The Preamble – Welcome to Mason

Preamble Schedule 2025

Wednesday: August 20th, 2025

9 AM–4 PM: Move-In (Freshman) & Family Far| Housing Specified Locations
7 PM: RHA Welcome Event | The Ridge located in Sandbridge Hall

Thursday: August 21st, 2025

9 AM–4 PM: Move-In (Freshman) & Family Farewell | Housing Specified Locations
6:30 PM: Residential Floor Meetings | Residence Halls
7:30 PM: Residential Student Meet up | Residence Halls, Mason Pond Lawn (Rain Location: Center for the Arts)
8:00 PM: Evening Hypnotist Show | Mason Pond Lawn (Rain Location: Center for the Arts)

Friday: August 22nd, 2025

Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!

9 AM–4 PM: Move-In (UC) | Housing Specified Locations
10 AM-12 PM: Contemporary Student Reception | Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall
1 PM: Residential Student Meet-Up (North & South Entrances) & Off-Campus Student Check-In (West Entrance) | Residence Halls, Eagle Bank Arena
1:30-3 PM: New Student Convocation | EagleBank Arena
3-5 PM: Resource Fair & Taking Care of Business | EagleBank Arena & Mason Pond Drive
4-6 PM: Camp Off-Campus | Johnson Center Dewberry Hall & Bistro
6 PM: Dinner on Own
8:30 PM: Residential Student Meet up | Residence Halls, Mason Pond Lawn
9-11 PM: Club 4400 | Mason Pond Lawn (Rain Location: The Hub Ballroom)

Saturday: August 23rd, 2025

9 AM–4 PM: Move-In (UC) | Housing Specified Locations
10 AM–1 PM: Field Day | Various Locations
1 PM: Lunch on Own (vouchers for off-campus students)
6 PM: Dinner on Own
6:30 PM: Residential Student Meet up and Bring to Events | Residence Halls, The Hub
7–10 PM: Mason Mayhem | The Hub

Sunday: August 24th, 2025

9 AM-4 PM: Move-In (UC) | Housing Specified Locations
6–8 PM: Sundae Social | Johnson Center Bistro & South Plaza
Exploration Day | Choose Your Own Adventures

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.

	New Student Convocation Friday, August 23 \| 1:30-3:00 pm \| EagleBank 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 2024's entry into higher education and inducts them to a community of learners here at Mason. Students will receive a university sweatshirt and planner, followed by a lunch with faculty, staff, and students. Residential Students will arrive with their RA and building, Off-Campus students check in at the West Entrance, doors open at 10:15am.
	Test Drive Your Patriot Pride (For Off-Campus Students!) Friday, August 23 \| 5 pm-7 pm \| Johnson Center Dewberry Hall and Bistro All off-campus freshmen are expected to attend this event. We also invite all transfer students and any sophomores who would like to attend. Get connected with other off-campus students, learn your way around campus, and practice your commute for the first day of classes! Students should park in Lot A.
	Club 4400 Friday, August 23 \| 9-11 pm \| Mason Pond Lawn Meet other students and enjoy this annual Mason tradition full of music and spirit!
	Mason Mayhem Saturday, August 24 \| 8-11pm \| The Hub Meet students and enjoy games, karaoke, crafts, inflatables, live music, tasty food and more!

Shuttle Schedules

Bus	Depart Rappahannock	Depart Presidents Park	Arrival/Depart Fair Lakes	Arrive Rappahannock	Arrive Presidents Park
#1	4pm		4:30pm	5pm
#2		4:15pm	4:45pm	5:15pm
#1	5pm	5:05pm	5:35pm	6:05pm
#2	5:15pm	5:20pm	5:50pm	6:20pm
#1	6:05pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups)	6:10pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups)	6:40pm	7:10pm	7:15pm (End)
#2	6:20pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups)	6:25pm (arrival only; no on campus pick-ups)	6:55pm	7:25pm	7:30pm (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

	New Student Convocation Friday, August 23 \| 1:30-3:00 pm \| EagleBank 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 2024's entry into higher education and inducts them to a community of learners here at Mason. Students will receive a university sweatshirt and planner, followed by a lunch with faculty, staff, and students. Residential Students will arrive with their RA and building, Off-Campus students check in at the West Entrance, doors open at 10:15am.
	Test Drive Your Patriot Pride (For Off-Campus Students!) Friday, August 23 \| 5 pm-7 pm \| Johnson Center Dewberry Hall and Bistro All off-campus freshmen are expected to attend this event. We also invite all transfer students and any sophomores who would like to attend. Get connected with other off-campus students, learn your way around campus, and practice your commute for the first day of classes! Students should park in Lot A.
	Club 4400 Friday, August 23 \| 9-11 pm \| Mason Pond Lawn Meet other students and enjoy this annual Mason tradition full of music and spirit!
	Mason Mayhem Saturday, August 24 \| 8-11pm \| The Hub Meet students and enjoy games, karaoke, crafts, inflatables, live music, tasty food and more!

Preamble Schedule

Coming to campus? Don't forget these two important reminders...

Preamble Event Highlights

Shuttle Schedules

The Hunt

#1 Complete the Mason COVID Health✓™

#2 Face Coverings Required Indoors