First-Year Parents and Family Members
Parents and family members are an important part of the JMU community! Get the information you need here to have a great Orientation experience. Follow these links to learn more about Orientation and the first year in college.
The Summer Springboard Experience
While students are meeting with their adviser and registering for classes, Orientation for family members springs into action.
• The "almost famous" scenarios will get you ready for life as a parent/family member of a JMU student
• Uncover the philosophy and key details about General Education--the JMU core curriculum
• Learn how to support your students' academic and career success
• You will join your student in exploring academic majors and pre-professional options
• Get the inside scoop on dining options
• Discover what living in the residence halls is all about
• Get the bottom line on JMU finances, financial aid, billing, and bank accounts
• Plug in with our information technology staff to find out how to get your student wired at JMU and get connected with the right kind of phone service
• Explore the incredible offerings of the James Madison University Bookstore. From books to sweatshirts and computers to gifts, the bookstore has it all
• Get the backstage tour of Family Weekend, send-off picnics, the Parents Council and more
Summer Springboard Orientation Reservations
Orientation information will be included in the One Book and sent on a rolling basis beginning in early April 2008 to admitted students who have paid their deposit. After receiving this information students will be directed to the One Book Web site to:
• Activate their electronic identity (eID)--their passport to JMU online services
• Make General Education course selections
• Complete the Math Placement Exam
• Review information about majors
• Select four potential Orientation dates
• Take the First-Year Student Survey
• Complete their housing contract, theme and learning community contract
Orientation date assignments will be made available online at the One Book website on May 29, 2008.
Summer Springboard Dates: June 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, July 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15 & 16.
Click here for
additional resources!
The Orientation Fee
All university financial accounts for freshmen will be charged $150. This fee covers Summer Springboard Orientation, 1787 August Orientation and valuable first year programs and publications. Billing information will be available at Summer Springboard orientation. You do not have to pay any Orientation fee at this time; however, if you have an installment payment plan you should ensure your annual budget includes this charge.
Hotels and motels
We would love to have you in Harrisonburg before or after your orientation session. Click here for our list of hotels and motels that offer Orientation discounts.
What's it going to be like when your student leaves home?
"Letting Go" describes what it feels like for parents when their kids go off to college. This book is full of practical information and advice about the physical and emotional processes of being a parent of a college student. We encourage you to use this great resource during your "first" year as a JMU parent.
Family Weekend
One of the most exciting and highly anticipated events on the JMU calendar is October 3-5, 2008. For information about the schedule of events, lodging options, and event reservations please visit the Parent Relations web site.
Computer packages
The JMU Computer Program offers computer systems and software packages at special academic pricing. Customized Dell and Apple computer systems have been selected to meet JMU network and academic guidelines. Dedicated staff will be available during Orientation to answer all your technology questions. For more information, click here or call (540) 568-3989.
1787 August Orientation - August 20-24
First-year students will make the big move into their residence hall on August 19th or August 20th, 2008 (students will follow the links on the One Book web page on August 2nd to get their move-in date and room assignment). Following move in, students will begin the next phase of orientation, the exciting five-day 1787 experience. Students will join their new community, meet new friends, learn how to be successful from faculty and advisers, experience the diversity of JMU with First yeaR Orientation Guides (FROGs) and attend special programs that will teach them what life at JMU is really about. No additional registration is necessary. Parents and family members are invited to help their student move in on August 19th or 20th. Following move in parents and family members return home while students will take part in the 1787 experience.
Orientation Leads to First Year Success
At JMU we want all of our students to succeed, and that means their transition from high school to college must be an effective one. But student success in the first year goes well beyond registering for classes and moving into the residence hall. First year success is a complex series of events in a students life that center on how students learn and grow.
Our Orientation programs, from Summer Springboard to 1787 and beyond exist for one purpose - to enhance first-year student success. We believe that first year success occurs when students make a reasonable degree of progress toward the following educational and personal goals:
Developing Academic and Intellectual Competence
The educational environments that first year experience are challenging and supportive and are designed to help students maximize their educational potential.
Developing Self-Responsibility for Learning
We state our expectations to students clearly and frequently, foremost that each student is responsible for their own behaviors, their own decisions, and the extent to which they pursue learning opportunities.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
First-year students succeed when they interact with others in the university community who care about them and who are willing to support their learning endeavors.
Developing a Personal Identity
Our learning environments are intended to help first-year students discover important things about themselves and their role in this learning community.
Deciding on a Career and Lifestyle
More than any other students, first-year students need opportunities to explore, question, experiment, discover, reflect and make positive choices that set the stage for their future work, family and community life.
Maintaining Personal Health and Wellness
Being successful academically and socially requires that first-year students make good decisions about their personal wellness.
Developing an Integrated Philosophy of Life
Our Orientation programs help first-year students think about themselves, their education and their future as well as paint a self-portrait that expresses their own values, beliefs and aspirations.
Today's first-year students are not better or worse than students of previous generations, but they need an education that will not only help them achieve their dreams, but to enlarge upon them. Most importantly, higher education provides hope, and the journey begins with Orientation.