Madison 101 (The Student and Parent Guide to James Madison University) by The Breeze

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V5.15.19

TABLE OF

CONTENTS S U RV IVA L G U I D E

page 6

7 8 9 11 13 15 17

Meal plan breakdown Dining hall face-off JMU social media accounts Uber alternatives You’ve got mail Friendly faces on campus Proper dorm etiquette

WE ARE JMU page 18

19 National Press Club president 21 First diversity, equity, inclusion VP 23 Mental health nonprofit founder

OFF CAMPUS page 24

25 10+ places you need to visit 27 Downtown coffee

J M U S P O RT S

page 29

30 Stadium map 31 Where are they now? 32 Guide to JMU tailgating

FASHION page 34

35 How to dress for the occasion

MEET THE STAFF

KATELYN WALTEMYER

CARLEY WELCH

JULIA RUBIN

Katelyn graduated in May with

Carley graudated in May with a degree in media arts and design with a concentration in journalism and a minor in political communications. She was the news editor for The Breeze and will be graduating from American University with a master’s in journalism and public affairs in the spring of 2022.

Julia is a junior working toward a degree in media arts and design with a concentration in creative advertising and a minor in sociology. She was the art director for The Breeze her sophomore year and is now creating her own student-led magazine.

editor

a degree in media arts and design with a concentration in journalism and a minor in communication studies. She was the editor-in-chief of The Breeze her senior year and is now working at a USA TODAY affiliate in West Virginia.

articles editor

On the cover Photo by Carley Welch

Former SGA President Dela Adedze graduated in May with two degrees — one in political science and another in economics. During his time at JMU, Adedze says, his main focus was to serve as a consistent and valuable resource for the student body.

art director

Special thanks to

Brad Jenkins & Blake Shepherd Your help and support didn’t go unnoticed Photo on the cover by Christine Brady

Learn more about the position and the RA Selection Process/Timeline >>>

Photos by Maddie Root

size up?

JAMES FARIS

Students living on campus are required to purchase one of four residential meal plans: 14 Punch, 11 Punch, All Access or All Access Plus, which ranged from $2,688 to $3,020 per semester in 2020-21 and are expected to be $2,755 to $3,093 per semester in 2021-22.

11 punch

The university’s 11 Punch plan in 2020-21 gave students 11 meal passes per week, $500 Dining Dollars per semester and five guest punches per semester for $2,816. Students pay $2,316 for punches in this plan, excluding $500 Dining Dollars, and receive 181 punches per semester, including the five guest punches. Simple division shows that punches cost $12.80 each. JMU Dining’s 11 Punch plan in the 2019-20 academic year cost $2,657 and also included $500 Dining Dollars, though it didn’t have guest punches. The 176 punches included in the semester-long plan cost $2,157, excluding the cost of Dining Dollars, and were $12.26 each. The price-perpunch on the 11 Punch plan increased 4.4% from last year. The cost-per punch on the 11 Punch plan is expected to leap 3% higher to $13.18 in 2021-22.

14 punch

JMU Dining’s 14 Punch plan offered students 14 meal punches per week along with $275 Dining Dollars and seven guest punches per semester. Subtracting the $275 Dining Dollars from the $2,688 meal plan equals $2,413, which is the cost of the 231 punches in the plan, including the seven guest punches. That means punches in the 14 Punch plan cost $10.45 each. Last year, JMU Dining’s 14 Punch plan cost $2,536 and also included $275 Dining Dollars, but it didn’t have seven guest punches. Students on that plan had 14 punches per week for 16 weeks for a total of 224 punches and paid $10.09 per punch. Dividing the price of JMU Dining’s new 14 Punch plan by its 2019 version shows prices rose 3.6% year-over-year on a per-punch basis. The cost-per punch on the 14 Punch plan is expected to rise another 2.8% to $10.74 in 2021-22.

