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MADISON 101FALL 2016 STUDENT AND

PARENT GUIDE

Meet the Class of 2020 on page 14

PLUS JMU Jargon / An Ode to D-Hall / Advice From Seniors

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You won’t bedaydreaming inthis class.

As the top university for short-term study abroad programs, the variety of options offered by James Madison University is endless. Through more than 75 programs across 50 countries, JMU students gain increased self-confidence, new insights and perspectives on world cultures, and the opportunity to interact with people from all corners of the globe. A JMU study abroad experience is far from ordinary. A JMU study abroad experience broadens your horizons, enriches your life, and

opens the door to future.

Office of International Programs | James Madison University | 540 568 6419 | jmu.edu/international

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On the Cover

C O N T E N T SGuides

JMU JARGON

> Learn the lingo that makes campus uniquePAGE 6

FLEX

> Check out where to pay with your JACard off campus — and get the best deals

PAGES 8-9

BUS ETIQUETTE

> What is and isn’t acceptable when using Harrisonburg’s public transportation

PAGES 10-11

EAST vs. MAIN CAMPUS

> Pros and cons to both sides of I-81PAGES 22-23

DINING HALL HACKS

> How to make the most of your trip to E-HallPAGES 26-27

MAJOR PERKS

> Students’ favorite parts about their programs

PAGES 28-29

SENIOR ADVICE

> What students would tell their freshmen selves

PAGES 32-33

Features

STUDENT ESSENTIALS

> College is a time for changes, some of which are crucial to surviving on your own

PAGES 30-31

20 FROM ’20

> Meet students from the incoming classPAGES 14-15

PROFESSOR PROFILE

> Ojo Taylor’s passion goes far beyond teaching musicPAGES 12-13

COLLEGE IS RELATIVE

> Two sisters navigate college side-by-side — literallyPAGES 18-19

THE NEW UREC

> University Recreation has changes and improvements you won’t want to miss

PAGES 24-25

ALUM Q&A

> Check in with 2002 musical theatre alumna Carole Jones

PAGES 34

> The cover was created by Kelsey Harding. It’s meant to represent the class of 2020 and was made using the pen tool in Adobe Illustrator.

12

GOODBYE D-HALL

> Recent grad reflects on the loss of his favorite dining hall

PAGE 20

OFF-CAMPUS LIVING

> There are many options for life outside the dorms

PAGE 16

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OUR STAFFASHLEIGH BALSAMOexecutive editor

RACHEL PETTYmanaging editor

ERIN WILLIAMSarticles and photo editor

KELSEY HARDINGcreative director

SAM VALENTINEmarketing director

BROOKE BORKOWSKIsocial media director

DANIEL WAREsenior editor

CATIE JOSEPHSONsenior editor

TORI RISSsenior editor, photographer

TIA DeVINCENZOphotographer

MEGAN RZEPKAvideographer

ERIKA BRENTvideographer

ContributorsDanielle Ruble <

Molly Jacob <Matt D’Angelo <

Mike Dolzer < Robyn Smith <

BRAD JENKINSadviser

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JMU JARGON

SSC

UPB

PC Dukes

Festi

Punch

Ashby

J-Maddy

ECL

Quannel

Duke Dog Alley

ICS

TDU

> The Student Success Center, which has study spaces as well as dining locations and student services. It’s located neat the Grace Street parking deck.

> University Program Board, an organization that hosts events for students, such as movie nights, concerts and comedy shows.

> Often referred to as “Dukes,” a dining location off the Quad.

> Short for Festival, a dining location, conference center and academic building.

> A combo meal at dining locations worth $7.

> The previous name of the off-campus apartment complex now named The Harrison.

> James Madison — the person or the statue.

> East Campus Library, the unofficial name for Rose Library.

> The tunnel connecting the Quad and the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts.

> The tunnel that goes under I-81, connecting East Campus to Main Campus.

> The Inner Campus Shuttle, a bus that runs strictly to on-campus locations.

> Taylor Down Under, which is located on the first floor of Taylor Hall and includes pool tables and seating to hang out, listen to live music and comedy shows, and even has an Auntie Anne’s Pretzels.

WORDS BY TORI RISS

Beginning your freshman year at a university can be intimidating. A new city, new friends and even a new bedroom all await incoming students before they’ve even gotten the chance to find their new classes. Fortunately for the class of 2020, JMU is known for its friendly students, who you’ll often see holding doors open for the person behind them, and they can help you find

your way. While there are many parts of campus life that you can prepare for ahead of time, there are others that come with time. As students become immersed in the campus culture, they’ll learn a language unique to the JMU community. It may take time before starting to incorporate the JMU slang into your own conversations, but here’s a list to get you feeling (and sounding) like a Duke.

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Enjoy Life at the Top with our conveniently located premier student housing! 865 East offers tenants the

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No Flex Zone

Anthony’s Campus Pizza Aroma Buffet & Grill Asian City

Buffalo Wild Wings Campus Cookies Chanello’s Pizza

Chili’s Grill & Bar China King Chipotle

Cinnamon Bear Bakery & Deli Domino’s Pizza El Charro

Firehouse Subs IHOP Little Caesars Pizza

Little Italy Pizza Macado’s McAlister’s Deli

O’Neill’s Grill Qdoba Sheetz

Subway Tropical Smoothie Tutti Gusti

Vito’s Italian Kitchen Which Wich?

A crucial aspect to surviving at JMU is wading through the multitude of off-campus dining options. JMU has fantastic on-campus dining facilities with some of the best food in the nation, but everyone

can get a hankering for something different now and then. Here’s a list of off-campus dining options that take FLEX, so your bank account can thank you as much as your rumbling stomach.

