JMU’s Future is GreenBy: Alexis Groves

“Faster, faster, almost done,” she thought to herself.Sweat trickled down her face as she watched the clock count down.“Five, four, three…,” her heart raced as her legs slowly let up.“Done! 200 calories burned, 30min 20secs total time, 55 watts accumulated,” she read.“Wait, watts? Watts for what?” she contemplated.

Like most JMU students, Sophomore Felicia Gonzalez routinely goes to UREC for a quick workout to start off her day. However, UREC’s ellipticals provide a little more for the JMU community than just a simple way to burn calories. This year, JMU’s UREC facility installed 11 ellipiticals that help generate electricity for the building while they are being used. “I use the ellipticals every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but never knew that my workouts helped generate electricity,” said Gonzalez.

According to the manufacturer, ReRev, the ellipticals produce kinetic energy, which is converted into a direct current. This is then sent to a machine in UREC that converts the current into an alternating current — the form of electricity used in buildings.

There is a monitor on each of the 11 ellipticals that adds up the watts of electricity produced from each workout.

ReRev, a “Renewable Energy Revolution,” is a company based in Florida, but supplies its high-tech equipment to gyms, clubs and schools across the country. Statistics show that one-hour on an elliptical produces somewhere between 50 to 100 watt hours of electricity. In other words, this produces enough electricity to use a laptop for about an hour or a hairdryer for 6 minutes.

According to Michael Hyland of ABC’s WHSV3, JMU is the first school in Virginia to use these machines on its campus. Even though most students are still unaware of the ellipticals’ capabilities, those who know think they are positive additions to JMU’s green effort. UREC Member Services Manager Senior Jameson Hall stated, “I had no idea the ellipticals produced electricity. I think it’s a great idea because people are using them anyway, so it’s just like killing two birds with one stone.”

The JMU Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World is happy with the environmental and monetary changes the ellipiticals have initiated. According to the Executive Director, Christie-Joy Brodrick, these new ellipticals save UREC money because they replace energy that would have otherwise been purchased.

JMU’s goal for the 2009-10 academic year is to accumulate up to 1600 kilowatt hours of electricity.

Chappelear for Half the YearBy: Alexis Groves

Alarm goes off. It’s 9:30a.m. Katie Anderson has a long day ahead of her. Her schedule consists of three classes, two meals with friends, papers to write, and a night shift to work from 8p.m. to 12a.m.

Anderson is a sophomore Resident Adviser (R.A.) in James Madison University’s Village residence hall, Chappelear. However, her story isn’t a typical R.A.’s story. Last semester, Anderson lived in Converse Hall with a roommate, new friends, and had an R.A. of her own. Over winter break, she received a call asking if she was still interested in being an R.A. and before she knew it, she was moving into a completely new surrounding as if it were the first day of school all over again.

The Office of Residence Life receives an abundant number of R.A. applications each semester. Whether it is because the position includes free room and board, a room to oneself, or the ability to live on campus, the Office of Residence Life continuously has a wide selection of applicants to choose from. Applications are always kept on file just in case there are situations like this one, in which the previous R.A. in Chappelear chose to leave halfway through the academic year.

“There is an alternate pool of R.A. applicants who were either not hired the first time around because there wasn’t enough room or because they applied late,” said Jenny Mantz, Administrative Assistant of the Office of Residence Life.

Anderson was one of the applicants who chose to apply late because she was originally unsure whether or not the job was right for her.

“I had thought about it before but I never did anything. So one day in November, I just went down to the Office of Residence Life and told them I was interested in becoming an R.A. for next semester, if any spaces were available,” said Anderson.

However, once she accepted the offer, she knew she made the right decision. Although she may have been a little nervous at first, Anderson began to feel right at home with Chappelear’s open and welcoming arms. This was a big change for Anderson because she not only had to adjust from a hall-style dorm to a suite-style one, but she also had to start building relationships with her fellow residents for a second time.

“I absolutely adore her. She’s a sweetheart, really nice, peppy, outgoing, and always happy,” said suitemate sophomore Jordan Tignor. “If she is there, her door is always open,” added suitemate sophomore Lauren Bunch.

A resident adviser is a job that keeps students on their toes. Anderson has had faces and names to memorize, bulletin boards to make, community programs to plan, and

a variety of shifts to work. An R.A. can only take four day off per month and must remain at school the rest of the time. Furthermore, R.A.s must check and inspect their residents’ rooms before they are able to leave for Thanksgiving, winter, and spring break.

Since Anderson became an R.A. mid-year, she did not experience any of the summer training that other R.A.s had. The Chappelear Hall Director, Josh Vargas, took the liberty of introducing Anderson to the other Chappelear R.A.s, hosted meetings, and gave her the basic 411 of what the job entails.

“Katie has been great to work with. She is a great addition to our program and she definitely has a love for her job,” added sophomore R.A. Alicia Hesse.

