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 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. Students are expected to attend based on the schedule below based on your student type*.
*If you are a transfer student or an international student living on campus in the residence halls, follow your RAs and building schedule.
Coming to campus? Don't forget these two important reminders...
#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
Preamble Schedule Tracks
Wednesday: August 18th, 2021
- 7AM-4PM: Move-In
- 1-5PM: Family Farewell: Stop by in your neighborhood and visit with Mason staff and students as you finish Move-In.
- 9PM: Mason Mingle (Updated Rain location: Hub Ballroom)
Thursday: August 19th, 2021
- 10AM: Check in with RA
- 11:30AM-1PM: Lunch (Dining halls)
- 1-4PM: Shopping shuttles; Res Hall Time
- 6:30PM: Floor check-in with RA
- 7-8:30PM Well-Being Fair (Holton Plaza)
- 9PM: The Evanson's – Mentalist Duo Magicians (Mason Pond Lawn)
Friday: August 20th, 2021
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
Rotation 1 |
Rotation 2 |
Dominion, Piedmont, Taylor, and Presidents Park (Adams, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Madison, Monroe, Roosevelt, Truman, Washington, Wilson) | Commonwealth and The Commons (Amherst, Brunswick, Carroll, Dickenson, Essex, Franklin, Grayson) |
9:30-11AM: Self, Others, & Community (Eagle Bank Arena)* | 12-1:45PM: Lunch in Dining Halls |
11AM-12:15PM: Lunch in Dining Halls | 2:15-3:15PM: New Student Convocation (Eagle Bank Arena)* |
12:30-1:30PM: New Student Convocation (Eagle Bank Arena)* | 3:30-5:30PM: Self, Others, & Community (Eagle Bank Arena)* |
- 5-7PM: Dinner on own
- 7-9PM: Class Sign Tradition (Wilkins Plaza)
- 9PM: Club 4400 with Aux Cord Wars (Mason Pond Lawn)
Saturday: August 21st, 2021
- Speak About It - Rotations by building (Center For The Arts*
Rotation 1: 9:30-10:40AM | Commonwealth, Dominion, Amherst, Brunswick, Carroll, Dickenson, Essex, Franklin, Grayson |
Rotation 2: 11:30AM-12:40PM | Piedmont, Taylor, Adams, Jackson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Truman |
Rotation 3: 1:30-2:40PM | Harrison, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Washington, Wilson |
- 12 - 1:30PM: Lunch in dining halls
- 3-6PM: Shopping shuttles (President’s Park & Rappahannock Shuttle Stop)
- 3-9PM: Floor time & dinner with RA
- 5PM: Community Meetings
- 9PM: Mason Mayhem (Hub)
*Events with an asterisk mark the events that students are expected to attend. All other events are recommend and designed to create a smooth transition experience to Mason.
Wednesday: August 18th, 2021
Thursday: August 19th, 2021
- 7AM-4PM: Move-In
- 9AM: Campus & Community Hunts Begin (on Goosechase app)
- 1-5PM: Family Farewell - Stop by in your neighborhood and visit with Mason staff and students as you finish Move-in.
- 6:30PM: Quick Check-in with RA
- 7-8:30PM: Well-Being Fair (Holton Plaza)
- 9PM: The Evanson's – Mentalist Duo Magicians (Mason Pond Lawn)
Friday: August 20th, 2021
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
Rotation 1 |
Rotation 2 |
Dominion, Piedmont, Taylor, and Presidents Park (Adams, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Madison, Monroe, Roosevelt, Truman, Washington, Wilson) | Commonwealth and The Commons (Amherst, Brunswick, Carroll, Dickenson, Essex, Franklin, Grayson) |
9:30-11AM: Self, Others, & Community (Eagle Bank Arena)* | 12-1:45PM: Lunch in Dining Halls |
11AM-12:15PM: Lunch in Dining Halls | 2:15-3:15PM: New Student Convocation (Eagle Bank Arena)* |
12:30-1:30PM: New Student Convocation (Eagle Bank Arena)* | 3:30-5:30PM: Self, Others, & Community (Eagle Bank Arena)* |
- 5-7PM: Dinner on own
- 7-9PM: Class Sign Tradition (Wilkins Plaza)
- 9PM: Club 4400 with Aux Cord Wars (Mason Pond Lawn)
Saturday: August 21st, 2021
- Speak About It - Rotations by building (Center For The Arts*
Rotation 1: 9:30-10:40AM | Commonwealth, Dominion, Amherst, Brunswick, Carroll, Dickenson, Essex, Franklin, Grayson |
Rotation 2: 11:30AM-12:40PM | Piedmont, Taylor, Adams, Jackson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Truman |
Rotation 3: 1:30-2:40PM | Harrison, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Washington, Wilson |
- 12 - 1:30PM: Lunch in dining halls
- 3-6PM: Shopping shuttles (President’s Park & Rappahannock Shuttle Stop)
- 3-9PM: Floor time & dinner with RA
- 5PM: Community Meetings
- 9PM: Mason Mayhem (Hub)
*Events with an asterisk mark the events that students are expected to attend. All other events are recommend and designed to create a smooth transition experience to Mason.
