James Madison University
EN-8: Employee Orientation

Faculty Welcome, organized by the JMU Center for Faculty Innovation, is held each August for all entering faculty members, and is open to all JMU faculty and staff. The Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World is among multiple units that participate annually in the Faculty Welcome. ISNW staff are present at a resource fair to interact with faculty and disseminate information regarding instructional resources (e.g., Science On a Sphere and sustainability learning outcomes), research opportunities (i.e., access to data and facilities for research project and travel funding for conference presentations), and other campus offices that address sustainability (e.g., Facilities Management Sustainability and Community Engagement and Volunteer Center).

Connections Day, hosted by JMU Human Resources, is designed to build community and engage new employees at all levels and classification in learning more about the university and its mission. The program includes interactive presentations, activities, and discussions designed to:

• Strengthen their connection to the JMU community by meeting and networking with new colleagues from across the university

• Gain an understanding of the university’s mission, values and strategic plan and how employees contribute to JMU’s vision of becoming the national model of the engaged university

• Discover JMU’s history and how it influences our campus culture

• Hear about resources that support their career development

• Learn about campus activities, discounts, benefits and services available to them as a JMU employee

These half-day events are held at least four times a year for new faculty and staff. New employees are strongly encouraged to attend this event.

The ISNW is one of multiple units that participate in a resource fair. ISNW staff interact with new employees to discuss campus environmental stewardship and sustainability. Other units participating in the resource fair include the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, a woodland sanctuary on the James Madison University campus, and a public urban garden and forested greenspace that preserves native plant species, provides opportunities for research, and promotes knowledge of the botanical and natural world for people of all ages, and the Community Engagement and Volunteer Center, which connects students and faculty with meaningful, community-based experiences to co-create just and sustainable communities. The agenda for the half-day event also includes remarks from the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Engagement.

Sustainability information is also included in the Classified Staff Handbook, which is provided to every new classified staff employee: https://www.jmu.edu/humanresources/handbooks/classified-staff/classified-handbook.pdf

Information related to Faculty Welcome and Connections Day updated by Amanda Bodle on January 11, 2024. ISNW participation in Faculty Welcome and Connections Day as described applies to AY 2022, 23 and 24. Activities confirmed as current at time of submission.