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Students on social media

Students at the James Madison University International Study Center are very active on social media - making frequent posts on Facebook, uploading videos on YouTube and writing a blog about their experiences adapting to American culture, improving their English, interacting with the teachers, and living on campus.

Meet students on social media!

Campus Facts

  • Size of campus: 696 acres
  • Setting: small city (population 44,015)
  • Total campus buildings: 111
    - Academic/Administrative: 62
    - Support facilities: 15
    - Student housing: 34
  • Popular places: Quad; Taylor Down Under; Recreation Center; East Campus Library; Festival Student Center
  • Special facilities: herbarium, university farm, planetarium, arboretum, mineral museum, Science on a Sphere
  • Student population: 19,434
  • Undergraduate students living on campus: 36%
  • Housing options: coed dorms (86%), sorority housing (4%), single apartments (1%), other (9%)
  • University colors: Purple and Gold
  • Varsity sports offered: 18
  • Athletics: NCAA Division 1

Student life at James Madison University

Student life centers around the University campus. Impressive in both scale and facilities, the campus is one of the most scenic in the USA, offering mountain views east and west - yet is only 2 hours from Washington, DC.

The campus began in 1909 with two buildings. Today, the university campus covers nearly 700 acres of Shenandoah Valley and includes more than 100 buildings. Student life on campus is enhanced by extensive academic and social facilities, modern residences, a clean environment and well-kept lawns, plants and flowers.

Campus facilities

Many facilities, such as the Health Center and Library, are home to the excellent academic resources and student support services offered to James Madison University students.

University Recreation Center buildingUniversity Recreation Center (UREC)
The facility has a swimming pool, an indoor track, weight rooms, cardio exercise equipment, basketball courts, racquetball courts, and aerobics studios. Recreation activities, fitness classes and outdoor adventure trips are offered by UREC.

Grafton-Stovall Theater
The University Program Board shows weekly movies in Grafton-Stovall. Usually there are two different movies showing at various times during the week. Read about other entertainment and events on campus.

Wilson Hall
Wilson Hall, completed in 1931, was named after President Woodrow Wilson. It houses an auditorium with seating for 1,372.

The Quad
The Quad is a large grassy area in front of Wilson Hall. It is the heartbeat of campus, surrounded by historic Bluestone buildings, and retains a welcoming atmosphere where you can relax with your new friends. It is also a wireless access point.Arboretum on JMU's campus

Arboretum
The Edith Johnson Carrier Arboretum offers a world of natural beauty, serenity and winding trails. An outdoor living classroom for all students, its forested slopes and pond provide a unique habitat for a wide diversity of flora and fauna.

Women's Resource Center
The Center sponsors programs and events to support and raise awareness for women's issues. It encourages all women and men to participate in the various activities planned throughout the year.

Bridgeforth Stadium
Bridgeforth American Football Stadium has over 13,000 permanent seats. In 2004, the facility added a new scoreboard with video features. Read more about JMU's impressive sport facilities and athletic teams.

Festival Conference Center - drum buildingFestival Conference and Student Center
The Festival Conference and Student Center is a multipurpose facility that provides a wide array of services. The center integrates conference and meeting space, dining and convenience store operations, recreational and programming space and University information into one facility.

Bookstore
The JMU Bookstore is 28,100 square feet on two floors. You can purchase textbooks and course materials,  books, clothing, school supplies and gifts, as well as computer systems, software and peripherals at special contract pricing.

Art venues
New Image Gallery: regional, national, and international contemporary photography
ArtWorks: student-run gallery, exhibiting work by undergraduate and graduate students.
Sawhill Gallery: professional gallery featuring changing exhibitions of international, national, and regional significance.
Latimer-Schaeffer Theater: venue for the performing arts.
Sculpture Invitational: outdoor sculpture garden.

Campus security

JMU employs a number of security measures to protect the members of its community. A professionally trained and supervised police force, closely screened and well-trained residence staff, and the students themselves all share in the responsibility of making the campus a safe place to study and live.

The JMU Police Department publishes annual crime reports which are available for review by the JMU community. Campus security is enhanced by 24-hour foot & vehicle patrols, a late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephone number, lighted pathways & sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled Resident Hall access.

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