The Orientation Office and the Center for Global Engagement have planned Transitions, particularly with the specific issues, concerns, and needs of students who are J-1 & F-1 visa holders and US students who live abroad in mind to help them with their smooth and successful transition to JMU.
Overall, we want to put students' fears and concerns aside, and be excited about starting their new journey at JMU instead. Lots of great individuals will be there to assist students and to make these first few days very special and memorable!
Transitions is the international orientation program for all new undergraduates who come from the 4 corners of the world. Arrive 1 day earlier than the rest of the new undergraduate students (when the Weeks of Welcome begin) so that we will:
Transitions
- coordinate the students' arrival by providing (for students only) a hotel airport pick-up (at the Comfort Inn & Suites Airport Dulles or HYATT house Sterling/Dulles Airport at 9:30am) on August 18 as well as their early move-in to their residence hall on that same day.
- bring bank officials on-campus so they can set up a bank account.
- arrange for a couple of shopping trips so that their room will feel more comfortable, and to ensure that they will have bedsheets and pillows for their first night on campus.
- create many opportunities for them to get to know their campus (since most of them have never even set foot on this campus before and of course we’ll ensure that they obtain their JACard and that everything else runs smoothly right away.
- arrange many opportunities for them to connect with other international students. The LINKers will share the ins and outs of the campus, during presentations, over meals, and over games and fun activities so that they become more familiar with the campus, its culture, and many resources.
- cover immigration policies, academic and social expectations to help them become successful.
Parent Info Session
Your student is heading off to JMU and is about to begin a new life. From newfound freedom and an abundance of new choices to a new set of a multitude of responsibilities. The challenge is how to be involved while ensuring that your student is the one making the decisions. As such, your role is changing, too, and we want to help you prepare for the transition.
A special session offered for family members of our global dukes is offered on the first morning of orientation (August 19). We will provide a campus tour, an overview of the implications of immigration policies, culture, and language as they apply to your student, as well as address the specific questions and concerns that you may have.
Useful Information
FERPA: for Parents- As a general rule, per FERPA or the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the release of information related to grades, progress reports, exams, enrollment verifications, the request of transcripts, and crisis situations/emergencies related information is only to be disclosed to the students themselves. Unless the student has provided written authorization that specifically identifies what information may be released to the parent(s), they will not be provided with any information concerning a student.
Office of Parent Relations- The Office of Parent Relations provides families of current students with programs, services and information to enhance their understanding of the student experience and better support their student's academic and social growth.
International Student Guidebook- The ISSS Team put together this Guidebook PDF to provide a comprehensive view into the services and resources JMU offers, in addition to many other helpful facts about our community.
Contact Info
- Please contact Marlee Meikrantz Sharp with questions or for information related to orientation, the arrival process, and immigration and visas.
MSC 5731
100 East Grace Street
Room 2nd Floor
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