Wednesday: August 18th, 2021
Friday: August 20th, 2021
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
Rotation 1 |
Rotation 2 |
Dominion, Piedmont, Taylor, and Presidents Park (Adams, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Madison, Monroe, Roosevelt, Truman, Washington, Wilson) | Commonwealth and The Commons (Amherst, Brunswick, Carroll, Dickenson, Essex, Franklin, Grayson) |
9:30-11AM: Self, Others, & Community (Eagle Bank Arena)* | 12-1:45PM: Lunch in Dining Halls |
11AM-12:15PM: Lunch in Dining Halls | 2:15-3:15PM: New Student Convocation (Eagle Bank Arena)* |
12:30-1:30PM: New Student Convocation (Eagle Bank Arena)* | 3:30-5:30PM: Self, Others, & Community (Eagle Bank Arena)* |
- 5-7PM: Dinner on own
- 7-9PM: Class Sign Tradition (Wilkins Plaza)
- 9PM: Club 4400 with Aux Cord Wars (Mason Pond Lawn)
Saturday: August 21st, 2021
- Speak About It - Rotations by building (Center For The Arts*
Rotation 1: 9:30-10:40AM | Commonwealth, Dominion, Amherst, Brunswick, Carroll, Dickenson, Essex, Franklin, Grayson |
Rotation 2: 11:30AM-12:40PM | Piedmont, Taylor, Adams, Jackson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Roosevelt, Truman |
Rotation 3: 1:30-2:40PM | Harrison, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Washington, Wilson |
- 12 - 1:30PM: Lunch in dining halls
- 3-6PM: Shopping shuttles (President’s Park & Rappahannock Shuttle Stop)
- 3-9PM: Floor time & dinner with RA
- 5PM: Community Meetings
- 9PM: Mason Mayhem (Hub)
*Events with an asterisk mark the events that students are expected to attend. All other events are recommend and designed to create a smooth transition experience to Mason.
Wednesday: August 18th, 2021
- 9AM: Campus & Community Hunts Begin
- 9PM: Mason Mingle (Updated Rain location: Hub Ballroom)
Thursday: August 19th, 2021
- 7-8:30PM Well-Being Fair (Holton Plaza)
- 9PM: The Evanson's – Mentalist Duo Magicians (Mason Pond Lawn)
Friday: August 20th, 2021
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
- 2-3:15PM: New Student Convocation (Check in at West Entrance of Eagle Bank Arena)*
- 3:30-5:30PM: Self, Others, & Community (Eagle Bank Arena)*
- 6-9PM: Vouchers for Dinner On-Campus
- 8:30-8:50PM: Mason Meet Up (Lot K)
- 9PM: Club 4400 with Aux Cord Wars (Mason Pond Lawn)
Saturday: August 21st, 2021
- 1:30 - 2:40PM: Speak About It (Center For The Arts)*
- 3-5PM: Test Drive & Class Sign Tradition (SUB I Quad)*
- 5-9PM: Downtown dinner shuttles & discounts (Lot K & Rappahannock Shuttle Stop)
- 8:30-8:50PM: Mason Meet Ups (Lot K)
- 9PM: Mason Mayhem (Hub)
*Events with an asterisk mark the events that students are expected to attend. All other events are recommend and designed to create a smooth transition experience to Mason.
Wednesday: August 18th, 2021
- 9AM: Campus & Community Hunts Begin
- 9PM: Mason Mingle (Updated Rain location: Hub Ballroom)
Thursday: August 19th, 2021
- 1-4PM: Shopping shuttles to Fair Lakes (Rappahanock and President's Park shuttle stops)
- 7-8:30PM Well-Being Fair (Holton Plaza)
- 9PM: The Evanson's – Mentalist Duo Magicians (Mason Pond Lawn)
Friday: August 20th, 2021
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
- 2-3:15PM: New Student Convocation (Check in at West Entrance of Eagle Bank Arena)*
- 3:30-5PM: Transfer Student Reception (UPDATED Rain Location: JC Georges)
- 5:30-8:30PM: Dinner on own
- 8:30-8:50PM: Mason Meet Up (Lot K)
- 9PM: Club 4400 with Aux Cord Wars (Mason Pond Lawn)
Saturday: August 21st, 2021
- 1:30-2:40PM: Speak About It (Center For The Arts)*
- 5-9PM: Downtown dinner shuttles & discounts (Lot K & Rappahannock Shuttle Stop)
- 8:30-8:50PM: Mason Meet Ups (Lot K)
- 9PM: Mason Mayhem (Hub)
*Events with an asterisk mark the events that students are highly encouraged to attend. All other events are encouraged as they are designed to create a smooth transition experience to Mason.
