>> Interested in working
>> Don’t forget to
for The Breeze? Stop by for our open house in the back of Anthony-Seeger Hall Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. for info and free pizza!
read our football supplement, exclusively in this issue. Go Dukes! Serving James Madison University Since 1922
Vol. 88, No. 4 Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thunderstorms 80°/ 64° chance of precipitation: 40%
Where the green grass grows ISAT Hillside Naturalization Project reduces runoff erosion, promotes environmental education By JORDAN PYE contributing writer
The hill on the side of the Integrated Sciences and Technologies building got a wild and rugged makeover this summer, an earthy contrast to the bright flowerbeds and neatly trimmed lawns that characterize most of campus. The expanse of tangled stems and weeds stretches from the edge of the lawn touching Carrier Drive to the East Campus creek at the bottom of the hill. Grassy paths cross through the patches of untended plants and spindly sunflowers peek above the leafy brush. The goal of this makeover was to cultivate a wildflower
meadow, which will cut back the need for mowing and keep the steep slope from eroding under heavy rain, according to Christie-Joy Brodrick Hartman, the executive director of the JMU Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World. “The Hillside Project embodies an expanded vision of the educational and functional roles of the grounds,” Hartman said. Unlike the grasses that were originally planted on the hillside, which were not natural to the landscape, these native grass species and wildflowers develop broad, intricate root systems that hold soil in place as rainwater rushes down the hill. The previous landscape needed constant trimming, but the meadow now sustains itself
and should improve the environmental health of the hillside. When rain falls on East Campus, it streams through parking lots and puddles in construction sites, picking up trash, chemicals and liquids leaked from cars. Now, gushes of water will slow to a trickle on the hillside between bunches of wild grasses that filter out contaminants and prevent the rain’s momentum from uprooting plants. Wildflowers attract birds and insects to pollinate the meadow, which will change rapidly as its dynamic ecosystem grows and provides a research subject see HILL, page A8
PAUL JONES / THE BREEZE
Students and professors began work on the Integrated Sciences and Technology Building’s Hillside Naturalization Project last semester as a part of JMU’s efforts to become more environmentally friendly. Today the hillside is lush with wild grass and weeds, so far proving to be successful. The wild grasses are planted to help slow runoff to a trickle from East Campus and will also filter out contaminants.
CRIME
FRESHMEN
Gun thief suspect arrested
Black is the new gold
The Harrisonburg Police Department arrested a Broadway, Va. man for allegedly stealing guns from the Rockingham Cooperative on West Grace Street. Vladimir P. Mazur, , was charged with four felony counts of larceny with intent to sell, two counts of felony breaking and entering, two felony counts of grand larceny and two felony counts of property damage. Mazur allegedly broke into the co-op twice to steal guns, according to Harrisonburg police spokeswoman Mary-Hope Vass. Police say the first break-in took place July at approximately p.m. Mazur Vladmir P. Mazur, 23, allegedly was arrested with broke one of felony charges of the co-op’s larceny with intent to windows to enter the store. The second break-in took place Aug. , and officers responded to a call at about : p.m. Vass said Mazur stole guns in total. Of those , were recovered; of these confirmed to have come from the co-op. “It’s very much an ongoing investigation,” Vass said. “We’re still working to determine where they were from and what he was doing with them.” HPD worked with its RUSH Drug Task Force, the CHARGE Gang Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to make the arrest. — staff reports
9/8 INSIDE
A3
Class of 2015 first to receive black JACard designed by Card Services By COREY TIERNEY contributing writer
LAURA WEEKS / THE BREEZE
The Duke Dog compares the old JACard with the class of 2015’s new JACard, which features a black background and various hologrammed shapes.
NEWS Streaking streak
Police investigating two indecent exposures on campus.
A5
OPINION No social change?
Maybe it’s because you’ve been using social media.
For the new freshman class, students’ list of supplies includes textbooks, notebooks, pens, a computer and, most importantly, a brand new JACard. The class of ’s JACard design is unlike any of the previous classes’ JACards — it’s black with a holograms of stars and other shapes. The card was designed by Jason Chandler, a senior network support technician for Card Services. He also designed the previous card, which is gold, and JACards for the faculty and staff. Becky Hinkle, the director of Card Services, said the design itself isn’t meant to be particularly significant. “We wanted it to look professional and the hologram is used over top of the design so the card cannot be easily copied,” Hinkle said. She said the JMU Identity Office provided Card Services with a number of Duke Dog photos to include on the JACard. The JACard is routinely redesigned, or at least slightly modified, every five or six years, according to Jan Roberson, the office manager for Card Services. She said no card design is permanent. Freshmen receive their first JACard during Summer Springboard Orientation at no cost. On Aug. , the first day of classes, the second floor of Warren Hall was packed with students needing a replacement, Roberson said.
A7
LIFE Around the world
Students from Europe and Asia begin their JMU careers.
Between and students stood outside the Card Services desk that day, according to Roberson. Students reported lost or stolen JACards and requested that their pictures be added to the cards. After the picture is taken, Roberson said it’s added to the card, which is printed and activated for immediate use. She said the desk’s busiest day is on Mondays, with about replacements. “You wouldn’t believe some of the stories we get on Monday mornings,” Roberson said. The rest of the week, anywhere from to students report lost or stolen cards, according to Roberson. Freshman Justin Reniva, a health sciences major, said he depends on his JACard because he can use it for Dining Dollars and FLEX. He said he doesn’t mind the card’s new look. “The holographic design along with the picture looks great,” Reniva said. Lisa Wilson, a junior interdisciplinary liberal studies major, wishes the card were purple or gold. “I think black is not as schoolspirited as the classic yellow ones,” Wilson said. “I don’t like the idea of the black JACard being the norm a couple years from now.” JMU first used an electronic card system for dining hall purchases in , Hinkle said. CONTACT Corey Tierney at tiernecm@dukes.jmu.edu.
A11
SPORTS It’s game time
The Dukes’ look to move on from their opening loss in a big way.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Renting begins for the 2012/2013 school year on Monday, October 3, 2011!