Although it is a job that consists of responsibilities and a time commitment, R.A.s often participate in other leisure activities as well. Anderson enjoys playing the bassoon and is an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI), which is a professional women’s music fraternity. In addition, she is part of the Double Reeds club, which is a club for JMU students who play either the bassoon or oboe.

Most residents fear their R.A.s until they simply take the time to get to know them. The Office of Residence Life provides R.A.s at JMU valuable resources and information to give to their residents. For instance, they have contact information for the First Year Involvement (FYI) writing center and other places for homework help.

“I want to be able to be there for my residents if they ever need anything at all,” said Anderson.

Unfortunately, Anderson will be living off campus next year since she signed her lease in October, before she became an R.A. However, she is almost positive that she will reapply for the job her senior year.

Turning to Other Weekend Dining OptionsBy: Alexis Groves

If you’re used to getting breakfast or weekend lunch at Festival, think again. The dining location is no longer open seven days a week. Instead it closes at 2:30p.m. on Fridays and reopens at 3p.m. on Sundays. Dinner hours are also shorter, ending at 7 p.m. during the week.

Students have mixed feelings about this news, since Festival is known for providing a quick meal to take home.

On weekend mornings, some students prefer a quick breakfast or lunch from Festival so they can start on their homework or run any weekend errands.

Since this is no longer an option, Stephanie Hoshower, director of Dining Services, suggests East Campus’ other offerings.

“For students in a hurry, grab ‘n’ go breakfasts are available at two nearby Java City locations in Festival and East Campus Library,” Hoshower said.

Junior Spencer Combs has changed his strategy for this year.” Now that Festival is closed on Saturday, I probably wouldn’t eat breakfast on campus, I would eat off,” Combs said.

While many students are happy eating JMU’s newest East Campus attraction, Dolley’s (or E-hall), instead of Festival, some are not as satisfied.

“There’s not many places to eat on campus during the weekends, and now our choices are that much more limited,” sophomore Brittany Abbott said.

But what about those students who go out on Friday nights and are looking for a bite to eat when they return to campus? In response, Skyline After Dark is coming soon and will take over the former location of Festival’s C-Store East.

Skyline After Dark will be a late-night option, serving pizza and smoothies, Hoshower said. Its hours have not yet been determined.

“It was nice to have another convenient store in that location,” Abbott said. “However, Skyline After Dark is a place I would definitely try.”

Whether these new hours for Festival are permanent is still up in the air. After this school year, Dining Services will reevaluate Festival’s hours of operation, as well as other dining locations, and try to correct any flaws, according to Hoshower.

Whole Foods Marketing Strategy

Consumer Product- Customers cannot only purchase various foods at Whole Foods stores; they can purchase Whole Body care products as well. One product in particular is Whole Body Premium Body Care soap.

Target Market- Whole Foods targets customers who are physically fit and have active lifestyles. These customers do not only care about what they put into their bodies, but they care about what they put on the outside of their bodies as well. Whole Foods provides healthy choices for people who want to always look and feel their best. Most importantly, Whole Foods is a perfect store for those customers who are looking for the “whole” package.

Product Strategy- Pure, naturally derived products Support health and well-being of customers Top-of-the-line Environmentally friendly

Pricing Strategy- Whole Body Premium Body Care soaps range from 5 to 10 dollars. Other retail stores sell cheaper soaps but they have a lower quality. Whole Foods sells products with fresh ingredients and no artificial preservatives.

Distribution- Whole Foods retail stores are dispersed throughout the United States. Whole Foods products are strictly sold through Whole Foods retail outlets.

Promotion Strategy- IMC= Integrated Marketing Communication Advertising= Health and fitness magazines, online ads Personal Selling= Whole Foods Employees Sampling= Product samples are displayed throughout

Whole Foods stores

argenTINApor: Alexis Groves

Tengo una nueva amiga, se llama TinaLa conocí este verano pasadoLos estudiantes y yo tuvimos una profesora, se llamaba VirginiaEntendimos sobre literatura y el famoso baile: el tango

Practiqué mi español en las calles de Buenos AiresDónde compré muchas cosas para mi familiaEn la noche fuimos a los clubs para los bailesPero en la mañana temprano tuvimos viajes con un guía

Comimos empanadas, alfajores, y mucha comida italianaEntonces caminamos tres cuadras al gimnasioVimos el partido cuando los Estados Unidos perdió contra GhanaY después preferimos a Argentina para ganarlo todo

Después de dos meses, tuvimos que regresar a casaEstaba triste porque fue una experiencia inimaginableExtraño a los nativos que vivieron en la residenciaPero pienso que otro viaje para visitar a Tina es posible

Un Mensaje Para MíBy: Alexis Groves

“El Recado” es un cuento sobre una mujer que está anhelando a su amante

quién ella no ha visto en mucho tiempo. Ella lo espera enfrente de su casa, pero

desafortunadamente él no regresa. La significación de “recado” es “mensaje corto” y

el propósito de este cuento es encontrar el mensaje dentro de él. El cuento es como

un misterio porque la narradora nunca dice su nombre en el cuento y entonces

necesitas encontrar las significaciones no aparentes. El tema de los papeles sociales

de una mujer y un hombre ayuda a los lectores a descubrir la significación real de

este texto. El autor, Elena Poniatowska, usa el recado para discutir la superioridad

del hombre y la inferioridad de la mujer a través de metáforas para ilustrar ambos.

