What’s inside?
Family weekend fun
By PRESTON COMER The Breeze
This Family Weekend, there are multiple university-hosted events for students, parents and alumni to enjoy. Here are some of the activities happening this weekend for people on campus. Additional information is available on JMU’s website.
Friday, Sept. 26
FallPlant&BulbSale 9a.m.to3p.m.
Location:EdithJ.CarrierArboretum Buy a variety of houseplants, shrubs, trees and native perennials in the Frances Plecker EducationCenterandErnsttreeTerrace. DukeHallGalleryofFineArts 11a.m.to5p.m.
Location:DukeHall,room1022
This exhibition will feature art from awardwinning faculty members from the School of Art,DesignandArtHistory.FieldHockeyvs.Longwood 2p.m.
Location:JMUFieldHockeyComplex Watch JMU field hockey (6-3) face in-state opponent Longwood (2-6). Admission to the gameisfree.
“Let’sPlayD-U-U-K-E-E-S” 3-6p.m.
PackthePool 4p.m.
Location:URECPool byUptoeightteamswilltrytoearnpoints winningdifferentcompetitions,such poolasstand-uppaddleboarddodgeball,3v3 more.basketball,4v4poolvolleyballand Teamsarecompiledoffourpeopleandtheentryfeeis$20perteam. FamilyLiftOff 6-10p.m.
Location:URECFitnessCenter competeHeadovertoURECwithyourfamiilyto inastrengthcompetition.Each choice,familymembercanperformaliftoftheir andtheentryfeeis$15perteam. JimisGaffigan’s“Everything Wonderful!”tour 8p.m.
Location:AtlanticUnionBankCenter JimEight-timegrammy-nominatedcomedian AUBCGaffiganiscomingtoJMUtofillthe with laughter on Friday night.throughDoorsopenat7p.m.Ticketsareavailable JMU’swebsite.
Location:755MartinKingLutherJr.Way JMU Occupational Therapy Clinical Education Services(JMUOTCES)ishostingthiseventthat will have multiple stations with competitive activities for families to go head-to-head in challengesthathighlightoccupationaltherapy.
Saturday, Sept. 27
JMU Family Photobooth & Fun on Hanson Field 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Hanson Field
Take a visit to Hanson Field (off of Carrier and Bluestone Drive) to take a fun family photo and play games like bocce ball, Kan Jam, ladder golf, Lawn Yahtzee and more. There will also be a Kona Ice truck available to cool off.
FanZone 11 a.m. to 1 p.m
Location: Godwin patio
Football Game Live Stream 1:30 p.m.
Location: Festival (Lower Drum) and Taylor Down Under (TDU)
If you couldn’t get a ticket to the game before they sold out, don’t worry! There will be two spots on campus live streaming the game for JMU fans to watch together.
Women’s Soccer vs. Troy 8 p.m.
Location: Sentara Park
The FanZone will open two-and-a-half hours before JMU football’s 1:30 p.m. matchup against Georgia Southern. The pre-game festival will feature games and music.
Sunday, Sept. 28
Honors College Family Weekend Breakfast 9 - 11 a.m.
Location: Hillcrest House
All Honors students and their families are invited to this free breakfast. Honors College leadership will be present at the breakfast, students need to register themselves and family through BeInvolved.
Family Brunch at E-Hall or D-Hall
Location: E-Hall and D-Hall
Families can enjoy breakfast and lunch items at JMU’s dining halls for no additional charge for students with meal plans. Students can also use Dining Dollars or FLEX to pay for their family’s meals. Hours vary by location.
Acappellathon Concert 2 p.m.
Location: Memorial Hall Auditorium
Acapellathon is an annual a capella concert where JMU’s 10 student-led a capella groups perform and introduce new members. The entry fee is $5, payable by cash or Venmo.
After the football game, you can head over to Sentara Park to watch JMU women’s soccer (5-3-3) take on Troy (5-4-1), admission is free.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan brings comedy tour to JMU
By JOELLE MCKENZIE
The Breeze
Coinciding with Family Weekend, comedian Jim Gaffigan’s “Everything is Wonderful” comedy tour comes to Harrisonburg on Friday at the Atlantic Union Bank Center (AUBC).