WORDS BY MATT D’ANGELO

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Best Italian:Tutti Gusti> Tutti Gusti is hands down the best off-campus Italian food you can buy with Flex. Arguably, it’s the best off-campus food option in general. With an expansive menu that ranges from items like chicken parm sandwiches (ask for vodka sauce if you’re looking to try something new) to pasta dinners and pizzas, Tutti Gusti has a lot of options at reasonable prices. Another advantage for you late-night munchers is that they deliver until 3 a.m. Tutti is the perfect motivator for a long night of studying. I highly recommend the buffalo chicken calzone as the ultimate late-night option.

Best Chinese:China King> I have to admit, I haven’t dabbled in the Chinese food here at JMU just yet, but popular opinion among my peers slaps China King at the top of the list. With late-night delivery times and a decent menu, China King may be the best option for you to get your Chinese food fix during the year. I hear the General Tso’s chicken is unbelievable.

Best snack:Campus Cookies> Campus Cookies is a great idea at really any time during the semester. They’re warm and fresh and they come right to your door. While they’re on the more expensive side, ordering these delicious cookies is definitely worth the price. Campus Cookies is also a great way to say “happy birthday,” “thank you” or to just let someone know you’re thinking of them. Campus Cookies gives you the option to gift your order and even asks for a personalized message to include with the cookies. This might be something you want to let your mother know about.

Honorable Mentions:

Macado’sMacado’s gets honorable mention mostly because of the distance from campus. As a freshman without a car, it’s hard to get out into the Harrisonburg community. If you somehow manage to get behind the wheel and are looking for somewhere to sit down and eat, Macado’s is your place. The menu has a lot of variety, and the atmosphere inside the restaurant is cool.

SheetzSheetz is an essential place. Barring the occasional Wawa experience, as a kid from the Northeast, I’ve never truly experienced made-to-order gas station food. It’s not healthy, but it sure is good. Much like Macado’s, Sheetz is a little ways from campus, but it’s a fantastic option for just about anything. Sheetz sells pretty much anything you can think of, and their made-to-order options are perfect for a late-night snack.

Matt’s picks

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let people off before you get on

BUSetiquette

WORDS BY RACHEL PETTYGRAPHIC BY KELSEY HARDING

2scan the QR code

> Download the Red Laser app to scan the code. If a bus is late, you’ll be able to tell whether or not you missed it.

1download the apps> You can find both apps on the App Store — the JMU Bus App will show all bus schedules, and the Transit App allows you to enter your start and end locations for the best late-night route.

> If you want to stand, don’t block a seat, and make sure you move to the back of the bus so there’s room for more people.

4 be mindful of those around you

> This way, you’ll avoid bumping into each other in the process.

3

The Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation has a great bus system that serves both JMU and the city of Harrisonburg. The best part? The buses are free for students. HDPT has a variety of routes that serve campus and the surrounding community. The Inner Campus Shuttle only runs through campus, from Festival to Memorial Hall (so you don’t have to worry about trekking all that way). The bus system can definitely be a bit intimidating at first, what with so many routes and so much going on. In order to have the best bus ride for you, fellow riders and the bus driver, we’ve come up with a list of “bus etiquette” that’ll help you look like a natural. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be a bus connoisseur in no time.

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take the shopper

> The “Shopper” route will take you to the Wal-Mart at Harrisonburg Crossing and the Valley Mall. This is convenient if you need to run errands but don’t have a car on campus.

8pull the cord> The cord is located on the side of the bus. Make sure to pull before the stop you want to get off at so the bus driver knows to stop. Pay attention and make sure you give the driver enough notice.

hold on> Falling onto people is super embarrassing, so the bars and handles help you keep your balance.

7use special routes> These routes make getting from one side of campus to the other a lot easier when the ICS is crowded. But if the bus is too crowded, don’t worry about not making it to class on time. Odds are that another one will come.

9

5> If you sit, only take up one seat. This is common sense, people.

6be considerate

10 always say “thank you”

> The bus drivers are there to help you, so show them your appreciation with a smile.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF OJO TAYLOR

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MEET OJO TAYLOR

Born and raised in the small town of Fullerton, California, musician and Associate Professor of Music Joseph Taylor took a leap of faith and moved to Harrisonburg about eight years ago to pursue a career in teaching. “I never planned on being a college professor,” says Taylor, a University of California, Los Angeles graduate. After graduating UCLA with a master of business administration, he served as the administrative director of the Da Camera Society, which produced chamber music concerts throughout Los Angeles in historic buildings. After 9/11, Taylor’s division of the Da Camera Society was sold, and he decided to go back to school to take some music classes. “I went back to school for the sheer love of music,” he says. “I re-fell in love with music all over again.” Taylor decided to work toward a master’s degree in music composition and music theory. “It took five years, but I didn’t care. It was for the love of music.” Right before graduation, Taylor’s professor suggested a position to teach about the business of music at California State University, Fullerton. Taylor told him he wasn’t a professor, but he gave it a try anyway, and really enjoyed it. When Taylor was ready to graduate with his master’s degree, his professor told him about an opening at JMU that sounded just right. “I don’t know what possessed me to send my resume over, since I only had two semesters of experience,” Taylor says. It turned out to be a good fit, as Taylor made his journey to Harrisonburg to take on teaching music classes. Taylor currently teaches a wide variety of classes including Music Industry, History of Rock, Song and Writing, Artist Management and Music Publishing, Marketing of Recording and more.

Known by “Ojo” to some of his students, Taylor says it’s a stage name that he has had since 1983, which was the first year it appeared on a record. “The name shows up that way in interviews and that kind of thing, and I think that just from poking around they found it and started calling me that,” Taylor says. “I certainly never told them to or encouraged it.” Taylor loves JMU, but finds living in Virginia challenging. “The culture options are just not there like they were in California, and the weather here is awful, and everything is far away,” Taylor says.

