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:
- Family Weekend Tickets Update
- A Letter from Dr. Miller
- The Madison Family Handbook is Here
- First-Year Send Offs & Parents Council
- Ready for Move-In
- Borrowing for Your Student's Education
- Returning Dukes Get $165 in Dining Perks When You Sign Up Early
- Mental Health Continuity of Care
- What Parents Should Know About JMU Bus Service
- Better Conversations are Coming to JMU
- Mail Services - Just the Facts
- Explore. Immerse. Lead. Engage in Community Change
- Capture Campus Photo Contest
- Duke Dog Paver Program
- Student Travel for Fall & Thanksgiving Trips to NY, NJ, CT & PA Now Available
- Video Tour of JMU’s 4 Library Locations
- July Events at the Arboretum
Family Weekend Tickets Update
Family Weekend Events that require tickets will be available starting Thursday, July 10 at 9:00 AM. Don’t miss your chance to join the fun—mark your calendar!
Due to high demand, all public single football game tickets for Family Weekend on Sept. 27 have been sold during the JMU Duke Club member presale. Fans wishing to attend should look to purchase single game tickets through the official secondary ticket marketplace, SeatGeek.
A Letter from Dr. Tim Miller
Hello JMU families,
I hope you’re having a great summer! Here on campus, we’re loving the energy and excitement that our newest Dukes and their families are bringing to campus during orientation. It has also been fun to see so many friends from home and from my time at JMU with their kids at Orientation this summer.
Families of returning students, this letter has a lot of information for our new families, but I haven’t forgotten about you. Future letters will be more informative to you also! Feel free to read along and reminisce about your Duke’s first year!
Updates
We’re excited to officially welcome President Jim Schmidt to campus! We’ve already had some great conversations and I’m looking forward to everything we'll accomplish together at JMU.
Family Weekend is Sept. 26 – 28. If you’re able to make it here then, it’s a good time to connect with your Duke after they’ve been here and settled in. Be sure to check out all the events and other things to do on campus and in the surrounding area. It’s a great time to explore and spend time with your Duke. If you’re not able to make it, that’s okay too. My parents always came the week before or the week after and so I had two Family Weekends which was always great.
Reminders
For new students, pre-entry health requirements were due July 6. They don’t need to panic if they missed that date, but they do need to submit them as soon as possible. It is a state requirement for us to have this information, so please help your student with this step if they haven’t already completed it. Please note that not completing this step will put a hold on their record and they will not be able to register for classes for the Spring of 2026.
Virtual Family Webinars
Every summer we offer several virtual sessions to help answer questions and share some advice from experienced families. This is a perfect opportunity to get some last-minute questions answered and to hear from some amazing JMU parents. I am always excited to moderate these panels each summer. Join us via Zoom for one of these Family Webinars:
Move-In Family Receptions
We often find that families arrive at different times in preparation for the move-in experience and some of you stay the night after move-in so we have been offering receptions for all of you. You can meet other families, have questions answered by JMU faculty and staff, enjoy some refreshments, and relax before or after you move your Duke into their residence hall. Keep an eye open for an email with an invitation to RSVP to the reception you plan to attend.
- Friday, Aug. 15 | 5-6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 16 | 5-6:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 17 | 10-11:30 a.m.
Questions to ask your student
What are you looking forward to the most about the new school year?
Tip: This is a way to focus on the positive, and their response may surprise you (even for returning students). Going into a new situation with a goal can be helpful, and it will give you something specific to talk about the next time you’re together.
What would you like to do as a family before you leave?
Tip: They will likely want to spend as much time with friends as possible before they leave, but this can be a reminder that family time is important too. And it will probably be what they remember most in the future.
When would you like to plan to come home this fall?
Tip: This is important for lots of reasons, but the main one is because I want to strongly encourage you to not have them come home for at least the first four weeks of the semester. They need to get used to this place and their life here and they can’t do that if they aren’t here. In addition, you have your own adjustment to make, and you need to embrace that as well. Especially if this is your last child leaving the house.
Preparing for August
It always makes me laugh when people ask me what we do over the summer. By the end of orientation, we’ll have welcomed over 13,000 students and family members to campus, all while preparing for the new school year in August. I continue to be in awe of the teamwork that we experience all around campus and the dedication of all involved. My message to all of you – new and returning families – is that you are leaving your students in good hands when they return this August.
One final piece of advice for families of new Dukes
I want to encourage you all to have a plan for the day after you return home from move-in. I don’t expect all of you to be like one family I knew, where the parents flew to Paris right after dropping their student off on campus. But.... I want you to have a plan for that next day. All of you, siblings, pets, parents, other family members, will feel this differently and it’s important that you do something to begin your own next chapter. Go to a movie or a hike, plan to eat out (not at your Duke’s favorite restaurant), but don’t just sit around the house. Trust me, have a plan for that next day and enjoy yourselves, and maybe take that trip to Paris if you have an empty nest.
