MADISON FAMILY HANDBOOK Introduction

Hotel Madison is the Official Hotel of JMU and the only hotel located on campus! Join our JMU PARENT LOYALTY CLUB It’s FREE - Sign up by August 15, 2021 and be entered to win a free stay during FAMILY WEEKEND, October 8 - 10, 2021! As a JMU Parent Loyalty member, you will receive a discount off our Standard Daily Rate and earn priority access for graduation reservations based on room nights stayed. You will also receive a discount at our Parent Loyalty Members Montpelier Restaurant and earn priority access for grace+main coffee shop, Graduation Reservations! complimentary water upon check-in, free parking during your stay, and early access to Hotel Madison sponsored events. Visit our website for full program benefit details. GO DUKES! hotelmadison.com THE MADISON EXPERIENCE Welcome to the James Madison University family! The Madison Experience is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will shape your student’s life and future. As JMU welcomes your student, the university extends the same warm invitation to you as their family. To help you find your own place in the Madison Experience, the Office of Parent Relations has assembled this handbook to guide you through this new chapter. In it you’ll find valuable information with which you can support your student. You, too, are a part of JMU. You, as well as students, faculty, staff and alumni, together, enrich your student’s Madison Experience. @JMU PARENTS & FAMILY To find official JMU Parent/Family Facebook groups, look for the JMU logo in the profile picture! CONTENTS ■ General Education Program Introduction ............ PAGES 3–4 ■ Welcome from Mr. Jonathan R. Alger, ■ Commencement Requirements President ■ Center for Global Engagement ■ About the University — Study Abroad Communicating Resources with the University ..... PAGES 5–6 and Services ........... PAGES 41–61 ■ Parents Council ■ Advising ■ Parent Relations ■ Banking Services ■ JMU Bookstore ......... .PAGES 7–14 The First Year ■ Card Services ■ JMU Alumni Association ■ University Career Center ■ Orientation ■ Counseling Center ■ Roommates ■ Disability Services ■ University Advising ■ Financial Aid and Scholarships Student Life .......... PAGES 15–29 ■ University Business Office and Madison ■ Civic Engagement Money Manager ■ Community Service-Learning ■ Giving ■ Center for Multicultural Student Services ■ University Health Center ■ Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and ■ University Recreation Expression ■ Informational Technology ■ Dining Services ■ Office of Student Accountability and ■ Athletics Restorative Practices ■ Off-Campus Housing ■ Learning Centers ■ On Campus Housing ■ Libraries ■ Student Involvement Opportunities ■ Getting Your Mail ■ Talk Like a Duke ■ Parking Services ■ Traditions ■ Safety — JMU Police Department Academics. .......... PAGES 30–40 ■ Student Employment ■ Academic Student Services ■ Dean of Students ■ Academic Standing and ■ Veterans Benefits Continued Enrollment ■ Colleges ■ Making the Call on Attendance ■ MANY PHOTOS IN THIS Student Travel Options PUBLICATION WERE TAKEN PRIOR ■ Course Adjustment TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. ALL INFORMATION WITHIN THIS ■ Grades Appendices ........... PAGE 62–68 HANDBOOK IS UP-TO-DATE AS OF ■ PRINTING. ■ Honor System Harrisonburg Advertiser Locations ■ Major Information ■ Contact Information ALL PHOTOS ARE TAKEN BY JMU PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES UNLESS ■ Withdrawal from the University ■ Campus Map OTHERWISE NOTED. ■ Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ■ Visiting the Valley JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY © 2021 — Office of the Registrar ■ Index 2 MADISON FAMILY HANDBOOK Introduction Welcome to the Madison Family JMU Parent, Welcome to the Madison Family! You and your new college student have reached a turning point in your lives. Congratulations are in order for making it this far with so much success. You have long anticipated this transition, and now it is about to take place. You have spent years building a strong relationship, and we want it further strengthened by the college experience. Your continued role in your student’s growth and development is crucial, yet it will be forever changed. And that is a good thing! JMU is a place where students immerse themselves in the practice of learning, and begin the journey of exploring and identifying their passions in life and work. We recognize that our greatest contribution to your student’s education is involving them in the overall experience and shaping them as citizens. We expect them to fully engage in the university on a variety of levels. Now more than ever, tough challenges and tremendous opportunities await your student. College is an exciting time, and you should celebrate every success; however, college also represents new challenges, and every student will experience bumps along the way. Rest assured that JMU has a myriad of resources and caring staff to help students navigate their newfound freedom. When these bumps occur, remind your student that they have the strength and resilience to work through them, and to reach out for help from their JMU