Frequently Asked Questions (First-Year Students)
♦Questions about Signing Up for Summer Springboard
♦Questions about Summer Springboard
♦Questions about Majors
♦Questions about Residence Life Move-in
♦General Orientation Questions
Questions about Signing Up for Summer Springboard
1. When will I receive the One Book inviting me to Summer Springboard Orientation?
2. Does it matter what day I attend Summer Springboard Orientation?
3. When will I find out my orientation date?
4. How will I reserve my spot at orientation?
5. How many Summer Springboard dates can I preference?
6. What if I need to attend Summer Springboard Orientation on a specific date?
7. What if I am unable to attend Summer Springboard?
9. I have already submitted my orientation request form on the web page, but I want to change my major.
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When will I receive the One Book inviting me to Summer Springboard Orientation? |
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“One Books” will begin to be mailed at the end of the first week of April
on a rolling basis for all deposit paid first year students. As deposits are
received One Books will continue to be mailed on a rolling basis. If you do
not receive a One Book by May 15th, please contact our office at orientation@jmu.edu or 540-568-1787. |
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Does it matter what day I attend Summer Springboard Orientation? |
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All 14 days of Summer Springboard have the same schedule, the same staff
and most importantly the same course availability. There’s no advantage to
coming one day over another. |
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Beginning on May 29th
orientation date assignments will be available on the One Book web page.
The assignment will include your orientation date and include a link to
directions to parking, the location of orientation check-in, an orientation
itinerary, and what to bring to Summer Springboard. We determine your orientation
date through a database that takes into consideration your preferred dates,
your major and guarantees that each freshman adviser has an appropriate
number of advisees per orientation session. This will ensure that you have a
high quality Orientation experience. |
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How will I reserve my spot at Summer Springboard? |
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After you receive the One Book
you will be directed to the One Book Web site – Step 5 to make your
Orientation reservation. |
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How many Summer Springboard dates can I preference? |
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You get to preference 4 days for Summer Springboard Orientation. Your date is calculated by our database to ensure that we have an equal number of students per session and guarantees that each freshman adviser has an appropriate number of advisees per orientation session. |
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What if I need to attend Summer Springboard on a specific date? |
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As part of Step 5, the orientation reservation process, you will be prompted to choose four (4) orientation dates. After you choose four dates (the web page will not allow you to choose less) provide us, in the comments box, information of why you need a certain date. We will do our best to take your request into consideration. |
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What if I am unable to attend Summer Springboard? |
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Parents and students are strongly encouraged to attend Summer Springboard. Orientation is your only opportunity to register for fall classes. It is a full-day of opportunities for you and your family to discover everything that JMU offers. If you are simply unable to attend please indicate this in the comments box on Step 5, the Orientation reservation page, with your reason for not being able to attend. Orientation staff will follow-up with a call or letter if we need additional information.
Even if a student is not able to attend Orientation he or she should still go to the One Book Web site and complete all the steps by the stated deadlines. This information is critical for your enrollment at JMU.
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I have already submitted my orientation request on the One Book Web page, but I want to change the dates that I requested. |
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Submit your request for date change by email (orientation@jmu.edu) or fax (540-568-6719). Include your name, address, phone number, and student ID# with your request. We will do our best to accommodate your request, but this will depend on adviser and date availability. |
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I have already submitted my orientation request on the One Book Web page, but I want to change my major. |
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Submit your request for major change by email (orientation@jmu.edu), fax (540-568-6719). Include your name, address, phone number, and student ID# with your request. |
