physical distancing.
• Follow hand hygiene and cough/sneeze etiquette.
• Follow the participant and guest event schedule respectively and abide by stated safety guidelines expressed prior to and during the event.
• Read our FAQs about what to expect during your time on campus (below). As it is summer and we have reduced residential and staffing capacities, campus will look and feel a little different during your visit. Not all campus entities will be accessible during this time.
• Arrive to campus 15-20 minutes prior to the start of the event to allow time for parking, as well as a socially distanced check-in and seating process for the event.
• Refrain from participating if you have experienced possible COVID-19 symptoms within 10 days of the Explore Mason event, or if you are not fully vaccinated and have reason to believe you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 during the last 14 days. Please contact New Student and Family Programs at (703) 993-2475 if you test positive for COVID-19 within 48 hours after the program.

Note that COVID-19 conditions and associated protocols can change rapidly in this unprecedented time and are subjected to change as necessary.

Failure to follow these protocols or any others that are put in place may result in a participant being removed from the program.

Additionally, participants acknowledge that they understand that participating in the Explore Mason program may involve being in proximity to other individuals and coming into contact with surfaces that have been touched by other individuals, which may result in you contracting a communicable disease, including but not limited to COVID-19.  By completing the event registration form and participating in the Explore Mason program, participants acknowledge and assume these risks.

All event times are EST. Participants are required to follow their respective schedule. 

SAMPLE Event Schedule*

*Schedule subjected to change.

Is this program optional? 

• Yes. Students who do not attend this program are not missing any content that they can not experience during the Virtual Orientation programs and accompanying virtual student engagement experiences. This program simply provides an additional on-campus component.

How long is this event?  What time should I arrive? 

• This event still take place from 10am-2pm EST, with a 9am check-in process. Arrive to campus 15-20 minutes prior to the start of the event to allow time for parking, as well as a socially distanced check-in and seating process for the event.

How much does this event cost? 

• There are no costs associated with registering for this event for students. Guests will be charged $35 for adults or $20 for a child.

What happens at this event?  What can I expect? 

• This event will have a welcome session, large group presentations, breakout sessions, a lunch, and select post-event opportunities such as a campus tour. See SAMPLE event schedule above.

Can I bring a guest with me? How many guests can I bring? 

• Yes. Students will only be able to register one guest. This is to allow as many students to register for this event as possible. THERE IS NO WAITLIST FOR THIS EVENT & NO WALK-ON REGISTRATIONS OR ADDITIONAL GUEST WILL BE ALLOWED.

Will students and families be together? 

• Students and their guest will largely move through the program together with options to choose their own adventures separately as desired.

Is food going to be available? 

• Yes. Account for dietary restrictions in the event registration form.

Am I required to wear a face covering? 

• Wear a face covering as stated by University Policy 1415.

Where should I park? 

• Participants will be able to park in Lot K. This parking will be free-of-charge and not require a parking pass on Explore Mason event days.

Is prior registration required? Is there a waitlist or on-site registration? 

• Yes. Registration link can be found above. THERE IS NO WAITLIST FOR THIS EVENT & NO WALK-ON REGISTRATIONS OR ADDITIONAL GUEST WILL BE ALLOWED. 

Are there any actions I need to take before coming to campus? 

• Yes. The day of your visit, complete the Mason COVID Health Check questionnaire before arriving on campus. Only pre-registered visitors with a “Green Status” will be permitted entry to the Explore Mason event and verification will be requested at check-in.
• Also, if you would like to pick-up your Mason ID while on-campus, please upload your ID photo at least 3 days prior to the event. The link is in your confirmation email or on the Mason Card Office website.

What do I do if a session is full? 

• Your alternate option is a self-guided walking tour of campus. Download a self-guided walking tour map  to explore campus at your convenience. THERE IS NO WAITLIST FOR THIS EVENT & NO WALK-ON REGISTRATIONS OR ADDITIONAL GUEST WILL BE ALLOWED. 

How is this program going to be safe? 

• See “COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Participants” section above.

Does this program replace Orientation? 

• No. This event is not Orientation nor replaces the Virtual Orientation experience.

Will I be able to meet with Financial Aid? 

• The Mason Student Services Center (MSSC) is the first point of contact for general inquires related to billing and payments, financial aid, and registration and enrollment. The Mason Student Services Center is located on the Fairfax Campus in the first-floor lobby of Student Union Building 1. Upon arrival, visitors should check-in on an iPad and proceed to the Waiting Area. In-person services, including document drop-off, are offered on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm. Students who prefer virtual service may submit questions or documents to the MSSC online at mssc.gmu.edu, using the MSSC Virtual Services Check-In Link. The MSSC Community is available for students who prefer to self-serve and contains hundreds of articles and faq’s for new and continuing students.

Will I be able to see a residence hall? 

• Yes. With that said, exact rooms will not be shown due to camps and conferences that are taking place in those spaces. A model room will be shown and university housing staff will be on site to answer questions about difference buildings and spaces as able. You can find pictures of GMU residence halls here: https://www.facebook.com/MasonHousing/photos 

Will I be able to meet with an academic advisor? 

• There are no in-person advising appointments offered through this program as all students should have already met with an advisor during their Virtual Orientation program prior to this event. With that said, academic colleges will be present during a tabling fair to answer questions that you may have about the academic college or general advising.