Madison 101 - 2018-19

MADISON101

You

The Student Guide to JMU

5 Places

Passion project

mappy

how to balance school and hobbies

to go on your

Fall 2018

a few from 22 meet your new

classmates

THIS YEAR, JMU WILL SEND

AD 80 OVER

ON

1,300 STUDENTS

PROGRAMS TO

50 COUNTRIES

WHERE WILL

YOU GO?

THE WORLD IS YOUR CLASSROOM...

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Find out more information about study abroad by visiting www.jmu.edu/global/abroad

Letter from the Shelby Imes executive editor

Welcome, dukes.

editors

This past February, the staff of this magazine gathered to brainstorm the Fall 2018 edition of Madison 101. We knew we needed to think bigger than ever before, but we also wanted to think better.

Members of our staff thought outside of the box to give you a collection of stories that amplify the unique voices on this campus. You’ll get a word from a first-generation college student spearheading his family’s legacy, and you’ll also read about a grandmother-grandson duo enrolled here.

Our photographers and sole designer worked tirelessly to create fun and sophisticated visuals to accompany these stories. We hope you find our final piece just as captivating as we do.

Renee rocco managing editor

Of course, this issue couldn’t have happened without the guidance of our professor and biggest supporter, Brad Jenkins. We’d also like to thank The Breeze and Technology and Design for contributing some amazing photos.

We recognize that every duke has a different story. Our goal for this issue was to celebrate that. Whether you’re from another state, another country, another college or even right down the road, when you step foot on this campus, you are home.

Make every second count!

danica feuz

Sincerely, The editors

managing editor

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3

INside 28 3 Letter from the Editors

4 photo by Carrie Chang Cover

6 8 15 16 18 19 20 26

Explore the Valley The ultimate guide to hiking the Shenandoah A Few from 22 Meet your fellow classmates Anonymous RAs give you the run down Learn the ins and outs of dorm life Married at Madison JMU’s teacher couples

Finance Hacks Manage your money right from the start Go in Alone Being independent

Bang for Your Buck The best deals in Harrisonburg for Dukes

Secret spaces Discover these chill places sooner than later

32 34 36 38 40 42 44

Advice from Duke Dog Cherish your time at JMU

Creating a legacy What it’s lke to be a first generation college sudent Self Love 101 How to make your mental health a priority A balancing act How three Dukes keep up with school and their passions Better late than never One woman joins her grandson on the JMU campus The New D-Hall The new D-Hall opens this semester, and it’s going to taste great Interfaith Chapel This tucked-away spot offers a place to connect with your faith Ask a MAP Everything you need to know about classes and more

Meet Our Staff lauren sampson photo editor

emily olivier creative director

jessica pink senior editor & Photographer

christy freitag senior editor

kevin romm senior editor & videographer

cassey jennings photographer

jessica newman articles editor

rishmita aich articles editor

emma freidman senior editor & online editor

catie robertson senior editor

jordAn butcher photographer & marketing director

Madison 101 5

These boots are made

for hiking Upon entering the Shenandoah Valley, people often notice the majestic rolling blue ridge mountains that completely surround JMU. Many people take time to appreciate the scenery of the mountains, but not many get out and explore the dirt paths within them. Whether it’s an evening picnic to the park, a sunset hike, or a backpacking trip, the Shenandoah Valley has it all for stressed out students seeking solace in nature. If you’re looking to feed your inner explorer and break out of the JMU bubble, here are a list of hiking destinations that surround campus.

Words and photos by Jessica Pink

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The Ultimate Guide: Hillandale Park Hillandale Park features a 1.3 mile nature walk, along with other recreational resources such as playground equipment, a sand volleyball court and a basketball court. The park is within a 10-minute drive of the University. It’s the perfect place to find some peace and quiet in the woods or to enjoy a nice picnic.

Lake Shenandoah Lake Shenandoah is 36 acres of natural beauty and is a must-see for the nature-seeking adventurer. A diverse trail circles the lake going in and out of the forest. The lake is crystal clear and features a variety of fish such as bass, bluegills and catfish. It is a hot spot for fishers, but also a great place to go for people seeking a nature-filled trail within a 15 minute drive of campus.

Massanutten Resort If you keep following Route 33 East, you will come along Massanutten Resort. It’d a four-season resort, home to lodges, golf courses and waterparks. In addition, it features a beautiful lake, streams, and hiking trails. This diversesly-fun resort has opportunities for mountain biking, skiing, fishing, ice skating, kayaking and everything an adventure-seeker would need.

Shenandoah National Park JMU is lucky enough to be within 30 minutes of Shenandoah National Park and the iconic Skyline Drive. With over 20,000 acres of protected land, the national park is a must-visit for every JMU hiker. Pro tip: it’s $25 every time you enter the park, but getting a season pass of $50 will quickly pay off for the immense natural beauty you will come across within the park. Ranging from meadows, to waterfalls, to campsites, to hikes at the highest peaks, the Shenandoah National Park has it all. Skyline Drive is 105 miles of scenic views, overlooking the Blue Ridge mountains and the Shenandoah Valley. The closest entrance for JMU is the Swift Run Entrance located off Route 33. Some of the most popular hikes include: Hikes to Look for: -Bearfence Mountain: This is a quick 1 mile hike, perfect for catching the sunset (mile marker 56.4).

-Dark Hollow Falls: This hike is a steeper 1.4 mile hike leading to a 70 foot waterfall (mile marker 50.7).

-Mary’s Rock: A bit further from the Swift Run Entrance at mile marker 31.6, this hike is a 3.7 mile hike alongside the mountain with views of the valley the entire way, leading to a complete aerial view of the valley.

-Old Rag: Pack your bags and snacks, because this is a strenuous, whole-day hike of

9.2 miles up and around the blue ridge mountains. Hiking Old Rag is one of Shenandoah’s most popular, yet dangerous hikes and should be hiked with thorough preparation. Although the trail is within the National Park, most people access the trail from outside the park’s borders.

(Visit Old Rag website for more info.)

The George Washington National Forest On the opposite side of the Shenandoah Valley is the immense George Washington National Forest. Within the forest there are 12 national recreation trails and 325 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Home to 40 species of trees and animals, this forest is the perfect place to see ecological and biodiversity. A crowd-favorite attraction within the national park is Switzer Lake, a great lookout and place to camp.

You don’t need to have a car to get to these places. Ride along with fellow duke adventurers: JMU Outdoor Adventure Club This student organization plans weekly hiking trips and at least one camping trip per semester. You can join by following their Facebook page or by checking them out at Student Organization Night. Dues are $15 at the beginning of the semester and cover the park entry fees and gas money. They don’t hold weekly meetings and suggest Check out their Facebook page to keep up to date with upcoming hikes and adventures.

JMU Recreation Center (UREC) Check out hiking and camping equipment such as hammocks, sleeping pads, and lanterns. Rentals are available for anyone with a valid JAC card.