Questions about Summer Springboard
1. What are the 14 dates for Summer Springboard?
2. How many family members can attend Summer Springboard?
3. Do I schedule my fall classes during orientation?
4. If I cannot attend a Summer Springboard, can my parents attend Orientation and register for me?
6. How long will we be on campus for Summer Springboard?
7. Where do I park for Summer Springboard?
8. Where can I stay the night before and/or after the Summer Springboard?
9. I am an international student; do I have to attend Summer Springboard?
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Session 1: June 23, Monday Session 2: June 24, Tuesday Session 3: June 26, Thursday Session 4: June 27, Friday Session 5: June 30, Monday Session 6: July 1, Tuesday Session 7: July 2, Wednesday Session 8: July 7, Monday Session 9: July 8, Tuesday Session 10: July 10, Thursday Session 11: July 11, Friday Session 12: July 14, Monday Session 13: July 15, Tuesday Session 14: July 16, Wednesday |
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Students are asked to limit their Summer Springboard guests to 2. |
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Do I schedule my fall classes during Summer Springboard Orientation? |
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Yes, after you meet with your freshman adviser you will begin the course registration process. |
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If I cannot attend a Summer Springboard session, can my parents attend Orientation and register for me? |
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No, however parents and/or family members are encouraged to attend Orientation, even if the student cannot attend. Please contact the Orientation office with the student's full name, and student ID number, stating only parents/family members will be attending. Please see the information above on students who cannot attend Orientation. |
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No. Class scheduling is not influenced by which Summer Springboard date you attend. We divide course availability by 14 and make an equal number of seats in each class available for each Orientation session. |
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Summer Springboard Orientation is a full day program. Check-in begins at 7:30am and the day wraps up around 5:30pm when students finish advising and course registration. |
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A Parking directions link will be added at a later date. |
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Where can I stay the night before and/or after the Summer Springboard? |
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Please visit the following link for local hotels offering discounts http://www.jmu.edu/orientation/hotel08.shtml. |
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I am an international student. Do I have to attend Summer Springboard? |
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No, you are not expected to attend unless you are already in the area. International students will participate in Transitions, a specially designed orientation program on August 18 and 19th. International students will then participate in the 1787 orientation program beginning on August 20. |
1. I am interested in 2 majors, which do I indicate on the Orientation reservation form?
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I am interested in 2 majors, which do I indicate on the Orientation request page? |
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List your primary major of
interest on Step 5, the Orientation reservation page. Make sure to let your
freshman adviser know that you plan on pursuing two majors. Your adviser
will help you determine the best time to add a second major. |
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On Step 5 of the Orientation reservation page, indicate a major of interest and declare a pre-professional program or teacher education program in the pre-professional section. If you are interested in the teaching professions use the One Book to ensure you select the correct major. |
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What if I declare a major on the Orientation reservation web page that is different from the major on my JMU application? |
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That's fine! The major you indicate on the Orientation reservation web page will be your JMU major. Students often change their major from the time they apply for admission to the time they make their Orientation reservation. |
Questions about Residence Life Move-in
1. When will I receive information about living on campus?
2. When will I receive information about my residence hall assignment?
3. When do I move-in to my residence hall?
4. What date do I move-in to the residence halls if I am a Fall athlete?
5. What date do I move-in to the residence halls if I am a member of the marching band?
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When will I receive information about living on campus? |
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The One Book is full of all the
information you need to know about Residence Life including information on
completing your Housing Contract, Theme and Learning Communities,
descriptions of each residential area on campus, shopping tips and
necessities for residential living. |
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When will I receive information about my residence hall assignment? |
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On August 2, 2008, you will be able to visit the One Book web page and check your room assignment and
much, much more. |
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First -Year students will move-in either Tuesday, August 19 or Wednesday,
August 20. To determine your assigned move-in date, click on step 12 on the
One Book web on August 2, 2008. |
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What date do I move-in to the residence halls if I am a Fall athlete? |
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This depends on the particular
sport. You will learn more from your team coach. |
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What date do I move-in to the residence halls if I am a member of the marching band? |
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You will receive information from the Marching Band office regarding move-in times. |
1. What else do I need to do on the One Book web page?
2. Who is my freshman adviser?
3. Is there an admissions counselor or representative for my state/area?
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Deadline |
As part of preparing for your first year you will complete several tasks on-line. You will do the following: |
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May 15 |
Activate your JMU electronic identity (eID) |
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May 15 |
Complete your Gen Ed scheduling form |
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May 15 |
Take the math placement exam |
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May 21 |
Declare your major and make your Orientation reservation |
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May 22 |
Complete the first year student survey |
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May 29 |
(Available) Get your Summer Springboard assigned date |
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May 30 |
Complete your Housing contract |
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May 30 |
Have the opportunity to apply for theme housing and learning communities |
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June 5 |
Have the opportunity to take a foreign language placement exam |
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July 17 |
Establish your QuikBILL authorized payer |
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July 24 |
Establish your Emergency Contact |
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Aug 2 |
(Available) Get your housing assignment, roommate notification and move-in date |
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You do not need to complete all these steps at one time. However, we recommend you complete these steps early and we expect you to complete all the steps by the posted deadline! Reserve at least two hours for this process. |
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Students will be informed of and meet with their freshman adviser at Summer Springboard. Unfortunately we cannot provide this information prior to Summer Springboard because it often changes right up to the Orientation date.
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Is there an admissions counselor or representative for my state/area? |
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Below is the link to the freshman admission counselor’s website so that undecided students (students that have not committed/made the decision to attend JMU) can speak with a JMU representative in their area.
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Airport Name (3 letter code) |
Miles from Harrisonburg |
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Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD) |
13 |
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Charlottesville (CHO) |
60 |
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Washington Dulles (IAD) |
119 |
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Washington National (DCA) |
134 |
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Train |
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Amtrak: Closest Amtrak stations: Charlottesville (CVS) and Staunton (STA) |
Call 1-800-USA-RAIL for fare and schedule information |
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You
are responsible for arranging transportation from the airport or train
station. Cabs/Taxis are available upon request from the airport and bus
terminal.
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