Preamble takes place each fall prior to the start of classes for all incoming freshmen and transfer students. Due to the staggered schedule for this year's move-in, many of the signature Preamble events will take place all day on Friday-Saturday. For students arriving earlier, we have planned a number of fun and informative events throughout the Preamble designed to get you acquainted with campus and the Fairfax area.
Preamble Schedule Tracks
Wednesday: August 17th, 2022
- 7 AM-4 PM: Move-In
- 9 AM: Campus & Community Hunts Open (Goosechase App) GameCode: KMLDR8
- 1-5 PM: Family Farewell (Global Center)
- 5-7PM: Dinner on own (Dining halls)
- 7 PM: Check in with RA (Residence Halls)
- 9 PM: Mason Mingle (President's Park)
Thursday: August 18th, 2022
- Breakfast & Lunch on own (Dining halls)
- 1:30-3 PM: Coaching session* (Dewberry, Hub Ballroom)
- 3-5 PM: Taking Care of Business, Office Drop-Ins, time with Residence Halls
- 5-9 PM: Dinner on own & shopping trips (Rappahannock & President's Park shuttle stops)
- 7 PM: Check in with RA (Residence Halls)
- 9 PM: Hypnotist (Center for the Arts)
Friday: August 19th, 2022
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
- Breakfast on own (Dining halls)
- 10-11:15 AM: New Student Convocation* (Eagle Bank Arena)
- 11:30 AM-1 PM: All Campus Lunch
- 3-5 PM: Self Others & Community *(Dewberry, Hub Ballroom, Eagle Bank Arena)
- 5-8 PM: Dinner on own & shopping trips (Rappahannock & President's Park shuttle stops)
- 9 PM: Club 4400 (Mason Pond)
Saturday: August 20th, 2022
- Breakfast on own (Dining halls)
- 10-11:15 AM: Speak About It* (Center for the Arts)
- 12 PM: Lunch on own (Dining halls)
- 4 PM: Community Meetings* (Residence Halls)
- 4:30-8 PM: Explore Fairfax City & Dinner on own (Downtown Fairfax)
- 8 PM: Mason Mayhem (Hub)
Wednesday: August 17th, 2022
- 9 AM: Campus & Community Hunts Open (Goosechase App) GameCode: KMLDR8
Thursday: August 18th, 2022
- 7 AM-4 PM: Move-In
- 1-5 PM: Family Farewell (Global Center)
- 5-9 PM: Dinner on own & shopping trips (Rappahannock & President's Park shuttle stops)
- 7 PM: Check in with RA (Residence Halls)
- 9 PM: Hypnotist (Center for the Arts)
Friday: August 19th, 2022
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
- Breakfast on own (Dining halls)
- 10-11:15 AM: New Student Convocation* (Eagle Bank Arena)
- 11:30 AM-1 PM: All Campus Lunch
- 1-2:30 PM: Coaching* (Dewberry, Hub Ballroom)
- 3-5 PM: Taking Care of Business
- 5-8 PM: Dinner on own & shopping trips (Rappahannock & President's Park shuttle stops)
- 9 PM: Club 4400 (Mason Pond)
Saturday: August 20th, 2022
- Breakfast on own (Dining halls)
- 10 AM-12 PM: Self, Others, & Community* (Dewberry & Hub Ballroom)
- 12-1:15 PM: Lunch on own (Dining halls)
- 1:30-2:45 PM: Speak About It* (Center for the Arts)
- 4 PM: Community Meetings* (Residence Halls)
- 4:30-8 PM: Explore Fairfax City & Dinner on own(Downtown Fairfax)
- 8 PM: Mason Mayhem (Hub)
Wednesday: August 17th, 2022
- 9 AM: Campus & Community Hunts Open (Goosechase App) GameCode: KMLDR8
Friday: August 19th, 2022
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
- Move-In
- 10-11:15 AM: New Student Convocation* (Eagle Bank Arena)
- 11:30 AM-1 PM: All Campus Lunch
- 1-5 PM: Taking Care of Business, Office Drop-Ins, Resident Hall time
- 5-8 PM: Dinner on own & shopping trips (Rappahannock & President's Park shuttle stops)
- 9 PM: Club 4400 (Mason Pond)
Saturday: August 20th, 2022
- Breakfast on own (Dining halls)
- 10 AM-12PM: Self, Others, & Community* (Dewberry & Hub Ballroom)
- 12-1:15 PM: Lunch on own (Dining halls)
