1. Because you want to volunteer 
2. Because you want to learn about and explore Harrisonburg 
3. Because you want to meet a bunch of other New Dukes who also care about serving and taking part in their community 

DMAD will begin on Wednesday, August 13 and end on Friday, August 15. As a DMAD participant, you’ll move into your residence hall early. DMAD ends in time for you to fully participate in all Weeks of Welcome events - you’ll just have a head start in making friends, getting involved, and making campus and Harrisonburg home.

DMAD participants will be able to move into the residence halls from 9am-Noon on Wednesday, August 13. 

The participation fee includes early access to your residence hall, all meals, transportation, and all volunteering costs. The cost is $125. Need-based financial assistance is available! Apply within the registration form. 

You’ll eat breakfast and dinner on Wednesday at D-Hall. Both lunches will be catered by local restaurants. Dinner on Thursday will be at Ruby’s Arcade. 

In your own bed! DMAD programming will typically end in the early evening. You’ll have some free time before heading back to your residence hall to rest up.  

All New Dukes (incoming first-years and transfers) are welcome! 

Service: We will participate in service activities with several local community partner organizations. Volunteer efforts will include tasks like gardening, working with children, supporting senior citizens, painting, organizing materials, and more! 

Community Workshops: We will also participate in hands-on workshops led by community leaders who will immerse you into the arts, culture, and environment of Harrisonburg.  
 
Social and group time: We’ll also enjoy social time and come together as small groups to prepare for and reflect on our community engagement experiences. 

120 New Dukes will participate in DMAD, and we’ll spend some of our time together in a large group. We’ll split into small groups and head to different community partners (i.e., local non-profits) to volunteer and participate in community workshops. Each small group will be led by DMADvisors, trained student leaders. In other words, you'll have the chance to meet other New Dukes, returning students and staff in a variety of settings. 

Yes!

Each small group will have two DMADvisors, CEVC student leaders. 

We strive to make DMAD accessible and invite you to discuss your needs and potential accommodations with our office as soon as possible so that we can take the information into account when finalizing our plans for service, meals, transportation, and other activities. 

If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and as a result may need reasonable accommodations to participate in DMAD, please contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) as soon as possible. To receive accommodations, you must be appropriately registered with ODS. The ODS works confidentially in partnership with students, faculty, and other University departments to ensure equal access through Universal Design and reasonable accommodations. The office is located in the Student Success Center, Suite 1202. You may contact them by phone at 540-568-6705 or through email at disability-svcs@jmu.edu. 

Yes! We can’t help you get to Harrisonburg, but once you’re here, we’ll get you everywhere you need to be.  

No! DMAD will end before it begins.