However, few tickets remain for Gaffigan’s 8 p.m. show. The tickets left have a price range of $97 to $139 on JMU’s ticketing website.
Gaffigan is an eight-time Grammy nominee, but he’s not just a comedian; he’s an “actor, writer, producer, two-time New York Times best-selling author, three-time Emmy-winning top touring performer, and multi-platinum-selling recording artist,” according to his IMDb bio.
Gaffigan is known to be a clean comic, so his material is a perfect addition to Family Weekend, sure to make the whole family laugh.
Audiences might know him from his comedy specials, including recent 2024 comedy special “The Skinny,” which is only streaming on Hulu.
In “The Skinny,” his set includes material about his weight
loss and taking appetite suppressants, religion, being a parent and his marriage. All of his material is told in his style of observational comedy with a delivery that makes the audience laugh with every punchline.
He got his start in comedy after moving to New York City in the ’90s and working an advertising job, when he decided to take an improv class to help with public speaking anxiety; ultimately, he tried stand-up comedy after a dare from an improv classmate, according to an article from Variety.
In an interview with Cincinnati Magazine, he listed some of his comedy influences as Jonathan Winters, David Letterman, Bill Murray, Dave Attell and Louie Anderson. In the same article, Gaffigan also mentioned George Carlin’s “style of writing and deciphering a topic” as a big influence. He also said he likes his “comedy to be evergreen and not be topical and not be mean.”
“Saturday Night Live” fans may recognize him from his four-episode portrayal of vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in 2024, during “SNL’s” 50th season. Gaffigan’s depiction of Walz was lauded by viewers, especially in the YouTube comment section of the vice-presidential
debate cold open, where viewers described it as “impeccable,” “PERFECT casting,” and another commented that “Jim Gaffigan was the PERFECT choice to play Tim Walz.”
As an actor, Gaffigan is known for “Chappaquiddick” (2017), “American Dreamer” (2018), “Peter Pan & Wendy” (2023) and “Linoleum” (2022), according to his IMDb page.
Gaffigan’s two best-selling books, “Dad is Fat” and “Food: A Love Story,” were published in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The first one is a biography about Gaffigan’s life as a father with his wife and five kids. The second is about his love for food and eating, and he goes in-depth about various types of food, “from health food to things that people actually enjoy eating,” according to the book’s description from Penguin Random House .
CONTACT Joelle McKenzie at breezecopy@gmail.com. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.
what’s with all the campus construction?
By SIMONE DYSTANT & JAMYA RIBBON contributing writers
Carrier Library and Potomac Hall are just the beginning of a series of renovations JMU has planned as the campus continues to develop.
In addition to wrapping up ongoing constructions in Spotswood Hall and Festival Food Court, JMU has further plans for renovations in Johnston Hall, introducing a new building to East Campus and more.
Spotswood Hall
Spotswood Hall, soon to be renamed Alger Hall, is expected to be finished before fall 2026 — just in time for fall enrollment, Associate Vice President of Business Services Craig Short said.
The new Spotswood Hall will include the Madison Center for Civic Engagement — an academic center dedicated to voter and civic education — in addition to its role as a residence hall, Short said.
Spotswood will also reopen as the civic leadership Residential Learning Community (RLC) for first-year students, according to a Madison Center article published on its website.
Although the inclusion of the Madison Center will cause reduced occupancy in the renovated hall, Short said, the newly opened
Village residence hall — Potomac Hall — will fill in the gaps with its increased capacity and balance residence life with the Madison Center’s inclusion in Spotswood.
“I think it’s pretty neat programming, what they do in there,” Short said. “Students at large would get to take advantage … and be beneficiaries of that.”
The new civic leadership RLC will include: a civic engagement library, small conference space, grand conference room, multipurpose classroom and private offices for staff, aimed at providing students with “a dynamic, handson environment to explore the principles and practices of civic engagement” right in their living space, according to an article from JMU’s website.