- 1:30-2:45 PM: Speak About It* (Center for the Arts)
- 3-4:30 PM: Coaching session* (Dewberry & Hub Ballroom)
- 4 PM: Community Meetings* (Residence Halls)
- 4:30-8 PM: Explore Fairfax City & Dinner on Own (Downtown Fairfax)
- 8 PM: Mason Mayhem (Hub)
Wednesday: August 17th, 2022
- 9 AM: Campus & Community Hunts Open (Goosechase App) GameCode: KMLDR8
- 9 PM: Mason Mingle (President's Park)
Thursday: August 18th, 2022
- 9 PM: Hypnotist (Center for the Arts)
Friday: August 19th, 2022
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
- 8:30-10 AM: Taking Care of Business, Office Drop-Ins
- 10-11:15 AM: New Student Convocation* (Eagle Bank Arena - USE WEST ENTRANCE)
- 11:30 AM-1 PM: All Campus Lunch
- 3-5 PM: Self, Others, & Community* (Dewberry, Hub Ballroom, Eagle Bank Arena)
- 9 PM: Club 4400 (Mason Pond)
Saturday: August 20th, 2022
- 1:30-2:45 PM: Speak About It* (Center for the Arts)
- 3-4:30 PM: Coaching session* (Dewberry & Hub Ballroom)
- 5-6 PM: Dinner (JC Atrium)
- 6-8 PM: Test Drive* (SUB I Quad)
- 8 PM:Mason Mayhem (Hub)
Wednesday: August 17th, 2022
- 9 AM: Campus & Community Hunts Open (Goosechase App) GameCode: KMLDR8
- 9 PM: Mason Mingle (President's Park)
Thursday: August 18th, 2022
- 9 PM: Hypnotist (Center for the Arts)
Friday: August 19th, 2022
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
- 8:30-10 AM: Taking Care of Business, Office Drop-Ins
- 10-11:15 AM: New Student Convocation* (Eagle Bank Arena - USE WEST ENTRANCE)
- 11:30 AM-1 PM: All Campus Lunch
- 1-3 PM: Transfer Reception (Bistro)
- 3-5 PM: Self, Others, & Community* (Dewberry, Hub Ballroom, Eagle Bank Arena)
- 5-8 PM: Dinner on own & shopping trips (Rappahannock & President's Park shuttle stops)
- 9 PM: Club 4400 (Mason Pond)
Saturday: August 20th, 2022
- 1:30-2:45 PM: Speak About It* (Center for the Arts)
- 3-4:30 PM: Coaching session* (Dewberry & Hub Ballroom)
- 4:30-8 PM: Explore Fairfax City & Dinner on own (Downtown Fairfax)
- 5-6 PM: Dinner for off-campus students (JC Atrium)
- 6-8 PM: Test Drive (SUB I Quad) *for students living off-campus
- 8 PM:Mason Mayhem (Hub)
**Follow the schedule for freshman or transfer if direct admit, this schedule is for INTO, Exchange, China 121, Mason Korea**
Wednesday: August 17th, 2022
- 9 AM: Campus & Community Hunts Open (Goosechase App) GameCode: KMLDR8
- 9 PM: Mason Mingle (President's Park)
Thursday: August 18th, 2022
- 9 PM: Hypnotist (Center for the Arts)
Friday: August 19th, 2022
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
- Breakfast on own (Dining halls)
- 10-11:15 AM: New Student Convocation* (Eagle Bank Arena)
- 11:30 AM-1 PM: All Campus Lunch
- 1-2:30 PM: Coaching* (Dewberry, Hub Ballroom)
- 3-5 PM: Taking Care of Business
- 5-8 PM: Dinner on own & shopping trips (Rappahannock & President's Park shuttle stops)
- 9 PM: Club 4400 (Mason Pond)
Saturday: August 20th, 2022
- Breakfast on own (Dining halls)
- 10 AM-12 PM: Self, Others, & Community (Dewberry & Hub Ballroom)
- 12-1:15 PM: Lunch on own (Dining halls)
- 1:30-2:45 PM: Speak About It + small group (Center for the Arts)
- 4:30-8 PM: Explore Fairfax City & Dinner on own (Downtown Fairfax)
- 5-6 PM: Dinner for off-campus students (JC Atrium)
- 6-8 PM: Test Drive (SUB I Quad) *for students living off-campus
- 8 PM: Mason Mayhem (Hub)
Coming to campus? Don't forget these two important reminders...
Preamble Schedule Tracks - Color Groups
Preamble Event Highlights
Students should register for events in advance to ensure you have a spot for the event and to receive the login information if applicable. All registrations will take place via Mason360.