Taylor travels back and forth from California to JMU often, as he continues to produce records with the band he was in in high school. “I have loved music for as long as I can remember,” Taylor says. “In high school, a friend of mine asked if I would play in their band, and I said ‘sure’ … I didn’t know how to be in a band, but we are still together today.” His band is not able to play together very often anymore. “I think we’ve done three or four shows in the last 10 years and that’s it,” Taylor says. “It’s just too hard to get us all in the same place and rehearse for a show, which means

the show usually has to be a bigger festival or something along those lines.” A few years ago, Taylor’s band, Undercover, performed at SpaghettiFest, which is known as one of the great home-grown music festivals of the Shenandoah Valley. They’ve also rehearsed at JMU. Taylor has produced over 100 records ranging in genre from singer-songwriter, rap and hip-hop, gospel and R&B. Ten of the records produced are from his own band, Undercover. Currently, he’s working on a friend’s record and also does remixes. “I am trying to clear the deck to do another record for myself right now,” Taylor says. Taylor and his band have toured all over the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe. “There are aspects of going on tours that I miss,” Taylor says. “The different places and different countries. But I don’t miss living out of a suitcase and moving equipment. It takes a toll. It’s a hard life.” Taylor offers advice to those who want to enter the music industry. “I think people should pursue what they love,” Taylor says. “You cannot just pursue what you love and expect the money to show up. You have to pursue what you love and find a way to make it pay, and sometimes that might mean waiting on tables and playing some random gigs.” For someone who never saw himself as a teacher, Taylor has two favorite things about his job as a professor. “First, I get to talk about music all day everyday. That’s the selfish part,” Taylor says. “The other part is that I get to help students realize their musical vision, make a difference in their lives and their musical lives, and sometimes that’s most important.” Taylor also compares the rewards of doing a record versus being a teacher. “When you do a record, people buy it and then you get fan mail,” Taylor says. “But being a teacher, actually making a difference in someone’s life, is better. It’s more substantial than making records, and that’s pretty good.”

“I think people should pursue what they love.”

WORDS BY CATIE JOSEPHSON

Associate professor’s passion for music makes him more than your average educator

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We asked 20 freshmen to tell us something interesting about themselves

ABIGAIL SEARFROSSVirginia Beach, Virginia> I’ve been a vegetarian for five years and it’s undoubtedly the best decision I’ve ever made.

BLAIRE HOLMANCrewe, Virginia> In my room, I have to have everything organized and put in a certain way and I can always tell if something’s moved.

AMANDA PEARSONLeesburg, Virginia> I love Tervis cups.

IAN LINDSAYMechanicsville, Virginia> When my old laptop died, I ended up building my own small-factor desktop which I think looks pretty rad.

LAURA KEENEGainesville, Virginia> I’m a Virginia and nationally registered emergency medical technician.

ALEX LESLIECharlottesville, Virginia> I’m an intern at a local sports publication called Scrimmage Play and hope to one day work for The New York Times.

ERICA BLAINEHaymarket, Virginia> I went to four different elementary schools in five years, so I’m used to being the new kid and quickly making new friends.

TRAVIS MORGANStafford, Virginia> I’m an Eagle Scout.

20from20

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MEAGHAN SHIFFLETTHarrisonburg, Virginia> I’ll be the 12th member of my extended family to be a Duke.

DANIELLE MARIANOParsippany, New Jersey> I love heights and my dream is to go skydiving.

HARLEY MEADEManassas, Virginia> When I went on a cruise, I won a Harry Potter trivia contest.

JOSH BENSINKVirginia Beach, Virginia> I have an identical twin brother.

JACKIE BRUNERMcLean, Virginia> AP/BC Calculus is my favorite class.

MADDIE COUNSELFredericksburg, Virginia> I’ve been dancing for 13 years.

CAMERON PEARSONMechanicsville, Virginia> I’ve been a lifeguard for almost four years and am a lifeguard instructor.

RIPLEIGH HATFIELDGambrills, Maryland> I used to have a pet hedgehog.

LILY ELIASHanover, Virginia> My spirit animal is a sea turtle.

SOPHIE LeFEWAshburn, Virginia> I can move my belly-button in a circle.

TREVOR CANNELLAPoquoson, Virginia> I’ve had a lifelong dream of living in Switzerland.

CADENCE DELAHANTYCrofton, Maryland> I do aerial acrobatics.

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INFORMATION BY DANIELLE RUBLEGRAPHIC BY KELSEY HARDING

You may be living in a dorm now, but it’s never too early to start considering your living options for next year. Some students will choose to live on campus for a second year, while others will choose to move into an off-campus apartment. Before you know it, it’ll be time to sign apartment leases or on-campus housing contracts.

Moving into a new place can be

overwhelming, especially your very first apartment. There are lots of things to consider when choosing the best apartment for you. Location and pricing are two pretty influential factors that can help sway your decision.

We’ve highlighted them for you in a handy graphic below.

Happy apartment hunting!

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The sticker is displayed by a network of voluntarily trained faculty, staff, and students

who are committed to providing an atmosphere of acceptance and assistance for the LGBTQ

community here at JMU, as well as providing a space where you can feel comfortable coming and

being out, or sharing what’s on your mind.

Visit jmu.edu/safezone for more information

What can Safe Zone do for you?

