New Frozen Yogurt Shop Near Campus

Tue, 05/10/2011 – 22:16 | C2M’s Amanda Hamm

Josie’s Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt opened its doors last month in Mason’s backyard, offering low-calorie, low-sugar yogurt from its location in University Mall, just across the street from Mason’s Fairfax Campus.

Josie’s offers a relaxed environment with seating both indoors and out. The shop features self-serve yogurt yielding up to one-third fewer calories and less sugar content than its competitors, according to the owner of the Fairfax franchise Jeanne Shewmaker.

Shewmaker said the shop wants to promote a fun and comfortable atmosphere, which includes exciting giveaways and specials for customers. The store has a Facebook page and Twitter that rewards patrons for their support.

The shop is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Off-Campus Student Programs Office to Host End of Semester Events

Thursday, April 28, 2011 - 9:10am | C2M's Amanda Hamm

Drive-in movies and a study lounge are the latest offerings from the office of Off-Campus Student Programs and Services.

The office is collaborating with Weekends at Mason to sponsor two old-fashioned drive-in movies. The event is reserved for Lot L with movies playing on a large screen set up in the parking lot.

Jackass 3D (rated R), is planned for May 5 at 8:00 p.m. Gnomeo and Juliet (rated G), will show on May 6 at 8:00 pm. Admission and refreshments are free; and both movies are open to the community.

And the off-campus student study lounge that started at the end of last semester, was such a success with students that the office will again make the study area available.

The lounge, for off-campus students needing a study area during finals, will be located in the former George’s Restaurant location on the third floor of the Johnson Center from May 8 at 10:00 a.m. through May 14 at 10:00 p.m.

Giveaways and free food are just a few incentives for students to use the study lounge. For questions and more details, contact Mhehvish Khan at mkhanf@gmu.edu.

Public Meeting Held About Proposed Overpass Near Campus

Tue, 03/29/2011 – 14:39 | C2M’s Amanda Hamm

Residents living near George Mason University had the opportunity to meet with city officials Monday evening to discuss a potential overpass connecting Braddock Road to Mason via Prestwick Road.

The informational meeting held at Fairfax Villa Elementary School brought a large turnout of residents interested in the project. Preliminary construction plans were outlined at the meeting, and members of VDOT, FCDOT, Fairfax City councilmembers, and even Mason’s own VP of Facilities were present to address any concerns the public might have with the proposed project.

The concept is that an overpass (or possible underpass) be constructed to help alleviate the traffic congestion surrounding Braddock Road and other roads leading onto campus. Safety was a main concern at a lot of intersections where a left hand turn is present.

Mason officials proposed the bypass to allow traffic to cut around Braddock and Rte. 123, allowing traffic to flow more smoothly.

Braddock District Supervisor John C. Cook was in charge of the meeting, and he said there is currently about $10 million available in the Governor’s Transportation Plan that can be used toward the $15 million project. Mason will be responsible for the other $5 million to help fund the work.

“There are so many entities involved in this project that will have to work together,” Cook said.

Some of the ideas to help alleviate problems in the near future will be to lengthen the turn bay near University Mall on Braddock Road. Also under consideration is a traffic light at Braddock and Prestwick (right before the intersection at Rte. 123).

Chris Conklin, from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., represented his company’s interest in the transportation planning aspect of the project. VHB is working with Mason officials to map out the exact placement of the overpass and how it will affect the surrounding community.

“There should be significant improvements at all of the intersections once this plan goes into effect,” Conklin said.

Mason Vice President of Facilities Thomas Calhoun said there has been mention of a West Campus Connector for years. By connecting the west and east campuses, more students would be able to park farther away and still make it onto the main campus without issue.

“This project is still in the idea stage,” Calhoun said. “It’s not going to happen overnight.”

A University and Community Forum to further discuss the project is set for Fairfax City Hall on May 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Previous meeting details and construction plans can be viewed online.

Appreciation Week is Latest Event for Off-Campus Students

Sun, 03/20/2011 – 21:13 | C2M’s Amanda Hamm

The first Off-Campus Appreciation Week kicks off Monday, just in time for students returning from spring break.

Sponsored by the Off-Campus Student Programs and Services Office, the event is geared toward students who live off-campus, but on-campus residents are also invited to check out the activities.

“This is a new initiative to get off-campus students more involved on campus,” said Mhevish Khan, graduate advisor for the office.

Khan said she has two Mason undergraduate students working with her on the event, Gleason Rowe & Dana Fayyad.

The office previously hosted a study lounge for off-campus students in December, and it was such a huge success that another one is being planned for the spring she said. Khan and her team are also brainstorming more fun activities for off-campus students.

“We have a movie night in the works. We plan to reserve one of the lots on campus and setup an old-fashioned drive-in, complete with concessions stand,” said Khan.

A detailed line-up of events taking place during the appreciation week can be found on the Off-Campus Student Programs and Services website.