Some drawbacks were met in renovating the building originating from 1917, especially with maintaining the foundation without altering the roof and conforming to deadlines, Short said. But overall, he said the renovation project has gone smoothly, with few obstacles.
“There is no play at all in the completion of a residence hall: You miss it one day, you’ve missed it by a year,” Short said.
Festival Food Court
The Festival Food Court will now complete its construction in October 2025 due to a delay in acquiring supplies, Short said.
The Festival Food Court’s construction will finish in October of 2025. Caden Burch / The Breeze
“We knew when we started … We were going to have our hands full, because it’s so equipmentheavy and post-pandemic,” Short said.
Short added that some of the challenges stemmed from the pandemic and noted that acquiring the necessities — such as deep fryers, freezers and grease hoods — could take six to 12 months, and JMU doesn’t know exactly when the materials will arrive.
Additionally, Short said Festival is “infinitely more difficult” than the Spotswood project because it requires materials that are more challenging to obtain, such as the ANSUL system used to prevent fires.
“We wanted to hurry up and get it rolling, so we went ahead and did it, knowing it would be ready by fall but afraid to nail down exactly when,” Short said.
As Festival goes through construction, some food venues have been temporarily relocated to the Atlantic Union Bank Center (AUBC), including Burgers + Fries, Ignite and Madison Press. However, Short said which venues will remain in AUBC remain subject to change, depending on how much traffic new the Chick-fil-A channels to Festival.
“I have a suspicion Chick-fil-A will take all the oxygen out of the room, and then we’ll have to revisit what’s in there, maybe do something different,” Short said.
Queue management was also considered for the construction, Short said, adding that although Chick-fil-A was previously planned to be on the first floor of the food court, it’s been moved upstairs to “accommodate longer lines.”
Nevertheless, the wait is over. Short said by October 2025, students can expect a Chickfil-A, a deli, pizza, pasta, burgers and more.
“We want it done,” Short said. “We want to be in there making burgers and fries, pizza and deli sandwiches, and of course working the Chick-fil-A.”
Future projects
While these two projects, alongside the Carrier Library renovation, are the only active renovation projects at JMU, Short said there’s still more to come in the next decade, including:
• An addition to Johnston Hall
• A new unnamed East Campus residence hall
• An addition to E-Hall
• An addition to the Health and Behavioral Studies Building
• Future renovations to Festival
While most of these projects are still subject to change, Short said, students should still keep an eye out.
“It’s a guide,” Short said. “It’s not written in stone, but most of the things that have been done in this campus over the last 10 years were in the last 10-year plan.”
CONTACT Simone Dystant and Jamya Ribbon at dystansl@dukes.jmu.edu and ribbonjm@dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @ BreezeJMU.
BE WHERE THE STUDENTS ARE
Students can expect a new Chick-fil-A, deli, pizza, pasta, burgers and more in the new food court. Caden Burch / The Breeze Carrier Library renovations. Landon Shackleford / The Breeze
Let’s Catch Up
Caden Burch | The Breeze
Annabel Dewey | The Breeze
Connor Smith | The Breeze
Caden Burch | The Breeze
Anna Thomas | The Breeze
Annabel Dewey | The Breeze
Landon Shackelford | The Breeze Sierra Stockman | The Breeze
Landon Shackelford | The Breeze
Ellie Campbell | The Breeze
The seven unforgettable concerts that rocked JMU
By ALEXIA SHOEMAKER contributing writer
From soul-pop pioneers to rappers and indie headliners, the University Program Board (UPB) has transformed quiet lecture halls into roaring crowds.
What began with upright pianos and pressed suits has evolved into bass-thumping lightshows and crowd surfing fans.
Here are seven iconic concerts that have defined UPB’s history on campus:
1. Hall & Oates (1975)
On Dec. 5, 1975, the stylish rock-soul duo Hall & Oates brought their smooth harmonies to Wilson Hall, charging just $3 for advance tickets. The performance was one of the first major acts booked by the then-new Campus Program Board, later renamed UPB.
