The Madison Family Newsletter is created each month by the Office of Family Engagement in partnership with many members of the JMU community. For more family resources, visit our website.
In This Issue:
- A Letter from Dr. Miller
- Strategic Plan Update
- Residence Hall Closing
- JMU Dining
- JMU Bookstore Upcoming Promotions
- Dukes are Playoff Bound
- Bridgeforth Stadium Panorama Print
- 1098Ts
- Financial Aid Disbursements and Starting Classes
- The 2026-27 FAFSA is Live
- Alternative Transportation Tips for Winter Break
- Student Employment
- Priority has Passed, But the Possibility Remains
- Elev8 Ethics: Ethics for the Rest of Your Life
A Letter from Dr. Tim Miller
Hey JMU families,
As the semester comes to an end, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for sharing your Duke with us and for your support during this journey. Watching the growth of our students from their first day of orientation through to graduation is the most rewarding part of what we do and I’m so glad for your partnership. The road won’t always be smooth and there may be some detours along the way; I am proud to lead this team that helps every student thrive here at JMU.
Updates
I hope you are looking forward to Winter Break, and some quality time with your Duke at home with you. The university will be closed Dec. 22 through Jan. 2, and if you reach out during this time, please understand that our team members are taking a well-deserved break, and we will get back to you as soon as we can upon our return to the office. We try to cover everything you need to know on the JMU website, so that’s always a good place to start if you have questions – especially while our offices are closed. Here are a few links to get you started:
- Residence hall move out and move in dates - note: residence halls close Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. and reopen Jan. 18. Students living on campus should follow instructions they receive from their hall staff.
- Student Gateway - this includes academic resources, health and well-being resources (some can be accessed anywhere), and a lot of other great information
- Academic calendar - when grades are due, semester start and end dates, breaks, etc.
Reminders
While it may seem obvious to you and me, please remind your student to empty out their refrigerator, remove any opened food packages, clean their dishes, remove their trash, and lock all doors and windows. Our students forget that they will be gone for over a month and this may be the first time they are away from their home this long. A reminder about these tasks is a really good idea to protect their property, return to a clean home, etc.
If they live off campus, they’ll want to take extra precautions. We may have some very cold days during break so they should keep a little bit of heat going to prevent the pipes from bursting. They should also leave one faucet dripping to keep water flowing. I also recommend they take any valuables with them, including electronics, because break-ins have happened over breaks in the past. The last person out should also take a few moments to walk around the home and check all windows, doors, etc. Finally, I like to recommend setting a light or two to turn on and off throughout their time away to make it look like someone is home.
Academic challenges
Once grades are posted, some students will receive news that they are on academic probation or suspension. Whether it’s expected or not, there will be uncertainty around what the options are, what to do next, and how they may be able to rebound from it. I want to recommend that you take a moment and breathe before you start working on next steps. Please read the email they received fully so you can understand the full situation before you take any actions. The academic standing and continued enrollment page will give additional insight into what this all means and provide recommendations for support. Please help them understand that they are not alone and that they can recover from this setback. I like to encourage them to participate in Rebound, a program that has helped many students through this or a similar situation. They may benefit from processing their feelings with a professional, so please remind them that TimelyCare’s virtual mental health services are available to them for free and can be accessed any time over break as well.
Questions to ask your student
What are you most proud of this semester?
Tip: This is a good time to listen – really listen. They may have developed a talent they never knew they had, overcome a challenge or struggle, or if they’re lucky, found their passion. They may have changed in ways you never expected, and that can be a good thing. Knowing you are there for all the phases of their life will mean more to them than you may know. A follow up question could be to ask them about something that was a pleasant surprise for them this fall.
What do you plan to try that’s new to you in the Spring?
Tip: Encourage them to think beyond the classes on their list. Of course they need to take certain classes, but gen eds and electives are opportunities to expand their knowledge and their world. A great option is a Work-Based Learning Experience (WBLE). They can enroll in a WBLE course for a powerful learning experience that prepares them for a professional pathway.
Looking forward to the new year!
I hope you and your family have an amazing break and get to make many memories together. We’ll be here when they return in January, ready to be part of this next phase of their life experience and JMU Journey. If you’d like to stay connected over break (and other times) be sure to follow us on Instagram (jmutimmiller) and/or Facebook (JMU Student Affairs). Here is a link to last Tuesday’s Facebook Live where I shared some additional insights and advice – please join us each month for the latest updates.
Take care and Go Dukes!
