International Week

Flag Guidelines

Guidelines for Display of Flags during the International Week Parade:

  • All members of the Mason community (students, faculty & staff) are welcome to participate in the George Mason iWeek Parade. Anyone who wishes to participate is welcome to display a flag, a banner, an artifact, or traditional attire representing his or her nationality, ethnicity, heritage, student organization, sorority or fraternity, residence hall, or other affiliation.
  • Pre-registration is not required for participants to provide their own flags and banners but is encouraged.
  • Members of the Mason community are welcome to borrow a flag from the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) to carry in the Mason iWeek parade.

Participants in the International Week Parade will meet in Room 2400 (SUB 1) starting at 11:15 am, Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Guidelines for the Display of Flags in the Johnson Center During International Week 2026

Each spring during International Week, George Mason University celebrates its global community by displaying flags in the Johnson Center. This tradition recognizes and honors the university’s international students, scholars, faculty, and staff who have come to the United States and to Mason to pursue education, research, and professional development. The flag display reflects the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and aligns with Mason’s vision of being a university for the world.

Flags are displayed to represent all currently enrolled international students, scholars, faculty, and staff holding nonimmigrant F, J, or H1B visa status. A person’s country of representation is based on the citizenship listed on their visa certificate of eligibility, Form I20 or DS2019, as recognized by the U.S. Department of State. Student enrollment figures are based on the university’s official Academic Year census data.

The U.S. flag is displayed throughout International Week and is always placed in the first position. All other flags are arranged alphabetically, with the order rotating each year. For International Week 2026, the flag sequence will begin with the letter O.

The display features flags of United Nations member states. We currently use the United States Department of State – Countries and Areas List and the United Nations website to verify each country’s official flag. In some cases, additional flags may be included to reflect the full scope of Mason’s diverse population and to complete the visual presentation. We also use enrollment and visa data maintained by the university to ensure accurate representation.

The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.