All Access & All Access Plus plans

JMU Dining’s All Access and All Access Plus plans cost $2,920 and $3,020, respectively, in 2020-21 and provide students with unlimited visits to D-Hall and E-Hall, which are buffet-style dining halls, as well as three meal punches per day for Duke Deals, 12 guest punches per semester and respective Dining Dollar allotments of $175 and $275. Meal punches in these plans don’t roll over day-to-day, so students must use them or lose them each day. In these plans, which are identical except that the Plus plan has an extra $100 Dining Dollars, punches cost $7.89 each. Students on these plans get unlimited access to D-Hall and E-Hall as well as 348 punches per semester: 21 per week for 16 weeks plus 12 guest punches. Taking the $3,020 price of the All Access Plus plan and subtracting out $275 Dining Dollars equals $2,745 — the cost of all 348 punches — and dividing the number of punches by that total yields $7.89. The cost-per punch on the All Access and All Access Plus plans is expected to jump 2.7% to $8.10 in 2021-22.

Food face-off

KE S

Located just off the Quad, D-Hall is an easily accessible dining option in-between classes and for residents living on main campus. On the first floor, there are many dining options such as Chick-fil-a, Freshëns, Qdoba, Steak ‘n Shake and Market 64 for anyone looking for a quick meal. The second floor of D-Hall has a wide array of buffet-style food available such as a salad bar, a build-your-own pasta station, a stir fry station and more. Plus, there are even peanut and gluten free safe zones. Located right next to Carrier Library, Dukes is the perfect place to stop by for a mid-study break meal. Within Duke Dining is Oath Pizza, Blue Ridge Bowl, PC Wings, Panda Express and The Den. Quick service is guaranteed at Dukes with electronic self-checkout screens located at each dining location, and easy takeout options as well for on-the-go dining. Although D-Hall’s second floor and E-Hall have many similar food options, E-Hall is a must-visit for the homemade ice cream, all-day breakfast sandwich station and all-day waffle bar. For those looking for vegan cuisine, there’s a vegan station here which is not available anywhere else on campus. Though E-Hall is smaller than D-Hall, some find the layout more convenient. The majority of the food stations are lining the walls of the hall, with a couple in the center, making it quicker to navigate than D-Hall’s circular layout.

MEGHAN LEE

L L A

T S E F

L A IV

Festival has many unique dining choices such as Chinese food, Mexican food, wings, grilled cheese, sandwiches and acai bowls. For those who are tired of visiting the dining halls, Festival is a refreshing and tasty dining location. Additionally, there is pre-packaged food available along with fresh fruit and sandwiches, which is extra helpful for students living on campus who want to stock up on snacks for their dorm. Breeze file photos

Who do you follow?

MACKENZIE MUNN & KYLEE TOLAND

Whether one’s a transfer student or an incoming freshman, there’s plenty to tackle when they first get to JMU, these social media accounts will help make the college transition a little bit easier.

@BREEZEJMU Follow this Twitter and Instagram account for articles covering all different events at JMU and in Harrisonburg. The Breeze covers news, culture, sports, business and opinions for JMU students. The accounts posts for all of the of the different sections covered by The Breeze and also offer access to individual Breeze coverage accounts.

@JMUATHLETICS Follow this account on Twitter for updates on all sports across JMU. This account keeps one updated on anything to do with sports and gives access to individual sports accounts.This account lets students know about all sports events, when and where they are happening and score updates for all sporting events.This account is a great way to learn about all of the sports that JMU offers.

@JMUBIRDSARENTREAL Over recent years, the theory that birds aren’t real has dominated social media. This JMU account feeds into the theory by making it into a meme page, where content is shared to support the idea that “birds aren’t real.” The account’s bio reads, “Birds are drones created by the government to have eyes and ears everywhere,” which jokingly supports the idea that birds are robots spying on everyone, including JMU students. One may even spot a flyer on campus stating that birds aren’t real and to follow the account.

@JMUDINING Follow this Instagram account for updates on everything that goes on with JMU Dining Services. JMU Dining posts about all of their special events, such as monthly dining specials and celebrations for different holidays, that they hold at different dining facilities all over campus. As well as posting about what facilities are open when there is inclement weather.

