The Activities Building supports student engagement and provides a spacious venue for myriad campus activities.
By University Life Staff
The new Activities Building on George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus officially opened its doors on April 16 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by President Gregory Washington and Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell, followed by a community celebration. The grand opening featured free food, live music, gaming and esports, and recreational activities that showcased the building’s versatility. The university welcomed Charniele Herring, BA Economics ’93, majority leader of the Virginia House of Delegates, to the ceremony, in addition to members of the Board of Visitors.
Washington opened with remarks about what the building represents. “Students who are involved—who find ways to connect, who plug into campus life—they’re more likely to stay. They’re more likely to succeed. They’re more likely to feel like they belong here. And that matters,” he said. “Belonging does not come from where you sleep. It comes from where you connect. And this building is meant to be one of those places where that connection can happen every day.”
Pascarell echoed those sentiments and noted, “When we step back and look at what this building represents, it really comes down to one thing. At the center of all this is engagement—creating space for students to come together and be part of something that matters. And that is what will ultimately shape how students experience their time at Mason.”
The 25,000-square-foot building features two large, multipurpose spaces with collapsible dividers to allow flexible use. There are small, medium, and large conference rooms, all providing event space for Registered Student Organizations, student engagement activities, the Green Machine pep band, and Recreation activities. The additional space will open up availability for events such as the Health and Fitness Expo, Career Fair, and IVth Night. “This effort reflects an extraordinary level of coordination, collaboration, and commitment from teams across the university," said Pam Patterson, associate vice president for University Life. "While this building was designed to bring people together, our work now is to bring that vision fully to life.”
Providing flexible space for activities such as Green Machine practice, pickleball open play, and Student Involvement’s Esports Bloom Tournament, the venue offers various opportunities for student engagement and community building. Senior Amanda Leach, an Integrative Studies major and Green Machine member, sees the extra space for student groups as a huge asset. “Having that space just for student groups will make running the groups so much easier,” she said. “It will foster people’s interest in those groups knowing that they have a dedicated space to think of as their own.”
Other students who attended the opening celebration commented on the expanded recreation offerings that the new building can accommodate, as well as additional communal space. “I think it’s great to see the university prioritizing students’ well-being in terms of encouraging us to spend time together outside of class,” said Chloe Chong, a graduate professional assistant with the Office of International Programs and Services. “I think that really benefits us and improves mental health.”
https://universitylife.smugmug.com/VP-Office/New-Activities-Building