George Mason University Top Questions

Parties are great. On campus can be stifiling. Really strict. It's great to get out and have fun.

There is no dorm life to speak of, no town to walk to, no parties to attend, no campus hangouts to meet at, no music worth listening to, no frat rows to get drunk at, no football games to get drunk at, no clubs of artistic or intellectual merit, no guest speakers worth attending, no fun to be had. It's worse if you're a commuter student because then the slim chance you have of dating or finding friends is shot to hell. It's ok if you like basketball, but once the team starts losing and fails to make the NCAA bracket (as is the trend), the campus life dies.

Catholic Campus Ministry is one of the most active and oldest organizations on campus, yet we often get overlooked and shafted by the administration. It is the same for most of the religious groups, however Campus Crusade seems to be doing well and the same with the Muslim groups. We aren't being deprived, but we do seem to get shafted more than the rest.

I would have to say the most popular group to be in was a sorority or fraternity. While living in the dorms. most people kept to themselves and left the doors closed. It was up to you to approach someone. I was not part of the party scene, I had to work while I was in school. If I was ever up late, it was just to hang out or grab some late night fast food with my roommates. Now that I have graduated, I usually go out with friends and have a good time, not always drinking!

Everyone at Mason has their group. It's all about the Frats and Sororities. Even people who commute are in some type of group.

The GMU basketball games are great especially after our first Final Four appearance. There is a lot of school spirit around GMU and this mostly stems from the sporting events that occur on campus. We usually have a ton of speakers that come to speak to students on campus. We had Bill Clinton on campus a few weeks ago, which was really neat. Being so close to the metropolitan area, we get our fair share of political figures that visit and give speeches. It's a really exciting place to be.

The most popular groups on campus is Greek life. They run everything, support, and unify campus. In the freshman dorms people leave their doors open. Everyone is still trying to meet people at that time. I have noticed that in the upper classman dorms everyone keeps doors shut most of the time. I think this is because many have already found their group of friends. Athletic events are not very popular with the exception of the men's basketball team. I have been luckly enough to attend several events at Mason where there has been a guest speaker. Two of the most rememorable would be Bill Clinton and Barak Obama. I met my closest friends here through greek life, my classes, and by living on campus. If I am awake at 2 am, it is because I am making a late night run to Ihop, or studying, or goofing off with my friends. My favorite events that happen yearly involve Mason Day, Homecoming events, and International week is pretty awesome as well.

I don't know much about this because my partying days were over after comminity college. There are lots of cool bars around town though and a Damons on campus. Besides the nite life there is always something to do as I mentioned before. One last thing, I have heard rumors that the campus clears out on the weekends but I wouldn't know since I lived off campus.

The most popular groups on campus are probably those that have to do with religion, fraternities/sororities, or politics. I am involved with the Pep Band and I love being able to be a part of the energy that hypes up basketball games. The best part is that people who aren't necessarily involved with music in college can still participate. There are students who played half-heartedly in high school, as well as amplified strings, a crazy rhythm section and excellent musicians in the brass and woodwinds. Everyone is welcome. Athletic events are popular if it's men's basketball. Aside from that, I don't believe there is much of a turnout. Guest speakers, especially if they're politically affiliated, are very popular. I met my closest friends through my freshman dorm, the music department, Honors classes and through other friends. If I'm awake at 2 am on a Tuesday, I am finishing a paper. I try to avoid those nights. Mason Day (in April) is a yearly tradition. Bands come and play in a parking lot, there's free food and other games. Homecoming is also big at Mason. In February there's a week devoted to a certain theme (this year it was "Mason Rocks") and there are activities and events planned throughout the week. It ends with Saturday night's basketball game. Last weekend I went out dancing for one of my friend's birthdays. We went to Fur in DC and had a good time. I also worked on homework, spent the night with my boyfriend, and went to the gym. On a Saturday night that doesn't involve drinking, people can watch movies, play games (like Cranium, it's one of my favorites), go clubbing or see a show in DC or attend an event on campus (like a concert). Off campus, I like to get food, go to the mall, go into DC for any reason whatsoever, and go clubbing or dancing.

What are the most popular groups/organizations/clubs/teams on campus? The most popular groups are the Filipino Cultural Association, the Muslim Students Association, and "The Gathering". Tell us about a group you’re involved with. I am involved in Students for Life, College Republicans, College Democrats, Indian Students Association, Israel Club, Jewish Students Association, Sikh Students Association and a number of other groups. Do students in dorms leave their doors open? They automatically close and lock How popular are athletic events? Guest speakers? Theater? Athletic events are fairly well attended. Non-athletic events are not attended. If you’re awake at 2am on a Tuesday, what are you doing? Working What traditions/events happen each year? International Day What can you do on a Saturday night that doesn’t involve drinking? Studying What do you do off campus? Work