Students packed into the auditorium to hear the rising stars and see a glimpse of the national talent that would soon become standard on campus.
“It was our first taste of what big concerts could feel like,” said Jane Murphy (’89), who later chaired UPB. “Shows like that inspired us to dream bigger.”
2. The Kinks (1985)
The Kinks performed at the JMU Convocation Center on March 27, 1985 — and delivered what then-Breeze reporter Brian Rawdon called “the most exciting and first-rate evening of music JMU has seen in a long time.”
Lead singer Ray Davies sprinted across the stage, swapped outfits every 15 minutes and whipped the crowd into clapping frenzies with spontaneous shots. The 80-minute show ended too soon for fans, who were still on their feet and wanted more music.
“The Kinks gave the people what they wanted,” Rawdon wrote. “Only it wasn’t enough.”
3. Echo & The Bunnymen (1988)
By the late ’80s, post-punk was pulsing through the Shenandoah Valley — and Echo & the Bunnymen brought it straight to campus.
On Feb. 19, 1988, 1,200 students packed the Convocation Center and paid $13.50 each to watch the British band perform under pastel lights and curling smoke. Then-Breeze reporter Morgan Ashton described the scene as “a fantasy backdrop of netting and tree branches” which gave the illusion of “a deep forest shrouded in fog.”
Frontman Ian McCulloch’s vocals soared over the freighttrain bass of Les Pattinson during fan favorites like “Rescue” and “The Cutter,” pulling balcony fans to their feet.
“Their music has an optimistic quality that is continually polished,” Ashton wrote. “Their musical attitude is almost antithetical to the mope-rock of their progressive cousins — The Cure.”
Murphy — who helped book the show during her UPB tenure — said moments like that made the long planning hours worth it.
“We relied on flyers and word of mouth,” she said. “Success meant hitting about 60% capacity — if the place was full, we celebrated.”
4. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (2013)
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis lit up the Convocation Center on April 8, 2013 — just as the iconic “Thrift Shop” was climbing the charts.
“Thrift shops, hand-me-downs and fur coats aren’t just things of the past anymore,” then-Breeze writer Alicia Hesse reported. “The longest running No. 1 rap single on Billboard Magazine’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, early on in the night and again as one of the three encore songs.”
During the show, Macklemore noticed a student wearing a fur coat and borrowed it on stage to perform the hit single, sending the crowd into chaos, according to Hesse.
In fall 2023, Dukes packed the Atlantic Union Bank Center to hear that year’s Homecoming artist, Yung Gravy. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze
A duke’s guide to tailgating
By MADI PERINI
The Breeze
College football traditions begin long before kickoff when tailgaters fill the parking lots across campus. By the time the sun is up on game day, campus is already filled with the scent of everyone’s dad’s barbecue — no one is without purple attire, and surely someone has their curated game day playlist ready to go.
Tailgating is an important part of football, and for Family Weekend, it’s one of the best ways to involve yourself in JMU culture.
Whether you’ve been tailgating for decades or are showing up with a bag of chips and a smile, here’s your complete guide to attending a Dukes’ tailgate.
Parking and procedure
Finding parking on game day can be tough. Each parking area at JMU has its own vibe.
The reserved areas are where the biggest tailgates happen. You’ll see rows of tents, grills, and purple and gold by mid-morning before the game.
The spots reserved for Duke Club members and are already sold out for the 2025 season.
If you have a pass, these reserved areas open at 8 a.m. for games that start at 6 p.m.
or earlier, and at noon for later games. Tailgating ends two hours after the game.
General parking is free and it’s firstcome, first-served. These areas also open at 8 a.m., but you can’t start tailgating until four hours before the game, and it must stop when the game starts. Some families park in the campus garages because it’s easier to find parking spots there.
Some students hang out in the R1 Lot near Long Mauck Stadium, where they bring coolers, play cornhole and take plenty of digital pictures. This area opens four hours before the game and closes 30 minutes before it begins. Students need a game ticket and their JACard for entry.