Madison Orientation Adventure Trip leads a three night, four day adventure-based orientation program for incoming students. The trips are led by JMU undergraduates who are trained as leaders in the UREC Adventure Program. The trip begins at 4pm on Saturday, August 18th and leads you through the local natural areas surrounding Harrisonburg. You can find more information and easily sign up on the UREC Program Registration website.

Custom Group Adventures: plan a special adventure with a group of friends for only $10/person for either a full day or overnight camping trip. All plans, transportation, and instructions will be provided by the staff at UREC. For more information:

https://www.jmu.edu/recreation/adventure/center-info.shtml www.nps.gov

Student source:

Brooke Thompson: past JMU Outdoor Adventure Club member

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a few

m o r F 22

lauryn Elliot

Hometown: Springfield, Va. Major: Justice Studies Why JMU? I chose jmu for multiple reason. Visiting

in the fall made me realize how beautiful the campus is, not too big nor to small where I’d get use to seeing the same faces everyday. Making friends was much easier than i thought, just on a visiting day i made a friend and i already have a fantastic roommate! I feel in love with the professors, meeting one of the Justice studies teachers allowed me to bind and create a connection with them as well as getting to know them which also shows me how laid back and understand they are. James Madison University has been my top choice from the beginning. I kind of had that gut feeling that I belonged there and i can’t wait to spend my next four years here.

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alec Hometown: Virginia Beach Major: International affairs Why JMU? I’ve always heard great things about JMU from friends and family but when I visited the campus, I felt a part of something bigger. It felt like a home to me with the kind people, the absolutely stunning campus, and the active student life. I immediately fell in love and I couldn’t be happier about my college commitment to JMU!

samantha Hometown: Woodbridge, Va. Major: Health Sciences, Pre-med Why JMU? I chose JMU because the

campus is beautiful and I felt welcomed by everyone. Standing on campus already felt like home away from home.

Joanna Hometown: Bassett, Va. Major: Kinesiology.

Why JMU? Freshman year I came for a visit when I got off the bus I knew I was home and it had been my #1 school since then

tyra Hometown: Roanoke, Va. Major: Justice Studies Why JMU? I chose JMU because it felt

like a nice and very welcoming place.

It’s very beautiful too! Plus my mom went there!

Jake

Hometown: Tampa, FL. Major: International Business and Pre-Law Why JMU? I choose James Madison because of their success on the football field and because of their strong academic reputation.

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M10118

Anonymous advice from

Your RAs Words by Shelby Imes

It’s official, class of 2022. You’ve finally moved away from home and into one of JMU’s first-year residence halls.

Freedom is finally at your fingertips, but it comes with a few parameters. Madison 101 asked some anonymous RAs for the scoop on dorm life. This is what they said.

On your relationship with your RA: “Just bare with them. Don’t criticize, don’t blame them, necessarily. Just roll with the punches. If you respect them, they’ll respect you”

-Anonymous RA from the Village On Roommates: “If you come in with the expectation that your roommate is going to be your best friend, you’re going to be very disappointed. Come in with low expectations!”

-Anonymous RA from Skyline On Getting a Strike: “Getting a strike isn’t the end of the world, it just means you messed up. So don’t get mad at the RA for your bad decision, they’re just doing their job, which is to keep you safe.”

-Anonymous RA from Lakeside On looking cool in front of your hallmates: “First, you don’t need to impress anyone. You don’t have to be the biggest personality in the room. Just be yourself and that’ll get you ten times further than trying to be someone you’re not.”

-Anonymous RA from the Village On Hookup Culture: “‘Hallcest’ is a thing. Avoid it if possible. Being ‘sexiled’ is also a thing. Sorry, not sorry. Good luck!”

-Anonymous RA from Skyline On nightlife: “I almost encourage them to do it, responsibly, because it gives them a[n] opportunity to learn through that and to experience. Of course if they’re not comfortable, that’s perfectly fine. But you know, if they have an interest and if they’re gonna be responsible, I would say there’s no harm in trying.”

-Anonymous RA from the Village “Be safe and respectful of others when you come back, and please take care of each other. Remember that there are amnesty rules through ORL and OSARP that will help you if you ever need to go to an RA for help for someone (or yourself) who needs medical attention, even if there was drinking/drugs involved.”

-Anonymous former RA from Hillside

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MARRIED AT Madison Career, travel, marriage, kids: thoughts of these adventures don’t always float around in the minds of James Madison University’s 20,000 undergraduate students.

But some individuals on campus give a glimmer of hope to this unknown next phase of life, and who better to lead by example than JMU’s very own professors.

Words by Emily Olivier Photos by Jessica Pink

Leigh Nelson and Eric Fife have worked at JMU for 17 years. They both work in the School of Communications Studies, where Nelson is a professor and Fife is the Director. They met while completing their PhD programs and began working together at the College of Charleston. In 2001, they found themselves at JMU. For Nelson and Fife, working together is second nature.

“Most of my career has been working with him, so I don’t really know what my career is like without him present in some ways,” Nelson said.

Though they’re both busy with classes and campus commitments, they find time to get lunch together off-campus around three times a week. Working full-time and raising kids leaves little room for one-on-one conversation, so Nelson and Fife cherish their lunch time together.

“When we’re with [our kids] we try to be focused on them. That’s why it’s been nice to be at JMU together,” said Nelson.

Not only do Nelson and Fife both work at JMU, but their daughter also attends the school as a first year.

“Her [dorm] building is 50 steps from my back office door,” Nelson said.

For Nelson and Fife, their love for JMU has become part of their family.

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Leigh Nelson and Eric Fife

Kimberly and Daniel Robinson met while attending Radford University in 2004, where they worked together in a photo lab. After completing their undergraduate degrees, Daniel came to JMU for graduate school. He eventually accepted a position with JMU’s Institute of Visual Studies, where he is now the associate director.

Kimberly has been at JMU for six years now.

She began as an administrative assistant in the School of Art Design and Art History before moving to the Financial Aid department in 2014.

Though they work in different departments, the couple makes time to see one another during the workday. Like Nelson and Fife, they frequently enjoy a meal together, and also like to attend campus events.

“There’s always someone here, so if you don’t want to fly solo to something you can usually convince your spouse to go with you,” Kimberly said.

Daniel and Kimberly Robinson

Melinda Adams and John Scherpereel have been at JMU for 14 and 13 years, respectively, both teaching in the Political Science department. Adams is also the Interim Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Letters. Before they found their way to JMU, the couple was at a different Madison—Madison, Wisconsin— where they were enrolled in the same Political Science graduate program.

On the flip side, however, having similar schedules can pose problems for working parents when schools close or a kid gets sick. Luckily, the couple said, JMU is pretty accommodating.

“There’s a lot of ways that JMU supports families and working adults with real lives, children, relationships—other pressures than work,” Daniel said.