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Mason Mingle Wednesday, August 17 | 9 pm | President's Park Meet your fellow first-year students at the Mason Mingle! We'll have a DJ and some snacks, along with opportunities for you to chill with other new Mason students. |
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Hypnotist Thursday, August 18 | 9-10:30pm | Center for the Arts Meet fellow students and enjoy a hypnotist show! |
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New Student Convocation Friday, August 19 | 10-11:15am | Eagle Bank Arena New Student Convocation, a bookend to Commencement (aka. graduation), is George Mason University’s official welcome for all new students. As one of only a few times all members of the class will convene, this event celebrates the incoming class of 2022's entry into higher education and inducts them to a community of learners here at Mason. |
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Club 4400 Friday, August 19 | 9-11pm | Mason Pond Lawn Meet other students and enjoy this annual Mason tradition! |
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Explore Fairfax Saturday, August 20 | 4:30-8:30pm | Old Town Fairfax Square Free shuttles will take students downtown, leaving from the Rappahannock Shuttle Stop. There will be a DJ, giveaways, major discounts and more! Students are encouraged to get food to-go and then come hang out and listen to the music on Old Town Fairfax Square. More information can be found here: https://fairfaxcityconnected.com/2022/07/explore22/ |
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Test Drive Your Patriot Pride Saturday, August 30 | 6pm-8pm | SUB I Quad All off-campus freshmen are expected to attend this event. We also invite all transfer students and any sophomores who would like to attend. Plan to arrive at 5pm for dinner. |
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Mason Mayhem Saturday, August 20 | 9-11pm | The Hub Meet students and enjoy games, karaoke, crafts, inflatables, live music, tasty food and more! |
Area Shopping Trips
Just moved in and still need some supplies to get your room setup? Mason has many shuttles and route options that will take you to local shopping centers. During Preamble, we have coordinated shuttles that are express to and from the shopping centers versus having to wait at each stop of a normal bus route.
Shuttles will be offered on the following days and times at both the Rappahannock shuttle stop and Presidents Park shuttle stop
- Thursday, August 18th from 5-9pm
- Friday, August 19th from 5-8pm
Shuttles will take students to the Fair Lakes Shopping Center, which includes multiple retail stores including Wal-Mart, Target, and Home Goods. Each shuttle can hold 32 passengers each and there will be two shuttles on a rotation.
For students who want to go to other shopping centers, many options are available on traditional Mason shuttle routes and can be found at https://transportation.gmu.edu/. All routes are free with a valid Mason ID.
Shuttle Schedules
Thursday, August 18, 2022: 5–9:30pm
Bus |
Depart Rappahannock |
Depart Presidents Park |
Arrival/Depart Fair Lakes |
Arrive Rappahannock |
Arrive Presidents Park |
#1 |
5pm |
5:05pm |
5:35pm |
6:05pm |
|
#2 |
5:10pm |
5:15pm |
5:45pm |
6:15pm |
|
#1 |
6:05pm |
6:10pm |
6:40pm |
7:10pm |
|
#2 |
6:15pm |
6:20pm |
6:50pm |
7:20pm |
|
#1 |
7:10 pm |
7:15pm |
7:45pm |
8:15pm |
|
#2 |
7:20pm |
7:25pm |
7:55pm |
8:25pm |
|
#1 |
8:15pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups) |
8:20pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups) |
8:50pm |
9:20pm |
9:25pm (end) |
#2 |
8:25pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups) |
8:30pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups) |
8:55pm |
9:25pm |
9:30pm (end) |
Friday, August 19, 2022: 2: 5–8:30pm
Bus |
Depart Rappahannock |
Depart Presidents Park |
Arrival/Depart Fair Lakes |
Arrive Rappahannock |
Arrive Presidents Park |
#1 |
5pm |
5:05pm |
5:35pm |
6:05pm |
|
#2 |
5:10pm |
5:15pm |
5:45pm |
6:15pm |
|
#1 |
6:05pm |
6:10pm |
6:40pm |
7:10pm |
|
#2 |
6:15pm |
6:20pm |
6:50pm |
7:20pm |
|
#1 |
7:10pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups) |
7:15pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups) |
7:45pm |
8:15pm |
8:20pm (end) |
#2 |
7:20pm (arrival only: no on campus pick-ups) |
7:25pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups) |
7:55pm |
8:25pm |
8:30pm (end) |
The Hunt
The Hunt is a fun and interactive way to learn more about navigating Mason and what it has to offer for students!
Using the GooseChase app, a student or team of student friends can complete Mason “missions” by solving riddles and unlocking clues that will earn them points towards each Hunt.
This year, there are two Hunts - a Virtual Hunt and an On-Campus Hunt - and each will have a grand prize that will be announced on New Student and Family Programs’ social media accounts during Wecome2Mason.
Download the GooseChase app and follow these instructions to begin.
The Hunt will begin on 8/18 at 9:00am ET and close on 8/22 at 11:59pm ET
#1 Complete the Mason COVID Health✓™
For more information visit: https://www2.gmu.edu/mason-covid-health-check
#2 Face Coverings Required Indoors
*updated on 8/11 based on university announcement