family. It is our hope that you, too, will take time to engage in the Madison Family, and that in a few years we can celebrate together at graduation. Go Dukes! Jonathan R. Alger President MADISON FAMILY HANDBOOK 3 About the University Founded in 1908, James Madison University is a Rankings & Recognitions public university located in Virginia’s Shenandoah ■ #2 public university in the south by U.S. News Valley. JMU is fast becoming one of the nation’s & World Report leading lights in higher education because ■ #1 graduation rate in the U.S. for large, students enjoy unusually engaged relationships master’s level public universities with world-class faculty who are here because ■ #1 most recommended public university they want to pursue knowledge and make teaching their No. 1 priority. in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education Being the Change ■ #1 most innovative university in the south by We know that success requires equal parts U.S. News & World Report intellect and action. At JMU, that’s what Being the ■ #1 Best College for Employment in Virginia Change is all about. JMU graduates are far more according to U.S. Department of Education than merely educated. Members of a fellowship statistics compiled by Zippia. JMU has the of doers, they know how to make things happen. highest post-graduation job levels of all They’ve honed their ability to think critically. They’ve learned the importance of a strong work Virginia colleges. ■ ethic and have become committed to and skilled at #25 best public college value in the U.S. by collaborating with others. Diplomas in hand, they MONEY magazine. leave campus determined to live lives of meaning ■ #5 in the nation for “students who made the and pursue careers of purpose. Equal parts right choice” by The Wall Street Journal and intellect and action help mold JMU graduates. Times Higher Education 4 MADISON FAMILY HANDBOOK COMMUNICATING WITH THE UNIVERSITY On behalf of The Office of Parent Relations, welcome to the JMU Family! We strive to provide you with programs, services and information to enhance your understanding of the student experience and better support your student’s academic and social growth. Please contact us if you have any questions throughout your student’s time here at JMU. Meet the Team Sherry King Tracey Kite ’16, ’19M Heather Davis, ’14, ’19M Crystal Mathews Director Associate Director Assistant Director Fiscal Technician MADISON FAMILY HANDBOOK 5 Family Weekend JMU’s Family Weekend takes Parents Council The JMU Parents Council provides place each fall. The JMU spirit an opportunity to participate in the is in full-force as family and university’s dynamic programs. Formed friends of current students in 1978, the council involves parents in join us for activities, dining JMU affairs and provides a forum for experiences, and much more! exchanging information about JMU Experience firsthand some activities and programs. of your student’s favorite The Council consists of 200+ places on campus, meet their representatives of each graduating friends, and network with class. Council members represent each other JMU families. Visit jmu. of the four classes and are eligible to edu/parents for the most serve until their students are no longer up-to-date information enrolled at JMU. Applicants must apply regarding Family Weekend. during their student’s freshman year, and both married couples and single parents are encouraged to apply. The Parents Council serves as a liaison between the university and parents, provides advice and guidance on programs related to parents, and Parent Relations serves as an effective spokesperson and advocate The Office of Parent Relations provides many for the university. great resources to keep you connected with JMU. Visit www.jmu.edu/parents for helpful information RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: tailored just for you. This includes information ■ Participate in any JMU fund of choice. regarding visiting your student, FAQs, helpful links ■ Attend meetings held on the Friday of Family Weekend and the spring meeting in March/April. to campus resources, and JMU family events. ■ Serve on a subcommittee Family Publications ■ Serve as hosts or assist at their area’s First-Year The university strives to keep you informed about Send Off in July/August. what’s happening on campus. In addition to this For more information or to apply, visit www.jmu. edu/parents. handbook, you will receive the Madison Family Newsletter each month via email. With this in mind, it is important that your contact information stays up-to-date. To make changes to your contact information, visit our website and click “Update My Info” on the homepage. Also encourage your student to login to MyMadison and update any applicable information there. Social Media We know many of you prefer to keep up-to-date via social media. If you are on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, be sure to connect with us at JMU Parents & Family. When joining parent Facebook groups, be sure to check that the group is affiliated with the university. To do this, simply look at who the administrator(s) are for the group.

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