After graduate school, Adams landed a position with JMU’s Political Science department, where Scherpereel joined her just one year later.

Unlike the other couples, Adams and Scherpereel don’t often see each other on campus.

“We sort of individually get into a rhythm where we have classes, office hours and all these events,” Scherpereel said.

For them, it doesn’t feel any different than if they were to work at different places. What connects them on campus is their research and travel. They have each taken students on study abroad trips, Scherpereel to Florence and Adams to Ghana. For the couple, working on the same campus and in the same field is a powerful bonding agent.

“You understand one another,” said Adams.

“You understand what their day looks like. You understand what their work is. I think some people who have very different jobs might not have that kind of deep understanding.”

Melinda Adams and John Scherpereel

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Finance Hacks Your one-stop shop for all things money No matter what financial status you come from, it’s important that as a first-year student you know how to be smart about your money. Here are some tips to get you started.

Check out these local thrift stores for some new and affordable additions to your wardrobe, all while supporting a great cause.

1. Mercy House Thrift Store – This local thrift store is an all-purpose nonprofit organization with the mission of providing care for homeless families in Harrisonburg.

2. Harrisonburg Gift & Thrift – It’s an all-purpose thrift store and supports the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), a relief and development agency.

3. Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Shop – Customer proceeds benefit Blue Ridge Hospice, providing hospice and end-of-life care for all abilities and income.

4. Our Community Place – This store hosts a Friday Lunch Restaurant every Friday where you can get a three-course meal for $10. The meals upport this nonprofit which provides meals and jobs for those struggling with poverty or difficult life circumstances so they may become self-sufficient individuals.

5. Booksavers of Virginia – Booksavers is a cheap thrifting option for used books and proceeds also benefit the work of Mennonite Central Committee.

Words by Christy Frietag

Financial Aid First off, what is it? Financial aid is essentially any assistance you receive to pay for your higher education. It commonly comes in the forms of loans, grants, scholarships or student employment. Regardless of if you are in-state or out-of-state, you should feel encouraged to apply for financial aid. Your starting point: filling out the FAFSA. The FAFSA The FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and it is completed annually online to assess your eligibility for student financial aid. You read that right; It is a free application that can give you money for your education. To fill out your FAFSA, start by giving yourself a 45-minute window to complete the application. You will be asked a series of questions regarding basic information about yourself, your parent or guardians and your and their income and tax return history.

For further assistance with filling out the FAFSA, you can visit https:// www.jmu.edu/financialaid/learn/videos/financial-aid.shtml.

Scholarships Once you get to JMU, you can log onto http://www.jmu.edu/scholarships/ to see available scholarship opportunities. There are also scholarships specific to your major at JMU, and you can explore those by visiting your department scholarship section on your major’s website, or by speaking directly to someone within the department. Free tuition money is out there for you! Finding it can be as easy as reading and answering your JMU emails.

Getting A Job Whether you have to, want to, or desperately need to, plenty of jobs are available to students who want to work on campus. When beginning your job search at JMU, you have to create a profile on https://joblink.jmu.edu/. Then, you can immediately start applying for positions.

To maximize your chances of getting a job, don’t be afraid to apply to more than one position. Also make sure that your resume, cover letter and list of references are all up to date. Popular on-campus positions include working at UREC and the libraries. There are also job opportunities within your major that can lead to internships and work experience within your field of study. Working on campus is a great way to be involved at JMU and network within the community around you.

General Money-Saving Tips As a college student, it is important to take an interest in your expenses. Start by creating a weekly budget and looking for ways to save a buck. Instead of going out to see a movie, try seeing a discounted film at the Grafton theatre. Or instead of eating off campus, cozy up at one of the dining halls for an all you can eat (and take home for later) meal!

As the saying goes, a penny saved is a penny earned. By developing good spending habits now, you will be benefiting yourself and your wallet in the foreseeable future.

Words by Danica Feuz

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Feeling Lonely?

You’re not alone.

Words by Shelby Imes Photo by Lauren Sampson

Students get real about doing things solo on the JMU campus Picture this: it’s a warm autumn day.

The Quad is littered with people goofing off, petting dogs and getting one last cram sesh in. You’re texting your hallmates to see if someone could come join you, but everyone’s busy.

It looks like you’re just going to have to do it alone.

Whether it’s because you don’t know the campus well or because you feel more comfortable with your friends, going places and doing things alone as a first-year student can be uncharted territory.

“You just feel a constant pressure because you always see people together,” Alex Jacobs, class of 2018, said. “I definitely had a period where I was uncomfortable doing things alone because I felt like it meant that people didn’t want to hang out with me.”

The truth is, it has more to do with logistics than most people might think.

The sociology of the college experience largely contributes to this immediate awareness of being alone, in

that much of your private life naturally becomes public. Students frequently find themselves facing a public sphere without any companions, and much of this is out of necessity. Instead of eating in the privacy of your own home, you now must trek to on-campus eateries to punch or swipe. When you want to study, you find yourself at the library or in a public study lounge.

Even going to the bathroom has become a public interaction, especially in some residence halls that have communal bathrooms, sometimes shared among 30 people.

“When we’re at home, the time we spend alone is in private,” Julia Lewis, class of 2018, said. “At college, basically all of our time is somewhat public, and I think people are afraid of looking lonely.”

According to many students, the only way to tackle this fear of doing things alone is, well, embracing it.

“If you’re scared of doing things by yourself, it’s understandable,” Quentin Carr-Goodwin said, a senior SMAD

major. “But the best way to get over it is to just do more things by yourself.”

Mairin Duffy, a junior graphic design major, made being alone a part of her morning ritual during her freshman year. “I found myself going to breakfast alone every morning, and it ended up being my favorite part of the day,” Duffy said. “I had that time to reflect on myself,reflect on the day and build goals in that time.”

Doing things alone is just a natural part of adulthood. Senior English major Lydia Bassinger, a transfer student, had no choice but to do many things on her own upon the start of her JMU career.

“You kind of learn the self-independence of, ‘I can do this by myself,’” Bassinger said“I don’t need anybody to really help me.”

Next time you find yourself doing something alone on campus, just take a look around. You might not be the only one.

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Daily Deals

for dukes Words by Jordan Butcher

Being a broke college student can make you feel like there’s not much you can do. Luckily, Harrisonburg is the land of student discounts. Here are some noteworthy on-and-off-campus deals available to you as a JMU student:

Monday TUEsDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

$2 BURGERS

50 CENT WINGS

$5 burrito bowls

Capital Ale House

Corgans Publick House

MOE’S

$1 Hard Shell Tacos

Trivia Night with 40 cent wings

BINGO! with halfpriced pizza

sabor

Dave’s Taverna

Ruby’s Arcade

$5 pizza

$5 burgers

Bella Luna

Corgan’s Publick House

$3 chicken nachos

$2 draft beers

Magnolias

Wolf Street Brewing

free wine tasting

$4 appetizers

Downtown Wine and Gourmet

$3.95 con queso and cinnamon sensation

Clementine

Macados

$8 for all you can eat breakfast

(yoga plus a pint for 21+)

A Bowl of Good

THREE NOTCH’D

1/2 PRICE BURGERS

39 CENT BONELESS WINGS

CAPITAL ALE HOUSE

MACADO’S

$10 Bend and Brew

**All deals are subject to change at any time. Some daily deals are for a set window of time and not the entire day. Contact business prior to attending for the specific deal listed.