Dr. Tim Miller
Vice President for Student Affairs
Strategic Plan Update
Submitted by: Pam Brock, Senior Director, Advancement Marketing
Recently, the JMU Board of Visitors approved President James Schmidt's draft “pillars” for the 2026-2040 plan, titled The Madison Promise. Among them is a proposed guarantee, which is intended to assure optimum hire-ability for all graduates. This exciting idea is in development — including what the guarantee will cover and what will be required to access it — so stay tuned for more details as the plan is fleshed out in the next four months. You can read the draft pillars now and learn more about the Strategic Plan.
Residence Hall Closing
Submitted by: Sydney Wood, Social Media and Marketing Manager, Residence Life
Residence Halls close on Dec. 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. and will reopen on Jan. 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
You should plan to travel home 24 hours after your last final exam.
Submitted by: Heather Holsinger, Marketing Manager, JMU Dining
JMU Dining is bringing the flavor and fun this Spring Semester! Get ready for exciting events like Game Night featuring authentic arcade classics, a vibrant Mardi Gras celebration, and our crowd-favorite Chili Cook-Off. The good times and great tastes are endless!
Special offer for commuter students: Upgrade your meal plan and enjoy exclusive perks! The first 25 students who upgrade from any block plan to a 10-punch plan or higher are eligible for a $200 voucher to any Aramark Destination!
Plus, ALL students with a commuter meal plan are entered to win a Sony Bluetooth speaker!
Hurry! Both promotions end 2/6/26 and winners will be notified the following week.
Submitted by: Mark Glenn, Campus Store Director, JMU Bookstore
Last Minute Holiday Gifts for the JMU Fan in Your Life!
12/8 – 12/9: Green Monday Flash Sale — Online Only: 25% Off Clothing and Gifts
The Dukes will head out west to face the 5-seed Oregon Ducks!
12 JMU vs. #5 Oregon
Saturday, Dec. 20 - 7:30pm ET
Eugene, OR
Please visit the POSTSEASON INFO PAGE for ticket, travel and event information! Go Dukes!
Bridgeforth Stadium Panorama Print
Submitted by: Garrett King, Licensing Director, JMU Foundation
Fantastic Gifts to Make Them Cheer!
Their Team. Their Stadium. The Perfect Gift.
Show your team spirit with a Blakeway Panoramas game-day print.
This panoramic photo captures the team runout as the JMU Dukes took to the field in front of a sold-out crowd prior to the opening kickoff of the homecoming game against Old Dominion at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia. With a dominant second half performance, the Dukes gained a season best 624 yards and rolled to a 63-27 victory to make this homecoming weekend memorable!
1098Ts
Submitted by: Brandon Cline-Taskey, Director, University Business Office
As the end of the year rapidly approaches, the University Business Office (UBO) wants to provide some important information regarding the 1098-T form, a tax document often used when claiming education-related tax benefits. The form only reflects payments received for qualified expenses (e.g. tuition and the comprehensive fee) during the current calendar year. Please be mindful that the values on this form are affected by payment posting dates. Consequently, the timing of your payments may impact the figures on the form, potentially influencing your eligibility for certain tax benefits.
The UBO plans to create billing statements for the Spring 2026 semester in mid-December, so please keep this in mind as you prepare to send payment. It is advisable to consult a tax professional for guidance on maximizing the available benefits based on your individual circumstances. The University Business Office cannot provide tax advice, but we would be glad to discuss the 1098-T form in greater detail should you have any questions.
Financial Aid Disbursements and Starting Classes
Submitted by: Brad Barnett, Associate Vice President for Access & Enrollment Management/Financial Aid Director, Financial Aid & Scholarships
Spring Financial Aid Disbursements:
Financial aid disbursements generally occur during the first week of each semester if all paperwork has been submitted in a timely fashion and the student is registered for the amount of hours used to determine financial aid eligibility. If you want to learn more about the disbursement process, timeframe, and financial aid refunds, you can read Section 13: Financial Aid, Disbursements, Your Bill, and Refunds of the Financial Aid: Terms and Conditions – Consumer Information document on our website.
Beginning Enrollment:
It’s important to note that students must begin attendance in the classes for which they receive financial aid. Reading Section 12: Class Attendance and Retaining Aid Eligibility (Attendance Verification) of the Financial Aid: Terms and Conditions – Consumer Information document will explain what constitutes “attendance” for the purposes of meeting this eligibility criterion. Students who do not begin attendance in classes for which financial aid is awarded may be subject to a reduction or cancellation to their financial aid package.
The 2026-27 FAFSA is Live
Submitted by: Claire Bergan, IT Specialist, Financial Aid & Scholarships
The Department of Education (ED) opened the 2026–27 FAFSA on October 1, 2025, to all applicants!
To ensure students receive priority consideration for all types of financial assistance, the federal government must receive and process their 2026–27 FAFSA by March 1, 2026. This is JMU’s priority filing date. In some cases, filing later can prevent students from receiving certain types of financial aid, including state grants.
