James Madison University (JMU) is a public research university founded in 1908 and located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It was named in honor of former President James Madison and uses the tagline “Being the Change.” with the motto “Knowledge is Liberty”. Let’s start with Is James Madison University Liberal?
According to a JMU poll taken on the political beliefs of the campus as a whole, approximately 28% of the students are liberal, 4% are progressive or very liberal and a majority of 37% are moderate in their beliefs.
What Is The Political Scene At James Madison University?
The political scene at James Madison University is predominantly liberal as compared to its conservative counterpart. The student body consists of 28% liberals and 4% progressive/ very liberal students while only 7% are conservatives.
This contrast becomes quite evident during election season. There have been reports of political discourse as a result of clashes between liberals and conservatives. Conservatives reported feeling silenced, berated, and outcasted because of their political stances. In contrast to this, a survey showed that the majority of students are friendly, polite, and chill.
The president of JMU, Jonathan Alder released a statement regarding this issue urging scholars in the University to follow JMU’s Policy 1121 which states that the University’s encouragement of civic discourse does not invite uncivil manners of engagement in civic discussions.
What Clubs Are Available At James Madison University?
JMU offers a variety of clubs and organizations to choose from which further broaden your opportunities, increase your experience and give you exposure. With its “Be Involved” tagline, JMU offers over 450 clubs and organizations to choose from. These include:
- Acapella Group
- Community Service Teams
- Cultural Groups
- Special Interest Groups and much more.
These clubs and organizations provide the chance to bond and meet new people having similar interests and goals. JMU is also big on serving the community. The Community Service Teams are a great opportunity for students to volunteer and give back to the community. It is reported that more than 100 local nonprofits are supported by student volunteers annually.
There is a Center for Multicultural Student Services – home to 33 multicultural student organizations – which brings students from different backgrounds to share their stories, culture, and perspectives. This encourages a diverse community and unity in such diversity.
How Much Is The Tuition At James Madison University?
JMU structures its fees differently for undergraduate and graduate courses. The University also offers different scholarships and financial aid to help students with their financial situation and award hard workers.
For undergraduate courses, fees are taken on a per-year basis:
- For In-State Tuition, fees are $23,952.
- For Out-of-State Tuition, fees are $40,878.
For graduate courses, fees are taken on a per credit hour basis:
- For In-State Tuition, fees are $513/ credit.
- For Out-of-State Tuition, fees are $1,231/ credit.
Fortunately, JMU partnered up with reliable organizations to grant scholars tuition insurance from Allianz Global Assistance as part of a tuition protection plan which is essentially an extension of their refund policy. This helps protect your major investments in higher education.
What Is The Student Life Like At James Madison University?
The JMU campus has a beautiful campus that has many different features such as the Spirit Rock, and The Quad. Taking advantage of this, the University hosts several events such as Game Day for the student body.
Aside from the various clubs and organizations, JMU has a well-established fraternity and sorority involving over 4000 students. This not only expands social relationships and connections but also helps students with exposure to a plethora of networking opportunities.
JMU offers 25 residence halls with facilities and amenities that are nothing short of being good and durable. Students are given the option of living and learning with other students that have similar goals, interests, and ambitions. A Housing Recommendation request can also be sent by students with disabilities or requiring medical assistance.
Conclusion
James Madison University or JMU is a great option for students in Virginia. It is one of the leading universities encouraging, challenging, and supporting students to fulfill their potential during their time at JMU. Politically, the student body definitely leans more to the liberal side but is not limited to a singular perspective or view.
FAQs
- What GPA do you need to get into James Madison University?
James Madison University has a GPA requirement of 3.55 which is a rather average GPA requirement.
- Is James Madison University an Ivy League?
James Madison University is not an Ivy League school, however, it offers great opportunities and is growing in academics every year.
- What is James Madison University known for?
Not only is it named after a former US president, but it also honors education, respect, and integrity with great BA programs and business courses.
- What is the ranking of James Madison University nationally?
In the 2022 edition of the Best Regional Universities in South, James Madison University’s ranking came out on top at #3.