Welcome to the Mason Community!
The George Mason University Office of Housing and Residence Life (HRL) is excited to welcome your student to our campus! HRL is focused on providing our students with a safe, community-oriented living space while they complete their academic studies at the university.
For many of our students, HRL staff are the first connections they make when they arrive on campus. We believe all our employees play a key role in creating a transformational residential experience that empowers students to be engaged responsible citizens in the Mason community.
Our Pledge to Parents, Families and Guardians
Thriving, supportive and inclusive community
George Mason University has the largest and most diverse student body in Virgina. Our students are from 130 countries and 50 states. As the most diverse university in Virginia, living on campus allows our students to form meaningful connections and engage in a cultural exchange with support and guidance of well-trained student leaders and professional staff. In this community-based environment, students can foster a sense of belonging to the institution by having a safe place to celebrate and engage in respectful dialogue around their identities on campus.
Learning in and out of the classroom
Many of our students come to Mason to take advantage of the robust internship and career opportunities in Washington, DC. We want to make sure that our students receive the skills to be successful scholars and engaged responsible citizens upon graduation. Our residential curriculum provides students with opportunities to engage in programs and events within the residence halls that are centered around personal growth and holistic development.
Collaboration
HRL works closely with on campus partners to provide our residents with a wholistic residential experience. By living on campus, students get closer access to offices such as Learning Services, Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment (CCEE), and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). As parents and guardians, you are key stakeholders in our office's success. We aim to work closely with you to ensure that your students have a positive transition to living on campus, and for most, being on their own for the first time.
What We Ask of You
Lean into change. You have worked hard to prepare your student for adulthood and college. Watching your student take a major step into independence is exciting, but it won’t always be easy. Allow them to make mistakes and learn how to advocate for themselves. This is the place for your student to learn how to be resilient. Your students are surrounded enthusiastic student leaders and professional staff, who have chosen to dedicated their time providing your students with continued support and guidance.
Support Resources
Important Policies
Alcohol and Drug Policy
HRL maintains policies with regard to alcohol use and illicit drug use/possession. Alcohol possession or consumption is prohibited in any room or suite where all residents assigned to the space by Housing are under the age of 21. This includes the consumption of alcohol by guests over the age of 21. No open containers of alcoholic beverages are permitted outside of residential rooms, suites, apartments, and townhouses regardless of your age. Alcohol is not to be consumed in residential common areas and exterior areas including but not limited to porches, balconies, landings, corridors, study lounges, parking lots, or courtyards.
If a student chooses to engage in the use of alcohol while under the age of 21, they will be held accountable for possession, use, or impairment as well as the consequences of any behavior that results from this choice. This includes if they choose to drink off campus and return to campus as well if they engage in behaviors that are disruptive to the community.
For more on our alcohol and drug policy, read our Residential Student Handbook.
Noise Policy
It is expected residents will maintain a reasonable noise level during daytime periods. “Courtesy Hours” should be observed 24-7 everyday—all day. Quiet hours will be observed during the following times: 10:00 p.m.-8:00 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and 12:00 a.m. (midnight)-10:00 a.m. Friday-Saturday.
Each residential community has study lounges/spaces designated for quiet study. If your student is asked by another resident or staff member to reduce their noise level and vice versa, we expect them to reduce their noise level.
Prohibited Items
The following items are not permitted in the residence halls. Possession of these items in the residence halls may represent a violation of the Residential Handbook (PDF), the George Mason University Student Code of Conduct, or both. Please leave these items at home.
- Drug-related paraphernalia (e.g. bong, pipe, hookah, etc)
- Firearms, fireworks, explosives, weapons
- Fuels or other highly combustible items
- Beer pong tables, funnels and tubing, common source containers (e.g. kegs), and other alcohol paraphernalia
- Incense, candles, oil-lamps- lit or unlit
- Barbecue grills (including charcoal and lighter fluid)
- Cinder blocks
- Electrical appliances with an exposed heating element
- Resident-owned air conditioners
- Cut trees (live trees potted appropriately are permitted)
- Extension cords, multiple plugs, multiple plug converters
- Plug-in air fresheners with or without an additional plug adapter
- Pets, except fish in a 10-gallon (or less) tank
- Halogen lamps, black lights, and octopus/spider lamps
- Outside antennas and satellite dishes
- Water-propelling devices, including squirt guns
- Waterbeds
- Unauthorized inflatable pools and slip n' slides
- Refrigerators greater than 118 volts, 60 Hz, and/or that draw more than 1.5 amps or 180 watts
- Wall-mounted televisions
- NERF and NERF-style guns and projectiles
- Airsoft guns and BB guns
- Non-fire retardant curtains (window or room dividers)
- Non-university supplied loft beds
- Vaporizers
Smoking Policy
In according with state law, students under the age of 21 are not permitted to purchase or possess any tobacco products.
All residence halls are smoke-free. Smoking is prohibited within all residence halls including stairways balconies, landings, and entrances. Outdoors, smoking is permitted 25 feet or more beyond a state building, unless it is a hazardous area or if otherwise posted. Cigarettes butts must be disposed of in designated cigarette urns. If you or your guest are found smoking in a prohibited area you will face disciplinary action. The smoking policy extends to the prohibition of smoking devices including but not limited to hookahs, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and homemade smoking devices. Electronic smoking devices are not allowed to be stored in any residence hall