For accessible parking, Lot C3 opens at 8 a.m., like the other lots, and has a shuttle to the
stadium gates. RVs and buses can park in Lot R10 off Hunters Road starting Friday evening, which turns into a mini fan neighborhood.
Canopies are a must for any tailgate, but there are some rules. Only pop-up ones are allowed, and you have to hold them down with weights, not stakes. Unless approved by JMU Athletics beforehand, canopies can’t be bigger than 10-by-10 feet, and they can’t block sidewalks, bike paths or roads. Like everything else, take them down within two hours after the game.
Virginia alcohol laws and JMU rules still apply on game day, so watch yourself and others, and know your limits.
Wherever you park, get there early, follow the rules and have fun with all the excitement that comes with JMU tailgating.
Enjoying food and games with family and friends is the name of the game when it comes to tailgating.
Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze
Food and drink
If the parking lots are the stage, then food is the star. At JMU, tailgates become outdoor kitchens. You’ll find everything from classic cookout food to fancy spreads, just like a backyard party.
Burgers and hot dogs are always a hit, but lots of families go all out with pulled pork, barbecue chicken or a special family recipe. Small grills are the most useful. Keep in mind, you can use gas grills, but charcoal and open fires aren’t permitted.
Snacks keep everyone happy and hanging out. Chips, dips, veggies, wings and sliders always vanish fast.
Parents are the real stars if they bring something sweet, like cookies, brownies, or even purple and gold cupcakes. You need to pack coolers with water and sodas to keep everyone cool — mainly if it’s a hot day, don’t forget extra ice!
When all is said and done, make sure to clean up after yourself. Dukes are known for holding doors, not leaving trash behind.
What makes JMU tailgate food great is that everyone shares. People nearby will trade snacks or give you an extra plate. You can often see people talking about barbecue sauce. In the end, the food does more than fill
you up — it builds a sense of community that makes game day special.
Family and fun
You can only stand around in a hot parking lot and eat food for so long, so here’s how to stay entertained: cornhole is the clear winner; it’s easy to set up and play, and it gets people just competitive enough to trash-talk each other. Ladder toss, Kan Jam and giant Jenga are also popular, giving families and students a reason to hang around and have a good time.
Family Weekend also brings a different type of community to campus. This gives parents and students the perfect opportunity to get to know roommates, friends, classmates and families, so take advantage of that.
However you choose to spend your Saturday outside of Bridgeforth Stadium, make sure to do it responsibly, respectfully and don’t forget to take in the time you have with the people around you.
CONTACT Madi Perini at perinimr@dukes. jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @
We repair instruments
SUNDAY - THURSDAY 11:00 AM TO 9:00 PM
FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11:00 AM TO 10:00 PM
Tailgates are a great opportunity to meet new people. Landon Shackelford / The Breeze
WHAT ARE YOU paying?
By EMMA NOTARNICOLA The Breeze
In 2025, JMU’s cost of college increased 3% in for in-state students, costing $8,312 in base tuition and $14,300 with added fees, according to a report by the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia — this increase will go toward increased faculty and staff salaries, auxiliary costs, and differential on-campus housing.
This is an approximately $334 increase from 2024-2025. Pricing for tuition, room and board went from a calculated $13,966 to $14,300, according to calculations based on information provided from the state council report.
This report found that JMU’s increase is on par with other universities like George Mason University, (a 2.5% increase) and the state average: a 2.7% increase.
Additionally, JMU’s increase was much lower than universities like Virginia Commonwealth University, which had a 6.2% increase, and Virginia Tech, which had a 6.9% increase, according to the report.
With these percentage increases, it’s important to compare the monetary result of the increase to other universities in Virginia, Division of Administration and Finance Vice President Towana Moore said during the April Board of Visitors (BoV) meeting, she added that a 1% increase at JMU is different from an increase at more expensive Virginia schools.
“JMU, a 1% increase for a year is $82, but if you’re [at] William and Mary, a 1% increase is $188,” Moore said at the BoV meeting.
JMU’s tuition and room and board collectively remain lower than a majority of other schools in Virginia — including the University of Virginia at $20,038 and William & Mary at $26,456 — and on par with the state average of $14,846, according to the same report.
