Mason Families
| October 1 | Immunization Record Deadline |
|---|---|
| October 1-2 | Fall Job and Internship Fair (http://careers.gmu.edu/events/) |
| October 5 | Deadline to Register for Family Weekend (https://masonfamily.gmu.edu/family-weekend-2014/) |
| October 6-10 | Turn Off the Violence Week |
| October 9 | Family Webinar: Career Planning Tips for Juniors- noon EDT (https://masonfamily.gmu.edu/webinars/) |
| October 13 | Columbus Day (No Classes) |
| October 14 | Monday Classes/Labs Meet- No Tuesday Classes |
| October 17-19 | Family Weekend |
The Family Weekend registration deadline is quickly approaching on October 5. We encourage you to sign up in advance to guarantee a smooth check-in and allow you to grab a space at some of the most popular events like the Welcome Dinner on Friday and the Sunday brunch. To register online or add events to your schedule, visit masonfamily.gmu.edu.
Here are a few reasons you don’t want to miss 2014 Family Weekend:
1. Patriots Day and Mason Madness
Show off your Mason spirit and join students, family, faculty, staff, and community members as we enjoy an evening of games and giveaways followed by a celebration to kickoff the start of the 2014-2015 basketball season!
2. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award
We will present the winner of the Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award at the Welcome Dinner on Friday, October 17. The Family of the Year is chosen from written or video essays submitted by students that demonstrate why their family deserves this award. This award is a recognition of the important role that family plays in our Mason community.
3. Experience Mason with your Student
Family Weekend is the perfect chance to spend quality time with your student and learn more about campus and the Mason community.
4. Student Performances
Mason has tons of talented students who will be showing off their skills during Family Weekend. By attending the Family Welcome Dinner, Mason Unplugged, Mason Uncorked, Mason Madness, and other events, you will get a first hand look at our talented students!
Please note, on-site registrations will be taken during Family Weekend but certain events may not have tickets available for purchase. Please email us at families@gmu.edu or call us at 703.993.2475 with any questions.
We look forward to seeing you October 17-19!
Kristen Wright
Graduate Assistant
Orientation and Family Programs and Services
During the first few weeks of classes, Mason undergraduates will see a flutter of e-mails, flyers, and events promoting the Beacon survey. The Beacon survey is used to inform direct outreach to students, and enables faculty and staff at Mason to be better in tune with their needs.
With many programs, organizations, and events vying for students’ time and attention, some students may be reluctant to spend time on a survey, but Beacon provides valuable insight into student perspectives for the university, and ultimately inform decisions and practices on campus.
Beacon is just one tool that we use at Mason to connect students with faculty, staff, and peer leaders on campus, and it has a complimentary early alert system, designed to identify students who could benefit from additional support before they suffer academically or choose to leave the university. This initiative is a partnership between University Life and Student Academic Affairs – Advising, Retention, and Transitions, and includes student affairs staff as well as faculty and staff from academic departments.
Mason launched Beacon in the 2013-2014 academic year, and a number of offices on campus were involved in subsequent outreach to students including Housing and Residence Life, Off-Campus Student Programs and Services, academic advising units, and Student Financial Aid.
Each year, we connect undergraduate students to one or more faculty or staff members through the system. These connections become part of your student’s network. Students also receive a summary of their survey responses and recommendations about how to make the most of their Mason experience. Students who complete the survey will be eligible to win prizes such as iPads, class t-shirts, free parking, and gift cards to local businesses.
We know that families and friends of Mason students play a vital role in their success in college. Encouraging your student to complete the Beacon survey and other institutional surveys is one additional way to support their engagement and success here. Inform your student that providing feedback for the university is a worthwhile investment of their time and it helps connect them with resources and individuals devoted to their success here.
The Beacon survey will be administered September 22-October 3. Additional information about Beacon at Mason can be accessed at http://ulife.gmu.edu/beacon/. More general information about the Beacon early alert system in general can be found at http://www.campuslabs.com/products/beacon/.
Kimberly Holmes
Director of Retention and Student Success
Student Academic Affairs- Advising, Retention, and Transitions
Student Health Services is here to provide George Mason University students with high quality health care, counseling, health education and prevention services. From diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury, to women’s and men’s health, to immunizations and prescriptions, Student Health Services is available to all Mason students with clinics at Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William campuses.
Important Dates
October 1: Immunization Record Form Deadline
All new students, both freshman and transfer, must submit the immunization record form by mail, fax, email or drop off the form at the Immunization Office in Student Union Building I by October 1. Incomplete or late records are subject to an account hold and late fee. Visit our immunization webpage for information on immunizations, deadlines, and paperwork.
October 9: Winter Wellness Day
Save the date! Winter Wellness Dayis an all-campus wellness event with flu shots. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
October 17: Community Immunity and Flu Vaccine Administration
As a part of Family Weekend, if you are 18 years of age or older, you will be able to get your flu shot with Student Health Services.
Early December 2014: Aetna Student Health Open Enrollment
The University is partnering with Aetna Student Health to administer the Student Health Insurance Plan. The student health insurance plan is available to all eligible undergraduate and graduate students. Details about eligibility, open enrollment, and more are available on our insurance webpage.
How Student Health Services Can Help Your Student
Student Health Services is a fully functioning health care clinic. We encourage students to make Student Health their first stop if they are feeling unwell or have a general health concern as there is no cost to be seen by a healthcare provider. Some of our services or procedures (such as lab work or tests, immunizations, medications) do have minimal fees. We explain the cost of a service to students at their visit.
Additionally, Student Health has walk-in space available for acute or urgent illness or injuries. For a non-urgent concern, your student can call 703-993-2831 or stop by the clinic to make an appointment that works with their schedule. Our clinics are open in the evenings several nights a week and our Fairfax clinic is open on Saturday. Our hours of operation and locations are available at shs.gmu.edu.
If a student is feeling unwell after hours, she or he can be connected to our 24/7 nurse advice line at 703-993-2831to receive free information.
Services and Specialty Clinics
In addition to treating illness and injury, Student Health offers a variety of other services including:
Erin Harpine
Patient Care Advocate and Special Projects Coordinator
Student Health Services