Visitors

Information Desk > Learn More
Hearing Rooms > Learn More
Student Briefing Room > Learn More
Awards Ceremony > Learn More

Visitors must register at the Center’s information desk each day.

Information Desk Locations
Saturday, April 5: Lobby, Second Floor, Innovation Hall
Sunday, April 6: Lobby, Second Floor, Innovation Hall
Monday: Mason Inn & Conference Center 

Visitors will be issued a name or state badge that should be worn at all times during competition events. Your name or state badge ensures your access to hearing rooms. Visitors without name badges will not be admitted into the hearing rooms.

Saturday and Sunday

The hearings will take place in Innovation Hall. Because the hearing rooms are limited in size the number of open seats depends on the class size and number of parents and visitors. Every effort will be made to ensure that parents and visitors who have come to see a particular student testify will be seated in the room during that student’s unit hearing. Parents and visitors may stand in the back of the room unless otherwise directed due to fire codes and at the discretion of the teacher or Center staff. As usual, classes that have a large number of parents and visitors may have to devise rotation schedule. To ensure that the hearings are not interrupted, parents and visitors will be admitted to the hearing room at appropriate break times (between units) and after the judges have left the room.

To ensure fairness anyone affiliated with a competing class (teachers, coaches, students, chaperons, parents, friends, relatives, etc.) may not enter the hearing room of any other competing class. Once a class hearing is completed, floor supervisors and Center staff will help direct classes and visitors exit in a timely fashion.

Parking at George Mason University on Saturday and Sunday

If you are driving to campus, note that most GPS devices only recognize the 4400 University Drive address for George Mason University. Once on campus, you will need to follow the signs or a campus map.

Commuters may use the Mason Pond Parking Deck for a fee of $3/hour ($14/day max) on Saturday and Monday, and $7/day on Sunday. 

Metrorail Information to and from George Mason University

The closest Metrorail stop to George Mason University is the Vienna Orange Line metro stop. Click here for information on a free shuttle available to and from the metro.

Monday

Classes that advance to the final round of competition will testify at the Mason Inn & Conference Center on the campus of George Mason University on Monday, April 7. Everyone is welcome to attend any of these hearings. However, competing classes and people affiliated with those classes may only attend their hearings. 

Student Orientation Room

The Student Orientation will he held in Innovation Hall 103. On the Saturday and Sunday there will be a twenty-five minute briefing for all classes before the hearings begin. Robert Leming, Director of the We the People Programs and Mark Molli, Director of Governmental Relations will officially welcome students, teachers, parents, and visitors to the Second Annual We the People High School National Invitational and address the students about important matters concerning the competition. Upon arrival floor supervisors and Center staff will direct students to the Orientation room. Parents and visitors are welcome. At the end of the briefing, floor supervisors and Center staff will direct classes to their hearing rooms. Once all classes have been dismissed, parents and visitors will be directed to the hearing rooms.