What does the new increase go toward?
During the April BoV meeting, the board approved tuition increases for this year.
Moore proposed a 2% increase to tuition for in-state undergraduate students, and additional increases to auxiliary costs, specifically housing, dining and comprehensive fees.
Moore said some of this increase was to account for the 3% pay increase and 6% benefits increase for public university employees, which happened earlier in the year due to the work of lobbyist organizations which support workers rights in Virginia, according to the Virginia Governmental Employees Association website.
For auxiliary costs, JMU saw a 3% ($172) annual increase in comprehensive fees, with the approval of differential housing rates, and a $314 annual increase for dining costs, resulting in a 4% increase to room and board.
In an emailed statement to The Breeze, JMU administration and finance department wrote that for the 2025-26 school year, in-state on-campus student tuition and auxiliary fees increased by 3.2% or $836, and 2.5% or $1,096 for out-of-state students living on campus.
The statement continued that this increase “reflects the university’s ongoing efforts to balance rising operational
costs with our mission to deliver exceptional value to students and families.”
What you’re paying
Generally, for Virginia residents, students pay an average of $277 per credit hour, with out-of-state students paying around $863 per credit hour, according to JMU’s website.
For students taking 12 or more credit hours per semester, this comes to around $4,156 with $2,994 in comprehensive fees for in-state students and $12,959 with $2,994 in comprehensive fees for out-of-state students, according to the website.
With this, students in the College of Business (CoB) and the nursing major face differential tuition, which is an additional cost added to better accommodate certain programs that may require more expensive materials than others, according to a presentation made during April’s BoV meeting.
CoB classes face an additional $55 per credit hour, with nursing classes charged an additional $97, JMU’s website reads.
“Additional funding ensures students experience state-ofthe-art technology,” reads the CoB website, “which result in more internship and job placement opportunities for students.”
On-campus housing contributes to the costs of college as well, with differential costs based on the amenities of each on-campus location. These dormitories are split into four categories named A-D, according to JMU’s website.
from TUITION, page 15
Here is the information for each on-campus location’s differential cost per semester, with an added internet connection fee of $138, from the JMU website:
• Category A: Non-air-conditioned traditional style, $3,234
• Category B: Air-conditioned, style varies in building, $3,484
• Category C: Air-conditioned built or renovated after 2019, $3,734
• Category D: Air-conditioned apartment style, $3,984
On-campus living comes coupled with an on-campus dining plan, which also plays a part in college costs per semester. Dining plan costs range from the least expensive, the 14 Punch, costing $3,287 per semester, to the most expensive, All Access Plus, costing $3,659 per semester, according to the website.
Additionally, first-year students face a $200 orientation fee, which only shows up for their tuition payments in their first semester, according to this JMU website.
Where tuition is going
A vast majority of tuition-based fund — approximately 66.6% — which is around $299 million, goes toward instruction and academic support, with 15% to institutional support, 11% to physical plant, 7% to student services and 0.3% to public service, according to JMU’s breakdown of tuition.
Instruction and academic support, according to the website, include activities which are a part of the “institution’s instructional programs” which include general academic instruction, public service and research, with academic support going toward libraries, financial aid and student health.
Institutional goes to the “day-to-day” function of the university, physical plant goes to services like transportation and housekeeping, student services go toward activities related to the “emotional and physical well-being” of the students and public service goes to non-institutional related activities, such as volunteership.
The same website provides information on auxiliary costs, also referred to as comprehensive costs, which go toward “institutional share of projected state-mandated compensation, fringe benefits, and health insurance premium increases for university employees,” read the emailed statement, as well as operations, technology, and facilities costs.
The majority — 41% — goes to intercollegiate athletics, 20.6% goes to auxiliary services, 16.4% to student activity, 14.4% to facilities, 5.1% to student health services and 2.5% to transportation, according to the website.
Why care?
Sophomore biology major Sophie Pearlman said tuition was too high already and shouldn’t be increasing.
