James Madison University - Campus

Campus

The campus of JMU originally consisted of two buildings, known today as Jackson and Maury Halls. Today, the campus of James Madison University has 111 major buildings on 712 acres (2.88 km2). The campus is divided into five parts: Bluestone, Hillside, Lakeside, Skyline, and the Village. The Skyline area is located on the east side of Interstate 81, while the Bluestone, Hillside, Lakeside, and Village areas of the campus are located on the west side. The two sides of campus are connected both by a bridge and a tunnel underneath the highway (Duke Dog Alley). Other unique features on the campus include Newman Lake, a 9.7-acre (39,000 m2) pond located in the Lake Area next to Greek Row and Sonner Hall, the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, and one set of railroad tracks passing directly through the campus.

The original portion of campus is situated on South Main Street and has, since the late 1990s, expanded east across the Interstate 81. The expansion included the addition of The College of Integrated Science and Technology (CISAT), the University Recreation Center (UREC), the Festival Conference and Student Center, the Leeolou Alumni Center, several residence halls, the Chemistry and Physics Building, which houses the chemistry department as well as the department of Physics and Astronomy, and athletic fields. The East Campus Library, completed in the August 2008, is one of the most recently added building to the east side of JMU's campus.

Several new construction projects on the campus of James Madison University have been included in Governor Tim Kaine's $1.65 billion higher education bond package. Governor Kaine's proposal designates more than $96 million for JMU projects. Among the projects included in the proposal are the construction of a new biotechnology building, Centennial Hall ($44.8 million) and the renovation and expansion of Duke Hall ($43.4 million). The proposal also includes $8.6 million as the final installment payment for Rockingham Memorial Hospital. Beginning in 2002 JMU began receiving state and private funding to construct a state of the art Performing Arts Complex. The facility is located opposite Wilson Hall on U.S. 11, and completes the Quad. It was named "The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts" in honor of Bruce and Lois Forbes who provided a gift of $5 million towards the project. The Forbes Center was built at a total cost exceeding of $92 million, and opened in June 2010 to house performances by the Schools of Theatre, Dance and Music, and the administrative offices of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Wilson Hall is the centerpiece of the University quadrangle. It contains an auditorium, administrative offices and, the Community Service Learning Office. The building's cupola has been featured on the university logo, letterhead, and other university stationery and postcards. Completed in 1931, the building was named after President Woodrow Wilson, who was born in nearby Staunton, Virginia

Bus service around campus and the city is provided by the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation.