The Preamble

 

Preamble 2023

Preamble takes place each fall prior to the start of classes for all incoming freshmen and transfer students. 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

Wednesday: August 16th, 2023

  • 9 AM–4 PM: Move-In (Freshman) | Housing Specified Locations
  • 4–8 PM: Evening Shopping Trips | President's Park Shuttle Stop & Rappahannock Shuttle Stop

Thursday: August 17th, 2023

  • 9 AM–4 PM: Move-In (Freshman) | Housing Specified Locations
  • 5–7 PM: Test Drive your Patriot Pride (For Off-Campus Students!) | Check-in will be at Eagle Bank Arena West Entrance
  • 4–8 PM: Evening Shopping Trips | President's Park Shuttle Stop & Rappahannock Shuttle Stop
  • 7:00 PM: Residential Student Meet up | Residence Halls, Center for the Arts
  • 8–10:30 PM: Evening Comedy Show | Center for the Arts

Friday: August 18th, 2023

Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!

  • 9 AM–4 PM: Move-In (UC) | Housing Specified Locations
  • 10:00 AM: Residential Student Meet-Up (North & South Entrances) & Off-Campus Student Check-In (West Entrance) | Residence Halls, Eagle Bank Arena
  • 11 AM– 12 PM: New Student Convocation | EagleBank Arena
  • 12:30–2 PM: Convocation Lunch | Parking Lot A/Eagle Bank Arena
  • 12:30–2 PM: Resource Fair & Taking Care of Business | Parking Lot A/Eagle Bank Arena
  • 1:30–4 PM: Black Student Orientation | Johnson Center, George's Restaurant
  • 2–4 PM: Transfer Reception | Johnson Center Bistro
  • 5–6 PM: Residential Student Floor Meetings | Housing Locations
  • 6 PM: Dinner on Own | And Catholic Campus Ministry Luau at St. Robert Bellarmine Chapel
  • 8:00 PM: Residential Student Meet up | Residence Halls, Eagle Bank Arena
  • 9–11 PM: Club 4400 | Eagle Bank Arena

Saturday: August 19th, 2023

  • 9 AM–4 PM: Move-In (UC) | Housing Specified Locations
  • 10 AM–12 PM: Affinity Groups (see event highlights for groups & locations)
  • 12 PM: Lunch on Own (vouchers for off-campus students)
  • 1:00PM: Residential Student Meet-Up (North & South Entrance) & Off-Campus Student Arrival (West Entrance) | Residence Halls, Eagle Bank Arena
  • 2–4 PM: Self, Others, and Community – Large Group Session | Eagle Bank Arena
  • 4–6 PM: Small Group (Self, Others, and Community Part 2) | Eagle Bank Arena
  • 6 PM: Dinner on Own
  • 6:30 PM: Residential Student Meet up and Bring to Events | Residence Halls, The Hub
  • 7–11 PM: Mason Mayhem | The Hub

Sunday: August 20th, 2023

  • 9 AM-4 PM: Move-In (UC) | Housing Specified Locations

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


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.

Area Shopping Shuttles
Wednesday, August 16 | 4 pm-8 pm ; Thursday, August 17 | 4 pm-8 pm |

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

  • Wednesday, August 16th from 4-8pm
  • Thursday, August 17th from 4-8pm

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 only hold 30 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.

View Detailed Shuttle Schedules Here

Test Drive Your Patriot Pride (For Off-Campus Students!)
Thursday, August 17 | 5 pm-7 pm | Check-in will be at EagleBank Arena West Entrance.

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.

New Student Convocation
Friday, August 18 | 11 am-12 pm | 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 2023'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.

Club 4400
Friday, August 18 | 9-11 pm | EagleBank Arena

Meet other students and enjoy this annual Mason tradition full of music and spirit!

Affinity Groups
Saturday, August 19 | 10am-12 pm | Various locations

Connect with current and incoming students who share your experience or background and learn about resources and support available at Mason. Affinity groups will take place prior to Self, Others, and Community on Saturday, August 19 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.. See below for groups and locations: 

  • Asian Pacific Islander/Desi American: Johnson Center, Room G    
  • Hispanic/Latine: Johnson Center, Room B 
  • Native American/Indigenous: Johnson Center, Room C 
  • Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian: Johnson Center, Bistro 
  • Adult learners: The Hub, Room 1014    
  • Student parents/caregivers: The Hub, Room 1012   
  • Disability/Neurodiversity: Johnson Center, George’s Restaurant    
  • Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC): Johnson Center, Room F 
  • LGBTQ+: Questioning, Exploring, and Ally: Johnson Center, Gold Room 
  • Trans and Non-Binary: Johnson Center, Room E 
  • LGBTQ+: Out and Proud: Johnson Center, Room D 
  • Military/Veteran: Student Union Building 1, Room 1510 
  • First Generation: Dewberry Hall (South)

**In no way is this list of affinity spaces exhaustive of all of our diverse communities here at Mason, and thus not every community is represented within the affinity group space. If you hold an identity that is not represented and would like us to ensure we consider for next year, please don't hesitate to contact ccee@gmu.edu.

Self, Others, & Community
Saturday, August 19 | 2-6 pm | EagleBank Arena

At Mason, we aspire to co-create an equitable campus environment in which every member of our community, without exception, is valued, supported, and experiences a sense of belonging. Thus, it is important that every member takes an active role in making that aspiration a reality by engaging in reflection, unlearning, and learning.  

As you prepare to join the Mason community, all new students should complete two (2) lessons and one (1) Peer to Peer conversation on Perspectives, an online education platform developed by the Constructive Dialogue Institute. Check your GMU email inbox for an email called You have been invited to the course Perspectives - GMU Orientation 2023.” Students will engage in dialogue in large and small groups during the Preamble on Saturday, August 19 from 2-6 p.m. in Eagle Bank Arena. Residential students will arrive with their RA and building, Off-Campus students will check in at the West Entrance of the arena.

Mason Mayhem
Saturday, August 19 | 7-11pm | 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

#1 Complete the Mason COVID Health✓™

For more information visit: https://www2.gmu.edu/mason-covid-health-check

#2 Face Coverings Required Indoorspicture of mask with language to wear a face covering

*updated on 8/11 based on university announcement