Welcome to George Mason

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Holton Plaza

Tour stop audio transcript

Welcome to George Mason University! Mason is the largest public research university in the state of Virginia, located in Fairfax, just 15 miles from Washington, D.C.   With a location like this, Mason provides incredible opportunities for internships in the nation's capital, and you'll feel right at home on our beautiful residential campus. With more than 20,000 undergraduate students, Mason has something for everyone, and you'll never be bored. From our engineering and natural sciences programs, to fine arts and humanities, chances are you'll find a major that's just right for you.

Honors College

Tour stop audio transcript

The Honors College Lounge, located in Buchanan Hall, provides a space for students to maintain a sense of community while being in close proximity to the advisor offices. Mason's Honors College provides curious and driven students an alternative route to complete Mason's general education requirements in fewer credits. Students enjoy small, discussion-based classes; individualized academic mentoring, advising, and support services; access to the residential Learning Community; and preparation to take advantage of all the opportunities a tier-1 research university offers. Through the college's philosophy of challenge and support, Honors students become research assistants, recipients of grants, competitive scholarships, and fellowships, leaders on campus, and interns in Northern Virginia, D.C., and around the world.

de Laski Performing Arts Building

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Here we are in the De Laski Performing Arts Center, home to Mason's music, dance, and theater majors. This state-of-the-art facility is used as classroom, performance, and rehearsal space. The other main performing arts building on campus is the Center for the Arts, which hosts many events throughout the year. The Virginia Opera, Parsons Dance Company, and the Washington Symphonic Brass have all taken stage there. Tickets are often free for students and you'll get to see some of the best performers in the D.C. area.

Wilkins Plaza

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Wilkins Plaza, named for late civil rights leader and previous Mason professor Roger Wilkins, is the site of the Enslaved People of George Mason memorial, the result of research conducted by students, to discover the fuller history of the university's namesake. George Mason IV was a slaveholder who owned more than 100 children and adults of African descent, yet little is known about the individuals he held in bondage. The research examined the lives of rightless communities at Gunston Hall, Mason's 18th-century plantation, and led to a Memorial on campus depicting Penny, a 10-year-old girl, and James, a personal manservant. This Memorial presents an opportunity to nurture remembrance through scholarship and discuss the legacies of slavery in Virginia and beyond.

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Johnson Center: Student Center

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The Johnson Center, or the JC as we call it, is one of the main student centers on campus. Students use this building to study, catch up with friends, grab a meal, and promote campus clubs and organizations. The JC is always an engaging and active spot that captures student life on campus. There are several student offices located in the JC, including the Office of Admissions, the Global Education Office, or GEO, and the Office of Student Scholarship and Creative Activities, or OSCAR. The Mason bookstore is also here and downstairs we have the JC Cinema that shows free movies and hosts free events for students.

EagleBank Arena

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Eagle Bank Arena is one of our main events spaces on campus and is a well-known venue in Northern Virginia for concerts, shows, and athletic events, creating plenty of opportunities to engage with the surrounding community. Eagle Bank Arena is also the home for our NCAA Division I Men's and Women's basketball teams, giving students and community members a fun and lively environment to cheer on the Mason Patriots. Additionally, we have 18 other NCAA Division I teams on campus, making Mason a great place to get involved in a spirited athletic community, either as a participant or a fan.

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Art and Design Building

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Our Art and Design building was designed by one of Washington, D.C.'s most talented architectural firms. Since its opening in 2009, the Art and Design building has earned three American Institute of Architects design awards and truly exemplifies "visual art." If you're interested in studying art, you couldn't have picked a better location than Mason. We are located within minutes of some of the world's most renowned museums and art galleries. Our internship program is engaged with public institutions, museums, government organizations, galleries, and private sector tech industries in the D.C. area.

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Nguyen Engineering Building

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Here we are at the Nguyen Building, which is home to our College of Engineering and Computing. Our engineering students are at the forefront of engaging in immersive academic opportunities through partnerships with Amazon, General Dynamics, and Lockheed Martin and by participating in cutting-edge research. The College of Engineering and Computing has a focus on providing relevant instruction while also emphasizing multidisciplinary work so that students are well-rounded to tackle the issues of the world. Students can focus on more generalized programs like mechanical or electrical engineering or can specialize in computer science, cybersecurity or robotics.

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Housing and Residence Life

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George Mason University is the 2nd largest residential campus in Virginia, providing students with a variety of housing options throughout their time on campus. Freshmen are required to live on campus and are guaranteed housing through their sophomore year. Freshmen primarily live in one of our two first-year communities (Presidents Park and the Commons), consisting of traditional hall-style rooms, while upper-classmen have various suite and apartment style halls and rooms to choose from. All students who live in a residence hall have access to free laundry. Housing and Residence Life staff live and work in each residence hall to be accessible to their students.

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The Hub: Student Center

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The Hub is a center for students to unwind, hang out, and have fun with friends. Whether it's playing some pool, a game of ping-pong or grabbing a snack at the Corner Pocket, students know they can relax here. The Hub is also the home to the Office of Student Involvement, which supports all our campus clubs and organizations. The clubs and organizations on campus span a wide range of interests and activities, so there is something for everyone! All Mason students are encouraged to get involved in ways that match their interests and ideas of community.

