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Mason at a Glance

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY, situated near the nation’s capital, is a young, vibrant institution, building for the future and serving the higher education needs of a cosmopolitan community. Key to the university’s success is the creation of new ways to educate our students and use technology to the fullest capability.

Mason began as the Northern Virginia branch of the University of Virginia in 1957. Eager to support the fledgling institution, the Town (now City) of Fairfax purchased 150 acres in 1958 and donated it to the University of Virginia for a permanent branch campus. In 1966, the Virginia General Assembly authorized the expansion of what was then George Mason College into a four-year, degree-granting institution with the long-range mandate to expand into a major regional university.

In 1972, George Mason University became an independent member of the commonwealth’s system of colleges and universities. Since then, the university’s development has been marked by rapid growth and innovative planning. Employing the revolutionary concept of the distributed university, Mason acquired the George Mason University School of Law and a campus in Arlington in 1979. The Prince William Campus was established in Prince William County in 1997. Mason began giving classes in Loudoun County in fall 2005.

Mason is a distributed university in which each campus has a distinctive academic focus that plays a critical role in the economy of its region. At each campus, students and faculty have full access to the university’s resources through the innovative use of technology that helps streamline processes.

Mason offers 160 degree programs to a student population of nearly 30,000, with more than 17,000 degree-seeking undergraduates, approximately 8,000 graduate and professional students, and nearly 3,200 nondegree-seeking students. Our students come from 127 countries and all 50 states, forming a global community right on campus. Nearly 4,000 students reside on campus.

Arlington Campus

The Arlington Campus was created in 1979 when the Virginia General Assembly gave the university authorization to establish a law school. The Arlington Campus programs emphasize law, policy, and economics. Academic programs are offered through the following units: the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Education and Human Development, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, the School of Law, the School of Management, and the School of Public Policy. While most of the programs offered on the Arlington Campus are on the graduate and professional level, undergraduate courses are also available.

Some resources at the Arlington Campus available to the community are the Arlington Learning in Retirement Institute, the Small Business Development Center, the Arlington Campus and the School of Law libraries, a public art gallery, a bookstore, and training space for government, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations.

The School of Law was originally housed in the former Kann’s department store. This building is now called the Original Building, and the School of Public Policy is the primary occupant. In 1996, development of the 5.2-acre campus began, and in 1998 the construction of Hazel Hall, the first building of a three-phase project, was completed. Hazel Hall houses the School of Law, the Mercatus Center, and the Institute for Humane Studies. Phase II of the building project includes offices for academic programs, the University Library, student support services, and state-of-the-art classrooms. This 250,000-square-foot building will also feature a 300-seat auditorium, a 500-seat multipurpose room, a scenic public plaza, and underground parking.

In addition to the Original Building and Hazel Hall, the university leases space in the Truland Building. The Center for Global Studies, the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, the Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science, the Master of Social Work Program, and Student Health Services are among the academic units and resources at this location.

The George Mason University Foundation continues to contribute to the growth of the Arlington Campus by assisting the university with its development mission and commitments to the Arlington community. The foundation building on Washington Boulevard, completed in 2006, features parking, and office and retail space.

Fairfax Campus

The 150 acres that once was the entire university campus has become the 677-acre Fairfax Campus. This campus offers a wealth of opportunities beyond the numerous academic programs and continues to be the principal center for undergraduate residence and life.

Along with university administrative offices, the Fairfax Campus contains such facilities as the George W. Johnson Center, the Center for the Arts complex, the Patriot Center, a 113,900-square-foot Recreation Sports Complex, and a 93,500-square-foot Aquatic and Fitness Center.

Prince William Campus

The Prince William Campus is located on 124 acres near the intersection of I-66 and the Prince William Parkway in Manassas. Approximately 30 miles west of the nation’s capital in the Innovation@Prince William research and development business park, the campus is a major contributor to a competitive environment for pioneering academic, research, and business activities. Along with administrative, teaching, and research spaces, the Prince William Campus is home to the following facilities:

• The Verizon Auditorium: Conference and meeting rooms, in addition to the 300-seat auditorium, are available for reservation for conferences, meetings, staff training, and luncheons. Clients include businesses and organizations from the larger Prince William County and Northern Virginia area. Call 703-993-8334 or visit www.gmu.edu/princewilliam/http/eventschd.

• The Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center: This facility provides meeting space and a wide range of programs and summer camps in addition to state-of-the-art fitness and athletic equipment, gymnasiums, and pools (see Athletics).

• Telework Center: The Mason Enterprise Center’s telework center provides programs, services, and support to growing businesses and entrepreneurs in Manassas and Prince William County. The center is part of the university’s network of enterprise centers that have played a major role in enhancing commerce and developing new programs in support of small business throughout Virginia (see Business Partnerships). Call 703-993-9415 or visit www.masonenterprisecenter.org.

• The Hylton Performing Arts Center: Scheduled to open in 2009, the center will house performance and rehearsal venues and support facilities to showcase major music, dance, theater, and choral productions. For more information, call 703-993-8492 or visit www.communityperformingartscenter.com.

• Biomedical Research Laboratory: Currently under construction, this laboratory was made possible by a $25 million award to Mason from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health for construction of a regional biocontainment laboratory.

• Those interested in discussing academic partnerships and business collaborations may call the Prince William Campus Office of Administration to arrange a tour at 703-993-8355.

Mason in Loudoun

In fall 2005, the university opened Mason in Loudoun, which connects students and businesses in one of the nation’s fastest-growing areas to one of the common-wealth’s premier research universities. This new location helps citizens of Loudoun County and the surrounding area have greater and easier access to their own educational growth.

Mason in Loudoun is located near the intersection of Routes 7 and 28 (near Dulles Town Center) in Sterling, Virginia. The facility houses high-tech learning environments, conference and seminar rooms, a student computer lab, student study space, and administrative staff and faculty offices. In addition, Mason in Loudoun now houses a University Life Suite, which provides access to the full complement of student services available to all Mason students.