http://www.jmu.edu/continuingeducation/

http://www.jmu.edu/commencement/Individual_Ceremonies.html

http://www.jmu.edu/commencement/Streaming.html

http://www.jmu.edu/commencement/VideoOrderForm.html

http://www.jmu.edu/commencement/ParkingMap.html

http://www.jmu.edu/

http://www.jmu.edu/commencement/

http://www.jmu.edu/commencement/Inclement_Plan_May.html

http://www.jmu.edu/commencement/

http://www.jmu.edu/

http://www.jmu.edu/commencement/

http://www.jmu.edu/commencement/

James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Parents Newsletter Spring 08 - Index

Learning
for a
lifetime
What makes the Madison
Experience unique? JMU not
only offers opportunities for
students to learn and grow, but
also provides excellent learning
opportunities for parents.
The JMU Office of Outreach
Programs offers credit and
noncredit programs as well as
targeted one-time courses, certificate
programs and complete
degree programs through a
classroom or distance-learning
environment. The mission
of Outreach Programs is to
extend the resources of JMU
beyond the campus and to
provide innovative, quality
educational experiences to
those seeking personal and
professional development. If
you desire to further your own
education while your student
does the same, look to Outreach
Programs.
For a complete list of available
courses and for additional
information, visit the Outreach
Programs’ Web site at
www.jmu.edu/outreach.
Outreach Programs
MSC 6906
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
(540) 568-4523
6 FAMILY CONNECTION
THE JMU PARENTS’
Guide to
commencement
Commencement is a momentous event in
the lives of graduates, and their families and
friends. In preparing for this significant milestone,
it is imperative that you be kept up to
date with any new development. With that in mind and
with commencement 2008 approaching, we hope this
special section will answer any questions you may have.
When and where will commencement 2008
take place? On Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 8 a.m., all
graduating students must be on campus and in Bridgeforth
Stadium in the processional line. The main commencement
ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m.
At the main commencement ceremony, all JMU
students will graduate as one group. However, later
in the day at the college commencement ceremonies
each graduate will also be individually recognized.
College ceremonies will begin at approximately
11:30 a.m. at various on-campus locations. View the
list of locations at www.jmu.edu/commencement/
Individual_Ceremonies.html.
What time should family and friends arrive?
Please arrive early. Bridgeforth Stadium will quickly fill
to its capacity of 12,000. For those who have difficulties
with stairways and those who simply find it more convenient,
JMU provides alternative locations — the College
Center Ballroom, the Convocation Center, Godwin
Hall and Wilson Hall — where the commencement
ceremony is broadcast live via large-screen projection.
If I am unable to attend commencement, will
there be other viewing options? Yes. On Saturday
May 3, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. JMU video streaming
of the commencement ceremony will be available at
www.jmu.edu/commencement/Streaming.html.
Follow directions as posted on the site.
How many people can I invite to attend the
commencement ceremony? Will they need
tickets to attend? JMU’s philosophy of inclusiveness
— known as “all together one” — extends throughout
the student’s college years and beyond. In keeping with
that philosophy, there are no restrictions to the number
of invitations graduates can extend to attend commencement.
Tickets are not required.
How long is the commencement ceremony?
The main ceremony lasts about two hours; individual
college ceremonies last about one hour.
Do those who are graduating sit in alphabetical
order? No. Graduates line up with fellow
graduates from their colleges. Each graduate is given
an index card with his or her name printed on it. The
graduate then hands the card to the person announcing
the graduates as they pass across the stage.
Will the commencement ceremony be videotaped?
Yes, the main ceremony and the college
ceremonies will be videotaped. For ordering information,
please visit www.jmu.edu/commencement/
VideoOrderForm.html.
Will graduates receive their diplomas at the
commencement ceremony? No. Diplomas will be
mailed to the graduate’s home address about four weeks
after the commencement ceremony.
Will parking be available for the commencement
ceremonies? Most parking lots at JMU are
open to graduation guests on Spring Commencement
day. Special parking is available for vehicles with
Department of Motor Vehicles issued handicapped
license plates or permits. Handicapped parking and
seating for guests in wheelchairs will be available at all
locations. Please inform the office of Madison Institutes
of any other special needs of disabled persons.
For a complete listing of parking for commencement,
please visit www jmu.edu/commencement/Parking
Map.html.
In the event of inclement weather, will the
main commencement ceremony still take
place? The main ceremony will be cancelled only in the
event of extreme weather conditions. When university
officials determine that weather conditions make it more
desirable to hold college ceremonies indoors, then all college
ceremonies will move to an alternative schedule.
Announcements initiating the inclement weather plan
will be made no earlier than 6:30 a.m. on the day of commencement
and could occur as late as during the main
ceremony. When or if a decision is made to alter the day’s
schedule, the announcement will be posted at www jmu.
edu, the main commencement Web site at www.jmu.
edu/commencement, on the phone-in message line
(540) 433-5300, Radio 1610 AM, area radio and television
stations, and at the main ceremony when necessary.
More information on the Inclement
Weather Plan may be found at
www.jmu.edu/commencement/
Inclement_Plan.May.html.
For more information please call (540)
568-1644 or log on to www.jmu.edu/
commencement. M