Commuting in NoVa is enough to drive anyone to tears. 'Nuff said.

I know it has been a few years since I was there, but how about the fact that the campus is a ghost town by about 1:30pm on Friday afternoon?

I thought GMU was just another satellite campus of NOVA community college?

Is it still considered a "suicide attempt" if it in fact resulted in death?

Just guessing, but because Fairfax is void of any real personality? Just boring, brick buildings and traffic.

As opposed to the rich, vibrant streetscapes surrounding George Washington University? Granted, there's the rush of oxygen as you walk to Froggy Bottom Pub to get good and tight. I think I've found the real reason the GMU folks are so depressed:

Kashdan bobbed around the room or sat, legs dangling, on his desk beneath a big PowerPoint slide that said “The Scientific Pursuit of Happiness” as he took the students, a few older than he, through the various building blocks of positive psychology: optimism, gratitude, mindfulness, hope, spirituality.

The fact that these people are paying top dollar to learn how to be happy is about as grim as a three-day bout of nausea. After seeing that first slide, I'd be headed for the nearest clock tower with a rifle.

Just guessing, but because Fairfax is void of any real personality? Just boring, brick buildings and traffic.

As opposed to the rich, vibrant streetscapes surrounding George Washington University? Granted, there's the rush of oxygen as you walk to Froggy Bottom Pub to get good and tight. I think I've found the real reason the GMU folks are so depressed:

Kashdan bobbed around the room or sat, legs dangling, on his desk beneath a big PowerPoint slide that said “The Scientific Pursuit of Happiness” as he took the students, a few older than he, through the various building blocks of positive psychology: optimism, gratitude, mindfulness, hope, spirituality.

The fact that these people are paying top dollar to learn how to be happy is about as grim as a three-day bout of nausea. After seeing that first slide, I'd be headed for the nearest clock tower with a rifle.

We are def. not a satellite campus of NOVA. We were once a satellite campus of UVA many years ago though. But Mason isn't a depressing school its just blad and boring. Being that most students commute, there is no real since of a university or college town. You can drive past it and not even know there was a college in fairfax. Its a great looking campus one of the best Ive seen, but looks arent everything its just laking that college feel. But hey college is what you make it. Just gotta work with what you got even if it isn't much sometimes.

Ahrmm. The reason we're all miserable would be Parking Services. Yep. That's pretty much it.

I go to GMU and think that the school is Great. I live on campus and am from southern Va. I think people expect too much and don't enjoy the uniqueness of GMU. My career opportunities, my social network, and my overall happiness have up'd as a result of coming to Mason. Plus our B-Ball team kicked all of the other area schools' ass last year in their tourny advancement.

*Also to Monkey Boy (post 1)--the death has not yet been confirmed as a suicide so I would not announce it as such. The Post article that you link to even states that. I think that was just an unfortunate event. We'll see though.

Anyway, Go Patriots!

fairfax sucks.

GMU needs more scuba diving classes. That would put smiles on their faces

That being said, GMU needs to decide what it wants to be: the school that working professionals can attend or the college campus it pretends to be. The direction seems to be more towards the latter, as I progressively saw more students who thought of GMU as a safety school put on the wait list. The school continues to build student housing, slowly closing the ratio of commuter to on campus student. Lots of working professionals count on GMU for advanced degrees and the school makes A LOT of money from them. However, the school can't do both and therein the problem lies.

George Washington University is very good at being both a very good option for working professionals and for a thriving undergraduate population. We can't GMU try to do both well too?

First and foremost, this is a tragic story. However, I also hope that this is a teachable moment.

1. Mental illness, which needs to be better researched and better treated in our society, is the likely culprit, not some alleged general malaise at the university.

2. Of all the subjective ranking guides to higher ed., the Princeton Review practices the most ridiculous and inexcusably poor methodology. A prior commenter remarked on this, but I wanted to highlight it. I sometimes wonder if failing research methods coursework is a requirement for employment at PR. It's bordering on being the National Enquirer of higher ed.

