The Office of Residence Life at James Madison University is committed to designing and maintaining a caring environment that encourages academic success, respect, personal growth and responsibility to one's community.
The foundation for the services we offer is rooted in the following values:
- Supportive transition to the JMU community
- Academic achievement
- Providing positive learning experiences
- Providing excellent service and accommodations
We recognize that our greatest contribution to students' education is involving them in the development and implementation of these services. With access to these services, we in turn expect that our residents will do the same, thus creating and maintaining a learning-centered community filled with respect for one another, consideration for our earth, hope for our future, and of course, sprinkled with just the appropriate amount of fun!
Here you'll live safe, supported and engaged. We hope you'll join us for a great, safe, and educational experience here in on-campus living at JMU.
Below you can check out the services that we offer here in Residence Life, along with some Frequently Asked Questions. If you have more questions, feel free to contact us at 540-568-HOME or res-life@jmu.edu. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!
Prospective Student FAQs
After you pay your deposit, you will receive a hard copy One Book, as well as access to an online version. This publication provides you with information on a variety of departments and services at JMU. Detailed information on the Office of Residence Life is included in the One Book.
Additional information is available by searching our website, calling the Office of Residence Life at 540.568.HOME (4663) or by emailing us at res-life@jmu.edu. Students and parents can view our floor plans to see the layouts of our different rooms on campus.
Yes, first year students will select their room during Online Room Selection, which will take place in July. The order in which students will select a room will be based on their enrollment deposit date.
About 90% of our first year halls feature community bathrooms. If you have a medical condition that requires special accommodations, please download and complete the Housing Accommodation Request form. Requests are generally due in mid-June. Requests received after that date will be accommodated as space is available.
Requests for such accommodations are made by filling out the Housing Accommodation Request form. The Special Housing Committee, staffed by professionals from Disability Services, the University Health Center, and the Office of Residence Life makes all decisions regarding special accommodations. Requests are generally due in mid-June. Requests received after that date will be accommodated as space is available.
When roommates mutually request each other by the roommate selection deadline in July, they can pull each other into a room during Online Room Selection. Your roommate must have a signed Housing Contract and you must be in a Roommate Group with them in order to pull them into a room. Residents who do not request specific roommates can select a room on their own. They are able to see the answers to other students’ lifestyle questionnaires when selecting a room.
- While first year students can select their roommate(s), they cannot select suitemates.
Yes. Roommate requests must be made through the Online Housing System in July. The request must be mutual between both students.
- While first year students can select their roommate(s), they cannot select suitemates.
There are numerous policies and regulations which govern community living in the residence halls, including rules related to visitation, quiet hours, alcohol, illegal drugs, pets, cooking, etc. A full list of policies is given to each student in the form of the ORL Guidebook Calendar, and selected policies are listed here on our website.
To learn more about the Residential Learning Communities (RLCs) you can contact Tripp Purks, Assistant Director of Student Learning Initiatives in Residence Life.
