Where Innovation Is Tradition

Relax in Fairfax: New Student BBQand 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

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

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Activities Include:

• Karaoke Band

Where Innovation Is Tradition

Activities Include:

• Lawn Games

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Activities Include:

• Leadership challenge between City Council and Mason Student Government

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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

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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

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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….

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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.

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Good Neighbor Initiatives:

–Arlington and Fairfax Campus Advisory Boards

–Mason/Community Forum– iContact email notification system–Student Education Materials – Cards, Magnets,

Coasters–Off-Campus Student Welcome Tables–Relax in Fairfax BBQ

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Additional City/University Collaborations:

–City Council Special Session on Campus

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Additional City/University Collaborations:

–CUE Bus - free bus rides for students (subsidized by the University)

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Additional City/University Collaborations:

–Welcome Banners/Signs

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Additional City/University Collaborations:

–“We Are Mason” Road Decals

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Additional City/University Collaborations:

–Joint City/University Fire Department Logos

Where Innovation Is Tradition

Contacts:

CITY OF FAIRFAX

Scott Silverthorne, Mayor

Scott.Silverthorne@fairfaxva.gov

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

Traci Claar, Director for Community and Local Government Relations

tclaar@gmu.edu