DCist editors, when reporting on a survey ranking or finding, you do your readers a disservice when you cite the results of a grossly unscientific poll or surveys without labeling it or qualifying the information. (That the NYT is also guilty of this in their article is no excuse.) Public Agenda has a nice piece on "20 Questions Journalists Should Ask About Poll Results" here: http://www.publicagenda.org/polling/polling_20q.cfm PR's polling sins relate to #4 and their dismal sampling strategy (or rather, lack thereof).

well yes. GMU sucks.

the snobby preppy rich kids who will just run right into you in the hallway, or just stop dead in the way is a bit annoying.

the kids bragging about how cool they are because they "like, got so totally trashed this weekend" gets old.

driving for a half hour for parking is a HUGE pain in the ass.

not to mention, after all the shit about the basketball team last year, they let in a bunch of new students, and did NOTHING to improve already horrid parking. other than raise the price of the parking pass.

dealing with the admin staff who know NOTHING and give you wrong answers to questions is unacceptable.

the fact that they brag about being "diverse" when they arent. a school is not diverse when 10% of the population speaks English!!!

the sorority girls who run around campus at 10am dressed like they should be at a club, complete with the 4 inch stiletos is absurd.

the glare you get if you DARE smile at someone you dont know is a bit frightening.

do i need to go on?

Jess - I think it's like that at every college...

The body fell three feet in front of me. He was alive for as much as a half an hour, shattered and bleeding. I don't find this post to be in poor taste, but it's rather light and unimportant relative to what one could say about both the suicide and the dubious poll.

"...they are all just there for a paycheck" ??
Are you kidding?

"Ahrmm. The reason we're all miserable would be Parking Services. Yep. That's pretty much it."

I happen to work at parking services, and I'd like to suggest that the reason people are so "miserable" with Parking Services, is because they come in expecting to not have to pay for parking, or for citations that are well deserved. Sorry to say it, but welcome to Fairfax, and welcome to the real world.

And @ Jess, I'd like to break your comments down, if I can.

"well yes. GMU sucks."

This is a very typical college kid attitude.

"the snobby preppy rich kids who will just run right into you in the hallway, or just stop dead in the way is a bit annoying."

Did you go to high school? I assure you it isn't "snobby preppy rich kids" that do these kinds of things, it's simply insensitive people, which you will find anywhere. It's kind of ignorant to lump anyone who has money into the category of "snobby" and "preppy."

"the kids bragging about how cool they are because they "like, got so totally trashed this weekend" gets old."

You think this is only at GMU? Again, you will find this anywhere. It's just a common college kid mentality. However, if you truly are above that kind of talk and lifestyle, simply choose not to associate with them. No harm, no foul.

"driving for a half hour for parking is a HUGE pain in the ass."

You wouldn't have to drive for half an hour if you actually came to class early. If you're expecting to find parking the second you arrive, you're mistaken, and that pretty much goes for any school. Try arriving at least 15 min. before your class actually starts. Problem solved.

"not to mention, after all the shit about the basketball team last year, they let in a bunch of new students, and did NOTHING to improve already horrid parking. other than raise the price of the parking pass."

I'll refer to another users post for this one: "Keep in mind that at the same time that they're building new student housing, they're also replacing the parking lots with four-level garages." Give it time, they're working on it. And about the raise in parking prices... go take an economics class. It's called supply and demand.

"dealing with the admin staff who know NOTHING and give you wrong answers to questions is unacceptable."

Oh. So you've never given someone incorrect information? I'd like to suggest, just by viewing your comments, that you have. Just understand that these admins that you are speaking of are just people, and people make mistakes. If you want to get something done, you need to be persistent. Often times you will not achieve the result you wanted the first time you attempt to accomplish it. Again, persistence is key.

"the fact that they brag about being "diverse" when they arent. a school is not diverse when 10% of the population speaks English!!!"

Look, go move to New England if you don't like the diversity. The fact that so many students are learning English as a second language is WHY they call it diverse. How many languages do you know? Just cut them some slack. They're learning, which is what you do in college.

"the sorority girls who run around campus at 10am dressed like they should be at a club, complete with the 4 inch stiletos is absurd."

Yes, some people choose to dress differently than you do. Deal with it. Yes, I agree that it's ridiculous, but again, you will find this kind of "fashion" at any campus in the country. They're just trying to get attention. If you don't like it, don't give them any attention. Simple.

the glare you get if you DARE smile at someone you dont know is a bit frightening.

I'm kind of confused what you are talking about here. Maybe you are frightening the people with your smiling? Dunno, but most people I smile at smile back, but then again, do you go around smiling at complete strangers? Cause that's kind of weird.

do i need to go on?

