Frequently Asked Questions from Parents

For more information, please refer to our Parent Brochure.
  • What is the purpose of Judicial Affairs?


    • Our Mission: We are committed to promoting student learning, civic responsibility and, in partnership with others, developing the environment necessary for the university to best achieve its educational mission.

    Our goal is to educate students about policies, community standards, and their responsibilities as citizens of JMU and Harrisonburg, while considering the safety of the entire JMU community.

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  • What policies should my student be aware of?


    • It is your student's responsibility to know and obey federal, state, and local laws in addition to the James Madison University policies found in the Student Handbook. The handbook can be accessed online at www.jmu.edu/handbook.

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  • What happens if my son/daughter is charged with a judicial violation?


    • Judicial Process Steps

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  • Who can place judicial charges?


    • Judicial violations are most frequently reported by Campus Police, Residence Life, Parking Services, and Harrisonburg/Rockingham General District Court and faculty members. Students can report violations directly to the Office of Judicial Affairs as well. All reported violations are reviewed by a case manager who determines if there is enough evidence to place the charge. Judicial Affairs sends a letter to the student indicating the charge and the individual or department where the charge originated.

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  • Will I be notified if my student is charged with a violation?


    • The Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents us from disclosing information regarding judicial charges to parents unless the charge is related to alcohol or drugs.

    Therefore, parents are only notified by the Office of Judicial Affairs when their student is found responsible on campus, or arrested off campus for a major alcohol or drug violation or a second minor alcohol or drug violation. If your student is charged with any violation, we may discuss the case with you if your student signs a FERPA waiver form. We encourage you to talk to your son or daughter directly regarding any judicial charge.

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  • What constitutes a major or minor alcohol/drug violation?


    • Some examples of major alcohol/drug violations are:
    • Distribution of drugs
    • Hospitalization due to alcohol/drugs
    • Driving Under the Influence
    • Keg registration violation
    • Under the influence of drugs
    • Felony possession of drugs
    • Alcohol and drugs in the same incident


    • Minor violations include, but are not limited to:
    • Open Container
    • Underage possession of Alcohol
    • Possession of marijuana
    • Drunk in Public

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  • What are my student's rights in the judicial process?


    • Accused Student Rights

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  • Should my son/daughter get a lawyer for a judicial charge?


    • Your student has the right to have a lawyer advise them during a judicial hearing. However, the lawyer may not speak on behalf of the student in a hearing. Typically, students do not get a lawyer for a judicial hearing unless they are representing them criminally for the same case.

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  • My son/daughter was a victim of an assault, harassment, or theft. What should he/she do?


    • Your student can come into the Office of Judicial Affairs and meet with the Case Manager/Victims Advisor, Ms. Tammy Knott. She will go over your student's rights, explain the judicial process, and present additional options your student has for reporting the incident.

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  • If the incident occurs off-campus, will JMU get involved?


    • If a student is convicted for an alcohol or drug violation or any felony in Harrisonburg or Rockingham County, they will also be charged with a violation of JMU policy.

    The mission statements of the university and judicial affairs indicate JMU's desire to graduate "educated and enlightened citizens." Through off-campus adjudication we are able to educate students on their civic responsibilities as citizens of the larger community, as well students of JMU.

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  • How are sanctions determined?


    • Our goal in sanctioning is to educate students on policies, decision-making, and risk-reduction strategies.

    Sanctions are determined based on the charge, the student's previous judicial history (if any), the student's perceived needs, and the guidelines of the Student Handbook. Click here to view the sanctioning guidelines: JMU Handbook: Sanctions

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  • What is the "Three Strikes" policy?


    • This policy states that if a student is found responsible for three alcohol or drug violations during their academic career they may be suspended for a minimum of one semester. Students with major alcohol/drug violations may be suspended prior to receiving three strikes.
     
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  • My student was placed on probation. What does that mean?


    • Probation means that the student has a record with our office. This does not affect his/her academics in any way and is not reflected on the student's transcript.

    If a student violates university policy while on probation then his or her sanction will be more severe. Repeated violations of JMU policy could result in a student's suspension from the university.

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  • I think my son/daughter has a problem with alcohol or drugs. How can the university help?


    • You can encourage your student to contact someone in the Counseling and Student Development Center on campus, or to seek out a resource in the local community. Below is contact information for several campus and local resources. Judicial Affairs frequently refers to students to these resources as well.

    • Counseling and Student Development Center
      Varner House
      568-6552
      http://www.jmu.edu/cousnelingctr/
      Services: substance abuse consultation, education, screening, assessment, referrals, and individual and group counseling.
       
    • University Health Center
      568-2831
      http://www.jmu.edu/healthctr/
      http://www.jmu.edu/healthctr/peers/programstext.htm#substanceabuse
      alcohol and drug peer education programs, educational brochures, health screenings

    • Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board
      1241 N. Main Street
      Harrisonburg, VA 22802
      540-434-1941
      Services: mental health 24-hour emergency services, intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment including case management, prevention, consultation, and education services for residents of Harrisonburg or Rockingham County.

    • L.I.F.E. Recovery Program
      Rockingham Memorial Hospital
      752 Ott St. (Wine Price Building)
      Harrisonburg, VA 22801
      540-564-5629
      www.rmhonline.com
      Services: intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment services including:
      evaluation and assessment for chemical dependency, individual counseling for addiction, ACOA issues, and family counseling.

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