Enjoy the rest of the summer, take care of yourselves and Go Dukes!
Dr. Tim Miller
Vice President for Student Affairs
The Madison Experience is more than just a chapter in your student’s life—it’s a transformative journey that will shape their future in meaningful ways. As JMU welcomes your student with open arms, we extend that same heartfelt invitation to you, their family.
To help you navigate this exciting new chapter, the Office of Family Engagement has created this handbook. Inside, you’ll find essential information, helpful resources, and guidance to support your student throughout their time here.
At JMU, you’re a vital part of the community. Alongside students, faculty, staff, and alumni, you help enrich the Madison Experience and contribute to the vibrant spirit that defines our university.
Welcome to the JMU family. We’re glad you’re here!
Each summer, the JMU Parents Council and the Office of Family Engagement team up to host First-Year Send Offs. These events provide a great opportunity for new members of the JMU family to meet fellow Dukes in their regional area and ask any last-minute questions prior to move-in. Each event is approximately 2 hours consisting of a meal, a program, Q&A opportunities and a bag full of JMU goodies.
The JMU student may attend at no charge. Guests are $15/person regardless of age.
Registration is now open and please note the RSVP Deadlines!
If you are a parent or guardian interested in being more involved with JMU, we encourage you to check out the Parents Council or the Parent & Family Leadership Society.
Ready for Move-In
Submitted by: Sydney Wood, Social Media and Marketing Manager, Residence Life
Move-In is right around the corner already! Can you believe it?!
While we are hustling to get ready for all of our Dukes, we hope you are enjoying your break! Make sure to visit our website to get all the details you need to prepare for move-in, from dates/times, move-in appointment info, driving/parking information, and SO MUCH MORE!
Reach out to our office directly if you have any questions or concerns; we know there is a lot to do to prepare, and we are here to help!
Borrowing for Your Student's Education
Submitted by: Colleen McAvoy, Associate Director of Loans, Financial Aid & Scholarships
Education loans are a frequently used means of funding a student’s education-related expenses such as tuition and fees, housing and meals, and other off-campus costs such as rent, utilities, and groceries. Loans must be repaid, so be sure to budget carefully to avoid overborrowing and read all loan terms and conditions. Brief loan descriptions are below, and videos explaining the various loan types and how to apply are found here.
Federal Loans
Federal Direct Loans are provided by the federal government. These loans require students to submit a FAFSA annually, and meet other eligibility requirements including enrollment of at least half-time (6 financial aid eligible hours for undergraduates) in a degree or eligible certificate program and meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress. There are some differences between the federal loan types:
- Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Student Loans
These loans are only available to students, do not require a credit check, and have annual and aggregate loan limits defined by a student’s enrollment and dependency status. Subsidized loans require a student to have financial need and do not accrue interest while a student is enrolled in at least half-time financial aid eligible hours. First-time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling. For more details, visit this website. - Federal Parent PLUS Loans
Parents of dependent undergraduates are offered the Parent PLUS Loan. Each year, in addition to submitting the student’s FAFSA, parent borrowers must submit a Parent PLUS Loan application and pass a credit check. First time borrowers must also submit a Master Promissory Note. Parents who are denied based on their credit may take additional steps to qualify. More details may be found here.
Private Education Loans
These loans are not backed by the federal government but are provided by the lender you choose. Private loans can be borrowed by the student or in some cases another person on behalf of the student; all borrowers must pass a credit check. These loans require school certification. Requirements vary significantly per lender, so please be sure to review your eligibility carefully before applying. A comparison of federal vs. private loans may be found here. Additional information about private loans may be found on our website.
Submitted by: Heather Holsinger, Marketing Manager, JMU Dining
We’re excited to welcome you back to campus! Make the most of your time at JMU with the convenience and variety of on-campus dining. From fan-favorite meals to exciting dining events, there’s something for every Duke to enjoy.
Sign up for your Fall 2025 Commuter Meal Plan by August 1 and receive a coupon book valued at $165 that is filled with exclusive deals, discounts, and freebies!
Don’t miss out on:
- Delicious, convenient dining options
- Fun food events all semester long
- A head start on savings with your coupon book
Sign Up Now → Offer ends August 1!
Mental Health Continuity of Care
Submitted by: Nina H. Critz, LPC, Associate Director for Administration, Counseling Center
In order to ensure your student's wellbeing, success, and health, it is recommended that they continue with the prescribed treatments that they were pursuing before coming to college. If they needed weekly long-term counseling or were taking a certain prescribed medication, continue with those treatments until they have an opportunity to be reassessed.