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HIDDEN GEMS ON AND OFF YOUR

MAPPY Check out these underrated corners of campus that you’ll keep coming back to during your four years.

Photo courtesy of JMU. All rights reserved. No usage without permission.

1. The Nap Nook

Have some time before your next class, but not enough time to go back to your dorm? Reenergize with a quick snooze at the nap nook.

Located in Festival next to Java City, the nap nook is exactly what it sounds like—a small, cozy area that features giant, plush bean bag chairs. There are also outlets conveniently placed in case you need to charge your devices. Not feeling sleepy? The nap nook doubles as a quiet, comfortable area to get work done as well.

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2. John C. Wells Planetarium

Spend the day among the stars! From August through June, the planetarium in Miller Hall offers shows to the public every Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Best of all, they’re completely free. The shows can teach you everything from greek mythology to the wildest discoveries within the Milky Way. With 72 seats, you’ll be able to take all of your friends with you.

4. The Mineral Museum

Maybe trekking to Memorial Hall isn’t so bad after all.

Hidden on the second floor since 1976 is an impressive collection of over 600 crystals and gems from all around the world. Learn about the chemistry and structures of certain minerals, including ones found right here in Virginia. The collection has a fluorescent mineral display of minerals that glow under UV light.

The mineral museum is a true treat for the eyes with its beautifully colored gems.

Taken for JMU Technology & Design by Wes Horne.

All rights reserved. No usage without permission.

5. Meditation Room 3. Edith J. Carrier Arboretum

The arboretum is one of the most beautiful hidden gems on campus full of gardens, wildlife and tall oak-hickory trees. JMU is the only school in Virginia with an on-campus arboretum and it doesn’t disappoint. Located across from East Campus, the arboretum features a lake full of swans and a number of intertwining paths throughout the 125acre property. They offer educational tours, classes and programs for those interested in learning more about the ecology and wildlife found within the Arboretum. Within a 3 minute walk to campus, the arboretum is a quick and convenient abode for student to seek solace and peace in nature.

College can be stressful. Lucky for you, JMU provides resources to manage that stress.

On the 4th floor of Madison Union you’ll find an open sanctuary, perfect for mindful meditation. This room is equipped with huge windows that give you an alluring view of campus, as well as an array of comfortable mats and benches to self-reflect on. Don’t worry if you’ve never meditated before; you will be able to find a catalog filled with resources to tell you everything there is to know about meditation.

Words by Jessica Newman Photos by Jessica Pink WORDS BY DANIEL WARE PHOTO COURTESY OF CONNOR WOISARD

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Dear Dear

Duke Duke Dog dog

Photo Courtesy of The Breeze

28 28

Not everyone is as lucky as me to be able to stay at JMU forever. It may not seem like it now, but time flies. I talked to some graduating seniors about how to enjoy and get the most out of your four years here.

Get involved in more clubs! I didn’t branch out much my first year and I regret that a lot. As I got older I joined more organizations that have influenced me in such a positive way and I wish I could have been a part of them for longer.

Keep the mindset of school first. Make sure you establish good study habits early. Buckle down academically, even if everyone around you seems to be focused only on having fun. Your cumulative GPA takes a lot to be improved, so make sure you don’t slack off in your early years.

Try the things that interest you the most, even if you have to step out of your comfort zone and go alone. You can miss so many opportunities if you don’t take a chance.

Don’t be afraid of rejection. It’s OK if an organization, internship or job doesn’t work out. It’s all part of the learning process and you will learn so much about yourself and what you’re passionate about along the way.

Go to UREC! I didn’t realize how awesome it was until senior year and boy, am I going to miss it! It’s so easy to sign up for classes and I strongly suggest trying new things you’ve never done before.

My friends got me hooked on HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and cycle classes, and we made it a point to go to the same ones every week. It makes it so much more enjoyable to de-stress and workout with my friends at the same time each week. It’s amazing what 45 minutes can do to boost your mood. I always leave feeling much more energetic and stress free.

Put yourself out there and make friends with people in your building, not just on your floor. Be prepared to struggle a bit and know that it’s OK. Don’t be worried if you feel like you don’t fit in immediately with your hallmates or with a club you joined. Sometimes you find the right people just a little bit later in your college career, and that’s OK! Opportunities are everywhere freshman year! Keep searching and trying out different organizations until you find what is the best fit for you! Your people are out there, you just have to find them; it’ll be so worthwhile once you do! Dedicate yourself to the organizations you love and see value in; these will be meaningful places to find leadership roles as you grow in those organizations.

Practice good time management habits and establish a routine. Take advantage of the LSI office in SSC; they offer free time management consultations and will help you to balance all your responsibilities!

Go downtown! There are so many little shops that you don’t even realize are there. The owners are always excited when a JMU student comes in and some of them are even former dukes. Take advantage of the deals some stores offer. Even if you can’t buy anything at the time, it’s always nice to get off campus and explore something new!

Go to Jess’ Quick Lunch downtown. Remember; don’t judge a book by its cover! The owner is so nice and LOVES when JMU students come in. She has so many stories about alumni and Harrisonburg. I didn’t go to Jess’ until my senior year and I am going to miss their home-cooked meals.

Last but not least, Take time for self-care. Living in close quarters can be stressful. If you don’t particularly love your roommate, every little thing they do can start to get to you! Make time for yourself to de-stress: take a yoga class at UREC, go get ice cream with a friend, keep a journal, go get a manicure. Find what keeps you stress-free.

Words by Renée Rocco

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A FIRST GENERATION

COLLEGE STUDENT

shares

His Story Words by Shelby Imes Photo by Lauren Sampson 32

Around 5 o’clock on a spring evening in 2014, Brian Hernández saw something trending on Twitter.

“Oh my god,” Hernández thought. “They came out?”

Hernández and his family had been planning to go out to eat that night, maybe to Chili’s. After he rushed to JMU’s applicant login page and found his decision, they saw no other option but to go out and celebrate with a lava cake. He got in.

His parents, El Salvadoran immigrants Elba and José, showered him with hugs.

“You see? I was right” his mother said, in Spanish. “You just have to put the work in.”

Hernández, like many JMU students, is the first person in his family to go to college.

Now a senior, he is gearing up for his final year as a student teacher for his art education degree.

Madison 101 spoke to Hernández about what it’s like to be a first-generation college student. Here’s what he had to say.