Yes, please do. I appologise if I have offended you with my comments, I just feel that you are blaming flaws of human-kind on the place you happen to encounter these problems, which is extremely unfair to GMU.

Good critique RC. I love Mason and can't stand when people tear down the school. It's actually really great living on campus and also living near the district. It's a young University so of course it is different then your V.Tech or USC, but I like it. I think my school has a lot of charm.

I am an out-of-state student attending GMU, definitely by choice. I was accepted to many other schools and chose to attend Mason due to its diversity. I do not understand how anyone could say that Mason is not diverse. I can walk through campus and not hear English being spoken. I can walk in my dormroom and not hear it. My roommates are from across the globe. In my room alone 5 languages are spoken, including English. But that isn't the only reason I chose to attend. The connections made here in the DC area are very beneficial.

Mason started many programs. We started the C-Span television network many years ago. We have the best low-light telescope on the East coast. We have grown quicker than any other school in VA. We have more books than many of the DC area schools. We have several Nobel-prize wining professors.

I see no room to complain. I believe that it's by what you look at. If you look at everything negatively, then you'll see a bad school. If you look at all that Mason has to offer, then you will see a growing, diverse, enriching university.

GMU is the 15th most miserable campus in the United States because it's in Northern Virginia. As long as you live on campus and leave Virginia as soon as you graduate, you should enjoy college.

What Jess said was overall right, but GMU is good as long as you live on campus. Slogg was exactly right, but RC appears to be a typical left-of-center northern virginia poor-mannered elitist dumbass. I'm not suprised that RC works at parking.

"not to mention, after all the shit about the basketball team last year, they let in a bunch of new students, and did NOTHING to improve already horrid parking. other than raise the price of the parking pass."

GMU actually added parking across 123 at the field house AND a added shuttle bus to tote students back and forth (this comes every five to ten minutes) - the parking pass for parking at the field house is $80 FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR! so those who still complain about parking are just to lazy to look for other options (although, i will admit it is a grossly unadvertised option for fellow commuters) or are too lazy to walk an extra 50 feet - and fyi - i've NEVER had to 'look' for a parking spot at the field house, so i SAVE time ands stress by parking immediately at the field house and taking a shuttle bus that drops me off right in front of the JC/science and tech/etc.

I am currently a full-time student at Mason, and would have to say am rather satisfied with my education. I've read ppl complaining about $$ and price issues @ Mason--honestly it is the best deal you'll get for education, especially in this area. George Washington Univ- overpriced low quality education. Georgetown-again overpriced for a name brand. UMD is good, but then again if your a VA resident [like I am] it gets overpriced. Ppl complain about it being a commuter school...~4,000 ppl live on campus which is close to the student population at Princeton U has [I think we all would agree Princeton is a 'good' school] so even w/o commuters you have enough people to make up a university.

ok, RC... lets go.

And @ Jess, I'd like to break your comments down, if I can.

"well yes. GMU sucks."

This is a very typical college kid attitude.

yeah... no. GMU sucks. and actaully im older than the "typical" college kid, maybe thats the problem, im not still realllllly stupid. im sure a great many colleges suck. however i am stuck at gmu. and yes, stuck, because i refuse to go into even more debt.

"the snobby preppy rich kids who will just run right into you in the hallway, or just stop dead in the way is a bit annoying."

Did you go to high school? I assure you it isn't "snobby preppy rich kids" that do these kinds of things, it's simply insensitive people, which you will find anywhere. It's kind of ignorant to lump anyone who has money into the category of "snobby" and "preppy."

yes i went to high school. i say "snobby preppy rich kids" because 95% of the GMU population is just that. there really is a lack of courtesy on the campus

"the kids bragging about how cool they are because they "like, got so totally trashed this weekend" gets old."

You think this is only at GMU? Again, you will find this anywhere. It's just a common college kid mentality. However, if you truly are above that kind of talk and lifestyle, simply choose not to associate with them. No harm, no foul.

yeah, unfortunatly its frowned upon to beat these people in class and im not cool enough to be able to walk around with an ipod to block it out

"driving for a half hour for parking is a HUGE pain in the ass."