Please note that meeting the priority filing date does not guarantee that your student will receive university or state grant dollars. The number of eligible students and the size of our annual funding allocations are significant factors in determining whether sufficient funds are available to award all those who qualify.
Submitting a FAFSA comes with no strings attached. The application is free and available online at studentaid.gov. More information about the FAFSA, including videos, can be found on our website.
Submitted by: Valerie Kramer, Alternative Transportation Manager, Parking and Transit Services
As the semester winds down, we want to share a few important reminders to help your student prepare for winter break:
Bring Bikes and Scooters Inside
Please remind your student to bring their bike or scooter indoors before leaving campus. This helps protect their equipment from harsh winter weather and reduces the risk of theft during the break.
Plan Return Travel Early
Encourage your student to book their return travel before leaving campus. Seats on popular routes fill quickly, so planning ahead ensures a smooth trip back to JMU.
Fare-Free Local Transit
All local transit in Harrisonburg is fare-free, making it easy for students to get around town before departure.
Coach Bus and Airport Options
Several transportation providers offer convenient travel options:
Virginia Breeze: Twice daily service to Dulles Airport and Union Station in Washington, D.C.
College Transit: Coach buses to destinations in the Northeast.
Adventures-N-Travel: Van service to regional airports.
Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD): Daily direct flights to Charlotte, NC. Starting February 3, 2026, SHD will also offer direct flights to Chicago.
Travel Tips for Coach Buses
Many coach bus services schedule multiple buses around the same time, but not all buses arrive together. Please remind your student to be patient and allow extra time. Signing up for travel alerts from their chosen provider is highly recommended.
Thank you for helping your student prepare for a safe and stress-free break!
Student Employment
Submitted by: Klaudia Whipple, Student Employment Assistant, Student Employment/Financial Aid & Scholarships
JMU PageUp is the best place for your student to find the most up-to-date information about job openings at JMU. Each posting identifies the hiring department and provides a detailed description of job responsibilities, qualifications, hourly rate or pay range and a list of additional documents (i.e., cover letter, resume, etc.) students may need to attach to their application.
The Student Employment office recommends that students searching for on-campus positions apply for as many jobs as they are interested in and feel qualified to fill. All on-campus positions are competitive so make sure your student has a quality resume, cover letter and references before beginning the application process.
Selected applicants will complete an interview process with the department. Make sure your student knows how to “dress to impress” with appropriate interview attire and is prepared to make a good impression.
The most-qualified candidate will be offered the position by the department. If your student accepts a job offer, the hiring department will need to complete paperwork to meet institutional, state and federal guidelines and ensure prompt payment of wages. Students must provide their hiring department with a copy of their Social Security card and, for direct deposit purposes, a voided check, deposit slip or a bank statement showing the full account and routing numbers.
In addition, federal regulations require JMU to confirm all new employees are eligible to work in the United States through completion of Form I-9. Your student will complete Section 1 of this form with the hiring department or on their own electronically. Section 2 will be completed either with the hiring department or with the Student Employment office. To complete Section 2 of the Form I-9, your student must provide documentation that both verifies identity and work authorization. You can see a full list of acceptable documents on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. All documents used to complete Section 2 must be original and unexpired. The hiring department or Student Employment must examine the documents your student presents and record the information electronically on Form I-9.
Your student is now on their way to gaining priceless experience and a good, old-fashioned paycheck!
For Student Employment questions or concerns send an email to studentjobs@jmu.edu or call (540) 568-3269.
Submitted by: Matthew Zittritsch, Assistant Director of Engagement & Outreach, Center for Global Engagement
Did your Duke miss out on submitting a priority application for study abroad? Don't worry. Applications for select 2026–27 study abroad programs are still being accepted! Admissions are on a rolling basis until filled — don't delay.
Submitted by: Kacey Damaty, Assistant Director, Ethical Reasoning in Action
In partnership with JMU’s College of Business (JMUCOB), Ethical Reasoning in Action (ERiA) welcomed Dr. R. Edward Freeman to Hartman Hall as the latest Elev8 Ethics speaker. A leading voice in business ethics for over 40 years, known globally for work on stakeholder theory, Dr. Freeman spent the day engaging with students, faculty, and staff in meaningful conversation, while addressing the ethical challenges that shape our world today.
The Elev8 Ethics lecture series is part of ERiA's commitment to preparing students not just for successful careers, but to lead productive and meaningful lives. We are proud to offer these unique opportunities for students to engage with world-renowned thinkers such as Dr. Freeman, who challenge us each to think deeply and ethically about the world we share.
Learn more about Dr. Freeman's visit and listen to the latest Elev8 Ethics podcast episode so you can continue the conversation with your JMU Duke.
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