Mason First-Year Experience

COORDINATION BY THE FIRST-YEAR ADVISORY BOARD

FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE CO-CURRICULAR EDUCATIONAL GOALS

As a result of students’ experiences during their first year at Mason, they will have a holistic view of themselves, their environment, what Mason has to offer, and know how to make the best out of the interplay of these factors as conscientious and effective undergraduate students with agency.

The First-Year Experience was created by the First Year Advisory Board, comprised of units and academic colleges across the university. First-year outcomes centered around important aspects of a student’s transition to George Mason and integrate existing programming, communication, and interactions throughout their first year. This curriculum will be regularly assessed and modified each academic year to stay current and responsive to the high impact strategies to achieve these outcomes with each incoming student cohort.

The First-Year Experience is organized into 5 main educational goals:

	Self-Understanding		Connecting
	Embracing Differences		Acting Wisely
	Navigating Campus

Each education goal is comprised of individual student learning outcomes with corresponding strategies of programming, communication, and interactions to engage all first-year students. To learn more about each outcome and strategy, navigate the accordion folders below to see each broken down in more detail.

Goal 1: Self-Understanding

1A. Develop an understanding of own well-being.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Preamble	Participate in Well-Being Track of Patriot Experience Participate in a Training or Workshop in CAPS, Learning Services, Career Services, LGBTQ+ Resources, SSAC, and/or Center for Advancement of Well-Being Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Participate in Well-Being Track of Patriot Experience Participate in a Training or Workshop in CAPS, Learning Services, Career Services, LGBTQ+ Resources, SSAC, and/or Center for Advancement of Well-Being Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Use a Recreation Facility or BurnAlong class Discuss well-being during Career Advising Discuss well-being during Success Coaching	N/A

1B. Identify when they need help and how to ask for help.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Orientation presentations & small groups Participate in a Quill Camp	Participate in well-being track of Patriot Experience Participate in a Learning Services workshop Participate in Housing & Residence Life Programming	Participate in well-being track of Patriot Experience Participate in a Learning Services workshop Participate in Housing & Residence Life Programming	Discuss when to ask for help during Success Coaching Discuss when to ask for help during Academic Advising Meet with a Peer Advisor/Mentor via Contemporary Student Services, HRL, LGBTQ+ Center, WGST, etc	Participate in CAPS/TimelyMD sessions Receive support from Disability Services Receive support from First Gen+ Center

1C. Students will access university resources to explore and set goals related to (i) their academic interests.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Orientation College 101, advising & registration Participate in a Quill Camp	Participate in a Welcome2Mason or other Academic Event Participate in career readiness track of Patriot Experience Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Participate in a Welcome2Mason or other Academic Event Participate in career readiness track of Patriot Experience Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Visit the University Libraries or attend a program Discuss academic interests during Academic Advising Join an academic clubs or RSO's	Participate in a learning community

1D. Students will access university resources to explore and set goals related to (ii) their career interests.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Orientation information sessions, tabling, and Patriot Preview Participate in a Quill Camp	Participate in career readiness track of Patriot Experience Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Participate in career readiness track of Patriot Experience Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Take Clifton Strengths or the Strong Interest Inventory Discuss career interests during Academic Advising Discuss career interests during Career Advising Discuss career interests during Success Coaching	Participate in a learning community

1E. Students will access university resources to explore and set goals related to (iii) their personal interests and strengths.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Orientation information sessions, tabling, and Patriot Preview Participate in a Quill Camp	Attend the Get Connected Fair Attend the Study Abroad Fair Participate in global citizenship track of Patriot Experience Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Attend the Get Connected Fair Attend the Study Abroad Fair Participate in global citizenship track of Patriot Experience Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Take Clifton Strengths or the Strong Interest Inventory Join a Registered Student Organizations Discuss personal interests during Academic Advising Discuss personal interests during Success Coaching	Participate in a learning community

1F. Learn strategies and behaviors to increase their financial literacy.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in the Funding an Education presentation at Orientation	Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Participate in SSAC programming and workshops Participate in Thriving Together Series: Financial Literacy (Center for Advancement of Well-Being) Participate in Life Skills Series through Mason Rec	N/A

Goal 2: Connecting

2A. Recognize opportunities to connect with other students through campus involvement.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Orientation Small Groups Attend the Preamble Transfer Reception Attend the Preamble Test Drive Participate in a Quill Camp	Participate in Residence Hall Initial Community Meetings Read the Mason Rundown Newsletter Attend Glance Into Greek & IFC/MGC/NPHC Recruitment sessions Attend the Get Connected Fair Attend W2M Transfer Nation Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Read the Mason Rundown Newsletter Attend the Get Connected Fair Attend W2M Transfer Nation Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Use Mason 360 Consume Radio & TV advertising from Student Media Read a newsletter (departments, groups, etc.) Follow Mason social media accounts Discuss opportunities to connect with other students during Academic Advising Discuss opportunities to connect with other students during Success Coaching	Be present in affinity spaces around campus (ie. recreation centers, the MIX, bus stops) Participate in religious groups/campus ministries Receive Contemporary Student Services special population support Residential Curriculum - Community Gatherings