“You made it this far, you can keep going.”

Madison 101: What does it mean for you to be first generation?

Hernández: It means that I’m setting up a future. I guess legacy is the name of the game, ‘cause it’s one of those things where I have these high expectations on me. I have these high pressures on me, and so to go to college, to be able to make a name for myself, it’s a great way to start and to continue my family name.

Madison 101: What does you being first generation mean to your family?

Hernández: I didn’t think about it a lot, but it did mean that when I went to college, it would have a huge impact on my family. It was definitely a moment of like, ‘wow, we’re doing something.”

Madison 101: Did you feel pressure from your family to go to college?

Hernández: It was that thought that my parents were like, ‘you can do something.’ They saw it as ‘we [Hernández’s parents] didn’t have this luxury of being able to go to high school, and finish and move on and have that option. So now, you can do it.’ That was kind of the pressure.

It’s important that you do go to college and become something.

In a way, I do feel pressure. But it’s not a bad pressure ... I’m in college, it’s tough as hell, but I’m working through this, and in the end I’m gonna say that I’m the first college graduate in my family. And that in and of itself is rewarding enough.

Madison 101: Do you know a lot of other first generation students?

Hernández: I’m in JMU’s Latino Student Alliance, and I know a good majority of us are first generation. There’s a lot of us out there, surprisingly.

It’s one of those things where you feel you have no support from your family in a way, because you think, they didn’t go through this, so how can they help me out? They can only offer words, because they didn’t go through it. You kind of feel alone in that sense. There’s a lot of other people out here who are also first generation. It’s important to keep a network so you know that you’re not alone, because there are always people out there who want to talk to you and who can talk to you.

Madison 101: What would you say to first-generation students who are just starting college?

Hernández: Don’t be discouraged. It is tough. It is difficult. You made it this far, you can keep going. Use that pressure. I know how it feels to be like, what if I fail, what if I don’t do well — all of these negative thoughts. Just center yourself and you’ll be able to move off of that and use that in a positive way.

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ßSelf Love 101 how to care for yourself first at JMU

Words and Photos by Lauren Sampson

Water trickles down the marble features, relaxing the students who are cradled in the massage chairs. Lit candles and rock lamps illuminate the room, creating a space to de-stress.

This space, the Oasis, is located on the third floor of the Student Success Center. Here, students can come relieve all their worries of classes, relationships or missing home. With a simple sign-in process before you enter, students can come here to enjoy all the features the soothing Oasis has to offer.

This isn’t the only mental health resource JMU provides. The Studio, also located on the third floor of SSC, is a welcoming and comfortable environment for students to express themselves. With paint brushes, canvases and tools scattered throughout the room, students can come here and embrace their creative side by expressing themselves through painting, all while getting away from the pressures of being a student.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 41.6 percent of college students stated that anxiety was their top stressor within college. David Onestak, the director of the counseling center in SSC, called the counseling center a “warm, professional and comfortable place for students to explore things that are most personal to them.”

Onestak said that there has been an 856 percent growth in crisis appointments since 2005.

“Stigma has been reduced, and there are more people willing to utilize the counseling center as a way they can address problems effectively,” he said.

Academically, Onestak said speaking to a counselor can dramatically improve grades. 60 percent of students claimed that going to the counseling center dramatically helped them do better in class, according to the counseling center’s 2017 survey.

“If you’ve been worried about something in your life, your mind is consumed with these anxieties. You can read pages [in a textbook] but it’s hard to absorb the information because your attention is so divided,” Onestak said. “Coming here and being able to talk and find solutions can go a long way when helping students perform well academically.”

Across campus at the University Recreational Center (UREC), yoga classes play a large part in helping students relax. Many attend to become more limber, but you don’t have to be flexible to be successful. Yoga is a great way to help students unwind and release their stress.

Anjali Batra regularly teaches classes at UREC, and is aware of how society views mental health. She teaches her students that yoga should be about having a personal relationship within yourself.

“My own mother would say, ‘oh that’s a personal problem, you don’t

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need any medications to deal with it, you just need to suck it up’,” Batra said. “But now, people are more willing to talk about it, it’s not something you keep within yourself.”

Another way to escape your studies on campus is by attending MAD4U events, which inspires students to communicate creatively with each other and try new activities. Shari Scofield is an advocate and organizer of the events MAD4U offers. One of her favorite events is Tea Time, which takes place every Wednesday at 4 p.m. in Madison Union.

“I love being a person in a conversation, and it’s wonderful to sit with college students and share thoughts and feelings,” Scofield said.

MAD4U also offers events such as Open Mic Night in Taylor Down Under every Tuesday night. This is a space for students to perform for 15 minutes with other types of performances. Alongside this is Madison Meditates, another one of Scofield’s personal favorites, which has grown from two days a week to five.

“Everybody, I think, is seeking a magic pill, formula, practice or skill that helps them unplug and re-center and connect with their humanity in a balancing way,” Scofield said.

Scofield reassures students that “everyone is feeling pretty anxious, so why not have a strategy that helps you unplug from fearful thinking, and plug into your own natural ability to feel balanced and well instead.”

“Everybody, I think, is seeking a magic pill, formula, practice or skill that helps them unplug and re-center and connect with their humanity in a balancing way.”

Another resource that campus offers is Madison Equality, a community that supports LGBTQ students. Mental Health America claims that, “LGBT individuals that keep their sexuality hidden are at an increased risk of psychological distress.”

A focus of Madison Equality each semester is Dukes Pride, a week-long event that features activities such as ‘Hillside Chillside’ complete with a cookout and games, a showing of a Grafton film, Queer Expressions open mic night and a clean-up of Gay Street in Harrisonburg. Aloha Backenstose, the president of Madison Equality, is a strong advocate for their events and what they bring to students.

“Our main focus is to create a space for those who need it,” Backenstose said.

“It’s pretty cool that everyone is willing to be a support system for each other.”

Backenstose describes Madison Equality as a club that creates an open-minded and relaxed environment.

“Our general body meetings tend to be calm. We try to create an atmosphere that is friendly so all people feel welcome and equal, regardless of if you identify as queer or within the LGBTQ community or not,” Backenstose said.

However you are feeling entering college, there are resources to help you stay healthy, mentally and physically. No matter what you are facing in your personal life, as a Duke you are always encouraged to seek help from campus resources when needed. Our goal is to help each student reach their greatest potential, and that starts with helping you feel your best inside and out.

resources: Counseling Center: www.jmu.edu/counselingctr/ Yoga: www.jmu.edu/recreation/group-exercise/schedule.shtml MAD4U: https://info.jmu.edu/studentactivities/mad4u-events/

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follow your

Passions These three dukes prove it’s possible to balance school and hobbies that fuel their spirit Words by Rishmita Aich and Emma Friedman

Ashley Ballangee

College is a busy, challenging and expensive feat for any student, but especially so if you participate in Drum Corps International competitions like Ashley Ballengee.