You wouldn't have to drive for half an hour if you actually came to class early. If you're expecting to find parking the second you arrive, you're mistaken, and that pretty much goes for any school. Try arriving at least 15 min. before your class actually starts. Problem solved.

right... doesnt matter, since all the classes end and start at the same time, ive tried geting there 30 min before class... and if i do find a spot, its way the fuck out in left field. yes they are building parking garages but thats $$

"not to mention, after all the shit about the basketball team last year, they let in a bunch of new students, and did NOTHING to improve already horrid parking. other than raise the price of the parking pass."

I'll refer to another users post for this one: "Keep in mind that at the same time that they're building new student housing, they're also replacing the parking lots with four-level garages." Give it time, they're working on it. And about the raise in parking prices... go take an economics class. It's called supply and demand.

and refer to my post about letting to many people in and the cost of the parking garages

"dealing with the admin staff who know NOTHING and give you wrong answers to questions is unacceptable."

Oh. So you've never given someone incorrect information? I'd like to suggest, just by viewing your comments, that you have. Just understand that these admins that you are speaking of are just people, and people make mistakes. If you want to get something done, you need to be persistent. Often times you will not achieve the result you wanted the first time you attempt to accomplish it. Again, persistence is key.

right and when i fuck up, i get in trouble for it. when they fuck up they blame me and dont bother to apoligize. i have to spend extra time in this hell hole because of people whos JOB it is to know certain things gave me wrong info and i dont even get a sorry... and i end up more in debt. they dont give a flying fuck about the students, its all about the $

"the fact that they brag about being "diverse" when they arent. a school is not diverse when 10% of the population speaks English!!!"

Look, go move to New England if you don't like the diversity. The fact that so many students are learning English as a second language is WHY they call it diverse. How many languages do you know? Just cut them some slack. They're learning, which is what you do in college.

learning english? are you kidding? some of them refuse to speak it. and just the thought of giving illegals instate tuition like MD wants to do makes me sick.

"the sorority girls who run around campus at 10am dressed like they should be at a club, complete with the 4 inch stiletos is absurd."

Yes, some people choose to dress differently than you do. Deal with it. Yes, I agree that it's ridiculous, but again, you will find this kind of "fashion" at any campus in the country. They're just trying to get attention. If you don't like it, don't give them any attention. Simple.

but wait... i thought we were there to LEARN?

the glare you get if you DARE smile at someone you dont know is a bit frightening.

I'm kind of confused what you are talking about here. Maybe you are frightening the people with your smiling? Dunno, but most people I smile at smile back, but then again, do you go around smiling at complete strangers? Cause that's kind of weird.

on the rare occasion someone doesnt drop a door on me i do smile... or when i hold the door open for them. youd think they rather i dropped it on them...

do i need to go on?

Yes, please do. I appologise if I have offended you with my comments, I just feel that you are blaming flaws of human-kind on the place you happen to encounter these problems, which is extremely unfair to GMU.

offended no... scared me with your lack of knowledge about gmu yes. i have a feeling you might work for these people. which is something im considering, because if youve ever needed something done by them, you are well aware, most of the people who work there dont to a damn thing.

The best thing about George Mason University was the track and field teams. Once the new AD came in (O'Connor) he pushed the most prestigious programs in the school out of the way to put all energy toward basketball. Coach John Cook was and is a living legend who deserved better. What comes around goes around. O'Connor has his head up his a@# and karma is a bitch. What comes around goes around, and the AD will definitely get his one day. Who gives a shit GMU went to the final 4 once. Duke has been about 20 times. Mason has spent MILLIONS in advertising to this day pimping the fact that they went to the final four AND LOST. Pathetic! You think Duke would brag about LOSING in the final 4? Heck no. The Mason track teams won actual NCAA crowns and produched quality people, including many Olympic finalists. The b-ball team has produced knife-wielders, dropouts, pro B-leaguers and a whole campus with their head up their anus b /c of one fluke year making it to the final 4. Get over it GMU. No one cares about college basketball anymore. If you're a baller and are any good at all, you go straight to the pros or spend one year in college, making NCAA basketball irrelevant. Getting drafted into the Phillipine leauge is not a headline! GMason has it's priorities in the wrong place. Sports on campus should help develop student's minds and BODIES. Firing the best track coach in the country, maybe the world, was a major jackass move, O'Connor.