“I don’t see any reason why it should be increasing,” Pearlman said, “I think that students already pay way too much here.”
Though JMU’s tuition is considerably less than other Virginia colleges, Pearlman said, it is still difficult to financially manage due to parking, meal plans and other surplus costs.
Additionally, Pearlman added that though JMU has nice amenities, the cost of tuition doesn’t help students get the most out of their money.
“I think that the price of amenities here is reasonable, because I think that JMU does have a lot of, like, accessible amenities for every kind of thing that you’d want to do,” she said, “our research is well-funded. The gym is beautiful. We have great
dining halls. But also, I think that, overwhelmingly, the price of tuition and living here is still too high.”
Freshman elementary education major Livia Stahl said students should pay attention to price increases and stay aware of where their money is going.
“Whether they’re paying it or it’s their parents, it’s coming from someone’s pocket so I think it’s definitely important to care about,” she said.
Accommodations for increasing tuition
In the emailed statement, University Administration and Finance wrote that JMU is continuously working toward providing sufficient financial aid and scholarship money to offset rising tuition.
“JMU continues to be a leader in navigating pathways for exceptional student experiences, preparation and success while remaining an outstanding educational value,” the emailed statement read. “We also continue to expand financial aid opportunities and scholarships to support students.”
Though some students, like Pearlman, find the current system for scholarships and financial aid is lacking, especially for incoming freshmen. Other students, like freshman business management major Lucas Fels, think differently.
Fels said, though he is not a recipient of any financial aid or scholarship, from what he’s seen, JMU has “done a good job” giving out these resources to those who need them
CONTACT Emma Notarnicola at breezenews@gmail.com. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @BreezeJMU.
5. Juicy J (2014)
UPB leaned fully into big party energy on April 24, 2014, with a spring concert featuring rappers Sage the Gemini and headliner Juicy J.
“Urban Dictionary, the internet’s leading slang dictionary, defines ‘turn up’ as: ‘to let loose and have fun’ and JMU’s spring concert this year was all about ‘turning up,’” thenBreeze reporter Breanna Garrett wrote at the time.
The article recounted students’ excitement, with Dukes cheering throughout the opening performance by Sage Gemini.
“I’m most excited to ‘turn up’ because that’s why we’re all in here and I’m really excited to see Juicy J,” said Joshua Jenkins, then a junior music industry major who was quoted in Garrett’s article.
6. Yung Gravy (2023)
During the fall 2023 semester, UPB packed the Atlantic Union Bank Center (AUBC) with fans for a performance by rapper Yung Gravy.
“I heard about it through UPB,” said Rachel Ferrell, now a senior, in The Breeze’s article. “I went with my sister and had a lot of fun.”
Promotion looked different this time around — not flyers on bulletin boards, but colorful campaigns across TikTok, Instagram and the student “Potty Mouth” newsletter.
7. Jonas Brothers (2023)
Later that fall, the Jonas Brothers brought pop stardom to the Quad on Nov. 18, 2023.
The brothers took the stage during ESPN College GameDay’s visit to Harrisonburg in honor of the show’s 30th anniversary.
The trio performed alongside rising country artist Bailey Zimmerman, debuting their new collaboration “Strong Enough.” Thousands of students filled the Quad at sunrise for the nationally televised broadcast, waving signs and singing along in the cold morning air.
What’s Next?
From JMU’s Glee Club’s first show in 1910 to students crowd surfing in glitter boots today, campus concerts have shaped the university’s social scene for generations. U PB will soon add another chapter when indie-pop band Wallows perform Oct. 3 at the AUBC. At JMU, the music plays on, and so do the memories.
CONTACT Alexia Shoemaker at shoemaap@dukes.jmu. edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and Instagram @BreezeJMU.
The Jonas Brothers performed as part of ESPN College GameDay’s 2023 visit to JMU’s campus and in honor of the show’s 30th anniversary. Breeze file photo
making friends in the friendly city
By ANNALISE JAMES SCOTT contributing writer
Making new friends is a goal many students have going into a new semester, but with the chaos of the first few weeks of classes, it can be difficult to focus on making connections.