This sophomore Health Science major plays the trumpet for this 150-person musical marching ensemble that travels across the U.S. for eight weeksduring the summer, performing a routine of about 12 minutes.

This is her seventh year with Drum Corps since her parents are alumni, and introduced her to this experience when she was 14 years old. She keeps up her trumpet skills at JMU; she participated in the marching band last year, was in the Brass Band last semester and took lessons from a trumpet studio professor. Ballengee wants to become a physical therapist and work in this organization to combine her passions.

Ballengee said, “Over the summer we have athletic trainers and physical therapists that go on tour with us…There’s a lot of ways you can hurt yourself...I chose [physical therapy] so that I would be able to integrate it somehow to that activity during the summer, and be able to give back.”

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Ballengee must keep up both physical fitness and trumpet skills. She does vigorous TriFit training, and her coaches post weekly assignments that involve movement and music routines. The performers must film their assignments and upload them to a shared Facebook page for evaluation.

“They [take] that into consideration for who’s going to be an alternate during the summer...it definitely keeps you accountable,” Ballengee said. “I work out everyday because they are gonna be able to see if you fall behind later on.”

The tour fees are about $3,300, and participants travel to training camps once a month from February to April. Ballengee’s camp is in California. Beginning in college, she was largely responsible for paying these fees without her parent’s help.

“I have frequent flyer miles,” Ballengee said. “And [you can] say, ‘hey I can’t afford to go to this camp,’ and they usually find donors, alumni of this organization and they go ‘okay we like you as a member you work hard and we know you want to be there.’”

Participants come from all over the world to compete, such as England, Japan and South Africa. Ballenge’s best friends come from California and Texas.

“The close bonds are just phenomenal,” Ballengee said. “In like years from now, 30 years from now, I’ll be able to come back and I’ll still be able to pick up with them and talk to them like nothing’s passed.”

In addition to friends, Ballengee has gained valuable skills.

“That persistence from it is something I would not have had or understood until doing it,”Ballengee said.

“You’re only as strong as your weakest link. And it’s just being able to communicate, and...it’s definitely brought a lot of resilience...Being with the same 150 people smooshed on a bus, sleeping on dirty floors, just being right on each other for 80 days, it’s like you have to figure out that you love these people and they are your family.”

Derek Attardi

Diego Salinas

College is about doing what you love and for Derek Attardi it’s not just a saying. Apart from being a full-time student, Atardi spent four years of his college career working toward all the things he loves — from majoring in Computer Sciences to DJ’ing for Cancer treatment.

“I began doing shows when I was 18,” Attardi said, a recent computer science graduate from JMU. “I do it for fun, but it’s also something that keeps me going.”

It may be hard for most of us to land an off-campus job with the current employment slump, but for students like Attardi, there’s always one waiting at the doorstep.

“Friends would tell their friends and they’d call me for frat parties, house parties and even big shows,” Attardi said.

One would think balancing college and playing music at events would be hard to balance but according to Attardi, unlike typical part-time jobs, DJ’ing is easier because it offers greater flexibility in schedules and more income. One top of that, it might even prove to be therapeutic instead of being disruptive.

“Music calms me down and makes me do better,” Attardi said. “I did better at my classes when I started to do shows.”

However, Attardi says his motivation for working is neither money nor fame. In fact, he has found a way to connect his passion for music to a greater purpose.

“I made more money than part-time jobs, in one night and I donated it all to a Cancer treatment Organization,” said Atardi. “I’ve donated about $3,500 to the organization.”

While some of us are still struggling to balance budgets and finances, students like Attardi value the privilege of being able to go college and have even begun to contribute toward causes they are passionate about.

“As a person of fairly okay upbringing, I always thought the least I can do is donate,” Attardi said.

“I have a job lined up in New York and I’m hoping that will cover my debt.”

An average day in Diego Salinas’ life looks like this: going to class, organizing rallies, making speeches at the Wilson hall and ending the day by wrapping up his homework at Carrier library.

“I came to JMU and didn’t expect activism to be a big part of my life. Never thought of my self as a Capital-A activist until it all happened,” Salinas said.

Salinas is a recently gr aduated theatre and Italian double major, and what he is most known for is being a strong advocate for the DACA immigration reform. Salinas moved to the United States from El Salvador when he was just five years old, and feels gravely concerned about the new administration’s decision to officially end DACA.

“I was directly affected by that,” Salinas said. “Before I knew what was happening I found myself marching, speaking, speeches, it happened all of a sudden.”

While Salinas was busy paving the way for all the people affected by the termination of DACA immigration reform, he often found it hard to stay on track with academics.

“Sometimes I’m left wondering Should I spend a couple of hours in carrier or should I be out in town getting people to call representatives and talk on the issue,” Salinas said.

The JMU faculty, like a pillar, has backed Salinas up through all thick and thin.

“My Professors have been really supportive through all of this,” said Salinas. “Sometimes they come and become guest speakers; sometimes they show up to rallies and marches.”

Students like Salinas seem to be restructuring the concept of college by stepping beyond just academics — by reaffirming one’s faith in democracy, redefine the measure of patriotism as service to the nation and by inspiring other students.

“It’s hard to see things from the JMU bubble,” said Salinas.

“Whether its environmental change or immigration reform, you have to step out from the bubble and see it.”

Photos Courtesy of Ballange, Atardi and Salinas

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LEARNING WITHOUT

boundaries Grandmother of JMU sophomore takes on her latest life challenge:

BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT Not having a college degree was by no means a serious issue, especially in the 1960s. So in 1961, having already met her husband after completing her first year of college, Patricia Poffenberger thought what do I need this for?

“Nobody questioned it,” Poffenberger said. “Women had a completely different prescribed role and I grew up with that view.”

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Tired of academia and eager to begin a life with her husband Jim, Poffenberger left college at 19.

But 58 years later, when the instructor in Poffenberger’s non-fiction writing course invited students to share some of their goals for the future, Poffenberger, now 77, thought of all the things she could’ve learned, and all of the things she still wants to pursue in her life.

WORDS BY ROBYN SMITH

“I’ve always wanted to learn art, all kinds of art,” Poffenberger said. “ Writing, photography, fine arts, literature; I want to master it all.”

For many years, Poffenberger had been adequately distracted by the unrelenting sunshine of domestic bliss, until the time her household was shared by some glittering, inquiring minds that immediately wanted to know — “where did you go to school?” or “is college hard?”

“It comes to you when you are basically watching your children and they are doing so many things,” Poffenberger said. “And you ask yourself, ‘Hey, wait a minute, why didn’t I do that?’”

After watching two generations make their way in and out of college, Poffenberger now wants to make up for the lost time. Coming back to a college campus at 77, learning is not the only incentive for Poffenberger to go to class.

“Yes, the courses looked great but a part of the reason why we picked JMU is because Zachary goes to school here,” said Poffenger.