18 | M101

COLLEGE ISTwo sisters lean on each other to survive their four-year journeys

relative

PHOTO BY ERIN WILLIAMS

M101 | 19

For many siblings, going to college means moving away from each other. But for two sisters, this move left them only one door apart. “It’s really nice being next-door neighbors because when my roommates are getting on each other’s nerves or anything like that I always go over to Meaghan’s or just stop by randomly,” Erin Kirby, a junior health sciences major, says. Even though both sisters go here now, they had different levels of excitement about attending JMU. “I had literally no idea where I was going to school, and for most of high school I said, ‘I’m not going to JMU because Mom went there,’” Meaghan Kirby, a 2016 health sciences graduate, says. She eventually had a change of heart and chose JMU over Virginia Tech. For Erin, the path to Dukedom was always clear. “I applied early and then I got in and that was the only place I applied to,” Erin says. “It was really the only school I ever thought about going to.” Erin and Meaghan’s family was also excited with the idea of the two attending the same college. “My mom was really happy that I wanted to go to JMU in the first place, but then also super happy that I got in because Meaghan

would be there,” Erin says. “Having family at JMU made it a lot easier of a transition for me.” The Kirby sisters’ relationship at college might even be better than their one at home. “Since we’d spent the two years while I was at college not living together, it was kind of like going back to being at home again where we were close to each other, but we weren’t going to be up each other’s butt like we are at home where we share a bathroom,” Meaghan says. “We can choose to not see each other if we don’t have to,” Erin says. Even though they do appreciate the space, they still utilize their proximity. “It’s actually kind of nice because we can just go do things every now and then and she stops by and eats cookies and things like that,” Meaghan says. The two have also helped each other through scarier times, such as when the light in Erin’s room was on after she thought she turned it off. “She got scared, ran out the door and ran to my house and made me come back with her to look that there were no murderers in her closet or behind the door,” Meaghan says. “Then she made me open all the closets in the whole apartment with her to

make sure that no one was hiding.” While Erin ended up being safe, the two are used to having each other around. The sisters separated only after Meaghan’s graduation in May, leaving Erin on her own at college for the first time. “It’s going to be sad,” Erin says. “It’s definitely going to be different, especially now too because she lives next door to me so I’m so used to just walking outside my apartment, taking 20 steps and then walking into hers if I needed anything.” Meaghan sarcastically suggests that Erin make more friends, but all jokes aside, the sisters share their advice about college life with siblings. “Utilize the fact that you have family here,” Erin says. “It’s a nice source of comfort in the midst of all the stress of school.” Meaghan agrees that family is something to be thankful for. “Realize that you can hang out and not hate each other,” she says. “It’s good practice moving forward, because once you’re both adults and move out of your own house with your family, you’re going to be in a similar situation where you’re not going to be spending all this time together, but it’s a good opportunity to spend time that you want to together.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERIN KIRBY

WORDS BY MIKE DOLZER

20 | M101

GOODBYED-HALL

Recent grad bids farewell to his favorite on-campus dining facility

In May, when the summer sun warmed the streets of campus and graduation caps were stored away, JMU said goodbye to an old friend. JMU Dining Services’ motherly figure, Gibbons Hall, more commonly known as D-Hall, stands no more.

No, I won’t miss the ridiculously long stairs leading to the front door, the blasting music or the tiny windows inside, but nearly every other aspect of D-Hall holds some sentimental value for me. It was a comforting, warm place to eat alone on a cold night. It was the best place to chow down with my entire hall freshman year or to catch up with an old friend I hadn’t seen all semester.

I’ll miss the food. Even though most of the D-Hall classics will be preserved, I’m moving on after graduation in May. D-Hall’s many delicacies will be out of my reach. My sorrow in losing D-Hall, however, is much deeper than a mere dish of bread pudding could ever hope to be.

D-Hall saw me at my finest. It saw me with my girlfriend before she knew I thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world. It saw me with the guys who’d become my best friends. Every time I stormed in for a huge post-workout meal, D-Hall was there. Many of my favorite memories took place over a slice of pizza or a made-to-order wrap from Miss Kathy.

D-Hall has also seen me at my lowest. Once, I foolishly thought I could consume three bowls of buffalo mash and be able to function the rest of the night. One time, on unlimited pancake night, I ate so many pancakes I threw them right back up. D-Hall was even there after I bombed my 8 a.m. PSYC 101 test and needed comfort food. If D-Hall’s walls could talk, I can’t imagine the stories they’d tell about my college career alone.

I’m not saying Market One and Chik-fil-A aren’t amazing places to eat. They’re special and will be missed in their own ways. But only D-Hall has the huge staircase nobody uses and the obnoxiously loud emergency alarm that goes off when some freshman tries to open it. Only D-Hall has macaroni and cheese pizza, buffalo mash and the Shenandoah sandwich.

When the doors finally close and the demolition crew arrives, on-campus dining will live on. A new D-Hall will arrive and students will be fed. Incoming freshmen, however, will never know the D-Hall of old. I’m happy that I got to experience D-Hall’s final years, but I pity a world in which Dukes don’t know the joys of D-Hall.

There’ll be a shiny new structure with new food and new students, but there’ll never be another D-Hall. Thank you, old friend. You won’t be forgotten.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DANIEL STEIN

WORDS BY SAM VALENTINE

M101 | 21

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22 | M101

East vs.Main

I like East Campus better because there’s E-Hall and there’s a great view of the mountains. Also, ISAT stairs is where to be for a sunset.

Mel Bataille, ‘17Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

I like Main Campus better because of the Quad. It’s homier and you feel like you belong with all the people around you on the Quad, and it’s prettier.Brittney Hess, ‘16Communications

I like Main because it’s less windy and warmer and Student Success Center is on Main Campus.

Katie Jones, ‘17Communications

As a freshman, I really loved Main Campus. Everything was pretty close together and I felt like I had access to everything I needed. Now that I’m an upperclassmen and can drive, I’d rather go to ECL than Carrier.Dani Rabinowitz, ‘16Anthropology

Walking from Forbes tunnel and seeing Wilson in the early light of the morning inspires me.

Hailey Swedo, ‘16 Communications

Main because of Student Success Center — I love Dunkin’.

Erin Schaeffer, ‘17 Communications

East Campus has always been a favorite because I have all my classes there, it’s easy to get around and the food is much better.

Erin Lustbader, ‘16 Communication Sciences and Disorders

JMU has two beautiful parts to its campus, East and Main. Both are areas where students can be found spending a majority of their time, and each comes with its own pros and cons.

