The Madison Family Newsletter is created each month by the Office of Family Engagement in partnership with many members of the JMU community. For more family resources, visit our website.
In This Issue:
- A Letter from Dr. Miller
- Sibs & Kids Day on April 12 (Register by March 24)
- Save the Date for Family Weekend Sept. 26-28
- Summer 2025 Enrollment
- Summer 2025 Financial Aid
- What to Expect During Okta Go-Live
- Spring Break Meal Plan Reminder
- Ramadan Hours & Halal Options
- The Passport Center is Now Open
- Choose to Connect with the JMUAA at CHOICES
A Letter from Dr. Tim Miller
Hello JMU families,
As we enter March, warmer weather, and Daylight Savings Time this weekend, I am looking forward to more days where our students enjoy the outdoors and the coming Spring. I hope all of your Dukes are feeling energized after all the snow and cold weather we’ve had these past few months.
Thank you
JMU Giving Day was last week and as always, I am grateful for the support from so many of you and the rest of JMU nation. That day everyone was asked to share on social media why they love JMU, and I had so many reasons I didn’t know where to start. Thank you to everyone who gave to the Jones Miller Student Emergency Fund, the Food Pantry, the Counseling Center, JMU VALOR, the Marching Royal Dukes, scholarship funds and all the other areas that support our students. Your gifts make a real difference in our students’ lives now and in the future.
Reminders
Spring Break
Spring Break is March 17 – 21 so there are no classes that week. For students living on campus, residence halls close at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 15 and reopen at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 23. Whether they’re traveling home, participating in an alternative break, vacationing, visiting friends or staying around here, I hope they have a chance to relax and enjoy some downtime.
The university will be closed on Friday, March 21. Many of us will be attending conferences or taking time off so it may take a little longer than usual for us to respond.
Looking ahead
Spring Break marks the mid-point of the semester, and the second half goes quickly. You can review the Academic calendar to get ahead for the rest of the semester and next year.
Updates
Garber Hall
I’m happy to report that almost all of our students living in Garber Hall have been able to return to their rooms after the fire last month and the other students are in new permanent rooms. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the first responders, President King, our Residence Life staff, the leadership team and everyone else who helped out during that time. These moments are when we count our blessings and are thankful that everyone made it out unharmed.
Leadership Opportunity
For any seniors who are graduating in May, JMU is recruiting for the 2025-2026 Presidential Engagement Fellows program. This is an amazing 10-month fellowship focused on leadership development for recent graduates. This is an opportunity to serve JMU and gain invaluable experience in 25 hour a week professional role. There are positions throughout the university, including one that would be working with my team and me in Student Affairs. The application is open now, so if your Duke is graduating, please encourage them to apply.
Questions to ask your student
How are your goals for this semester coming along?
Tip: This is a chance to revisit their goals or set new ones, so they have an outcome to strive for this semester. The student gateway has links to resources for pretty much anything that they may need help with including academics, finding their community, focusing on their health and well-being and a lot more.
What are your plans for summer?
Tip: Having this conversation now can prevent misunderstandings later. It’s a good time to clarify whether they plan to take classes, get a job, internship or research position, and if they plan to travel and join family vacations. This is always worth asking about each time you talk to start building a plan for the summer.
Events
Please encourage your student to check out Be Involved and the Event calendar to learn about groups and events on campus. Here are a few suggestions:
Wednesday Night Trivia | Wednesday nights | 8 – 10 p.m. | Taylor Down Under
Managing Perfectionism | March 26 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | SSC 4049
Pack the Park Field Day | March 28 | 2 p.m. | UPark
Volunteer with the Community Engagement and Volunteer Center - This office and the opportunities they provide were an essential part of my JMU experience and one of the ways I found my community.
Finishing strong
As we move into the last months of the school year, please help your Dukes stay focused on their academics and other commitments while also enjoying their time being a student. In the words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” I hope they enjoy the ride and make the most of their time as a student.
Take care, and Go Dukes!
Dr. Tim Miller
Vice President for Student Affairs
Your students can invite their younger sibling/relative/friend to campus for JMU Sibs & Kids Day! Hosted by the Family Engagement office, Sibs & Kids Day is a fun and informative day of activities and events for JMU students and their guests between the ages of 12-18, with the purpose of sharing their college experience in a meaningful way.
This event is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2025, from noon until 8 p.m. Registration is free for students and $30 for guests. Attendees receive access to various campus activities, dining tickets, a Sibs & Kids Day t-shirt and a JMU bag with goodies.
A full schedule of activities is planned for your student and their guests, providing many opportunities for exploring campus and sharing the college experience. Events include an adventurous rope course session, free time at the University Recreation Center, meals in both dining halls, spring football game, campus scavenger hunt and much more. Check out the full schedule on the JMU Sibs & Kids website. Please note that students are required to accompany their guest at all times.
Make sure to sign up before the March 24 (Monday after spring break), registration deadline. For more information, view the schedule of events and register.
Join us for Family Weekend September 26-28, 2025! Accommodations in the Harrisonburg area fill up fast, so be sure to book a place to stay soon. Check back for the schedule coming later this summer.