Zachary Melusen, 19, is a sophomore communications major at JMU and Poffenberger’s only grandson. While most grandparents hope to live long enough to see their grandchildren graduate college, Poffenberger has the unique opportunity to follow her progeny and share the same college campus with her grandson.

“I don’t tell my friends,” said Melusen.

“There’s always so much to explain; it’s a long story so I just leave that out.”

For Melusen, Poffenberger’s decision to come back to school was nothing short of an act of valor, considering the social barriers of sharing a campus with a whole different age demographic.

“If a 77-year-old were to walk up to me at the library and say ‘could I sit here?’” said Melusen, “I would look up and think ‘yeah, but do you go to JMU?’” It is an inescapable reminder that Poffenberger is almost four and a half decades older than most of her peers at JMU. More than 7 percent of JMU’s total student population comprises of what is historically defined as “nontraditional” students or the students over the age of twenty-four, those enrolled part time and those who are financially independent.

“We’re seeing an influx of students in the adult programs now more than ever,” said Kelly Patrick, enrollment advisor for JMU’s Adult Degree Programs.

“It’s definitely because there is not much stigma about age and learning anymore.”

Poffenberger has never been scared of 20-year-olds rolling their eyes at

her when she gets assigned for group projects with them. Nor has she been hesitant to climb three flights of stairs to her classroom every Tuesday. These might be too trivial but the only obstacle that stands in the way of Poffenberger and her coursework is something much bigger, complicated and fairly ubiquitous in our age.

“How do you get on the Wi-fi?” Poffenberger asked her classmate, who quickly helped her navigate to the login page to access the University’s Wireless Internet.

“You have to enter your e-ID and password, here,” the classmate said.

“Oh, nevermind, I don’t remember it.”

“It’s the one that you use to access Canvas.”

“Yeah, that’s why I can’t get into Canvas either.”

There are so many passwords needed at JMU; for emails, authentication emails, for submissions on the JMU’s learning management system canvas or logging into the student management databases, and submitting assignments,MyMadison are processes that are often considered as hassles by a typical student. but for Poffenberger, these are the things that keep her up at night.

“Sometimes I would be up until midnight trying to figure out how to submit an assignment online,” Poffenberger said. “I’m getting used to Canvas and I’ve become so close to sending my professor multiple copies of the documents.

I’m just so embarrassed half the time.”

Thankfully, help isn’t too far.

“We are used to getting panic calls from Gran,” said Melusen. “When she got an email to activate her e-ID, she never did it because she didn’t know how. So I went through the whole process of it just to find out she’d never activated her e-ID. It took us hours to get it worked out.”

Poffenberger has never looked at technology as the villain in her love story with learning. In fact, she has grown to be an advocate of advancement and progress and being tech-savvy is just one of the challenges that just comes with the territory.

“It’s important because this is how people communicate now,” Poffenberger said. “I was not as attentive to my learning as I should’ve or could’ve been. So this time, I’m prepared to put in more effort.”

It might even be true that college is not a measure of intellectual progress, but for Poffenberger, it was more than just about academic validation — it was about completion.

“Now, our society has gotten to a point where students realizes college is something they began and it has a starting and a destination,” Poffenberger said. “After my kids went off to college, I began to crave closure in this feeling of skipping college.”

But now that she’s back in the game, Poffenberger is sure saving a lot of money at museums or theatres with that student I.D-- or her midterms might even be best excuse to opt out of social events-- but none of these benefits compare to the chance of doing something over at the right time, the right place to savor it and with the right people.

“Before JMU, I went to a community college in Northern Virginia and I started taking a photography class and that just opened a whole new world to me,” said Poffenberger.

“My husband and I are full-scale photographers now. I went back to that got a certificate in wildlife photography.

We have all kinds of equipment, we take pictures, process them and we would eventually like to put them on display someday.”

College is really rigorous and it might even get trickier for students like Poffenberger who find themselves sitting in a class where they might be older than professor, but for Poffenberger, it has been a worthwhile challenge despite the struggles.

“It’s easy to get nervous when you are confronted with things that are new and different,” said Poffenberger. “It isn’t until you get older that you think, it’s just not a big deal.”

Words by Rishmita Aich Photos by Cassey Jennings

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Photos courtesy of JMU Special Collections The Breeze JMU Communications

40

Discover D-HALL JMU Dining is redefining the standard for on-campus cuisine with its innovative new dining options in a brand new building

Words by Jess Newman

One of the main draws to JMU besides its beautiful campus and academics, is its great dining facilities. Last year, JMU ranked fifth in Princeton Review’s “Best Campus Food.” Madison 101 talked with the Executive Chef of JMU dining, Jay Vetter, about all of the options students will have with the new West Campus Dining Hall.

Madison 101: What is going to be unique or different about the new D-Hall?

Vetter: When we started this dining hall four years ago, it was hard to see into the future. We did a lot of digging into food trends and where we thought food trends were going, and I think we realized customizable options are number one. Our customers want to be able to customize everything. That’s really the theme of the dining hall. For example, we have an Asian station, and there’s a small cup there and you’re able to personally pick your ingredients and hand it to the attendant. Then, you can tell them if you want white or brown rice, protein and what kind of sauce.

In the new dining hall we built three transformation kitchens. We’ll have three of these kitchens and the students will be able to vote what they want to see next—Thai food, JMU favorites, Spanish tapas, Southern food—we have a bank of menus built in that we will run for 2-week cycles at a time.

Madison 101: How will you take care of students with dietary restrictions?

Vetter: We’ve put a pantry into this new dining hall. If you have Celiac Disease, for example, you can go through our dietician that works for dining services, and after going through training you will get JAC card access for this pantry. We’re going to keep the pantry stocked with items free of allergens. Most of the items will be pre-purchased, so we can assure it’s very safe. The pantry will also include cooking equipment like a microwave, a toaster and a panini press, as well as lockers that can be turned from ambient to refrigerated to frozen.

If you have severe dietary restrictions, we’re going to ask what specifically you like to eat at home. Then, we’ll make sure to stock your locker with things you normally like to eat. It gives us an added layer of safety from the student’s perspective. We tried to imagine, as a parent sending your kid away with severe allergies, what will make you feel good? I feel like a lot of times those students feel they need to opt out of a meal plan and go to the grocery store and we don’t want that, so we’re going ahead and providing that service.

Madison 101: What about vegan and vegetarian options?

Vetter: As we move toward this new dining hall, we really wanted to change our approach to vegan and vegetarian food. Over spring break, we had the Humane Society come to campus with a couple of their chefs and their dieticians to train about ten of our chefs and myself. We also invited UVA, VCU and UNC Chapel Hill and did a whole training seminar on plant-forward foods so we could better understand it. We came out of that with a lot of new recipes and a different thought process, really causing us to think differently about vegan and vegetarian options.