We created the Counseling Connections program to assist incoming students with previous or existing mental health concerns in connecting with local mental health resources.
Counseling Connections is a 30-minute phone consultation between one of our clinicians and incoming students and/or their family. During the conversation, the clinician will gather information about the situation and offer treatment recommendations. Our goal is to make sure that incoming students are connected with the most appropriate services to best meet their needs. Sometimes that service is offered at the Counseling Center. Sometimes there is another JMU office or community resource that would be more appropriate.
If this sounds like your student's situation, call us at 540-568-6552 to schedule your Counseling Connection appointment.
Submitted by: Valerie Kramer, Alternative Transportation Manager, Parking and Transit Services
At JMU, getting around is easy and free! JMU partners with the City of Harrisonburg’s public transportation system (HDPT) to provide fare-free bus service for students, both on and off campus. Whether your Duke is heading to class, the Quad, or a local store, the bus is a fast, safe, and convenient option.
First-year students will likely use the Inner Campus Shuttle most often. This high-frequency loop runs continuously throughout the day with up to eight buses operating at once. There’s no schedule needed, just head to the stop, and a bus will usually arrive every 5–10 minutes.
Students living in Eagle or Shorts Halls can also use the Green Line, which provides direct service to the Quad and back. This route operates on a 20-minute loop and is a reliable connection between first-year housing and the academic core of campus.
Need to pick up essentials? The Shopper Route connects campus with local shopping centers, making it easy for students to access stores like Walmart, Target, and grocery options without needing a car.
If your student is living off campus for the first time this year, remind them: every student apartment complex in Harrisonburg is served by HDPT’s free bus service to and from campus. With frequent, reliable routes designed with student commuters in mind, there’s no need to buy an annual parking pass. Save money and reduce stress by encouraging your student to take the bus instead. For the occasional need to park on campus, daily permits are available for just $5.
For more details on routes, maps, and live bus tracking, visit jmu.edu/transportation. Questions? Reach out to the Alternative Transportation team at AlternativeTransportation@jmu.edu. We are happy to help.
Let us take the wheel so your Duke can focus on what matters most: making the most of their JMU experience!
Better Conversations are Coming to JMU
Submitted by: Dr. Kara Dillard, Executive Director, Madison Center for Civic Engagement
Starting college can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to navigating conversations around complex or sensitive issues. Whether it’s speaking up in class, discussing political views with friends, or understanding someone with a different perspective, these moments can be challenging for first year students. The Madison Center for Civic Engagement's Better Conversations Together program is designed to equip students with the tools to have curious, productive conversations across divides. All incoming JMU students will participate in this experience as part of orientation. The program begins with a online learning module available in the OneBook from August 4–14, followed by a peer-facilitated deliberative forum later in the semester.
In these deliberations, students will engage with their peers around real-world issues, practicing how to disagree productively while listening for understanding. The goal isn’t to win an argument—it’s to find common ground and grow the skills needed for thoughtful communication in class, at home, and eventually, in the workplace. We encourage parents and families to join in this learning journey. Reviewing the Better Conversations Together program with your student can spark meaningful dialogue before the semester even begins. To gain parent access, email jmubct@jmu.edu.
Mail Services - Just the Facts
Submitted by: Cheryl Meade, Senior Site Manager, Mail Services
Hours of Operation:
• Academic Year: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Summer: Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Note: Mail Services follows all university closings and holiday policies.
Post Office Overview: The JMU Post Office does not provide direct delivery to residence halls. Each residential student is assigned a mailbox at the JMU Post Office. Your housing address and mailing address are different. Personal mail, magazines, packages, etc., should be sent to your mailing address. Packages are accepted at Madison Union on behalf of students, and courier service is available, for a fee, for packages too large for student pickup.
Services Offered:
• A fully functional Post Office serving the entire JMU community.
• A wide variety of mailing supplies, USPS and UPS shipping services, fax services, etc.
• Outgoing drop-off location for prepaid labeled USPS, FedEx, and UPS packages.
• Refrigeration for clearly marked perishable items or medication until pickup.
For Students Living On Campus:
Accessing Box Information: After August 7, students can find their box number and combination on MyMadison under Student Center Personal Information in Local Addresses. Due to strict regulations, this information is not provided over the phone.
Mailbox Location and Usage: Mailboxes are located on the 2nd floor of Madison Union and at the Grace St. apartments. The locks work opposite of typical combination locks and have an extra turn at the end. Report any issues to Post Office personnel at the customer service window. Students are encouraged to check their mailbox at least once a week.
