In This Issue:
- A Letter from Dr. Miller
- First-Year Send Offs & Parents Council
- Move In!
- Next Stop: Harrisonburg
- Roommate Relationships
- Don't Delay-Work with Us!
- JMU's Capture Campus Photo Contest
- Family Weekend 2022 Tickets Available
- Family Weekend 2022: Friday Night Flights
- Student Travel: Getting your student home to NY, NJ & PA for the holidays
- Support JMU on Amazon Prime Day!
- Join JMU Duke Club
- Student Duke Club
- JMU Sport Clubs
The Madison Family Newsletter is created each month by the Office of Parent Relations in partnership with many members of the JMU community. For more family resources, visit our website.
A Letter from Dr. Tim Miller
Hello JMU Families,
We’re about halfway through the summer right now and are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back to campus. I hope you’re enjoying your summer and getting a chance to spend some time with your Duke. I’ve met so many of our newest JMU families during orientation and I am incredibly excited about the transition ahead of them in the next couple of months. Experienced families know what this time is like and I appreciate how supportive all of you have been to our newest Dukes.
One important topic I want to address is mental health. Last week we sent an email detailing many of the resources that will be available to our community starting this year. I wanted to highlight a few specific changes so you are aware. We have contracted with TimelyCare which will provide a 24/7 crisis phone line, 12 free counseling sessions for every student, as well as psychiatry. We have also expanded our Fall break by a day so it will be from October 12-16 and this will give our students five days off in the midst of the mid-term season. We have also added Kognito, which is a training program for our faculty, staff and students so they can learn how to support each other’s mental health and wellness as well as the prevention of sexual misconduct. I want you to know that we are committed to keeping our students safe and well, and will continue to identify and install the best ways to support all of them.
If your student is moving off campus this year, they will probably be moving in to their new place soon. Off-Campus Life can be a great resource for them including UDAP (Utility Deposit Assistance Program) if utilities are not included in their rent and The Pantry is a great resource for any student who may be experiencing food insecurity.
For our incoming students, just a reminder that immunization forms and the online TB screening were due July 6. If your student missed this deadline, they need to complete it as soon as possible. More instructions can be found on the Health Center’s Incoming Students page. I also want to encourage all new students and families to keep up with your One Book steps and be sure to set up systems of support with counseling, psychiatry or registering with the Office of Disability Services prior to arriving on campus.
I hope you all enjoy the rest of the summer and are looking forward to August as much as we are!
Go Dukes!
Dr. Tim Miller
Vice President for Student Affairs
Each summer, JMU Parents Council and the Office of Parent Relations team up to host First-Year Send Offs. These events provide a great opportunity for new members of the JMU family to meet fellow Dukes in their geographic area and ask any last-minute questions prior to move-in. Send Offs will be hosted both in-person and virtually, depending on geographic location.
In-person events are approximately 2 hours consisting of a meal, a program, Q&A opportunities and a bag full of JMU goodies. The JMU student may attend at no charge. The cost for adults (age 14+) is $14/person.*
Virtual events are free and are approximately 1 hour.
If you are a parent or guardian of a freshman entering JMU in Fall 2022, apply online to join the Parents Council. Applications are due August 1, 2022.
Submitted by: Sydney Arnold, Social Media and Marketing Manager, Residence Life
Move In Appointments will be selected during the first week of August. Information will be emailed to student emails!
First Year Students will move in on Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20 during their selected appointment time.
Transfer Students will move in on Sunday, August 21 between 8 a.m. and noon during their selected appointment time.
Upperclass Students will move in on Sunday, August 21, Monday, August 22 and Tuesday August 23 during their selected appointment time. (Monday and Tuesday will have limited move-in hours)
Next Stop: Harrisonburg!
Submitted by: Mollie Zenz, Marketing and Web Coordinator, Orientation
The Orientation Office is excited to welcome new Dukes for the fall semester and has planned a variety of academic and social events. No matter the day your student moves to Harrisonburg, there will be opportunities to meet other new students, get acclimated to campus and connect with faculty and staff. A schedule of events will be available via the Be Involved app. We can't wait to see you all in August!
Roommate Relationships
Submitted by: Sydney Arnold, Social Media and Marketing Manager, Residence Life
Establishing a relationship with your roommate before you get to campus is extremely important! If you already formed a roommate group for the Online Room Selection process then you have probably already begun to communicate with your roommate. You should continue to do that and work out what items each of you will bring for your room.
Students who will be participating in Online Room Selection as an individual will not be assigned a roommate. They will select a space in a room and another student will select the other space or you can select a space in a room that already has a roommate who has selected the other space in the room.
After room selection, you should start conversation with your roommate and if you are local to each other, you can even try to meet in person! Discussing the different items you can both split for your room is a great place to start. For example, each student is allowed one mini fridge each but you don't need two coffee pots or two printers.
Submitted by: Lindsey Richards, Office Manager, Community Service-Learning
If your student’s financial aid package includes Federal Work Study (FWS) and they’re looking for an opportunity to learn and grow through a transformational job, encourage them to apply for our off-campus FWS positions on JMU Joblink NOW. Community Service-Learning (CS-L) provides opportunities for students to be involved in efforts that lead to more just and sustainable communities. One way your student can get involved is our community engaged Federal Work Study (FWS) team.