@JMU_DOGS If there’s one thing JMU students are known for, it’s their love of dogs. After all, the university’s mascot is the famous “Duke Dog.” While walking on campus, it’s hard not to spot a lovable pooch wagging its tail while being walked by its owners. The @jmu_dogs account gives a spotlight to the many four-legged friends around the JMU community. JMU students can send photos of their dogs to the account, and the account will post the picture along with a rating of how cute the pup is. One shouldn’t worry though — most dogs are given a rating higher than 10, with all of them exceeding the cuteness level. One might even spot other furry friends being posted on the account, such as cats and rats.

@JMUMISSEDCONNECTIONS This Instagram account isn’t only valuable to new students, but to every student at JMU. This account is for students to direct message the owners of the account with experiences that students have had at JMU. The account screenshots these messages and posts them to the account to see if any other students share similar experiences. This ranges from students trying to contact a stranger that they met in public that they want to befriend, to talking about issues at JMU, for example students not following COVID-19 restrictions.

@JMU_SGA Follow this Twitter account for updates on JMU’s Student Government. This account allows students to see what the university’s student government is doing and what they have in the works. This account also lets students know about events and how they can be more involved in campus life at JMU.

@JMUSTARBOT On campus, the Starship dining bots are favorites to encounter when walking around. It’s hard to miss them, and they provide students with a necessity: food. This account follows the bots on their daily deliveries and the many adventures they face. Students can submit photos of the bots when they run into them, and the account shares these posts with cute captions. Sometimes, the account shows the obstacles the bots face during their deliveries such as broken wheels, almost getting run over by cars and even crashing into each other. Although they’re inanimate objects, many students love them as if they were pets.

@JMUTIMMILLER Follow Tim Miller on either Instagram or Twitter for updates on anything JMU. Tim Miller is the vice president for student affairs and is involved in everything with student involvement. Miller posts about all aspects of student culture on his account, from sports events, to the arts, and any other student organization on campus. Miller’s account is a great place to go to find out about events for student organizations that one may be interested in.

@ONLYATJMU This account is a hotspot for memes all about JMU. No university is perfect and this account is a great way to laugh at all of JMU’s imperfections. Students can send in videos or photos that they either created or found elsewhere on the internet for the account to post.

Enter to win a $1,000 scholarship¹ from College Ave.

Ride on ASHLYN CAMPBELL Ride-sharing apps, like Uber, have taken off and now dominate the ride-sharing world, but not everyone may be comfortable with sitting in a car alone with a stranger. So, whether one needs a ride home or a ride for the weekend, there are plenty of other options that won’t require “stranger danger” and may save money in the long run.

JMU SAFERIDES

SafeRides is a nonprofit student-run organization that provides “free, non-judgemental” rides from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night during the academic school year. Its services are focused on ending drunk driving, but if you ever need a ride home late one night over the weekend, give them a call. The number is conveniently on the back of your JACard and it’s a judgment-free option if you don’t want to use Uber or Lyft.

JMU RIDESHARING FACEBOOK GROUPS

If you’re a member of student groups on Facebook, you’ve probably seen the posts from students asking or offering rides. Luckily, there are two Facebook groups: JMU Rides and JMU Sober Rides that provide a dedicated space for rides for and by students. JMU Rides is a group that focuses on rides to and from campus from other colleges, hometowns and other areas near or far from Harrisonburg. When booking a ride through this group you will probably have to chip in on gas, but it’s a good option to get home on the weekend. JMU Sober Rides, as the name suggests, is focused on providing rides on weekends for anyone who needs a sober driver. Usually, riders will have to pay three to five dollars — sometimes more depending on how busy the drivers are and passengers want to skip the line. Both groups are solid options for reasonably-priced rides provided by other students.

HARRISONBURG BUS SERVICE

Harrisonburg has six bus routes throughout the area and 10 JMU routes that can give transportation to stores, apartment buildings and places on campus. Almost all of the routes close at approximately 11 p.m., but there’s plenty of information on the routes and times on the Harrisonburg City website. Harrisonburg also has Paratransit Service for people with disabilities. It’s a “curb-to-curb” service rather than a fixed route like the traditional bus service. Just call in advance to make an appointment and the paratransit service can pick you up. Normally, JMU students ride free when providing a JACard, but the bus service and paratransit are running fare-free for Harrisonburg residents until further notice.

