Madison Family Newsletter: January 2023

Dear JMU families,

Happy new year and welcome to 2023!

I hope you all are having a wonderful break with your Duke and that you’ve been able to spend some quality time together. We’re looking forward to having them all back on campus and the fresh start that a new semester brings.

I have several updates in this letter and ways I am hoping we can partner together to support your student's success at JMU and beyond.

Updates

Important Dates this Spring

There are some key dates in the spring including Assessment Day, Spring Break (March 13-17) and of course May Commencement. You and your student can check the academic calendar for more specific information.

Working on campus

One of the most valuable things I did at JMU was work a regular job as an RA my sophomore year and in JMU Dining for three and a half years. Little did I know that job would lead me to a career at JMU but it did. One of the best things I learned was how to manage my time. When I came to college I really struggled with the freedom and lack of structure college provided and I did not do well in my classes my first year. 

I know that many families don’t want their kids to work because they are worried about time and adding this to their schedules, but for many students, the structure of an on-campus job and the responsibility to pay for some of their regular expenses is exactly what they need. For students who are still trying to find their community on campus, a job is a great way to accomplish this goal as well. Many offices will be posting jobs for the Spring semester and with minimum wage increasing to $12, this is a great way to make some money and help with the daily costs of college. Students should check Joblink to see what’s available and apply for jobs that interest them. These will require interviews too so make sure they bring back some interview clothing in January.

Rebound after a tough academic semester

I know that some students struggled this fall, and it can be an especially challenging time for first-year students managing the many transitions that come along with life at JMU and college in general. Some of your students may have ended up on academic probation based on how they performed in the classroom this fall and we want to help. The Rebound program in the Dean of Students office is hosting a program to help students find their success at JMU through a weekly set of meetings throughout the spring semester. I am excited to partner with them in this effort and plan to attend many of the sessions and personally mentor several students. 

We believe that a student who fully commits to this curriculum, attends every week, and is willing to make some significant changes in their lifestyle and approach will find real success. In the past, most students showed an improvement in their time management, their performance in classes, an increase in their GPA, and their overall enjoyment of the JMU experience. This program will not be easy, but we believe it can make a difference for students who commit to it. We hope you will encourage your student to engage in this program and I hope they will sign up to join us this Spring. 

Have them sign up for this opportunity HERE. 

Madison Cares

There are a variety of obstacles your student may face during their time at JMU. These may be academic challenges, struggles with their mental/physical health or social matters. If you become aware that your student is struggling in any way and could use some help, please refer them to Madison Cares. Our Dean of Students team will reach out to your student to offer support and connect them with the appropriate resources. We will follow up with the person who submits the referral after our outreach as well. 

If you contact me directly about a concern for your student, I will often refer you to Madison Cares to submit a referral. This team is set up to help manage these concerns and can often move more quickly than me and it’s also important for us to collect these concerns in one place. If you have questions about Madison Cares or how to best support your student, please call 540-568-6468 or email madisoncares@jmu.edu.

Weather in January

If this is your student’s first year living off-campus, they may be surprised after the first snow to find that the parking lot where they live hasn’t been plowed or that their car was buried by the snowplow. My recommendation is to send them back with a snow shovel, they may quickly become the most popular person in their complex. I always feel bad when students are using pots and pans to clear out their vehicles. You may hear from their student that their car is “buried” but if the roads are clear they can expect that we will still hold classes. And don’t forget gloves, boots and a heavy coat. The weather can be unpredictable, but I can almost guarantee there will be cold and snowy days ahead. 

Emergency Notifications

As we have seen in our community as well as others, emergencies happen and it’s important that we can connect with our students in these moments to make them aware of how to keep themselves safe.  We have seen some students opting out of these notifications, so I want to ask you to remind them how important it is for them to be aware of what’s going on when emergencies occur and not opt out of these messages from the university. They, and you, should have the LiveSafe app downloaded on your phones so you can both receive updates when there are emergencies that impact our community.

Questions to ask your student

Here are some check-in questions and conversations you may want to be having with your student.

1. What are your goals for this semester?

Tip: This can lead to more in-depth conversations about finding their place, grades or plans for the future. I encourage you to get them past the one word or “I don’t know” answers. Many of our students only come up with goals after things go badly; let’s set goals for success, before we struggle.

2. Where do you plan to live next year?

Tip: Living on again is an option. Do your research before signing a contract off campus. Off-Campus Life has some helpful tips.  Many students have already signed leases but make sure you do your research before your student signs.

3. What are your plans for Spring Break?

Tip: Some may be planning a trip with friends, some may plan to stay here if they live off campus, some will be coming home.  It’s important for you all to talk about this before they commit to anything, especially flights, hotels, etc. I will always encourage you to have them pay for much of these activities.  They will value it more and it gets them prepared for the future. Don’t forget to have them check out our Alternative Breaks program as well.  These were some of the most impactful parts of my JMU experience and I highly recommend them for all students.

Upcoming Events

A full week Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Week events are planned for Jan. 16 – 20.

BeInvolved has information about Weeks of Welcome for our incoming students, as well as events for all students on the event calendar.

One event is Student Org Night on Jan. 19, which is open to all students and is a great way to find out about the many groups on campus. This can be a great start for students who want to meet new people and learn about different ways to get involved.

Safe travels to you and your Duke. Here’s to an exciting and successful 2023!

Go Dukes!

Dr. Tim Miller

Vice President for Student Affairs

Submitted by: Melissa Wyant, Assistant AD for Creative Services & Fan Engagement, Athletics

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