FWS applications are open and reviews begin Wednesday, July 13. Jobs fill quickly so your student should not wait until they arrive on campus to apply. With more than 100 community partners, many within walking distance of campus, serving Harrisonburg’s diverse population, a unique experience awaits. Our FWS student team provides key support to non-profit organizations or serves as tutors at local schools for approximately 6-10 hours weekly. Our FWS students are an extension of the CS-L team who meet regularly and have the support of dedicated CS-L staff along with a supervisor in the community.
Highlights from some former FWS students:
“I enjoyed going to my position. The hours were manageable and... Having a position in the community is much more interesting and fulfilling… you know that the work you do matters to someone.”
“It has been a great experience learning more about myself and my community partner. I believe I grew to love my community partner and serving vulnerable populations. I also like how flexible CEFWS is with hours and how they make school the priority.”
“I had a great time during my experience. It shaped part of my college experience and was valuable for my resume. I became more connected with the community.”
Students can visit our website, email us at csl@jmu.edu or call us at 540.568.6366 with questions.
Submitted by: Shawni Mas, Interim Assistant Director, Office of Annual Giving
We’re looking for the best views of JMU in every season. Submit your favorite JMU photo(s) for a chance for your photo to be featured in a 2023 JMU Calendar! The funds raised with this calendar benefit the Madison Vision Fund. The contest officially begins on July 11, 2022. All entries must be received by midnight on August 8, 2022 to be considered. Submit your photo(s) today!
Join us for Family Weekend, September 30-October 2, 2022! Tickets are available.
Submitted by: Ashley Doyle, Director of Special Events & Donor Stewardship, JMU Duke Club
JMU Nation, the Duke Club's premier event of the fall is right around the corner! Join us for Friday Night Flights on the field under the lights of Bridgeforth Stadium. You are invited to a beer and wine tasting on Friday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $50 per person. Each ticket includes one full-pour drink ticket, five tasting tickets, heavy o'dourves, and more! Additional drink tickets are available for purchase at the event. Must be 21 or older to attend. Advanced registration is required. There are discounted tickets for Young Alumni and Designated Drivers (no alcohol).
If you have any questions, call the Athletic Ticket Office at (540) 568-3853.
Student Travel: Getting your student home to NY, NJ & PA for the holidays
Submitted by: Amy Sfaelos, President, CollegeTransit LTD
Soon you'll be packing the car with clothes, tiny refrigerators, crates and your student to head to JMU. Before you say your goodbyes, remember Thanksgiving and Winter Break will be here faster than you expect. It's time to start thinking about how your child will get home for the holidays. CollegeTransit can transport your students directly from the JMU campus to strategic areas in PA, NJ and NY.
CollegeTransit was founded in 1992 on the 4th floor of JMU’s Eagle Hall as a way to get out-of-state students home for the school holidays. 30 years later, we're still serving the JMU community from the north east. This service gives JMU families a reliable option in getting students home for the holidays that is both convenient and cost efficient.
Our buses do sell out quickly so be sure to visit CollegeTransit for more information and to make your reservations today.
Welcome to the JMU family!
Amy ('98) & Jason ('96) CollegeTransit LTD
Submitted by: Shawni Mas, Interim Assistant Director, Office of Annual Giving
Amazon Prime Day is July 12-13! If you choose to shop Prime Day deals, support JMU through your purchases using AmazonSmile!
Submitted by: Ashley Doyle, Director of Special Events & Donor Stewardship, JMU Duke Club
The Duke Club is the fundraising arm for JMU Athletics. We raise contributions to support our 450+ student-athletes and the general athletic operating budget. We also aide in athletic facility enhancements and other needs through capital campaigns. By financially supporting the Duke Club, you play an active part of JMU Athletics' mission and the future of our student-athletes.
Submitted by: Ashley Doyle, Director of Special Events & Donor Stewardship, JMU Duke Club
The Student Duke Club is a philanthropic organization fueled by passionate and committed members who support JMU Athletics and its student-athletes. This organization fulfills its purpose by instilling a giving culture, promoting enthusiastic participation, and engaging with the student body and alumni. Student Duke Club members receive unique benefits as well as leadership opportunities in planning events, educating other students about the importance of philanthropic support, and serving as an undergraduate sounding board for the Duke Club. This group will also serve as the official fan section of JMU Athletics. The Duke Club will provide students with the ability to be a part of a club that continues to grow the "We Bleed Purple" culture.
JMU Sport Clubs
Submitted by: Kaitlin Pomerleau, Assistant Director for Marketing and Social Media, University Recreation
Every year, over 2,000 students participate in Sport Clubs at JMU. They are a great way to get involved but require varying levels of commitment. Sport Clubs are led by students and often compete with sport clubs from other universities. Clubs have dedicated practice times, longer seasons and dues. There are over 50 sport clubs to try, each emphasizing recreation, competition and leadership!
Students can learn more about getting involved in Sport Clubs by visiting the Sport Club Directory and getting in touch with the club they’re interested in joining.
Join 5,600+ fellow JMU parents and guardians in the official Facebook group! This group was created by the Office of Parent Relations in an effort to provide a safe online environment for parents to engage with one another. Request to join the group here »
Connect with the JMU Family!