Receiving Packages: There is no direct delivery service to residence halls, so all packages addressed to students are accepted at Madison Union. Student mail is delivered between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., including deliveries from USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, DHL, etc. Any mail or packages sent with tracking information are checked into the computer system, and students are notified via email. Students verify package pickup using their JACard at a kiosk in the post office lobby. Students must provide picture ID to receive packages – JACard, driver’s license, or mobile ID are acceptable.
When sending mail or packages to your student, include the student’s name and box number on each package for seamless processing.
Sending Medication: For guaranteed delivery, use overnight carriers like UPS and FedEx instead of USPS. Next Day Delivery through USPS may require an additional day for processing.
Note: Outgoing mail received after 4 p.m. will be postmarked the following business day. Outgoing UPS packages are picked up Monday through Friday at 3 p.m.
Submitted by: Lindsey Richards Barnes, Assistant Director, Engagement, Communication & Innovation, CEVC
The Community Engagement & Volunteer Center (CEVC) connects students and faculty with meaningful, community-based experiences to co-create just and sustainable communities.
Last Call: DMAD 2025 Registration Filling Fast!
We only have a few spots left for DMAD 2025. Register today!
Dukes Making a Difference (DMAD) brings New Dukes together before Weeks of Welcome to:
- Volunteer with a local non-profit partner in a small group
- Meet other service-minded New Dukes and CEVC student leaders
- Learn about Harrisonburg's most pressing social issues
- Interact with amazing individuals and organizations, making your new home a better place for all residents
Dates: August 13-15, 2025
Cost: $125, includes housing, meals, and transportation (need-based financial assistance available).
Become a Paid Madison Community Scholar!
Is your Duke passionate about gaining valuable work experience through sustained community engagement? *Participating students must receive a Federal Work Study award as part of their financial aid package.
- Gain work experience and career-readiness
- Partner with a local non-profit, school, or government agency
- Improve leadership, professional, and interpersonal skills
- Earn while making a social impact
2025-2026 Positions Available:
Community Relations & Event Support
Education & Childcare Support
Marketing & Social Media Support
Projects & Operations Support
Still have questions? Email us at mcs@jmu.edu.
Submitted by: Liz Fravel, Senior Associate Director, Annual Giving
Send in your favorite photos from campus for a chance to be included in this year's JMU Capture Campus 2026 Calendar. See photo contest rules and submit your photos here.
Submitted by: Grace Sheldon, Director of Internal Operations and Events, Duke Club
Cement Your JMU Legacy! JMU Athletics is proud to announce the return of the Duke Dog Paver Program. This special tradition offers the unique opportunity to personalize a custom engraved legacy paver, honoring the people, places, and experiences most important to our JMU community. We encourage you to cement your JMU legacy by securing your paver, today!
Duke Dog Pavers are currently available in multiple sizes, allowing you to celebrate your graduate, honor your family, or commemorate JMU's historic rise in the way that best suits your vision! For more information, and to secure your Duke Dog Paver, please click below.
Student Travel for Fall & Thanksgiving Trips to NY, NJ, CT & PA Now Available
Submitted by: Amy Sfaelos, CollegeTransit LTD
For those with students from the NY, NJ, CT and PA areas, transportation options for our student only service from the JMU campus are now available on our website. Winter Break will be posted on September 1st.
CollegeTransit has been providing JMU students premium holiday transportation for over 30 years, and our buses for Fall and Thanksgiving breaks fill up quickly. As these buses sell out, we will start waiting lists for additional buses to help as many students as possible get home.
You can visit our website at CollegeTransit.com to learn more about our student-only service.
Submitted by: Emily Blake, Assistant Director of Communications & Marketing, Libraries
In case you haven't seen all our library locations in person, you can take a video tour of the JMU Libraries buildings and spaces! All four library locations are available to all JMU students. They include Rose Library on East Campus, JMU Libraries Express and the Music Library near the Quad, and the Educational Technology and Media Center (ETMC) in Memorial Hall. Get to know all four locations in this video!
Submitted by: Katie Rankin, Director, Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
Did you know our Arboretum is free to visit and open to the public daily? We also have a host of programs, lectures, workshops, and citizen science initiatives you can join when you visit campus. It's also a wonderful place to de-stress and enjoy nature!
Want to keep up with the Arboretum? Follow us on social media or sign up for our email list.
Is your student looking for ways to get involved? Encourage them to volunteer or inquire about an internship at the Arboretum! For more information email ejcarboretum@jmu.edu.
Join 13,000+ fellow JMU parents and guardians in the official Facebook group! This group was created by the Office of Family Engagement in an effort to provide a safe online environment for parents & family members to engage with one another. Request to join the group here »
Connect with the JMU Family!