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Most people like to live on Main Campus over East because of the central location. It’s super close to walk to, close to bus stops, close to places to eat [and] close to the bookstore.

Cover Heishman,Village Area Director

I liked to live in The Village when I was a freshman because I was in the middle of everything — and it’s close to East and Main Campus and was a great living situation.

Kelsey McMahon, ‘16 Secondary Education

Main Campus because everything is there — like SSC, Starbucks, Dunkin’ and more food options. And the Quad is awesome on nice days.

Madi Price, ‘16Marketing

I’ve always liked Main Campus better because it gives off the typical college campus feel with its old buildings and active lifestyle with all of the dorms around. Everything felt like a small home to me and I still enjoy it more today because it makes me appreciate the beauty and atmosphere around our school.

Danielle Czark, ‘16Hospitality Management

I like Main Campus because Wilson is the prettiest building and you can see it everywhere.

Hayley Fox, 16Communications

As a freshman, I personally prefer East Campus over Main Campus. I enjoy the atmosphere on the skyline and I think it is the nicest part of campus.

Chandler Emberlin, ‘19International Business

I like East Campus over Main Campus. Main Campus feels old and East Campus is new.

Matt Hill, ‘19Engineering

I think I like Main Campus over East Campus. I really like the en-vironment of the Quad and I think it’s the best part of campus.

James Schaeffer, ‘19Accounting

I like Main Campus. The Student Success Center was the deciding factor for me.Will Griffin, ‘16International Business

GRAPHICS BY KELSEY HARDING

24 | M101

Before a recent expansion, University Recreation was more of a wreck than anything else.

“You almost have to go at the crack of dawn or else you won’t get to use the weights you want,” Alexis Haas says. “And upstairs will be so crowded that you’ll have to wait for everything.”

Haas, a 2016 communication studies graduate, has experienced the overcrowding problems at UREC during her four years at JMU. One time, she walked out because she didn’t want to wait about 30 minutes for a cardio machine to open up.

When UREC was built in 1996, it was designed to support a student body of 12,500 and just 2,200 students per day. Now, JMU has 20,000 students and UREC sees about 4,500 students on its busiest days, says UREC Director Eric Nickel.

“Almost immediately, it became apparent that something had to be done to fix the overcrowding problem,” Nickel says.

According to Nickel, the national rate of gym usage on college campuses is between 60 and 70 percent but JMU’s is close to 90 percent, and plans for expansion were put into motion about 10 years ago.

To find out what students wanted in the expansion, UREC did three things.

First, the UREC staff collected comment cards, which students have been filling out and submitting for nearly 20 years.

Second, architects emailed surveys to all students and faculty in 2012.

“We asked them not only what they wanted in the new facility, but also what time they would use it so we could find out what the peak demand would be, which we found to be between 3 and 9 p.m,” Nickel says.

Lastly, they conducted focus groups of students and individuals who didn’t use the building and asked what they wanted.

The new facility, which students and social media accounts dubbed “NewREC,” features a weight room and cardio space two-and-a-half times larger than the existing areas. This space is visible to passers-by even during construction on the Convocation Center side. It’s one large room, connected by a staircase and featuring a 34-foot ceiling with giant fans to allow for better air circulation.

Nickel attributed the poor circulation in the old facility to low ceilings.

“When it gets crowded in there it gets really hot and uncomfortable because the air doesn’t go anywhere,” Nickel says.

There’s still some skepticism among students about how well the expansion will fix overcrowding.

“I don’t work out much at UREC right now because of how crowded it is all the time,” says Nick Yore, a senior marketing major. “But if the expansion solves the crowding problems, then I’ll for sure go more often.”

Another complaint about the old weight room was that there wasn’t enough equipment to go around.

To fix that problem, NewREC substantially increased

the number and variety of spaces, areas and equipment available to students. There are now three squat racks, three half racks and three open platforms, not to mention anywhere from 150 to 160 cardio machines — up from the 55 it used to have.

The weight room has 10 flat benches, four incline benches, two decline benches, 20 free benches and a brand new set of dumbbells. Any existing equipment that was more than a year old has been replaced.

“We’ll still have our busy times, but we won’t need sign-ups for people waiting on machines,” says Holly Bailey, UREC’s assistant director for fitness and wellness. “We tried to provide stuff that wouldn’t become unpopular in the coming years so that nothing will become unused or wasted space.”

The wide variety of new “stuff ” includes a dedicated boxing training area, kettlebells, battle ropes and monkey bars. Everything on the cardio deck in the tri-level workout space will also have its own TV, not to mention wall-mounted TVs in the free weight exercise area.

There are six new group exercise studios for cycling classes, yoga, stretching and other general uses.

It also has two “super multi-activity center gym and court” spaces with two regulation basketball and volleyball courts in each, with goals built into the wall for indoor soccer. Along with this there’s a special events gym featuring two basketball and volleyball courts, a batting cage and floor hockey goals.

NewREC also features a one-sixth of a mile track in addition to the old one-tenth of a mile track.

The new pool is a few degrees warmer than the old pool and will have a jetted fitness channel in the shape of a “U.” The channel offers students the ability to swim and walk against the current as a form of resistance training. The bottom of the pool features the outlines of a court that can be used for pool basketball.

The new hot tub is four times bigger than the old and is accentuated by a natural rock look with a waterfall.

NewREC uses natural light as much as possible. For example, weight room and cardio areas will have south and west facing windows from the floor to ceiling.

Some of the areas in the existing UREC have been renovated. The first-floor weight room, for example, will become a demonstration kitchen.

“You can’t really deal with fitness effectively without dealing with nutrition,” Nickel says. “The idea of product substitution and healthier ingredients is something we’re really excited about the ability to be able to teach.”

Also, where the old basketball courts were has been replaced by the new Adventure Center with rock climbing walls, a bicycle repair center and the outdoor equipment checkout room.

