Updated Summer Operational Plans

Dear JMU Community,

As we reflect on the past year, we want to share our appreciation to our students, staff and faculty for the many adjustments and sacrifices you have made in the last 16 months. JMU is a special place to learn, live and work. Although the last academic year was unlike any other, our community adapted to virtual learning and engagement and enacted numerous measures to keep our community safe. We worked hard to ensure that we continued to deliver the same high-quality educational experience for which we are known.

When the COVID-19 vaccines became available, our students, staff and faculty gave countless hours to distribute vaccines to members of the JMU and surrounding community. Many of our own rolled up their sleeves and made the choice to be vaccinated. This allowed us to transition some of our plans for the summer, and we have already begun to lift some of the pandemic restrictions enacted since March 2020.

On May 14, Governor Northam lifted the mask mandate to align with CDC guidance and announced that Virginia will make additional changes to mitigation strategies beginning on May 28. The operational plan has been updated to reflect the recent updates, which include mask-wearing instructions for those who are vaccinated and those who are not. Once we receive further guidance from the governor about the changes that will begin May 28, we will send another message to the community.

We also want to support all of our students, staff and faculty who choose to continue wearing masks for their personal comfort and safety. Please respect these choices and do not judge them or make assumptions about their vaccination status or choice to wear a mask.

The university will continue to employ guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), as well as Executive Orders from Governor Northam, to make decisions about the Fall 2021 semester (including information about vaccination and testing protocols). These decisions will be released soon so we can all prepare for the 2021-22 academic year. The Board of Visitors Executive Committee met today to reaffirm the delegation of authority to university leadership to make decisions regarding the COVID-19 vaccines and other measures as needed to protect the health and safety of our community.

It’s exciting to realize that we will soon be able to meet in person, smile without a mask, and enjoy the personal interactions that make JMU special. We’re looking forward to seeing you all soon. In the meantime, enjoy your summer!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Alger
President, James Madison University

Heather Coltman
Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs

Donna Harper
Vice President, Access and Enrollment Management

Charlie King
Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance

Nick Langridge
Vice President, University Advancement

Tim Miller
Vice President, Student Affairs