2B. Participate in at least two events during the first year sponsored by Mason.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
N/A	Attend a University Life event Attend an Academic Department event Attend an Athletic event Attend an Entertainment & Arts event Participate in Patriot Experience Participate in an Intramural sports or club sports Participate in Theater/Music performances & groups	Attend a University Life event Attend an Academic Department event Attend an Athletic event Attend an Entertainment & Arts event Participate in Patriot Experience Participate in an Intramural sports or club sports Participate in Theater/Music performances & groups	Consume Radio & TV advertising from Student Media Read a newsletter (departments, groups, etc.) Follow Mason social media accounts Use Mason 360	Participate in SSAC group sessions (recovery, substance, etc.)

2C. Identify opportunities for experiential learning, both in and out of the classroom, as they relate to future goals.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
N/A	Attend the Study Abroad Fair Read the Mason Rundown Newsletter Participate in a Civic Engagement & QEP opportunity Attend a Career Fair Participate in Patriot Experience Participate in Study Abroad or Global Gateway	Attend the Study Abroad Fair Read the Mason Rundown Newsletter Participate in a Civic Engagement & QEP opportunity Attend a Career Fair Participate in Patriot Experience Participate in Study Abroad or Global Gateway	Discuss opportunities for experiential learning during Academic Advising Discuss opportunities for experiential learning during Success Coaching Participate in Career Advising Participate in a student leadership program or opportunity Participate in a practicum, Internship, work study, etc. Participate in research opportunities	Residence Life - Learning Communities

2D. Identify one person on campus who can aid with their academic, personal, or career goals and refer them to campus resources as needed.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Connect with Patriot Leaders, Quill Camp staff, Mason Ambassador	Connect with UNIV course Faculty & Peer Advisors Connect with Learning Services staff or attend a workshop	Connect with UNIV course Faculty & Peer Advisors Connect with Learning Services staff or attend a workshop	Meet with your Academic Advisor Meet with a University Career Services Advisor or staff member Meet with a Success Coach Connect with Academic Support Staff	Meet with a Contemporary Student Advisor Participate in CAPS/TimelyMD sessions Residential Curriculum - Community Interactions

2E. Understand who their advisor and success coach are and how to contact them.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Receive Orientation communication Receive Success Coaching Welcome Email Participate in Orientation College 101, advising & registration Participate in Orientation Success Coaching session	Engage with advising during Registration Awareness Week Read the Mason Rundown Newsletter Participate in a Welcome2Mason or other Academic Event Attend the W2M Fall into Success Coaching event Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Engage with advising during Registration Awareness Week Read the Mason Rundown Newsletter Participate in a Welcome2Mason or other Academic Event Attend the W2M Fall into Success Coaching event Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Review communication from Academic College or department Use Navigate to communicate to advisor or coach	Participate in advising and events with the Honors College

Goal 3: Embracing Differences

3A. Develop awareness of personal values and intersecting identities and how they shape perspectives.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Preamble Self, Others, and Community session	Complete COMM 101 course Participate in programming with the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment	Complete COMM 101 course Participate in programming with the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment	Participate in the Resilience Badge Take Clifton Strengths or the Strong Interest Inventory Take StrengthsFinder or the Strong Interest Inventory	Participate in a Training or Workshop such as SafeZone, UndocuAlly or with a partner like Center for Culture, Equity, & Empowerment

3B. Develop competencies for communicating through and resolving differences.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Preamble Self, Others, and Community session	Complete COMM 101 course Participate in programming with the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment	Complete COMM 101 course Participate in programming with the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment	N/A	Complete a roommate agreement living on campus

3C. Be introduced to principles and approaches to anti-racism.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Preamble Self, Others, and Community session Participate in Orientation small group	Participate in an ARIE initiative Participate in a Civic Engagement or QEP opportunity Participate in programming with the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment (CCEE)	Participate in an ARIE initiative Participate in a Civic Engagement or QEP opportunity Participate in programming with the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment (CCEE)	N/A	N/A

3D. Participate in at least one experience (program, event, course) to interact with people, cultures, identities, and ideas different from their own.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Preamble Complete Perspective modules before first semester	Attend an event during International Education Week Participate in Study Abroad or Global Gateway	Attend an event during International Week Attend an event during Mason Pride Week Participate in Study Abroad or Global Gateway	Daily Interactions with students sharing different identities (events, courses, organizations, employment, etc) Participate in Identity-based Heritage month programming Participate in an identity-based student organization	Participate in a Training or Workshop such as SafeZone, UndocuAlly or with a partner like Center for Culture, Equity, & Empowerment (CCEE) or LEAD

3E. Explore a wide variety of ways of working towards social change.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
N/A	Participate in a QEP/ARIE initiative Participate in Study Abroad or Global Gateway	Participate in a QEP/ARIE initiative Participate in Study Abroad or Global Gateway	N/A	N/A