COACH BUS SERVICES

There are plenty of different Coach Bus services that provide rides to areas surrounding Harrisonburg on weekends and breaks. Most coach bus services provide WiFi, bathrooms and comfortable seating. The Virginia Breeze provides daily rides to the Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Amtrak’s Union Station in D.C., from Godwin Hall at JMU. The southbound trip goes from D.C. to JMU, then travels south to Staunton, Lexington, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg. Each bus with the Virginia Breeze is ADA accessible, too. Abbott Home Ride gives rides to and from JMU to Charlottesville, Richmond and Hampton over academic breaks. These are great options for weekend getaways or rides home, though one may need to shell out a little bit more money to use these options.

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Se S e nd it it

MACKENZIE MUNN

The mailroom. Every JMU freshman faces the struggle and anxiety associated with trying to figure out a combination, their mailbox and picking up packages in general. Caroline Meade has worked with JMU Mail Services since 2014, she’s a mailroom aficionado who’ works primarily behind the scenes. “Oh goodness, the week after I graduated high school I started here,” Meade said. “I deliver to the department. So, we just make sure that everyone in the departments are taken care of.” When students are first faced with the task of getting their mail, it can be daunting. When walking into the mailroom, students are greeted by thousands of silver, rectangular mailboxes with combination dials. It sometimes takes a few reminders from a mom, dad or guardian that a student has a care package waiting for them in the mailroom before they finally oblige. Grace Metzger, a sophomore nursing major, said she had an “overall good” experience figuring out the mailroom during her first year at JMU. “It’s been relatively easy,” Metzger said. “It’s nice getting those emails from the mail center saying your package is here. The hardest part is walking to Madison Union.” Metzger said picking up packages is made easy and safe by mailroom employees. She said LiveSafe is utilized and checked when students come to pick up deliveries, which helps keep the campus safe from the pandemic. The first week, Metzger said she had some confusion figuring out the locks on the mailboxes but was quickly able to figure it out. “The first week was a little difficult,” Metzger said. “I had to get a friend to help me open my mailbox. There are also helpful posters in the mailroom. It was a bit difficult and it took a little bit of getting used to, but with help I was able to figure it out.” On the JMU Mail Services webpage, there’s a video tutorial on how to open the mailboxes. Everyone who lives on campus gets a locker, and students can find their locker combination and box number in their MyMadison accounts, under the “student” section. “I didn’t know where to find the box number at first,” Metzger said. “I know it’s in MyMadison but I had to get a friend to show me. It’s nice having a box and knowing your mail is safe.” If one has trouble locating the information, or just want more help, going to the mailroom itself is a great way to get some help. “If you ever want in-person help, you can come up to the window and be like, ‘Hey, I can’t get my box open,’ and someone will absolutely come out to help, no questions asked,” Meade said. The on-campus address is as follows:

Your Name 800 S. Main St. JMU Box #### Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Don’t forget to include the physical address, otherwise mail might not be delivered correctly. “Some advice I have for incoming freshmen is know your box number and your complete address,” Metzger said. “Be prepared to ask a friend or an employee for help in unlocking the mailbox” The JMU Mail Services webpage has plenty of helpful information, including phone numbers, frequently asked questions and hours of operation, which can be subject to change due to COVID-19. Meade said that it’s especially beneficial to get face-toface interaction when trying to figure out the mailboxes, so speaking to someone in the window of the mailroom is always helpful. “Just coming to the window and having that face-to face interaction with someone is a stress release,” Meade said. Meade said that she knows how hard freshmen year can be, and she hopes the mail clerks and everyone working in the office can relieve some of that stress. “I know freshman year is so stressful for a lot of people,” Meade said. “Having to deal with your mail is just one more thing on top of all that and getting that help is such a relief.” The mailroom is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. till 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. till 2 p.m.