Aunque el hombre, se llama Martín, no está en el cuento y su ausencia tiene

una parte importante. Ella usa una variedad de maneras para describir su relación

pasada con él. Por ejemplo al principio, ella dice, “Me he sentado en el peldaño tu

casa, recargada en tu puerta” (línea 1, pg. 90). Luego, ella también dice, “Estoy

inclinada ante una hoja de papel y te escribo…” (línea 21, pg. 92). Su lenguaje de

cuerpo muestra que quizás ella es una chica muy dependiente. Los lectores pueden

inferir que Martín era una estructura sólida para que ella dependiera de él. Ella

describe Martín como las flores en su jardín enfrente de su casa. Ella dice, “Veo unas

floras que tienen hojas como espadas. Son azul marino, parecen soldados” (línea 5,

pg. 90). Martín es como un soldado; sólido, formal y honesto. Las palabras que usa

ayuda a los lectores realizar que ella tiene una vida muy difícil y solitaria. Ella no

puede vivir sin Martín porque su vida giró alrededor de él como la mayoría de las

sociedades de domino masculino. En muchos casos de una sociedad de domino

masculino, los hombres salen a sus trabajos o porque ellos son soldados y necesitan

ir para las guerras. Por el contrario, las mujeres piensan que sus unica opción es

esperarlos en casa. Este cuento marca el comienzo del feminismo y por dentro, ella

aprende que puede ser independiente.

Pienso que la narradora y Martín nunca estuvieron en una relación. Creo que

ella lo obsesionaba desde que ella era joven pero él nunca lo sabia. Por ejemplo ella

dice, “Vine nada más a decirte que te quiero y como no estás te lo escribo” (línea 26,

pg. 91). También, ella dice, “Pienso que te hubiera querido abrazar” (línea 31, pg.

91). Pienso que era una admiración secreta. También, pienso que ella tal vez sea

joven y lo a deseado por mucho tiempo. Para ilustrarlo, ella dice “A veces quisiera

ser más vieja porque la juventud lleva en sí, la imperioso, la implacable necesidad de

relacionarlo todo al amor” (línea 31, pg. 91). Ella piensa que todas las mujeres

esperan por los hombres que pasarán el resto de sus vidas con. Sin embargo, ella ha

estado esperándolo, como si ella sabía que él era único. Ella escribe, “Sabes, desde

mi infancia me he sentado así a esperar, siempre fui dócil, porque te esperaba. Te

esperaba a ti” (línea 38, pg. 91). Ella le dice, “Todos estamos-oh mi amor-tan llenos

de retratos interiores, tan llenos de paisajes no vividos” (línea 45, pg. 91). Su

relación con él es nada, inexistente como siempre ha sido pero tiene mucho

potencial como paisajes no vividos.

Aunque los lectores piensan que la carta es solamente sobre ella y Martín,

sorprendentemente ella menciona los vecinos y el barrio de Martín. Ella dice, “En

esta colonia asaltan mucho, roban mucho. A los pobres les roban mucho; los pobres

se roban entre sí…” (línea 36, pg. 91). Creo que es un tiempo de tensión y hostilidad

en el cuento. Ella cree que fue robada de su chance de estar con él y de la vida que

pudieron tener juntos. Pero ella nunca dice quien tiene la culpa, quizás sea ella

misma.

Al principio del cuento ella describe la naturaleza, el jardín y las flores. En el

fin, ella da una descripción del día. Cuando ella llego a la casa de Martín, era un día

con mucho sol y sin nubes. Era un día joven y brillante. Pero en el fin, ella describe

la tarde cuando el sol está bajando. Pienso que el día es una metáfora para que

describe la relación que ella tenía con Martín. Al principio, ella era muy optimista y

tenía muchas esperanzas para su futuro con él. Ella pensó que él era el único que ha

estado esperando por. Su vida era brillante y llena de juventud pero ahora su

relación con él está bajando también y ella sabe que es tiempo para seguir adelante

y ver lo que mañana trae.

En conclusión, los papeles de un hombre y una mujer en una sociedad de

dominio masculino tienen mucha influencia en la manera que los dos actúan y las

decisiones que ellos hacen. Con la ayuda de las metáforas, el fin del cuento es muy

apropiado. Ella escribe la carta durante el día entero con muchos sentimientos y

descripciones pero ella se queda con la carta al fin del día. En vez de dejar “El

Recado” con el vecino de Martín. Pienso que la carta era solamente para ella misma.

Después de escribiendo la carta, su cabeza sobre el fue borrada y ella realizó que ha

estado bien sin él hasta ahorita, entonces podrá seguir adelante sin él. En vez de

esperar por un hombre que la encuentre, ella sabe que lo puede encontrar a él.