Where Innovation Is Tradition Relax in Fairfax: New Student BBQ and other Town/Gown Initiatives City of Fairfax, VA George Mason University

Where Innovation Is Tradition The Event An annual event, hosted in the City of Fairfax, in conjunction with George Mason University’s Good Neighbor Program, to introduce new and off-campus students to their greater community, while reminding them to be good neighbors.

Where Innovation Is Tradition

Activities Include: Meet and Greet with local elected officials, police and fire personnel, and surrounding neighbors

Where Innovation Is Tradition Activities Include: Catered lunch

Where Innovation Is Tradition Activities Include: Karaoke Band

Where Innovation Is Tradition Activities Include: Lawn Games

Where Innovation Is Tradition Activities Include: Leadership challenge between City Council and Mason Student Government

Where Innovation Is Tradition Background/Implementation Idea generated by Associate Director, Off-Campus Student Programs & Services in 2012 Collaborated with: – Office of Community and Local Government Relations –City of Fairfax Mayor, Council and Staff –Student Government

Where Innovation Is Tradition Budget University –Catering: $1290; Karaoke Band: $1000; Events Production (tables & A/V Rental): $560; Student Wage Staffing: $200; Marketing Materials (11x17 posters): $150 City of Fairfax: –CUE Bus: $80 –In-Kind Services/Donations (i.e. space): Free TOTAL: $3280 –350 people attended = Under $10/pp

Where Innovation Is Tradition What Worked/Changes for Future: What Worked –CUE bus to transport students from campus to City Hall –Karaoke Band, addition of lawn games –Leadership Challenge Cup Next Year – Drop “New Student” – Open to all –Taste of Fairfax Preview with City-wide event over Labor Day Weekend (draw students back to City) –AND….

Where Innovation Is Tradition Student Government wins the challenge!

Where Innovation Is Tradition The Good Neighbor Program: The Office of Community and Local Government Relations, in collaboration with our neighboring jurisdictions, has developed a multi- pronged program to strengthen the university’s relationship with our surrounding communities, as well as to help educate our off-campus student population on how to be good neighbors in the communities in which they live.

Where Innovation Is Tradition Good Neighbor Initiatives: –Arlington and Fairfax Campus Advisory Boards –Mason/Community Forum –iContact notification system –Student Education Materials – Cards, Magnets, Coasters –Off-Campus Student Welcome Tables –Relax in Fairfax BBQ

Where Innovation Is Tradition Additional City/University Collaborations: –City Council Special Session on Campus

Where Innovation Is Tradition Additional City/University Collaborations: –CUE Bus - free bus rides for students (subsidized by the University)

Where Innovation Is Tradition Additional City/University Collaborations: –Welcome Banners/Signs

Where Innovation Is Tradition Additional City/University Collaborations: –“We Are Mason” Road Decals

Where Innovation Is Tradition Additional City/University Collaborations: –Joint City/University Fire Department Logos

Where Innovation Is Tradition Contacts: CITY OF FAIRFAX Scott Silverthorne, Mayor GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY Traci Claar, Director for Community and Local Government Relations