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Benefits Bulletin

March 2026

Welcome to the Benefits Bulletin!

Our goal with this monthly newsletter is to communicate benefit changes and keep you up-to-date and informed on approaching deadlines.

Holiday Reminder

Friday, March 20, 2026, is a university holiday.  Click here to view all of the 2026 holidays and university closings.  For questions concerning university holidays and closings contact Reagan Neese, Senior Benefits Specialist, at neeserw@jmu.edu or 540/568-3974.

March's Featured Benefit

This month's featured benefit is...

Virginia Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program

Did you know the Virginia Department of Treasury has a division dedicated to help you find unclaimed money? The Unclaimed Property Division is a state division which receives funds and property turned over by various companies when they lose track of the rightful owners. The division works hard to get these unclaimed monies back to the citizens of Virginia. So, do you have money waiting for you?! Find out at www.vamoneysearch.org.

2026 Modified Summer Work Schedule Announcement

President Jim and senior leaders are pleased to announce a modified summer work schedule for James Madison University for the summer of 2026.  

  • The university’s 2026 modified summer work schedule begins Monday, May 18 and ends on Friday, August 14.
  • University hours of business operation will be 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday.
  • University hours of business operation will be 8:00 a.m. – noon Friday.
  • Departments and supervisors will determine customer service expectations, and employees may work an adjusted schedule after noon on Fridays.
  • Full-time employees must account for a 40-hour workweek or use leave to make up the difference. Not doing so may jeopardize the university’s ability to provide the benefit of a modified summer work schedule.
  • Full-time employee work schedules will need to be adjusted during the week of Memorial Day to account for the eight-hour holiday. For the weeks of Juneteenth and Independence Day holidays, work schedules will need to be adjusted to accommodate the four-hour holiday on Friday (June 19 and July 3). The workweek (taking designated holiday hours into account) must equal 40 hours. See Holiday Schedule and University Closings.
  • All leave requests are subject to supervisor approval.
  • With supervisor approval, alternate work schedules that meet the 40-hour workweek are acceptable, and employees may work past noon on Fridays to fulfill their 40-hour workweek requirement.

  Please direct your modified summer work schedule questions to Reagan Neese, Senior Benefits Specialist, neeserw@jmu.edu, 540/568-3974. Also see Modified Summer Work Schedule Frequently Asked Questions. JMU strives for flexibility in scheduling, work-life balance and integration, and employee satisfaction.  

Important Changes to DHRM Policy 4.35 - Leave Share

Effective February 27, 2026, the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) has adopted and published significant changes to the Leave Share Policy applicable to classified employees.   The policy can be reviewed in its entirety here. For questions concerning leave share or the policy changes contact Reagan Neese, Senior Benefits Specialist, at neeserw@jmu.edu or 540/568-3974.

Blood Drive

Sign up HERE!

Step it Up Campaign

Find more information HERE!

Need to Talk with an Expert?

Community Connected Care through Anthem

COVA Care and COVA HDHP Members: The Department of Human Resource Management, Office of Health Benefits, would like you to know about a new resource that Anthem is providing to its members. Your well-being isn’t just about healthcare – Anthem can help in more ways. Community Connected Care is Your Advocate for Support If you are in need, Anthem’s Community Connected Care program can connect you to resources and information to address the things that impact your health. Anthem works to help its members who need it most. This is why your health plan now gives you access GroundGame.Health, Anthem's Community Connected Care program, that includes a trained network of local community-based care coordinators, who can help you access resources close to you. The care coordinators live in your community and can connect you to nearby resources to help with family matters and other physical and mental health concerns such as:

  • Housing insecurity
  • Transportation challenges
  • Access to food
  • Concerns about money
  • Social isolation
  • Caregiving support
  • Medical and medication costs
  • Behavioral health needs

GroundGame.Health is here to help connect COVA Care and COVA HDHP members to the support they need to live their healthiest lives. A Care Coordinator from GroundGame.Health may contact you to assess your needs then serve as your advocate, connecting you to nearby services and organizations in your community that can provide the most effective support. Your participation in the program is completely voluntary and confidential. Do You Need Support? It’s Free, it’s Easy, and it’s Discreet. Contact your Anthem Health Guide at 1-800-552-2682 or visit groundgame.health/anthem to learn more and connect with someone who can help. A care coordinator will assess your situation, help you to find care and follow up to make sure you have the support and solutions you need.

Upcoming Benefits Training: Unlock the Power of Your Health Insurance Lunch & Learn

The JMU Benefits Team is hosting a virtual Lunch & Learn about unlocking the full power of your health insurance plans on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM   Did you know your health insurance plan includes far more than doctor visits and prescriptions? From wellness perks to built-in support programs, your benefits are designed to help you thrive — and we want to make sure you know how to take full advantage of everything available to you.   During this session, you’ll discover:

  • Perks and programs included in your health insurance
  • Tools and resources that can save you time, money, and stress
  • How to tap into wellness benefits you may not even know you have

  Whether you’re new to JMU benefits or simply want to make sure you're getting the most out of your coverage, this session is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss.   Use this link to sign up!   If you have any questions, please reach out to the Benefits Team at benefits@jmu.edu.