According to Nickel, the combined expansion and renovation is designed to support a student body of 25,000, a number he doesn’t expect JMU to reach for another decade.

NewREC and all its renovations will open in the fall as freshmen move on campus.

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THE NEWUREC

WORDS BY DANIEL WAREPHOTO COURTESY OF CONNOR WOISARD

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3 4

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E-HALLhacks

1> Ask the people behind the dessert counter for a few scoops of your favorite ice cream (I recommend vanilla). Head over to the salad bar and grab the dispenser of olive oil that should be near the other dressings. Pour a few drizzles of olive oil on your ice cream (people may look at you a little strangely, but trust me). Walk on over to where the cereal dispensers are and pour cereal of your choice into your bowl. I tried Trix and Cocoa Puffs, but Rice Krispies would work even better. The olive oil blends nicely with the ice cream, making it smoother and creamier. And if you’ve never tried mixing cereal and ice cream together, you’re missing out.

Olive you, ice cream

2> Yes, you can buy actual Bagel Bites at the P.O.D. Express adjacent to E-Hall, but you might be low on Dining Dollars and who wants to eat food out of a dorm microwave, anyway? Toast a bagel in E-Hall’s toaster (both the bagels and the toaster are to the right of the dessert bar). Once your bagel is warm and crispy, head to the pasta bar and ask the person working behind the station for a little bowl of marinara sauce. Spread the sauce on the bagel with a knife and sprinkle shredded cheese from the salad bar on top.

E-Hall pizza bagel

3> Grab an apple or whatever fruit is available that day and cut it up into small pieces. In a bowl, mix the fruit pieces with brown sugar (found at the baked potato station) and granola (found at the salad bar near the yogurt). Head to the dessert bar and get a few scoops of vanilla ice cream. Spoon the fruit mix on top of the ice cream, and voilà! You’ve made your own fruit cobbler.

Easy fruit “cobbler”

4> I often get overwhelmed by all the dessert options available at E-Hall, so I found the perfect solution: combine them all into one super dessert. Take two cookies (the carnival cookies are my favorite, but peanut butter or chocolate chip cookies work just as well) and place them upside down on a plate. Grab the squeeze bottle of caramel sauce found at the toppings station and squeeze just a little bit of sauce onto the bottom of both cookies, making a circular shape. Take a scoop of ice cream, place it on one cookie and create a sandwich by putting the other cookie on top.

Caramel cookie sandwich

Buffalo mash. Peanut butter pie. Grilled cheese Thursday. Say any of these phrases to a Duke and their mouth will probably water. While JMU has incredible campus food (as of 2016, we’re ranked No. 6 for best food in the country by The Princeton Review), eating at the same few places for breakfast, lunch and dinner can get tiring.

That’s why I decided to revisit E-Hall, my absolute favorite place to eat on campus, to try out some original recipes. I’ve personally tried out and enjoyed all of these recipes, so bear with me if they get a little strange. Your E-Hall trips will never be the same if you try out these food concoctions.

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY MOLLY JACOB

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MY favorite PART ABOUT MY MAJOR IS...

Krista Smith, ‘17Nursing

“My favorite part about being a nursing major is knowing that what I’m doing will make a difference. I know that everything I learn I’ll actually use when I get out into the workforce. Nursing and taking care of others in need is my passion and what I live for.”

Matthew Thomas, ‘17

“My favorite part about being a finance major is learning the flow of money and how it grows through time. And it’s cool to learn how almost anything can be traded as a security.”

Abubakr Osman, ‘17Geographic Science

“My favorite part about GIS is it allows for data to be displayed and understood easier on maps. I just really like maps.”

Drew Dembek, ‘17Hospitality Management

“My favorite things about being a hospitality management major are the connections I’ve made with the faculty, the stress on experimental learning and the different ways to get involved through a variety of organizations. The professors are approachable and I’ve gone to them for career advice, class questions or just to catch up. By extending myself, I’ve made great connections and have gotten involved in an organization in which I now hold a leadership position. I’ve learned that the Hart School provides awesome opportunities to succeed if the student takes that first step.”

JMU has a variety of majors, each unique in their own way. To give a better picture of the various programs

JMU has to offer, we asked students in different majors what their favorite part about them is.

Finance

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Moira Ragen, ‘16Dance

“Being a dance major and completing the Virginia Teacher Licensure started out with the idea that I enjoyed dance and I thought it would be fun. As I went through the two tracks, I realized that I felt more than enjoyment — I felt a love and passion for what I was doing.

Josh Dunn, ‘16Anthropology

“I chose anthropology because I love history, but I wanted to be more hands-on. This is why I’m concentrating in archaeology — to discover something amazing and make a name for myself. It can be as fun as in the movies if you make it.”

Madelynn Danhires, ‘17Integrated Science and Technology

“I love everything about ISAT. What isn’t there to love? It’s all about looking at the world as a whole and systems thinking, making sure you consider everything involved before making a decision to ensure success in what you do. This idea of caring for everyone and everything is a trend throughout the ISAT department, which brings me to what I really love, the people I’m surrounded by. It’s a relatively small major, so we’re all pretty close and we get a kick out of helping each other out. Not only are my classmates awesome, but so are my professors. I can talk to almost every one of them as a friend or mentor, whatever I need, which just makes ISAT feel that much more like home. But what really tops it all off is that view of the mountains from the third floor patio on a nice sunny day.”

Laura Mack, ‘16Media Arts and Design

“I chose to major in media arts and design because I knew I wanted a career within the media, but I wasn’t sure what exactly I wanted it to be. SMAD has allowed me to explore a multitude of options in this field, giving me a breadth of skills applicable to design, video, web, journalism and communications. However, within my integrated advertising and corporate communication concentration, I was able to more specifically hone my skills in public relations and advertising. Between my choice of electives, major courses and concentration courses, I’m a stronger job candidate because of my hands-on experience with a variety of media-related projects. SMAD has never left me bored with its engaging course selection, so I’m thankful for that.”

