Updated January 29, 2026
James Madison University will be open on Jan. 28, 2026. View the latest status update for the university
When changes are made to the university's operations, this page will reflect decisions regarding class meetings, exams, and all other Academic Affairs-related events.
Spring 2026 Makeup Days and Other Changes
- The official makeup day for classes canceled on Monday, Jan. 26 is Saturday, Feb. 7.
- The official makeup day for classes canceled on Tuesday, Jan. 27 is Saturday, Feb. 14.
- The Spring 2026 deadline for adding or dropping full-semester and first-block courses is now Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. This date is the last day to drop a class without a “W” grade penalty and removal/refund of tuition charges.
Academic Affairs General Operations During Inclement Weather
University Closings
When JMU is closed, on-campus classes - with the few exceptions noted - will not meet.
- NOTE: On-campus clinicals and some labs may meet when JMU is closed. Students should be in touch with their instructors to verify their clinical and lab start times.
Online classes may meet as scheduled.
No other Harrisonburg-based, in-person classes or labs may be held while the university is closed; closures for classes in other locations will align with the local school district or organization in which the class is facilitated.
When the university is closed, faculty may not require students to attend events, classes and labs other than those noted above, or any other functions on campus.
University Delays
When JMU’s opening is delayed, on-campus classes - with the few exceptions noted here - that begin prior to the opening time of the university will not meet. On-campus classes that begin at the next standard starting time will meet as usual.
- Note: On-campus clinicals and some labs that begin prior to the delay may begin when JMU opens. Students should be in touch with their instructors to verify their clinical and lab start times.
Online classes may meet as scheduled.
No other Harrisonburg-based, in-person classes or labs may be held while the university is closed; closures for classes in other locations will align with the local school district or organization in which the class is facilitated.
When the university is closed, faculty may not require students to attend events, classes and labs other than those noted above, or any other functions on campus.
University Early Closings
When JMU closes early, all on-campus classes must end at or by the university’s published closing time. On-campus classes - with the few exceptions noted here - that begin after the published closing time will not meet.
- Note: On-campus clinicals and some labs that begin after or extend beyond the official closing time may still meet. Students should be in touch with their instructors to verify their clinical and lab start times.
Online classes may meet as scheduled.
No other Harrisonburg-based, in-person classes or labs may be held while the university is closed; closures for classes in other locations will align with the local school district or organization in which the class is facilitated.
When the university is closed, faculty may not require students to attend events, classes and labs other than those noted above, or any other functions on campus.
Class Meeting Schedule
| M/W/F | M/W, W/F, M/F | T/Th |
|---|---|---|
| 8-8:50 a.m. | 8-9:15 a.m. | 8-9:15 a.m. |
| 9:10-10 a.m. | 9:35-10:50 a.m. | 9:35-10:50 a.m. |
| 10:20-11:10 a.m. | 9:35-10:50 a.m. | 11:10 a.m.-12:25 p.m. |
| 11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. | 12:45-2 p.m. | |
| 12:40-1:30 p.m. | 2:20-3:35 p.m. | |
| 1:50-2:40 p.m. | 3:55-5:10 p.m. | |
| 3-3:50 p.m. | 1:50-3:05 p.m. | 5:30-6:45 p.m. |
| 4:10-5 p.m. | 3:25-4:40 p.m. | 7:05-8:20 p.m. |
| 5:20-6:10 p.m. | 5-6:15 p.m. | |
| 6:30-7:20 p.m. | 6:35-7:50 p.m. |
Making Up Classes
Faculty members have several options for making up missed instructional time, including but not limited to:
- Incorporate the course content missed on that day into other classes throughout the semester.
- Hold class at a time acceptable to all class members other than the regularly scheduled time. Time and location will be arranged by the academic unit.
- Prepare the lecture asynchronously and allow the students to review the lecture in a reasonable amount of time.
- Provide students with alternate assignments that can be completed through electronic means.
- Hold class through electronic means, with the understanding that there may be no academic support services from IT or the Libraries. Students who are not able to attend class virtually, due to lack of internet, living situation, etc., must not be penalized for missing class.
Individual instructors will determine the option for making up class time. Students should contact their instructors with questions specific to their class.
Questions and More Information
Students should contact their instructors with questions specific to individual classes.
You can also email AcademicQuestions@jmu.edu with more general class-related questions.
See University Policy 1309 for more details on JMU’s responses to inclement weather.
Accommodations
Faculty with religious or cultural observances on a planned makeup day will be accommodated and may make other arrangements.
Faculty are required to give reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students requesting them, as stated in the Faculty Handbook, III.A.17.
This information is current for Spring 2026 and supersedes any previous guidance related to closings.
