Welcome to JMU
James Schmidt, President
"Just as our students seek a sense of belonging, we want you to feel the same as you begin your new role at James Madison University. As faculty members, you play a vital role in shaping the student experience and contributing to their success. In many ways, our students learn as much from who you are and how you engage as they do from what you teach. While your focus may rightly be in the classroom and, for many of you, in research, I encourage you to take advantage of the wide array of opportunities JMU offers to build connections across campus."
"Greetings and a very warm welcome to all the new faculty who have accepted roles at JMU during such an exciting time! My name is Gilpatrick Hornsby, and I serve as the Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Success. You are joining a community of amazing faculty who are dedicated to teaching, scholarship, and leadership in the service of the public good. At JMU, we take the Teacher-Scholar model to heart and are committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives."
Welcome to the JMU faculty community. Faculty Senate is the representative body for faculty in the work of shared governance. This work includes shaping policies and procedures to create an academic environment supportive of your teaching, scholarship, and service. We hope you will support the work of Faculty Senate.
Please contact your department's senator when you have items you think should be brought to the attention of the entire faculty. Your senator can help you contact the appropriate Faculty Senate committee or bring forth items to the entire Senate that you find important for discussion. Ultimately, Faculty Senate serves as the voice of faculty, including yours, for issues at JMU involving, but not limited to, faculty.
Get Started: Schedule Your Onboarding Session
The Office of Human Resources (HR) assists new faculty in successfully integrating into employment at the university. Once an A&P or instructional faculty member accepts a position at JMU, the hiring academic unit communicates with HR regarding the need for the new faculty member's onboard session. The faculty member is contacted by HR, and an onboard appointment is scheduled prior to the faculty member's first day of work. The quicker your onboard session is completed, the faster you will receive a parking permit, a JACard (JMU Access Card), an eiD (electronic identification) and access to the university's computing system.
In addition, a member of the HR Benefits Team will contact new faculty members to provide information about benefits enrollment and to schedule a consultation with a Benefits Specialist.
If you have questions, call JMU-HIRE (568-4473), email humanresources@jmu.edu, or visit the HR website.
Things to Do During Your First Week On Campus
- Get your JACard from Card Services. The JACard is the official all-in-one JMU identification card. This is proof of your affiliation with JMU for classroom, computer lab, and university functions. It can also function as your building access key and bus pass.
- Acquire your parking pass from Parking Services.
- Get started with Canvas. Visit the Canvas section of the JMU Libraries' Guide to Online & Hybrid Teaching at JMU. Contact the Libraries' Learning Technology Services staff if you need to set up a Canvas course shell.
- Check in with your departmental administrator about classroom and office keys and determine the status of your office computer and other computing needs.
- Be sure to get a copy of the appropriate handbook:
- Visit your classroom(s) and familiarize yourself with the equipment and technology available.
- Subscribe to the CFI’s Weekly Digest newsletter, which announces upcoming CFI programs and other faculty resources. If you do not receive this email, please contact the CFI at cfi@jmu.edu. View non-CFI faculty programs on the Faculty Success Hub.
- Subscribe to the CFI's Teaching Toolbox newsletter, which offers reflections and teaching tips.
- For individualized support for your teaching, scholarship, or academic career, you are invited to request a CFI consultation. JMU Libraries is also offering personalized consultations on a range of topics, including course design and instructional technologies.
- Check out HR's UConnect program.
- Check out the full week of programming for Faculty Welcome Week, and select the links below to learn more about New Faculty Welcome and New Faculty Academy.