Degree Programs Offered

76 Undergraduate

38 Master’s

2 Educational Specialists

8 Doctoral

124 TOTALINFORMATION COURTESY OF JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY

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StudentessentialsWORDS BY CATIE JOSEPHSON

GRAPHIC BY KELSEY HARDING

The transition to college comes with many changes and responsibilities

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While college is a place to educate students in both major and general education courses, it also forces students to learn new things they were never responsible for while living at home. “I personally feel that I have matured greatly since going away to college,” sophomore media arts and design major Emily Alwell says. “At home, it is really easy to rely on your parents to make you doctor’s appointments or do your laundry, but while at JMU, the only one who is going to take care of you is yourself.” Several students, like Alwell, experience a rude awakening while transitioning to life at college. At home, many children are dependent on their parents to cook meals, do laundry, keep them on schedule and take care of them. Tasks like having dinner cooked for you are missed and suddenly appreciated when away at school.

JMU has a variety of great meal choices, with both healthy and unhealthy options. Students may have a difficult time finding a balance between both options and may not be able to refrain from always choosing the unhealthy ones. “I didn’t realize that my mom practically decided what I ate on a day-to-day basis while at home because she always made nutritious dinners and bought groceries,” Alwell says. “But at school, I needed to adjust myself to making smart meal choices.” While growing up, many children have to follow chore schedules to teach them how to keep their environment clean and tidy. They may receive rewards or punishments depending on what they do or don’t do. At school, students have the option to choose whether or not they want to keep a clean room with no rewards or punishments. “In September, I came to the realization that I would not have the helping hand of my mom to clean my room, which lead me to become a much more organized person,” Alwell says. Another adjustment students face upon entering college is setting their

own priorities and following their own schedules. They have to make sure they wake up for class, do their homework and complete their responsibilities without a parent or guardian in the background telling them to do it all. “At home, my mom really was the one

who kept track of my busy schedule and always made sure I was on top of everything and made sure I was always where I needed to be,” Laura McKechnie, a sophomore kinesiology major, says. “So coming to school, I really had to plan out and look at my schedule week by week to know where I had time in my schedule to do what had to be done.”

Other students face a problem with transitioning to the new way college classrooms function. There are different expectations, techniques and styles of teaching that students must adjust to or figure out alternative ways to help themselves. “I know I’m more of a visual learner, so I go to the CrashCourse channel on YouTube when trying to study for history,” sophomore theater major Kira Gavalakis says. “It is a lot of pictures and diagrams and it helps me way more than my

professor does.” Sometimes students don’t instantly bond with their roommates and floormates. Dorm life can be difficult for students, as they have to learn to adjust to sharing such close quarters with other people. It’s important for students to know how to cope with these issues if they occur. “I just like to stay completely open and honest with people about things, before I start to get passive aggressive,” Gavalakis says. While living at home, people are rarely faced with situations where they find themselves lost or confused on where to go. Most of the time, they have someone else to follow, so learning how to follow directions is not very necessary. Rachel Sonnenberg, a 2016 psychology graduate, reflects on the first time she had to find her way to class as a freshman with only her “mappy” there to guide her. “I started highlighting routes but they were all wrong. I even ended up climbing up that hill by the mulch by TDU because I didn’t see where the staircase was on the map,” Sonnenberg says. “I couldn’t find it and was already late for class, so I swallowed my pride and asked someone to help me.” Learning to take care of daily responsibilities at school isn’t the only adjustment students experience. They also have to become comfortable with the fast-paced college environment. “I thought people in Manhattan walked around frantic,” Sonnenberg says. “But in between classes on the Quad, it’s just a free-for-all.” Overall, there are a variety of obstacles students are faced with while adjusting to college, but students should remember they aren’t alone. Chances are the majority of freshmen are trying to make the same transition from dependent to independent living. Yet still, it’ll probably take four years to get used to a life of adulthood and hopefully students will be close to it by graduation.

“At JMU, the only one who is going to take care of you is yourself.”

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SENIOR ADVICE Adventure awaits the class of 2020. Each year, new students begin their unique James Madison experience, but as for what actually makes that experience, many things will stay the same.

After four years at this institution, the class of 2016 offers up their most valuable advice to incoming freshmen in hopes of helping the newest Dukes achieve an unforgettable four years.

“Call your parents. They have incredible insight when you feel like you’re losing it.”

Rebecca MignoneKinesiology

“Classwork is important, but so are the relationships you form, so don’t spend all your spare time in the library.Meet new people and enjoy the whole experience!”

Nicole FoxPsychology

“It’s OK to have no idea what you’re doing. If you take advantage of every opportunity and enjoy the little things, you will soon look back and realize that you are exactly where you are meant to be.”

Olivia DeFilippoNursing

“Go out of your comfort zone every chance you possibly can. It will help you meet other people and you’ll grow into a stronger individual!”

Meghan EversonHealth Sciences

“Say yes to every opportunity! You never know when you’ll have the chance to say yes again.”

Alex FoleyMedia Arts and Design

“The incoming class shouldn’t worry about having to make big changes in their majors. If they aren’t happy or something doesn’t go right, it’s not a reason to stress.”

Keith BishopInternational Affairs

“It’s OK to not know what you want to do after college and it’s OK to change your major two, five or eight times! It’s OK to not know which boy you want to date just yet. It’s OK to be stuck between eating a salad at Festival so you fit into that dress tonight or stuffing your face at E-Hall because you were in class for five straight hours and deserve it. It’s OK to have no idea how to find your class in Memorial Hall and ask someone because I have yet to encounter someone unwilling to help me out. Because it’s your freshman year, and you have three more years to figure it all out.”