Our chefs loved the training and I think we’re going to see a lot of great things from it. Our goal is to offer vegetarian and vegan options at every station. But not just a plate of vegetables, we’re trying to be super creative with it.

Vegans are still looking for that comfort food, and that was really our approach.

Madison 101: How do you think this new dining hall will affect JMU? Vetter: I think it’s going to be the most amazing thing we’ve ever done, but I guess I’m a little bit biased. We’re always in the top five of the Princeton review; I’d like to see it propel us to number one. I also think we’re hitting a lot of the trends and going forward, this is kind of the direction we’ll go, being more customizable and flexible for the students. That’s what we’re here for, to serve the students. I’m older and I may not always know what the students like. I’ve been at JMU for 10 years, and I think the food affects the culture; if we could be anything to anybody at JMU, and we welcome anybody, I think the dining hall should be reflective of that, and this one will. *This interview has been condensed for clarity and brevity

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Inclusion in the

Interfaith Chapel This quiet facility located on the third floor of Madison Union aims to give students of every religious affinity a place to stay connected to their faith.

Kanwal Syed has an hour and a half between two classes, which leaves her enough time to get lunch, finish up readings for next class or watch the rest of a “Mad Men” episode. But while all of her friends head over to D-hub, Syed takes a detour to Madison Union before doing anything else.

Syed, who is Muslim, goes to the fourth floor of Madison Union to a small room at the end of the hallway where she can pray.

“We pray five times a day, and it’s great to have a place where I can go and pray in between classes,” Syed said, a junior Media Arts and Design major and a member of the Muslim Student Association.

The room where she prays, the Interfaith Chapel, was established in 2002 through a gift from Madison College’s class of 1954.

“I think there are a lot of benefits to having an interfaith chapel as a facility,” Syed said, who is one among the many students who stop in to pray at the Interfaith Chapel regularly.

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Although humble in size, the chapel exudes a colonial style architecture, replete with polished mahogany, majestic white walls, and a turntable that can afford students their pick of Protestant, Catholic, Islamic or Jewish altar. Each altar with its own appropriate furnishing and ceremonial objects for the rituals. With plenty of seats to carry out a small service, a bookshelf harboring the holy books of all religions in the world and a Spinet piano, the contents of the chapel speak volumes about its grand gesture of welcoming students to embrace their religious identities.

Despite being situated at the heart of a bustling campus, the secluded, high-rise venue could make the chapel the quietest, and overlooked place on campus.

“I’ve heard about the chapel but I never knew it was in the building where I work at,” said Erica Wilson, a sophomore Health Sciences major. “I think it needs a little more spotlight and JMU should do something to promote it.”

In 2015, JMU erected its first menorah displayed among with the “Unity Tree” on the Quad to simultaneously celebrate Christmas and revel in the celebrations of Hanukkah.

The administration as a whole seems to be gearing up for better accommodation of minority religions on campus.

“They have kosher and halal meat at the dining halls now,” Syed said. “When I first came here, we couldn’t talk about religious resources and we didn’t know if any other religious organization existed. Now we can, and I think JMU has a come a long way in that sense.”

Not too far from the Interfaith Chapel is JMU’s Chabad house, founded 5 years ago as a religious destination for Jewish students.

“Every Friday we host 20-40 students in our home for a homemade Shabbat dinner,” Nomi Leimdorfer said, one of the founders of JMJews, the Jewish student organization at JMU.“Participating in these events is a great way for students to stay involved in their Judaism.”

According to Leimdorfer, the administration recognizes that not all students celebrate Christmas. With 33 religious organizations and an interfaith chapel, the JMU campus seems to be moving away from its traditional, predom inantly Christian campus culture and making space for more diversity.

“It serves as a meeting place, as a sanctuary, you feel safe there,” said Syed. “We have meetings there, so you can freely discuss faith, as something of a choice not something that’s ingrained upon.”

Widely popular for students opening and holding doors for each other or greeting strangers on hallways, it’s a campus where kindness brews in the air and JMU’s attitude toward religious accommodations go beyond just brick-and-mortar structures. A mosaic of diverse religions might not be at the center of the campus culture, but resides in every nook and corner of university — like how every Friday, the candelabra flickers on the communion rooms of Madison Union while two doors down, Muslim students kneel on tiny carpets to pray.

Words by Rishmita Aich Photos by Lauren Sampson

43

Ask a M.A.P. The college advising process can be complicated. Unlike high school, you don’t have a guidance counselor to run to right away when you have a question. JMU provides great advisors to students but also has some great student run resources as well. The Madison Advising Peers (MAPs), are an awesome resource on campus, that is made up of upperclassmen and graduate students to help with any academic inquiries.

Do my AP and/or Dual Enrollment credits apply here? Where can I look to find out?

Possibly! This depends on several factors including the grade you got in the class, if you took the class in or out-of-state and if you took the classes at an accredited institution. The Office of the Registrar is responsible for handling transfer credit and will ultimately decide whether or not you receive credit for your AP/Dual Enrollment courses.

You should be able to see if a course has successfully transferred (and which course you received equivalent credit for at JMU) on MyMadison in the Student Center under the transfer credit tab.

When do I have to declare a major by?

You must declare a major by the third Friday of your sophomore year (third semester).

Be sure to check that the major you want to apply for does not have a blackout date!

Blackout dates are like cut-off dates; some majors may not accept applications past certain dates.

B.A. vs. B.S. – which should I choose?

It depends on your major. Some majors only offer one or the other, but in cases where you can choose, you should consider the requirements. To earn a B.A., students have to take an extra philosophy course in addition to the Gen-Ed requirement, as well as a foreign language up to the 232 level. For a B.S., you have to take an additional math course as well as additional scientific literacy courses.

the “Academic Requirements” page. If you are transferring from a four-year institution with an Associate’s Degree, you may not have to complete Gen-Ed courses at JMU by checking for a Gen-Ed waiver.

As a transfer student, how do I know what transfer credits I have? Where do I find my gen-ed waiver?

To know which transfer credits you are coming into JMU with, go to your My Madison page, click “Student Center” and in the dropdown menu, select “Transfer Credit: Report.”

There, you will find which courses you have taken and their course equivalent at JMU, as well as the credits received. As for the Gen-Ed waiver, this can also be found in the Student Center on My Madison by selecting

What is the 120 credit minimum?

In order to graduate, you must have completed at least 120 credit hours. About one third of these credits will be earned through general education, another third is earned through major requirements and the last 40 credits or so are usually comprised of degree requirements and electives. Adding a minor is another way to fulfill those elective credits!

DESIGN. PRINT. MAIL. HERE. 44

Do I have to take gen-ed clusters in order?

No! Even though the clusters are numbered, you can complete them in any order. However, all first years must complete cluster one by the end of their first year.

Words by Catie Robertson

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Located in the Student Success Center First Floor, Room 1310 For more info visit jmu.edu/lgbta/resources

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