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Academic Plaza

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Here we are in the Academic Plaza, which is situated between Planetary Hall, Exploratory Hall, and Research Hall. There are several academic programs based in these spaces, allowing students to collaborate and interact with students of different majors. At Virginia's largest public research institution, students have opportunities to learn and practice in our various teaching and research labs, many of which are located in these academic buildings. Across campus, our typical class size is 25-35 students, giving students the chance to be in smaller settings even at a large school. All students receive an academic advisor based on their major and every professor offers office hours during the week.

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Mason Dining

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Here, we are in Southside Dining Hall, one of our three dining halls on campus along with Ike's and the Globe. All our dining halls offer accessible hours, adaptable offerings for those with dietary needs and restrictions, sustainable resources and facilities and feature foods representing our diverse student population. We also have 33 retail dining options including Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Panera Bread, Chipotle, and Blaze Pizza. There are several meal plans and students can utilize Mason Money and bonus funds for on-campus restaurants and even select locations off-campus. And in case you never want to leave your room, we have campus delivery robots to bring food directly to you!

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Fenwick Library

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Fenwick Library is one of five libraries at Mason and is our main research library. The library's collections span 25 miles horizontally and the building has 5 floors of study space. Each ascending floor of the library becomes quieter, giving students the ability to study in an environment that matches their learning style. Study rooms are available to reserve and any of our helpful library staff can assist you with that process. Additionally, our subject librarians assist you with gathering sources and navigating our databases with guidance specific to your area of research. Mason is also a member of the Inter Library Loan, which allows students to rent texts from other universities in the country.

Peterson Hall

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Peterson Hall is the home to our College of Health and Human Services and the bioengineering program. This academic building is an incredible example of how innovation and hands-on experiences play a key role inside the classroom here at George Mason. Peterson Hall is comprised of several lab spaces including wet labs, a nursing simulation lab, a population health center with clinical spaces, and a nutrition kitchen, allowing students to put into practice what they are learning.

Mason Recreation

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Students have lots of spaces and opportunities to get active on campus. Here, we are at the Recreation and Athletic Complex, or the RAC, as we call it on campus. In addition to the RAC are Skyline and the Aquatic and Fitness Center. All fitness centers are free to full-time Mason students with their Mason IDs. Students have access to ample machines and equipment, an Olympic sized pool, and free fitness classes, like yoga and Zumba, taught by certified instructors. Mason Recreation also offers a large variety of club and intramural sports teams and outdoors adventures. Students not only stay active through these opportunities, but also create community with those who share their interests.

Student Union Building & Spirit Row

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Student Union Building I, or SUB-1, is home to several student service offices, including the Mason Student Services Center, the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment, Counseling and Psychology Services, LGBTQ+ Resources Center and Student Health Services. These offices, in addition to all of our University Life offices, are dedicated to helping you adapt, grow, and be resilient during your college career. While Mason is a school of innovation, we also have our share of fun traditions, including Mason Day, Mason Madness, and rubbing the George statue’s toe. Outside SUB-1, painted benches represent another tradition called Spirit Row, which highlights the diversity of student interests through their clubs and organizations.

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Horizon Hall

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At the center of the Fairfax campus, Horizon Hall is home to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, known as "CHSS". Here you can explore the diverse majors and minors and research centers of CHSS within six floors of active learning classrooms, collaborative maker spaces in the MIX, and quiet places to study. Meet with CHSS faculty and staff in person, and work with fellow students from around the globe through video-enabled classrooms. Or come and enjoy beautiful views of campus and natural lighting in this LEED-certified space. Broaden your horizons in this new hub of intellectual exploration.

Explore Off-campus

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While there is a lot to get involved in on-campus, the city of Fairfax provides students with plenty of things to do off-campus. Students can access the CUE bus on campus, which can take them to go shopping at the Fair Oaks Mall or to grab a meal at Fairfax Corner. Additionally, our free Mason shuttle buses provide service to the nearest metro stop, allowing students to easily access downtown Washington, D.C. Students can also explore historic Old Town Fairfax, which is in walking distance to campus. Here, students have an opportunity to connect with the community through the many public events and festivals held throughout the year.

George Mason Arlington

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Mason offers different campus experiences for students, based on their level of study and academic program. Here we are at the George Mason University Arlington campus, which is the home to Antonin Scalia Law School, and all graduate programs in the Schar School of Policy and Government. This campus puts graduate students in even closer proximity to Washington D.C., allowing them to combine real-world experiences with their time in the classroom. The Washington D.C. area also gives students in all academic programs access to competitive internship and job opportunities, setting them up to be successful job applicants in their desired fields.

Washington D.C.

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Living only 15 miles outside of Washington, D.C. means that you can attend festivals and shows, sit in on a congressional hearing, explore museums and monuments, and even hike the trails of Great Falls, rent a paddleboat on the Tidal Basin, or catch a Washington Nationals baseball game. With the nation's capital as your playground, you'll never run out of things to do.

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