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Dukes from day one, Alumni for life

The JMU Alumni Association exists to celebrate alumni, preserve JMU’s time honored traditions and be a Duke’s lifelong connection to their alma mater. A common misconception is the JMU Alumni Association (JMUAA) is only for Dukes who have graduated. But the reality is, even as a first-year student, it is never too early to start planning for your future. JMU Nation is made up of over 136,000 alumni located worldwide and one thing about JMU Alumni is that they LOVE helping out and connecting with fellow Dukes. The JMUAA serves as the gateway for students to access the invaluable resource that is the JMU Nation.

Network with alumni

The JMUAA provides opportunities for students to network with alumni and use them as a resource to find summer internships, be mentored by professionals in their field and form relationships that last far beyond your four years as a student.

JMU alumni are worldwide!

The JMUAA has more than 35 geographical alumni chapters located worldwide! Wherever life takes you, alumni chapters are a great way to stay connected to JMU and make connections with local alumni. Already having connections in the area can help make the transition during breaks and life after college that much easier and set your up for success!

Here are some ways you can take advantage of the JMU Alumni Association: Uphold JMU traditions

The JMUAA serves as the tradition keeper for the university. Events like Homecoming, I Heart JMU Week and Senior Toast are hosted every year by the JMUAA and will help make up your Madison Experience.

Alumni by County 1-5 6 - 25 26 - 50 51 - 200 201 - 1,000 1,001 - 6,711 0

0 0

300

600

900 Miles

100

200

300 Miles

200

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There are 135,973 living JMU Alumni

JMU Alumni Association

6,712 - 13,081

through May 2018

@JMUAlumni

SHOW YOUR PRIDE! Show your JMU Pride wherever you drive AND support scholarships for Virginia students. Get your JMU plate at www.dmvNOW.com

RACHEL GORDON

he transition to dorm life is one of the many stressors faced by incoming freshmen. Gone are the days of bare feet in the shower, forgetting laundry until tomorrow, and feeling too lazy to put on pajamas before bed. But living in a dorm isn’t all about sacrifices. Life in a dorm can be fun as long as proper etiquette is practiced. Any first-week-awkwardness will quickly disappear as coexisting with roommates becomes second nature. When sharing a small room with another, it’s important to recognize each other’s personal space. Every resident typically has a bed, desk, dresser and closet — enough to store away all of your belongings, nice and tidy. A good roommate prevents messes from building up by taking the time each day to deal with any dirty laundry, dishes, or trash. It’s worthwhile to care for the dorm’s upkeep so that it’s a clean, organized and nicely decorated space to relax at the end of the day. Maintaining an appropriate noise level is also essential to getting along in a dorm. Stay mindful of roommates when playing music, watching videos, or talking on the phone. Unless a roommate has expressed a desire to listen in, it’s best to wear headphones in the room. It’s also courteous to take long phone conversations outside the dorm, especially when the other roommate is trying to get work done. Be respectful of one another’s sleep by staying quiet while they’re in bed and waking up to alarms the first time instead of pressing snooze. With dorm life comes plenty of new faces, whether suit mates or hall mates. Take the time to get to know them because the dorm is a great place to start making new college friends. Small talk in the bathroom or a smile in the hallway doesn’t go unappreciated as every freshman feels a little nervous settling in. A nice way to join the hall community is by sticking a whiteboard on the door for messaging or doodling. Often, students write their social media handles on their whiteboard in order to connect with others in the dorm. Everyone’s favorite roommates are the ones who leave a bowl of candy outside their door on holidays like Halloween or Valentine’s Day. Some friendly students like to leave their doors propped open to encourage visitors. Shared bathrooms are one of the biggest worries of incoming freshmen who covet their privacy. Do you change in the room and walk to the shower in a towel? Or do people take their clothes with them to the bathroom and change there? There’s no need to fret over shower procedure as it’s totally normal to do whatever you prefer. Many people choose to change in the showers and others are comfortable with walking in a towel or robe. It may seem a bit strange when first getting accustomed to shared bathrooms, but everyone quickly figures out what works best for them. Other shared spaces in the dorm include study rooms, lounges, laundry rooms and kitchens. Any residents using these spaces are expected to keep them nice and tidy and to share them with others. If a study room or lounge is occupied, it’s polite to ask the occupants if they mind another joining before entering or to come back later once they’ve left. The laundry room can get pretty crowded with so many residents sharing only a few machines. In many dorms there’s usually a high demand for an open washer or dryer, which is why it’s so important to set an alarm for taking out finished loads. Dorm life can feel like a big change from living at home, but there’s no need to worry. Every freshman is in the same boat and will end up figuring out how to navigate this new exciting lifestyle together. As long as each resident respects one another and the spaces shared between them, they are sure to have a pleasant time living on campus.

