What is Mason Lobbies
Mason Lobbies 2026 is on Thursday, March 5, 2026 – sign up here! It is our annual student advocacy day in Richmond, where the Student Government brings students to the Virginia General Assembly to meet their legislators, advance student interests, and promote George Mason and student concerns.
The event has all costs covered (transport and lunch) for attendees – all you need is a willingness to share your Mason story!
If you have classes or exams during Mason Lobbies, after you sign up we will share a note from the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and the Faculty Senate President for your Professor. These will be emailed and you can forward this to request an excused absence for March 5th – although we’ll be back by 3:30 PM for classes/labs after that!
Training Dates
We offer training to any attendees or any students who want to make the biggest impact while meeting legislators. These are brief, beginner-friendly, and designed to empower you and your advocacy. All share the same content.
Sign up for them for the dates below:
- February 11, 1 – 2 PM
- February 12, 12 – 1 PM
- February 18, 1 – 2 PM
- February 19, 12 – 1 PM
- More dates to come!
Goals of Mason Lobbies
Mason Lobbies is critical factor in maintaining relations with our state legislators to ensure George Mason and students receives support for:
- Financial aid, research, and maintenance funding
- Advancing students’ legislative agenda
- Networking for students with policy professionals
Lobbying is the act of trying to persuade government officials to try to influence decisions made by government bodies to advance your groups’ interests.
Legislative Agenda for 2026
Our Undergraduate Student Body can vote to endorse specific pieces of legislation to designate official support for them as student interests. These change year-to-year, but for 2026 include:
- Tuition Freeze for VA’s public universities, in HB1312; URB Resolution #10
- Reforming Boards of Visitors to rebuild confidence and give students a vote and voice, HB780 and SB494; URB Resolution #9
- More to come pending URB approval!
Proposed legislation for us to support includes:
- Support Trans Rights to Gender Affirming Care; HB1245 and SB794; URB Resolution 11 (Pending Approval)
- More University Funding; GMU Budget Requests ; URB Resolution 12 (Pending Approval)
Mason Lobbies FAQs
What’s the itinerary for the day?
Mason Lobbies is on Thursday, March 5th. We’re meeting at 5:00 AM at the Sandy Creek bus stop, getting in our groups and boarding the buses for Richmond at 5:30 AM. We have to get up this early so we can arrive in Richmond by 8:00 AM for an introduction from alumni in the capitol building, then meet with Delegates and State Senators from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. After that, free lunch is provided to attendees who watch the General Assembly re-enter session from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and can visit the cafe and review their meetings with friends. After that, students will board the buses and return to campus by 3:30 PM.
Can I lobby for issues not on the SG Legislative Agenda?
Yes! While we expect each group to advocate for funding as a minimum, Mason Lobbies is meant to empower your advocacy. On the sign up form, mention the issues you care about and our team will match you with relevant legislators, or add their names if you know who you want to meet with. Priority will be given to constituents, but email our team at [email protected] and we can see how to support your advocacy with research and talking points.
Do I have to attend the training?
No, but we offer them for any students. If you’re a Group Leader, especially if you haven’t gone to Mason Lobbies before, we very much recommend it. However, if you can’t make any meeting times, feel free to review the online materials on your own and email [email protected] with any questions!
