Off Campus Session (Freshman)

An Office of University Life

Outcomes of Today

• You will build at least 1 connection with another student • You will be able to identify at least 2 resources that will enhance your off-campus experience • You will be more familiar with the transportation and parking options on campus • Off-Campus Student Services will be your favorite office at George Mason!

Get Up and Moving!

As you are able, stand if you agree, remain seated if you disagree

Agree or disagree‌

I prefer Coke over Pepsi.

Introduce yourself and tell the person your hometown and major.

Agree or disagree‌

Off-campus students should only take classes two days a week to cut down on commute time.

Introduce yourself and tell the person what you like to do in your free time.

Agree or disagree‌

Cats make better pets than dogs.

Introduce yourself and tell the person what your favorite TV show is.

Agree or disagree‌

Family commitments should take priority over school.

Introduce yourself and tell the person what you are most excited about at Mason.

Top 10 Things Every Off-Campus Student Should Know

10. OCSS- What We Do • Provide a centralized resource center for off-campus students • Assist in the transition of incoming off-campus students to Mason • Assist in the transition of students to off-campus properties • Provide one-on-one peer advising and at-risk outreach • Advocate for the needs of off-campus students at Mason

9. Off-Campus Advisors o Peer off-campus students to help you with anything at Mason o o o o o o o

Parking and Transportation Dining Academic Resources Social Connections Involvement Opportunities Housing At-Risk Students

o NOT academic advisors, but can help you connect with one o Make an appointment online or walk in!

8. Off-Campus Housing o o o o

Och.gmu.edu Housing Fairs Lease Education Roommate Matching

8. Off-Campus Housing continued Financial Aid for Off-Campus Living expenses 1. Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

2. Estimate your off-campus living expenses using the Cost of Attendance for Mason. Your cost of attendance includes: 1.Tuition and fees 2.Off-campus housing 3.Meal plan and grocery expenses 4.Transportation 5.Books & Supplies 6.Estimated personal expenses

3. Accept or deny your financial aid package via PatriotWeb 4. Mason will bill you for tuition, fees, and meal plans but not for your off-campus expenses.

Your financial aid will be applied to your Mason bill FIRST; the rest will be distributed to you after these costs are covered. This money will not be available until after the semester has started, so plan accordingly for security deposits, rent, and other expenses that need to be paid ahead of time.

5. Stick to your budget. You will receive one lump sum and it will be so tempting to spend it all.

Think about how you can distribute it over the course of the semester.

6. If you need additional funding to cover your expense, consider a Parent PLUS loan or private loan options via the Office of Student Financial Aid.

7. Academic Connections

o UNIV 100 for off-campus students(recommended for all firstyear students)! Small classes that help you get to know Mason and each other. o Mason Reads program

6. Know Your Resources o Dining plans (off-campus students can have meal plans!!) o Recreation facilities o Lockers o Student Health Services o CAPS o Study spaces

6. Safety Resources

o Mason Alerts (ready.gmu.edu) o Mason PD o RAVEGuardian app

5. Programs for Off-Campus Students o All programs sponsored by the Patriot Activities Council are open to students who live off-campus o High-5's – daytime and early evening events on weekdays ending with a “5” (run by PAC). o Events off-campus in the surrounding community, such as Rock the Block! o Events run by our office, such as monthly free-food events and big events like Good Neighbor Bingo!

4. Get Involved o o o o o o o o o o o

Getconnected.gmu.edu Patriot Activities Council (PAC) The Patriot Experience Intramural and Club Sports Mason Recreation Mason Athletics Fraternity and Sorority Life Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) TedX George Mason On-Campus Jobs (handshake.gmu.edu) Off-Campus Lounge

3. Upcoming Events Preamble Wednesday August 21 – Friday August 23 Thursday & Friday Mandatory • Off-Campus dinner and social • Club 4400 • Convocation

Welcome2Mason August 24- September 15 • Mason Mayhem carnival • GetConnected2Mason Involvement Fair • IVth Night • Part-Time Job Fair • Fairfax Rock the Block • 9/11 Day of Service welcome2mason.gmu.edu

2. Transportation Options

2. Transportation Options o Mason Shuttles o Metro to Mason

(Sandy Creek or the Global Center)

o o o o

o Burke Centre VRE o Fairfax-SciTech o Gunston Go-Bus o West Campus Zimride(find/share a ride) CUE Bus(free w/Mason ID) Bicycles Carpool Zones Visit transportation.gmu.edu

parking.gmu.edu

Annual Parking Passes Annual Price (August 2019-August 2020) Campus

M&P

$175.00 $280.00

n Pond Reserved Deck

$700.00

andoah Reserved Deck

$750.00

ahannock River Reserved Deck Resident Lot J reserved Resident Lot I reserved

$645.00 $565.00 $625.00

1. Stay Connected!

Check your Mason email frequently, at least once per day!

All communication from Mason will come to you this way!

offcamp1@gmu.edu The HUB, Suite 1014 offcampus.gmu.edu Twitter & Instagram: @masonoffcampus Facebook: Mason.OffCampus

Questions?