SHINE BRIGHT Michael STALEY There are JMU alumni in all different places in the world. Jim Acosta (’93) is an anchor and the chief domestic correspondent for CNN, Ben Dinucci (’19) is a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, and there are many more making their mark. Another prominent JMU alumnae is Lisa Matthews, Associated Press’ video assistant manager and the president of the National Press Club. Matthews graduated from JMU in 1990 with a degree in mass communications with a concentration in broadcast journalism as well as a minor in political science. She helped found the organization Women of Color at JMU alongside her friends Charmian Lee (‘90) and Trina Whatley (‘90). Linda Matthews, Lisa’s mother, said Lisa’s passion for journalism came from the radio she had as a child. She’d always listen to the news, especially her childhood icon Dan Rather. Her childhood dream, Linda said, was to replace Dan Rather as the anchor of the CBS Evening News. Lisa Matthews set history in an already historic year, she was sworn in on Jan. 31 as the National Press Club’s (NPC) 114th president. She is only the third person of color to be president of the NPC as well as the first president to have a fully female executive team working alongside her. “[Lisa] loves what she does,” Linda said. “She doesn’t think of it as work, she thinks of it as something good to do.” When inaugurated as president, the former NPC president Mike Freedman read a quote from Amanda Gorman, the 22-yearold inaugural poet at this year’s U.S. Presidential Inauguration. “For while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us,” Freedman quoted from Amanda Gorman. As president of NPC, the first thing Lisa said she would do is extend a 1-year free membership to the NPC for graduates of historically black colleges and universities. She also said she will work to protect journalism. Starting by calling on the Biden administration to help free journalists falsely imprisoned in foreign countries as well as ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are primary values in journalism. Lisa said her favorite part about JMU was the traditions and school spirit that comes both with being in school as well as being an alumnae. She frequents Interstate 95, and she can always see the JMU pride through license plates, bumper stickers and car flags hanging from cars. She said she’s proud of her alma mater and she can always see that everyone else is proud to be a part of the JMU family. Lisa said she loves to connect with current JMU students and offer them advice when they need or want it. She advocates for students and journalists and believes they should never stop chasing their dreams, whether they’re journalistic or just life goals. At a Zoom conference call with students, Matthews was asked about her biggest pieces of advice for aspiring journalists as well as any advice for people entering the career field. She said that connections helped her the most. People opened doors for her, and she took the opportunities as she could get them. “Don’t be afraid to challenge norms, what appears to be established norms,” Lisa Matthews said. “Don’t be afraid to tell the story. Never be afraid to ask and take advantage of every opportunity that you’re in. If you’re on a Zoom call and they open up the session for questions, be the first one to raise your hand.”

“

Don’t be afraid to tell the story. Never be afraid to ask and take advantage of every opportunity that you’re in. LISA MATTHEWS

We accept the JMU Access Card

SOGIE runs the Lavender Lounge, which is located in the Student Success Center, room 1310 For more information on our staff and resources, visit jmu.edu/sogie

University Health Center

2035 E. Market Street, Harrisonburg

Located in the Student Success Center

General Medicine SSC 2nd Floor

For treatment of respiratory infections and other illnesses, allergy injections, women’s health care, STI testing and treatment.

Pharmacy SSC 1st Floor

For prescription and over-thecounter medication and other health care products.

jmu.edu/healthcenter

Urgent Care MLK Ave. and S. Mason St.