Goal 4: Acting Wisely

4A. Begin to recognize how people and communities can experience different outcomes within identical environments.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Preamble New Student Convocation Participate in Orientation small group	Participate in Residence Hall Community Meetings Participate in a QEP/ARIE initiative	Participate in Residence Hall Community Meetings Participate in a QEP/ARIE initiative	N/A	N/A

4B. Explore how one's personal choices and actions affect other people and communities.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Preamble - Self, Others, and Community session Participate in Orientation - Student Rights, Privacy, & Safety presentation	Participate in Community Standards Meeting living on campus	N/A	Existing Surveys	Initiate a Student Support Request as needed Participate in a Training or Workshop such as SafeZone, UndocuAlly or with a partner like Center for Culture, Equity, & Empowerment (CCEE) or LEAD

4C. Discover ways to explore their role in contributing to the Mason community.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in a Quill Camp	Participate in the Be a Good Neighbor Campaign living off-campus Attend an Athletic event Participate in a Civic Engagement & QEP opportunity Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Participate in the Be a Good Neighbor Campaign living off-campus Attend an Athletic event Attend a Spring Into Well-Being event Participate in a Civic Engagement & QEP opportunity (PROG) Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Participate in Mason Chooses Kindness initiative Discuss opportunities to engage in the Mason community during Success Coaching Join a Registered Student Organizations Participate in a student leadership program or opportunity	N/A

4D. Understand the community expectations and standards of Mason.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Review the Code of Conduct Complete Student Health Record Requirements Participate in Orientation - Student Rights, Privacy, & Safety presentation	Review course syllabi and expectations	Review course syllabi and expectations	Complete the Residential Community Standards Agreement Review the course catalog and expectations Discuss expectations and standards with Academic Advisor Discuss expectations and standards with Success Coach	N/A

Goal 5: Navigating Campus

5A. Use understanding of the transactions during critical times to successfully navigate university systems and processes such as Patriot Web, Stellic, and Financial Aid/Student Accounts.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Review Orientation communications & Patriot Preview content Review communication from Admissions/Transfer Credit Process Review information in New Student Guide Participate in Orientation College 101, advising, & registration	Engage with advising during Registration Awareness Week Read the Mason Rundown Newsletter	Engage with advising during Registration Awareness Week Read the Mason Rundown Newsletter	Review communication from Academic College or department Review web tutorials and documents linked to their college website Discuss opportunities for experiential learning during Success Coaching Discuss opportunities for experiential learning during Academic Advising	N/A

5B. Learn their primary campus layout and where resources are offered physically and virtually.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Utilize a Welcome2Mason Ask Me Tent Review information in New Student Guide Attend a Prospective Student or Admitted Student event with Admissions Participate in Preamble events Participate in Orientation campus tour	Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Utilize campus maps/web virtual tours/University info desks as needed Utilize Peer and staff support as needed Discuss campus navigation during Success Coaching Discuss campus navigation during Academic Advising	N/A

5C. Acquire knowledge of Mason Core/Honors Core and degree requirements.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Review information in New Student Guide Participate in Orientation College 101, advising, & registration	Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Review Mason Core & 4-year plan for program Review Degree Audit System Discuss degree requirements during Success Coaching Discuss degree requirements during Academic Advising	Participate in a learning community

5D. Engage in academic advising to understand relevant academic policies and deadlines for their degree.

Pre-Arrival	Fall	Spring	On-Going	Needs Based
Participate in Orientation College 101, advising, & registration	Engage with advising during Registration Awareness Week Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Engage with advising during Registration Awareness Week Participate in a transition class your first year (100/108/150, BIS 300, Career Courses, etc.)	Discuss relevant policies and deadlines during Success Coaching Discuss relevant policies and deadlines during Academic Advising Review web tutorials and documents linked to their college website Review communication from Academic College or department	N/A

WAYS FOR STAKEHOLDERS TO ENGAGE!

If your unit or group would benefit from an additional presentation or training related to the First-Year Experience Curriculum, please contact us at masonfy@gmu.edu.
Do you have any initiatives in your unit accomplishing these first-year outcomes that you’d like included in the curriculum?
- Email masonfy@gmu.edu to submit a program, communication, or interaction to be considered as a strategy represented in the curriculum.
Do you have an initiative you’d like to have showcased in First Year Focus Newsletter?
- Submit language and details at (bit.ly/First-YearFocusRequest)
If you would like to find out how your unit can be a part of this initiative and how we can highlight your work in the service of First-year students, please contact us at: masonfy@gmu.edu.
Adding First-Year Experience as a co-host on Mason360
- Tips for adding the First-Year Experience as a Co-Host
  - If you’d like your event to be included in the Mason First-Year Experience, you will need to add your event in Mason360 AND list “First-Year Experience” as a co-host.
  - You can add a co-host in the Advanced Options of your event page. This can be done when you create the event or you can add a co-host to an existing event by editing the event.
  - First-Year Experience will be listed under the University Life section.