[CSPA Program | Housing | Dining | Financial | Health | Other]
CSPA Program
Q: Do I need to register for my first semester classes?
A: No. You will be pre-registered for your fall semester classes later in the summer. You will get a letter in early August with information about your class schedule. You will be responsible for registering for future semesters.
Q: Should I buy textbooks for my classes?
A: When you receive details of your class schedule in the mail you will then know the course numbers for your classes. At that point you can visit http://shop.efollett.com/htmlroot/storehome/jamesmadisonuniversity712.html to look up each class and find the books you need. However, you can also wait until you're on campus to get your books. When you arrive, all textbooks will be sold from the Phillips Center ballroom (located in grid C-3 of a JMU map, enter from the Warren/Taylor red patio). Textbooks will not be sold in the JMU Bookstore, but general school supplies will be.
Q: When is the orientation for the CSPA program?
A: CSPA Orientation will be held on Friday, August 16th from approximately 8:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Orientation will take place in HHS Room 1208 until 4pm, at which point we will adjourn for a reception in HHS 0014. You will receive further information towards the end of the summer. Residence Hall Directors will need to arrive prior to this date for Residence Life training; the Office of Residence Life will notify you with these details. Those who are not hall directors should coordinate with your assistantship supervisor as to when you should arrive and begin to work.
Q: When do classes start? When does JMU have break? When are exams?
A:The 2002-2003 Academic Calendar is as follows:
Housing
Q: I want to live off campus. Where should I start?
A: There is plenty of housing available for student rental in Harrisonburg. Make sure you do your homework and don't rush into signing a lease.
Q: I have questions about my lease and what I need to take into consideration while living in my own place. Is there someone I can talk to?
A: Off Campus Life is the place to go for a lease review, help with roommate conflicts, current housing listings and general information about life off campus. They have student coordinators who can answer most of your questions or direct you to who can. They can be reached at 540-568-6071 or on the web at http://web.jmu.edu/ocl.
Q: I'm going to be a Hall Director- what kind of furniture will be provided in my apartment?
A: Most Hall Director apartments include: 1 queen-size bed, 1 desk, 1 desk chair, 2 bookcases, 1 couch, 2 armchairs, 1 kitchen table, and 4 kitchen chairs.
Q: Who do I contact to get utilities connected at my residence?
A: First contact your landlord to determine whether they have preexisting service or a preferred company. Contact information is as follows:
Q: How do I get Internet access at my residence?
A: Whether you're living on or off campus, you'll need to pick up a "Campus Net" CD from the Computing Help Desk in Frye room 102. This disk gives you the Norton Anti-Virus program, as well as Mulberry, which is JMU's email program.
Dining
Q: Can I get a meal plan?
A: Whether you're living on or off campus, you can purchase a meal plan through JMU. Meal plans range from 3 meals/week to 19 meals/week. The number of meals on campus you'll need per week is largely dependent on your schedule. There are also debit balance accounts that can be set up in conjunction with a meal plan or by themselves. One of these is FLEX, which is a declining balance account that can be used for dining, vending machines, copiers, paying fines, purchases at the bookstore or the on-campus convenience store. A DINING DOLLARS account is similar but can only be used at dining facilities and gives a 5% discount whenever you use it. Dining Services will send you information about your options over the summer, or you can check out their website at http://www.jmu.edu/dining. Once you decide what you want to do, you can visit Card Services on the 3rd floor Warren to purchase a meal plan or to put money in a Flex or Dining Dollars account.
Q: What are the dining options on campus?
A: There are a lot of options, and the food here is great! Some of the dining facilities at JMU include:
Financial
Q: Where do most JMU students do their banking?
A: CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union is the on-campus bank for students. There are two ATM's near the center of campus, and they now have an off-campus branch as well. People usually have very positive experiences with this bank, so perhaps you want to open up a checking/savings account with them for two years- feel free to check out their website at http://www.cofcu.org/. You can also open an account with any of the local banks in the area. Banks in Harrisonburg include:
Q: What do I need to do to make sure that I get paid for the first pay period?
A: Make sure that the graduate school has an official copy of your Spring semester transcript and call Payroll (540-568-3717) to see if there are any holds on your record during the first few weeks of school.
Health
Q: What do I need to do to receive health services on campus?
A: Get a physical while you're at home and have your family physician fill out the health record form at http://www.jmu.edu/healthctr/healthrcd02-03.pdf. You'll need to return it to the University Health Center at MSC 7901, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 by August (disregard the June 3rd deadline on the form- that's for undergraduate students). If you don't do this before you come, you'll have to get a physical somewhere in Harrisonburg before you can use the Health Center, which can be a big inconvenience.
Q: Where do JMU students go to work out?
A: UREC, the University Recreation Center. Facilities include a rock climbing wall, basketball courts, racquetball courts, an indoor track, outdoor playing fields, volleyball courts, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, weight-lifting equipment, fitness machines, massage studios, and exercise studios. Students can use UREC free of charge.
Q: Does JMU offer student health insurance?
A: Yes, and health insurance is something you might want to look into. Some insurance companies will no longer support you on your parents' plan because you'll only be taking 9 credit hours. For graduate work at JMU, 9 credit hours is full-time enrollment, but some insurance companies only consider 12 credit hours full-time enrollment. So, if you end up needing to find health insurance while you're in graduate school, one option is through JMU. To have an packet mailed to you from the JMU Health Center, call Dede Downin at 540-568-6177.
Other
Q: Are there moving or storage companies in Harrisonburg?
A: Yes, feel free to contact any of the following businesses.
Q: What do I need to do once I arrive on campus?
A: Go to Warren Hall and take care of the following:
Q: What do I need to do if I'm bringing a car or a bike to campus?
A: You'll have to register your car or bike if you bring them on to campus. If you bring a car, you will need to purchase a parking sticker, whether you are a resident or commuter. Registration and parking stickers can be obtained from Parking Services on the main level of the parking deck near the football field. Keep in mind that commuting to campus is a fairly difficult task. There is a lack of parking availability and an overabundance of students with cars. It is possible to drive to campus every day; however, the availability of spaces is dependent on the time and day of the week. You will only be guaranteed a parking space if you're a hall director, in which case you'll have a space next to your building. The cost of a parking sticker is $140 per year. For more details, contact the parking office (540-568-3300) or go to the Parking Services website at http://www.jmu.edu/parking. If you're not bringing a car, don't fear, you will have plenty of classmates who will be willing to give you a ride or you can ride the Harrisonburg/JMU buses free of charge- find out more at http://www.hdpt.com/transitbus.htm.
Q: Should I switch my driver's license, license plates, and auto insurance to Virginia?
A: Definitely consider it! Insurance rates are often much lower in Harrisonburg than where you may be coming from. Or, if you don't want to change all of those details, you could probably work with your insurance company to get lower rates. Many companies will modify the price for your policy if you let them know the "garage address" where your car will be for 3/4 of the year. That can bring your insurance rates down considerably dependant upon the area where you currently live.