Family Weekend tickets will be available in July!
Summer 2025 Enrollment
Submitted by: Office of the Registrar
Enrollment for Summer 2025 classes begins on March 31, 2025. Here are some helpful tips:
- Log into MyMadison Early: We recommend that students log into MyMadison a few days before enrollment begins to ensure their password is up to date.
- Register for Okta: The University is launching a new identity management tool, Okta, over spring break. Students must register for Okta to access MyMadison.
- Check for Holds: Students should check MyMadison for any holds that might prevent enrollment and resolve them promptly.
- Identify Required Classes: Students should identify the classes needed to progress toward their degree and contact their advisor(s) if necessary.
- Verify Class Requisites: Ensure that all requisites for the desired classes are met by checking the class information in the class search.
- Plan for Schedule Flexibility: Students should anticipate some flexibility with their schedules. While an ideal schedule might be preferred (e.g., no 8:00 AM classes, all classes finished by 2:30 PM), it may not always be possible. We encourage students to prepare several schedule options to easily pivot if their initial choices are full.
By following these steps, students can ensure a smooth and more efficient enrollment process.
Additionally, your student’s advisor(s) is the best resource for discussing class options to meet requirements within their major. If your student is unable to schedule an appointment with their advisor, the Madison Advising Peers (MAPs) are a great resource as well. Information about the MAPs can be found on their website.
Summer 2025 Financial Aid
Submitted by: Jessica Hopkins, Assistant Director of Compliance, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Students who enroll at least half-time (UG-6 credits and GR-5 credits) for summer 2025 in an approved program of study may qualify for summer financial aid.
To receive consideration, students must complete these two applications:
1. 2025-26 FAFSA
- If you are only interested in private loan options, a FAFSA does not need to be submitted
2. Summer Aid Application
- Available on our website when summer registration begins on March 31st
We will use the information from both forms to determine eligibility for these types of funding during the summer:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized and/or Parent PLUS)
- Private Educational Loan (FAFSA is not needed for students only wanting to borrow a private loan)
If students anticipate receiving the Federal Pell Grant, they should complete the summer aid application regardless of enrollment level. Receiving a Pell Grant in the summer will not reduce the award amounts for fall and spring. (The only exception to this if a student reaches their lifetime limit for receiving Pell.)
Conversely, borrowing a Direct Student Loan during the summer will reduce the loan eligibility for the following fall and spring terms.
- For example…juniors can borrow up to $7,500 for the Academic Year, so if $4,000 is used during the summer, that would leave $3,500 to split between fall and spring.
You can learn more by visiting the Summer Financial Aid portion of our website.
What to Expect During Okta Go-Live
Submitted by: Greg Hackbarth, Senior Director, IT-Computing Support
We're very close to the highly anticipated arrival of Okta, which replaces Duo during Spring Break. If your student has not yet enrolled, make sure they do so now to avoid being locked out of all JMU systems. We know you're probably wondering what to expect during the days leading up to go-live and immediately after. Here is a look at this critical period.
Submitted by: Jenna Gray, Director of Student Engagement, JMU Dining
Did you know that meal plans are not always active during breaks? Here are a few reminders for Spring Break:
- JMU Dining will have reduced hours: view our schedule
- Meal Punches and Guest Punches are not accepted Saturday 3/15 – Saturday 3/22, however, Dining Dollars, Flex Dollars, and Credit Cards are still accepted
- Meal Punches and Guest Punches will be accepted Sunday 3/23 at 4:00 p.m.
- Standard operating hours will resume on Monday, 3/24
- Stay connected to social media (@jmudining) for reminders and updates
Submitted by: Jenna Gray, Director of Student Engagement, JMU Dining
To support those observing Ramadan, we’ve extended our dining hours and offer halal meal options campus-wide. This season is about reflection, community, and shared meals – and we’re here to make sure your Duke has nourishing options, whether breaking fast or grabbing something on the go.
Our offerings, thoughtfully crafted by our dining team — including executive chefs, managers, and a registered dietitian nutritionist — feature a menu that honors the rich traditions of Ramadan. Thank you for letting us be part of your Duke’s experience.
Submitted by: The Center for Global Engagement
The Center for Global Engagement is proud to announce the opening of the JMU Passport Center, a U.S. Department of State certified Passport Acceptance Facility located on the second floor of Holland-Yates Hall. This facility provides both the JMU community and members of the public with a convenient location to submit their passport documentation, and have their photos taken. The Passport Center is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only.
Submitted by: Ellen Hineman, President, JMU Alumni Association
Being a Duke comes with its perks. Whether you are an alumni or a proud parent of a student admitted to the JMU Class of 2029, make sure to stop by the JMU Alumni Association table at the Student Life Showcase during CHOICES on April 4 or April 11. Pick up some JMU swag, update your contact information, and learn about scholarships available to legacy students, the alumni association’s student committee, and much more. The Madison Experience doesn’t end at graduation!
Join 12,000+ fellow JMU parents and guardians in the official Facebook group! This group was created by the Office of Family Engagement in an effort to provide a safe online environment for parents & family members to engage with one another. Request to join the group here »
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