Some students have found themselves spending most of their time alone, instead of with a multitude of friends like they may have imagined. This is completely normal — creating your space at college looks different for everyone and can take time.
It may be disheartening to feel like you haven’t found your group yet; however, making new friendships, especially ones that will last even after university, takes time and effort.
It’s perfectly OK not to have made a lot of friends yet. There’s still plenty of time and opportunity for you to find your people.
“It took probably a couple months because I met a lot of people, but then I didn’t know who I was actually gonna remain friends with,” junior Allison Mondoro said. “By the end of the first few months, there was a routine of people that I would choose to hang out with.”
It can be a daunting task to put yourself out there and meet new people, but the many ways having friends can improve your overall
university experience make the effort worth it. Having someone to eat with after class, laugh with and explore the campus with can improve your overall happiness and comfort level at JMU.
“When you don’t have anything to do over the weekends or after classes, it’s good to be able to talk to your friends and hang out with them,” sophomore Worbal Sahar said when asked about how her friends have impacted her experience at JMU. “I think it’s affected every aspect of living here.”
Having friends can also help you suceed academically. It’s easier to do well in a class when you have someone to motivate you, study with and help you catch up when you’ve missed a class.
“When you have a good group of people around you, they can support you and encourage you to get your grades up,” sophomore Nura Mahyoub said. “You can study with them, even if you’re not studying the same thing.”
It’s important to keep in mind that friends add to your experience at JMU, not detract from it. When deciding who to befriend, it can be helpful to choose people who have similar values and interests, you can be authentic with and whose company you truly enjoy.
If you have to alter your personality to be liked by someone, they might not be the best person to be friends with.
“Just be yourself, you don’t have to change yourself for someone,” Mondoro said. “If you find yourself changing your humor, or even putting in more effort to your appearance or stuff like that, just to make sure that person likes you, I just don’t feel like it’s worth it.”
When it comes to making friends at university, most of the advice that’s given can be boiled down to three things: being involved, proactive and consistent.
To be involved, it’s necessary to put yourself out there. This can include things like joining clubs, going to events and regularly attending and participating in your classes. When you’re involved, you’re opening yourself up to opportunities to meet and socialize with new people. This is an important first step in making friends; if you don’t get out there, you lose the opportunity to meet your next best friend.
Being proactive involves being the one to break the ice with someone new. This can be asking someone for advice on a class assignment, complimenting them or asking them how their day is going. It can be intimidating to initiate a conversation with someone new, but being proactive is vital.
Worst-case scenarios may flood your mind, but remember that most people aren’t closed off to making new friends. Harrisonburg is called the Friendly City for a reason.
“Everyone’s really nice, everyone’s easy to talk to,” freshman Maisey Carr said. “Just talk to people next to you. I haven’t met anyone I don’t like yet.”
“Consistency is key” is a phrase that shows up often when someone has a goal. While this phrase might be more often attributed to goals like improving at learning a new language, a new dance or perfecting a new recipe, it’s also applicable to making friends.
Not everyone you speak with is going to share your passions, values or humor. The next time you introduce yourself to someone, it may lead to them becoming your best friend for life — or it may just lead to a pleasant conversation.
Read more online at breezejmu.org
CONTACT Annalise James Scott at jamessam@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X @TheBreezeJMU and on Instagram @ BreezeJMU.
Banking Fit For Dukes!
CommonWealth One is James Madison University’s trusted, full-service financial institution. We’re conveniently located on campus and offer everything you might need financially as a student. What we don’t have? Excessive and unnecessary fees.
Our Student Accounts Come With:
4.00% Cash Back with Kasasa Eats® Checking — Feed your stomach and your wallet.1
Duke Dog Credit Card with no annual fee and a low, variable rate — Build credit wisely.2
2.00% APY* with Kasasa Saver® — Make your money work harder.1
Online and Mobile Banking — Access to your money 24/7.
Duke Dog Debit Card with access to 80,000 free ATMs — Swipe with pride.
On-Campus Branch and ATMs — Convenience is steps away, no car required.
