Campus Information and Visitor Services (CIVS) gathers and facilitates the exchange of university details and facts to the internal and external Mason community.
We are a primary point of contact to Mason for nearly one million people each year through the university switchboard, interactive kiosks, the Johnson Center Information Desk, event information/calendar, campus maps, electronic signboard, several university web pages, and an outreach database.
The CIVS staff team consists of an executive director, a supervisor, and over 20 student wage workers across the Fairfax, Mason Square, and Science and Technology campuses.
Info Desks on Campus
University Information maintains the following information desk locations:
- In-Person at the Johnson Center, Fairfax Campus
- Interactive Kiosks
- Fairfax Campus: Merten Hall, SUB I, and The Hub
- Mason Square: Van Metre Hall
- SciTech: Colgan Hall
Each desk can address questions both in-person and via phone.
Switchboard
Switchboard Phone Number: 703-993-1000
Merten Hall, Room 2100
The University Switchboard now can send and receive text messages!
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Summer Hours of Operation:
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
- Answers all incoming calls and text messages to the university’s main number from both the external and internal communities
- Transfers callers to requested department/person
- Dispenses information on all aspects of the university
- Directions to and around campus
- Provides information on the status of the university during inclement weather or other changes to the university schedule
Mason 101 Training Class
Whether you are new to the George Mason community, looking to update your university knowledge, or looking for more resources available at George Mason, we welcome you to sign up for Mason 101. This introduction to George Mason University's history, organizational structure, and resources is aimed at faculty and staff. Mason 101 is a free, two hour information session that includes a virtual tour of all George Mason sites and planned future expansion projects. Virtual and in-person sessions are available.
To register for an upcoming session:
- Log into to masonleaps.gmu.edu with your MasonID credentials
- In the search bar in upper right corner of the page, search for “Mason 101”
- On the screen that opens, click “Mason 101”
- Available Mason 101 dates will appear
- Click on the “Request” button next to your preferred training date
For questions about Mason 101, contact Philip Stamper at pstamper@gmu.edu or 703-993-5308.
Outreach Database
CIVS gathers and maintains a database of names and contact information of individuals belonging to over 180 groups both internal and external to George Mason. The Outreach Database is free, and is for the use of university personnel only. University personnel may request a list of contacts for sharing information such as news and events with select audiences.
The categories for the mailing lists are:
- Business
- Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors
- Community/Service Groups
- Economic Development
- Education
- External Boards
- George Mason University
- Government
- Libraries
- Literature
- Professional Associations
- Safety Officials
- Special Interest Groups
View a comprehensive list of all groups by category and submit a request through the online form.
Braddock Road Marquee
The Office of University Branding maintains the content of the electronic signboard (Marquee) located on Braddock Road at the Nottoway River Lane entrance of the Fairfax Campus. The Marquee is two-sided and visible to east-bound and west-bound Braddock Road traffic.
The goal is to promote and enhance the image of George Mason University through the participation and engagement of the public and Mason community members in major events.
Guidelines
For events and messages to appear on the Marquee, a request must be submitted directly from a campus department or student organization meeting the criteria below:
Information should be brief (50-75 characters) and include the date, time, and location of the event and font size no smaller than size 16. Types of messages include:
- Text only, text over images, or images only
- No video or moving animation
- The length of time a message can be displayed is determined by University Information. Messages can run for up to 14 calendar days and may run longer if the schedule permits.
- Up to 4 messages can be displayed from one department at one time
- During low light times the messages will be dimmed
- Each message is in rotation for eighteen hours a day, from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Formatting
- Images should be a .jpg, .ppt or .psd (RGB and at least 72 dpi) file.
- All images are to be submitted as 225 pixels wide by 140 pixels high.
- Do not use white backgrounds and avoid light colored backgrounds, if possible.
- A PowerPoint Template has been created to make this process easier, it is already the proper size, just add in your text (no smaller than size 16 font) and photos.
Procedure
- The Office of University Branding does not create graphics for the marquee display.
- Completed advertisements must be submitted 7 business days prior to the requested posting date to allow time for review and processing.
- Requests are to be submitted via e-mail at marquee@gmu.edu. Please include “Marquee Request” in the subject line. Also include the following in the body of your email:
- Requested start and end date for display (up to 14 calendar days)
- Organization or department
- Contact name and title
- Phone number and email
- The Office of University Branding determines if an announcement meets the stated criteria, and reserves editorial rights on all messages. Should your message need to be edited, we will contact you and provide the opportunity to resubmit the message.
- Images not received in the specified format will be returned and given an opportunity for revision, if time allows.
- A confirmation e-mail will be sent once the posting has been approved.
Acceptable Message Criteria
Only events sponsored by Mason or EagleBank Arena, and open to the public and all Mason community members, will be considered. Events that are restricted cannot be posted to the Marquee. Events held on the Science and Technology Campus and Mason Square Campus or other site locations will be considered on a space available basis. Availability is limited and priority is given to major events.
- Major events held in university event venues, such as:
Center for the Arts The Hub Ballroom Wilkins Plaza (North Plaza) EagleBank Arena Finley Quad George Mason Stadiums Johnson Center Southside Plaza RAC Field Harris Theatre SUB I Quad Academic & Administrative Buildings
- University sponsored or hosted events open to the community, such as:
Forensics Tournaments International Week Homecoming Mason Day Welcome Week Midnight Madness Alumni Weekend Cultural Heritage Celebrations Move-in Days First Day of Classes Fall for the Book Vision Series
- Major national and international speakers
- Major athletic events
- Major university accomplishments
- Major events that may affect traffic
- University schedule changes
Prohibited Content
Marquee ads should not contain:
- False or misleading statements or exaggerations, visual or verbal
- Claims insufficiently supported or that distort the true meaning or practicable application of statements made by professional or scientific authority
- Statements, suggestions, or pictures to public decency or minority segments of the population
- Inappropriate material, including but not limited to pornographic displays, nudity, etc.
- Promotions of alcohol and tobacco consumption
Content presented on the Marquee should not:
- Infringe the legal rights, including copyrights, rights of privacy and publicity, of others
- Cause any damage or disadvantage to others
- Disturb public order
- Reflect a criminal act
- Present or distribute any third parties’ private information without obtaining approval from such third parties
- Disgrace others
- Defame or libel others
Marquee Sample Images
