<p>I live in Georgia, and am really attracted to JMU. When my mother and I went to visit, our hearts sank when we heard that freshmen were not allowed to have cars. So I was wondering, how do the students that live far away get home?</p>
<p>I know they have that board with people who are giving, and need rides, but how efficient is that?</p>
<p>okay anyone? </p>
<p>& really, how is the dorm life? Is it really not a struggle gettinga shower and going to the bathroom in the morning? I have heard that is it not a problem several times, but I am dubious by nature.</p>
<p>There are plenty of schools that don't allow freshmen to have cars, and yet I see tons of freshmen driving around. This rule is almost impossible to enforce. Ever heard of a Greyhound bus. There's a cheap way to get home.</p>
<p>check out collegetransit dot com. They have a charter bus that will take you to the BWI airport on most breaks (not the 3 day fall break). Also you can get take the home ride bus to a train station, ride the train for two stops. There is an airport shuttle that takes you to Dulles. I think this is inconvenient, and my son has never tried it. Basically, there are lots of rides available from students with cars. Unfortunately, uvaguy, the greyhound bus stop near JMU closed (used to be one a mile away), and so did the terminal at Dulles (I assume that it has not reopened).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jmu.edu/parents/student_travel.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.jmu.edu/parents/student_travel.shtml</a> </p>
<p>Above is the link on the JMU website about transportation. There are phone numbers to call for further information.</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman, we live in Florida, and it is a problem. The bus to the Dulles airport area doesn't go to the airport, but nearby. Also, I'm not sure what would happen if there were flight delays to Dulles (or BWI) and she missed the bus on her return. So far, she has relied heavily on her roommates' family (we are very grateful). So it is looking like she'll have a car by next year, just to be on the safe side.</p>
<p>I teach at JMU. The lack of a bus from Harrisonburg to DC airports is a HUGE downer.... This is the first school I have worked at or attended where there wasn't some form of public transportation to get to the nearest airport or train station... but, most students seem to find rides to points north. On Facebook there is a "rideboard"... I know that whenever I am driving north I email students I have in classes to see if anyone is looking for a ride, and I am always happy to drop students at a station that would help them get home.</p>
<p>MANY of the students at JMU have cars. So, even if your child does not, (s)he most likely will be able to find a ride.</p>
<p>It is rather strange though that a large university about 2hrs. to DC doesn't have more public transportation options to DC. I think it must be a testament to the number of students with cars.</p>
<p>KatMt, reaching out to students by email to offer a ride, is so kind. This is what I love about JMU. My son is a current student there. If it were not for Collegetransit, there would have been times that we would have had to drive a long way to pick him up. For our family it would require taking time off from work, and a hotel stay. So far, he has found transportation (student rides or Collegetransit), but he has had to talk to professors at times when his transportation left before his last class! Professors have all been very understanding and have excused him.</p>
<p>fladad, I have thought about the situation you described. I inquired about this, and I was told by another parent that Homeride is really designed for instate students. I think that there should be a few smaller shuttles for those with delayed flights. Nearly 30% of students are from out of state. Is your daughter enjoying her freshman year?</p>
<p>My daughter seems to be really enjoying freshman year, and adapting well. One of JMU's real strengths is the first year transition - she has had great support from advising, fellow students, academic support.</p>
<p>Her first trip home (and only, so far) matched our fears, but in reverse... she was delayed leaving Dulles so long that she missed all connecting flights to Florida, and spent the night in the Atlanta airport. I think she handled it well, but it reminds me what a struggle it would be if that happened coming into Dulles - what happens then?</p>
<p>fladad, I had the same concerns. At the time my son was first considering JMU, it was through CC that I conversed with a mother whose D who was an upperclassman at JMU. She told me that if she knew the transportation problems, her D would not have attended. They were from Vermont. Fladad, I did investigate taxis and limos from the airport, just in case my son needed to fly home on a weekend when most people were on campus. The cost is just prohibitive! Frankly, this is the only thing that I find unsettling about JMU. I know that my son has a couple of very good friends, and that if there were a family emergency they would drive 4 hours (2 hours each way) to Dulles if really necessary, but I still don't like the situation. We don't have the situation that your D has, because my son has access to Collegetransit (private coach bus), and if he is not getting a ride from another student he can use that rather than flying home.</p>