Welcome to JMU! As your student prepares for their first semester, here are some steps to help ensure a smooth transition. Consider working through these with them before they arrive.
Look throughout the checklist for "Let’s Chat" discussion topics to start further discussions to help prepare your student.
- Have your student visit MyJMUChart.
- Fill out the TB assessment form.
- Upload a completed immunization form.
- Enter their insurance information.
- Verify their insurance benefits in the Harrisonburg area. If needed, apply for insurance coverage or away-from-home benefits.
Let’s chat
"How would you respond to a medical provider asking about your family medical history?"
Ensure your student has completed their health requirements in MyJMUChart by the due date.
Have their allergist fill out the required JMU allergen immunotherapy order form. This should be brought to the UHC with their allergy vials.
Let’s chat
Visit the UHC Allergy Clinic page and discuss the content together.
- Be sure they are confident in taking medications on their own. The UHC does not administer oral self-dispensed medicine.
- Confirm that their current prescriber will continue to manage their prescription medications. Develop a plan with the provider to ensure they do not run out of medicine.
- If their current prescriber is unable to manage their current prescriptions while they are at JMU, they can establish a local medical provider. JMU staff can help find a local provider if needed.
- Develop a plan for them to obtain prescription medications at local pharmacies. The JMU pharmacy carries some low-cost prescription medications but does not bill insurance.
- If they plan to receive injectable medications or infusions at the UHC, please have the ordering medical provider complete the Medication/Order Authorization form for approval.
- If they have IV or injectable medications and/or medical supplies that will be shipped to them from a pharmacy while at JMU, please complete the Student Prescription Delivery form.
- If they need any lab work done by a current provider while at JMU, the order needs to be uploaded into MyJMUChart for approval. They will then receive instructions to schedule an appointment.
Let’s chat
"Let’s find a pharmacy close to campus and make a plan for how you’ll get there when needed."
Some examples of diagnosed disabilities include ADHD, learning disabilities, and medical/psychological disabilities.
- Review the Office of Disability Services (ODS) documentation guidelines online.
- Locate their most recent documentation.
- Fill out the JMU Accommodate application online and include relevant paperwork.
- Within 15 business days, ODS will schedule a meeting to discuss accommodations with them.
- ODS will discuss the process for using approved accommodations. They will need to request that Accommodation Letters be sent to their professors every semester.
Let’s chat
"How will you remind yourself each semester to request that your Accommodation Letters be sent to your new professors?"
The Counseling Center services, including psychiatric services, offered at JMU are short-term in nature.
If they currently receive services from a mental health provider, create a plan for how they’d like to continue.
- Consider these options:
- Continue through telehealth.
- Establish care with a Harrisonburg area provider.
If you would like to discuss your student’s situation with a clinician, please schedule a Counseling Connections meeting.
Let’s chat
"Where will you seek kelp if you begin to feel overwhelmed or find yourself in a mental health crisis?"
- Management of specialized conditions
- There are local providers who can support the specialized needs of your student (physical therapy, substance use treatment, etc.) Given the increased wait times for most providers, we encourage you and your student to establish any needed care before they arrive at JMU.
- Management of chronic health and/or mental health conditions.
- Prescriptions for controlled substances (e.g. ADD/ADHD medications, narcotic pain relievers, etc.)
- Encourage your student to utilize available resources and to ask for support when it comes to their health and well-being.
- Prepare each other for the upcoming changes related to their privacy information. For example, personal health information they share with JMU staff is confidential and cannot be shared with parents/guardians without explicit student permission.
- Encourage your student to consistently check their JMU email. Communication with JMU staff regarding accommodations, appointments and more will be shared via their @dukes.jmu.edu email address.
- Explore the benefits of Well Dukes Coaching, a one-on-one conversation to help your student identify and reach their personal well-being goals.