Steph HaydenBiology

“Say yes to the things that you know will challenge you. Everyone has the potential to be your friend, so don’t be afraid to start a conversation with a stranger. Do one thing a day that scares you.”

Shelby MatyusMedia Arts and Design

“My advice would be to not just coast through classes counting down the days to break or to the weekend or whatever. It becomes really easy to just think about your classes or your career whenever you’re in that environment, but you really need to take time out of the rest of your days to sort yourself out. Do a lot of soul-searching. Finding out what you want to do for the rest of your life takes more time than a couple classes. Never become complacent and always re-evaluate your reasons for taking the path you chose.”

Mark HilliardBiology

“Get involved, as cliché as it sounds. Find a club, organization … anything that gives you a social group and adds to your academic workload. Being a part of something makes college a hell of a lot better.”

Gustavo SanchezInternational Business

“Get involved immediately. College can be intimidating at first, but JMU has so many different people and so many organizations that you are bound to find the group that you connect with and having friends by your side will make your freshman year even better.”

Elizabeth Van Tol Economics

What would you tell your

freshman self?

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Q&A WITH BROADWAY ACTRESS CAROLE JONES> CLASS OF 2002

Carole Jones left three weeks before she was supposed to graduate from JMU for Orlando, Florida, to work as a performer at Disney World. From there, her career has only gone up. While Jones, a 2002 musical theatre alumna, eventually received her diploma from JMU later in the fall after taking all of her final exams, she stayed with Disney for about two years before moving to New York City, where she’s lived for the past three years. Two national tours later (for “Mamma Mia” and “The Book of Mormon”), Jones, 36, currently performs eight shows a week as part of the mainstage cast of “Mormon.” I was lucky to chat with her over the phone while she was at dinner with her fiancé, a musician whom she met while on tour, at an upscale French restaurant in Manhattan.

You got your first professional acting job at Disney World while you were still a JMU student. What was it like working for Disney right out of college?

> It was a lot of fun. Of course, I was very young and very overwhelmed by everything. It was a great time, and I’m still very, very close to a lot of cast members I worked with when I was there.

What were some of the things you learned?

> Just a lot about how to maintain your voice throughout the week. You can’t just blow your voice in one show. You have to do all the shows that you’re scheduled to do in a week and make sure you don’t get sick or lose your voice or something like that. I also danced a lot when I was there.

Was it before or after you graduated?

> I was actually in the middle of graduating when I got the call to go to Disney. I maybe had three more weeks of school left, so I begged all of my teachers if they would give me my exams early so I could take them and then go … A lot of [my professors] were fine, some of them were like, ‘I haven’t even written my exam yet,’ … I took some of my exams during Homecoming.

Wait, what?

> Yeah. They allowed me to take an incomplete, and it wasn’t until after I had gotten all of my credits and taken all the exams that I actually got to graduate.

Did you ever get to walk across the stage?

> No, I never walked, which I was fine with because I actually got a job.

Where were you when the rest of your class was walking across the stage?

> I was living in Orlando; I had probably just started working. It was sad to not be with my class but at the same time I was like, ‘I’m just really happy that I got a job.’ So I’m OK, as long as I have that piece of paper that says, ‘You are a graduate,’ you know, I was OK.

What is your favorite part of performing?

> Just playing different characters, exploring those characters and becoming those characters. I love dancing, I love performing just for people, and watching the joy in their face.

After 10 years of living in New York, what have you learned?

> Oh, wow. There’s a lot of no’s that will come your way. New York will pick you up one day, and knock you down the next day. Only the strong survive. Two weeks into my Broadway run, I fell onstage and sprained my ankle really badly and was out for almost two months. You’ve got to roll with the punches. If this is what you want to do, you just got to let it knock you down and then get right back up again.

You’ve been to so many different places and played many different roles. What advice do you have for JMU students who are in the same shoes you were in 10 or 12 years ago?

> Learn everything that you need to learn about acting, music, the business. Learn about different unions that are out there, how you join them … Audition for regional gigs for the summer. Get that experience … and you don’t need to make millions of dollars now, you’re pretty young. So even if it’s a job that pays like, $200 a week, that’s really good for a college student, you know? And only come to New York when you feel like you’re ready, even if that’s 10 years from now. Broadway’s going to always be here, you’re going to always be talented, so there’s no rush … I always tell people to make sure that you’re ‘ready-ready’ for everything, the highs and the lows, because there’s probably going to be more lows than there are highs.

How do you know when you’re ready?

> If you’re prepared to be unemployed and eating nothing but Ramen, if you’re prepared to book an amazing show and then it closes and then you’re unemployed for three years. It’s stuff like that — you have to be ready for the things that could happen at any time. You can’t come here saying, ‘I’m going to be a star,’ because I mean, it’s a great thought but it doesn’t always happen that way.

WORDS BY ROBYN SMITH

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROLE JONES

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Located in the Student Success Centerjmu.edu/healthcenter

(540) 568-6178

Be Well Stay Well Do Well

UTILITIES INCLUDED!

all utilities included!

11A South Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 438-3322 harrisonburgmill.com

voted best off campus housing @ JMu!largest living areas – Most parking – upgraded cable/wifi 2016/17

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J M U . E D U / R E C R E A T I O N

@ J M U U R E C

A N O U T D O O R F A C I L I T Y

also visit us at upark!

Mot iva t ing Ma d ison

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Weight, Fitness, & Cardio Spaces, 6 Group Exercise Studios, Meditation Room, Wellness Center, 3 Multi-Activity Centers, 2 Indoor Tracks, Fitness/Instructional Pools & Spa, Outdoor Courtyard,

Climbing Wall, Adventure Center, Demonstration Kitchen, Raquetball/Squash Courts, and more!

at the new and improved urec

Disc Golf Course, Sand Volleyball Courts, Turf Fields,Basketball Courts, Tennis Courts, Lawn, Pavilion, and more!