A custom subdomain provides a short, descriptive gmu.edu web address for an official university website or service. A custom subdomain may also be called a custom URL or virtual host.
Custom subdomains use the format name.gmu.edu, such as engineering.gmu.edu or graduation.gmu.edu.
Do You Need a Custom Subdomain?
A custom subdomain is appropriate when the address will serve as the primary, permanent web address for an official university website or service.
If you only need a shorter link for marketing, print materials, social media, presentations, or QR codes, consider using the go.gmu.edu Shortlink Service instead.
The Shortlink Service creates links in the format go.gmu.edu/label that redirect users to a longer web address. Most links to approved Mason and Mason-affiliated destinations can be created through self-service. Reserved labels and destinations that have not been approved require additional review.
Who Can Request a Custom Subdomain?
Custom subdomains may be requested for official university websites representing:
- Colleges and schools
- Academic departments
- Administrative units
- University services
- Events and locations
- Strategic initiatives
- Central systems and applications
Custom subdomains are not intended for personal websites or individual student organizations.
Choosing a Subdomain Name
Choose a name that is concise, easy to remember, and clearly associated with the university unit, program, service, or purpose represented by the website.
Naming Requirements
The requested subdomain must:
- Clearly and accurately represent the website’s content or purpose
- Be compatible with existing George Mason domain names
- Follow the university’s web naming and information architecture conventions
- Align with university objectives and brand standards
- Be associated with an approved hosting environment
- Use recognizable words instead of acronyms whenever possible
- Point directly to the website it identifies rather than serve only as a redirect
All requested names are subject to review and approval by Information Technology Services and the Office of University Branding.
Representing Organizational Ownership
When a website belongs to or is managed by a college, school, or other university unit, its subdomain should generally reflect that relationship. When appropriate, use the format name.unit.gmu.edu so users can more easily identify the website’s association with its parent unit.
For example, a research center associated with a school that uses school.gmu.edu might use researchcenter.school.gmu.edu rather than request the university-level subdomain researchcenter.gmu.edu.
University-level subdomains using the format name.gmu.edu are generally appropriate for university-wide services, central systems, major university functions, or entities that are not associated with a specific college, school, or unit.
Restricted Names and Exceptions
Unless an exception is approved, a subdomain may not include:
- University or mascot names: Terms such as GMU, Mason, patriot, or patriots
- Blended words: Words or abbreviations incorporating GMU, George Mason, or Mason
- Personal names: The name of an individual, unless a university entity or location is permanently named after that person
A personal name may be considered when a college, school, unit, academic or cultural center, event, function, application, initiative, or location is permanently named after that person. For example, carterschool.gmu.edu.
The terms patriot or patriots may be considered in limited circumstances for student-related content that does not represent the organization or operations of a university office or department.
Domains Outside gmu.edu
George Mason websites should use the gmu.edu domain.
Requests involving a domain outside gmu.edu, such as a .org domain, require approval from the Office of University Branding.
Exceptions may be considered when there is a specific business need, such as a cross-institutional collaboration.
Please consult ITS and the Office of University Branding before purchasing or registering a domain outside gmu.edu. External domains may have additional registration, ownership, branding, security, hosting, and continuity requirements.
Request a Custom Subdomain
Submit a Domain Name Request through the Domain Name Service page.
When completing the request:
- For Type of Request, select Add.
- For DNS Name Purpose, select DNS Name for my website.
The Office of University Branding will review the requested name. If approved, the request is sent to ITS for processing. The requester will be notified of the approval status and when the request is fulfilled or canceled.