**Follow schedule for freshman or transfer if direct admit, this schedule is for INTO, Exchange, China 121, Mason Korea**
Wednesday: August 18th, 2021
- 9AM: Campus & Community Hunts Begin
- 9PM: Mason Mingle (Updated Rain location: Hub Ballroom)
Thursday: August 19th, 2021
- 1-4PM: Shopping shuttles to Fair Lakes (Rappahanock and President's Park shuttle stops)
- 7-8:30PM: Well-Being Fair (Holton Plaza)
- 9PM: The Evanson's – Mentalist Duo Magicians (Mason Pond Lawn)
Friday: August 20th, 2021
Remember to wear your Green Patriot Pride Shirt!
- 2-3:15PM: New Student Convocation (Eagle Bank Arena)*
- 3:30-5:30PM: Self, Others, & Community (Eagle Bank Arena)*
- 5:30-8:30PM: Dinner on own
- 8:30-8:50PM: Mason Meet-Up (Lot K)
- 9PM: Club 4400 with Aux Cord Wars (Mason Pond Lawn)
Saturday: August 21st, 2021
- 9:30-10:40AM: Speak About It (Center For The Arts)*
- 12-3PM: Lunch on own
- 3-6PM: Shopping shuttles to Fair Lakes (Rappahanock and President's Park shuttle stops)
- 6-9PM: Downtown off-campus dinners on own (shuttles at Lot K)
- 8:30-8:50PM: Mason Meet-Up (Lot K)
- 9pm Mason Mayhem (Hub)
*Events with an asterisk mark the events that students are expected to attend. All other events are recommended and designed to create a smooth transition experience to Mason.
Recordings from Preamble events will be made available on the George Mason University Youtube Channel after the event.
Wednesday: August 18th, 2021
Thursday: August 19th, 2021
Friday: August 20th, 2021
- 2-3:15PM: New Student Convocation - View the Recording
- 3:30-5:30PM: Self, Others, & Community
- 9-11PM - Club 4400 Aux Wars
- Campus & Community Hunts
Saturday: August 21st, 2021
- Speak About It
- Campus & Community Hunts
Wednesday: August 18th, 2021
- 9PM: Mason Mingle (Updated Rain location: Hub Ballroom)
Thursday: August 19th, 2021
- 7-8:30PM Well-Being Fair (Holton Plaza)
- 9PM: The Evanson's – Mentalist Duo Magicians (Mason Pond Lawn)
Friday: August 20th, 2021
- 2-3:15PM: New Student Convocation (Eagle Bank Arena)
- 9PM: Club 4400 with Aux Cord Wars (Mason Pond Lawn)
Saturday: August 21st, 2021
- 9PM: Mason Mayhem (Hub)
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. Use the links below to quickly access to event page and register.
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Mason Mingle - DJ Rush Hour Wednesday, August 18 | 9 pm | Merten Lawn REGISTER HERE 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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Well-Being Fair Thursday, August 19 | 7-8:30pm | Holton Plaza REGISTER HERE Join Mason well-being offices for a fun event with games, snacks, and spaces to meet other students.
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Mason Mentalist Featuring The Evansons Thursday, August 19 | 9-10:30pm | Mason Pond Lawn REGISTER HERE Meet fellow students and enjoy a show by the Evasons! This event will be available in-person and streamed virtually. |
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New Student Convocation Friday, August 20 | 2 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 2021's entry into higher education and inducts them to a community of learners here at Mason. |
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Club 4400 with Aux Cord Wars Friday, August 20 | 9-11pm | Mason Pond Lawn REGISTER HERE Meet other students and enjoy an interactive show with Aux Cord Wars! |
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Test Drive Your Patriot Pride Saturday, August 21 | 3pm-5pm | SUB I Quad REGISTER HERE All off-campus freshmen are expected to attend this event. We also invite all transfer students, and any sophomores who would like to attend. |
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Mason Mayhem Saturday, August 21 | 9-11pm | The Hub REGISTER HERE 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 19th from 1-4pm
- Saturday, August 21st from 3-6pm
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.
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
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