Upcoming Benefits Training: Tuition Waiver Lunch & Learn

Did you know that as a JMU employee, you may be eligible to have tuition waived for classes you take at JMU? Join us over Zoom to learn about this awesome benefit to employees and come with any questions you may have! This lunch and learn is perfect for anyone who has questions about what the Tuition Waiver Program is and how to use it. Monday, April 6, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Sign up here!!

Upcoming Benefits Training: Retirement 101 - Understanding Your VRS Retirement (HR1212)

Are you contemplating retirement? Have you set a retirement date? What do you do next? What benefits will you receive? What is the timing on paperwork?

Come to Retirement 101 and learn the answers to all these questions and more! Learn about your retirement options through the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), discuss the impact on benefits when you retire, and learn how myVRS and Human Resources can aid in retirement planning. Tuesday, February 24, 2026 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Webinars

Save the Date - Employee Appreciation Day

Thursday, May 21, 2026

February's Duke2Duke Nominees

Duke2Duke is our peer recognition program giving faculty and staff members an opportunity to show gratitude towards their peers and acknowledge their positive behaviors and actions.

We would like to recognize all of the outstanding employees/departments who were nominated for a Duke2Duke in February!

  • Megan Bell
  • Reilly Blanton
  • Sandy Brown
  • Jessica Brown
  • Red Comer
  • Seth Conley
  • Kenneth Coppola
  • Chris Crotty
  • Chris Dickerson
  • Tom Diehl
  • Dexter Eppard
  • Becca Evans
  • Craig Ganoe
  • Jason Geise
  • Jonathan Gillette
  • Jonathan Gordon
  • Donnie Green
  • Terry Grimm
  • Matilda Honeycutt
  • Addison Knicely
  • Derek Knott
  • Sarah LaFrance
  • Kelly Lam
  • Kevin Lessington
  • Hollis Loy
  • Brandon Lucas
  • Brian Naftel
  • Rebecca Plogger
  • Patrick Puffenbarger
  • Travis Ritchie
  • Scott Rose
  • Justin Roth
  • Joe Rudmin
  • Nathan Russell
  • April See
  • Asllan Shabani
  • Paul Sherman
  • Jennifer Sommers
  • Sam Squyars
  • Sarah Stallard
  • Lindsay Stebbins
  • John Stevens
  • Alexandra Stover
  • Steven Tennyson
  • Gracie Upton
  • Kirk Weaver
  • Tommy White
  • Tyler Williams
  • Jordan Williams
  • Jeremiah Young

Submit a Duke2Duke here!

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THANK YOU FOR READING!

This bulletin has been brought to you by the JMU Benefits Team. If you have any questions or would like to reach out to us, please give us a call at 540-568-3593, visit us on the web at www.jmu.edu/humanresources/benefits, or email us at benefits@jmu.edu. Look for the Live Chat on our website and reach one of us instantly!

Credits:

Created with images by Victoria Kondysenko - "Beautiful spring violet white and yellow flowers crocuses on bokeh background in sunny spring forest under sunbeams.,Holidays Easter, valentine, mothers day picture with copy space.,Toned." • MNStudio - "Ceramic dishes, tableware and jugs sold on Kaziuko muge or Kaziukas fair, traditional Easter market in Vilnius, Lithuania" • Dusan Kostic - "Bunch of ripe sour cherries hanging on a tree." • kozorog - "Lots of cute piglets on the walk.,Funny animals, portrait" • tonstock - "An underwater view reveals a cluster of sea plants swaying gently in the ocean currents.,AI Generated." • BrAt82 - "Teddy Bear toy on chair, typewriter, vintage gramophone, old books, radio, globe, binoculars, carnival mask, camera, fiddle on shelf, steering wheel, plane, travel backpack, bow.,Retro style photo" • SerPhoto - "Hands in rubber gloves with cleaning supplies banner with free space for text" • Judy - "A perfectly baked whole banana cream pie topped with fresh banana slices and chocolate shavings, ready for serving." • danielskyphoto - "Clover and little yellow flower" • Tanya - "Golden Retriever in the field with yellow flowers.,Beautiful dog with black eye Susans blooming.,Retriever at sunset in a field of flowers and golden light." • Mariusz Blach - "Flowering fruit tree branches with pink flowers in sunlight against dark background" • Olya Komarova - "A Polish Easter basket, called a święczonka, neatly arranged with traditional foods including painted eggs and rye bread, symbolizing Easter tranquility." • nolonely - "Salt popcorn on the wooden table" • Iftikhar alam - "Numerous lanterns fill the sky as they gracefully float through the air, creating a mesmerizing sight, Glowing lanterns floating in the sky during an Islamic festival night, AI Generated" • Kristen - "Cozy home interior decorated for spring" • YURIMA - "In a spring landscape, vibrant daffodils bask in the warm sunlight, capturing the essence of Easter and the spirit of new beginnings, filling the air with hope and promises of brighter days ahead" • Masson - "Beautiful meadow of snowdrops in a forest in march"