Operational campus updates for Friday

JMU community (faculty, staff and students),

We can already feel the excitement building on campus as James Madison University hosts the Sun Belt Football Championship on Fri., Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. The Dukes will compete against Troy University for the championship title.

Hosting this event will result in some changes to operating schedules and traffic, so this email includes important information.

Traffic and Closures
Traffic will be impacted significantly on and near campus; the following measures will be taken to decrease congestion:

• Administrative offices will close at 3 p.m. for faculty and staff to exit campus and to reduce traffic and congestion.
• Employees with current telework agreements and schedules should work remotely on Dec. 5.
• Designated employees will continue with their normal shifts.
• All vehicles must be moved out of reserved football lots by 3 p.m., even for those remaining on campus.
• Please refer to Policy 1309 (Closings, Class Cancellations and Exam Postponements Due to Inclement Weather or Emergencies) for additional information about university closings but know there are likely some unique circumstances to be reviewed and considered by your immediate supervisor. Therefore, supervisors should review the policy in anticipation of this event.
• The following services will remain open for their normal weekday hours: JMU Dining, UREC, Rose Library, JMU Counseling Center, University Health Center, Student Success Center, Festival and The Union.

Class Meetings

• All online classes will be held as scheduled.
• Instructional faculty who teach in-person classes that begin after or extend past 3:35 p.m. on Friday may hold class as scheduled or consider an alternative instructional method or location. All vehicles must be moved out of reserved football lots by 3 p.m., even for those remaining on campus.
• Faculty should communicate directly with their students regarding class requirements and schedules for Friday, even if there are no changes. Students should contact their instructors with questions.

Parking

• Access to reserved football parking lots will be restricted starting at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, and all vehicles must be cleared by 3 p.m.
• Faculty, staff and students who need to stay on campus past 3 p.m. may use the Ballard, Grace Street, Mason Street or Warsaw parking decks and parking lots D3, C12, R4 or R5.
• Shuttles will run from the Ballard parking deck to the following stops: Godwin Hall, Hartman Hall and the East Campus academic buildings. This loop will begin at 7 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. for any staff or students to park without having to move a vehicle throughout the day.

Fans and Spectators

• The flow of traffic and access to parking lots will be different for the championship game than a regular Saturday football game.
• Parking lots are available beginning at 4 p.m. and will not be accessible any earlier. Please keep in mind public safety officials will be working diligently to help employees depart safely before welcoming fans to campus.
• As the transition of emptying campus occurs and prior to the parking lots opening for the game, public safety officials will be prepared to address any unsafe behavior or situations that create a traffic hazard.
• It will not be possible for fans to line up and wait on campus for parking lots to clear.
• Fans may not access lots for dropping off/unloading tailgate supplies, nor may they save spaces prior to 4 p.m.

We appreciate the cooperation and coordination from everyone involved and look forward to cheering on the Dukes to a victory on Friday!

Sincerely,
President Jim
Matt Roan, Director of Athletics