For treatment of stitches, sprains, allergic reactions, UTIs and other urgent medical needs. No appointment is needed.

Other Services

• Lab (including tests for COVID-19, Strep and Mono) • X-ray and Orthopedics • Registered Dietitian • Talk to a Nurse: 540-568-6178

Reminder: Schedule appointments online at MyJMUChart.

Check MyJMUChart to be sure all your information is up to date and complete.

ROLE MODEL

ELEANOR WEBER Since 2018, Tim Miller, vice president for student affairs, has wanted to create a position for diversity, equity and inclusion at JMU. After reviewing applications from across the country, he decided that Brent Lewis was the perfect fit. Lewis officially became the associate vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion on Sept. 1. In this position he oversees the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Center for Multicultural Services (CMSS) and Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression programming (SOGIE). When Lewis found the position at JMU, he said his extensive experience in the field of diversity and inclusion at Randolph College and Fayetteville State University, along with his lifelong interest in education, urged him to apply for the position. “I was always passionate about education and providing a voice to individuals whose voices were sometimes marginalized or solicited,” Lewis said, “I’ve come from spaces where I’ve been marginalized and my voice has been silenced, so I can reach into my own toolkit to drive the work that I am able to do with students and for students.” Lewis said that transitioning to his new position has been difficult, especially in the middle of COVID-19, because he’s unable to engage with the campus as he traditionally would since many classes are still being conducted online. He said that in the midst of what’s happening in the U.S., he hopes the social unrest and political climate can drive the need for improvement. “We all have our own way of viewing [the world],” Lewis said. “But we must figure out, how do we come together beyond what makes us different and look at the things we need to do to create that synergy that our campus needs, so that all of our students are able to thrive and be successful here?” Lewis is working with ODS, the CMSS, and SOGIE to find new ways to raise inclusion at JMU. He said he’s working on establishing more resources through these existing organizations to make all students feel welcome on campus, particularly those that are marginalized. Miller said that it was a unanimous decision from the search committee that Lewis was the top candidate for the position. “[Lewis’] authenticity during the interview process and the transformative ability he could bring to this campus really made him the right person to bring here,” Miller said. Miller said he’d been looking to create the position since 2018 when he realized there needed to be more emphasis on diversity and inclusions and said he was thankful for the opportunity to finally make it a reality. His team looked through over 80 applications

before choosing Lewis. “I think this will bring a focus on diversity and inclusion to our campus,” Miller said. “I think this will allow Dr. Lewis’ team to really look at the campus and create positive change. We know he can be a changer and transform the experience of students on campus.” Allahjah Smith (’20), a diversity, equity and inclusion engagement fellow, also holds a position that JMU made this year and works closely with Lewis. Because she just graduated last May, Smith brings an alumnae’s point of view when solving issues on campus. Smith said she was inspired to get involved in ODS her sophomore year and has been working with the department ever since. She helps Lewis in the overall promotion of inclusion on campus and helps oversee the same offices Lewis works in. “I have a lot of love for JMU as an alum and I want to be a part of improving it,” Smith said. During her undergrad experience, Smith said she had many mentors that helped her throughout the process and she said that she wants to be a mentor for the classes behind her. “I know how hard it can be to be a part of any marginalized community,” Smith said. “I’m a Black woman in America and I know how hard it can be to just exist. I just hope we can help make students who belong to different identities all feel comfortable and all get the JMU experience that we all want.” Smith said that being part of the community as a student has given her more inspiration for being involved in organizations, such as ODS and SOGIE, on campus and she said she hopes to create positive change with Lewis. “I just hope that every student can feel comfortable and know that there are people in place that are speaking for them and advocating for them,” Smith said. Smith and Lewis said they both want to improve student life on campus and serve as a support system for marginalized members of the community. “Navigating life in your early twenties in college is hard and there are a lot of students who have been marginalized their entire life,” Smith said. “Many are still feeling marginalized on a college campus which, to me, is even worse because you’re supposed to find a home in your college or university.” Lewis said that he hopes his passion and care for people and the work that he’s doing will engage the entire campus and that it’ll motivate those that are already doing this sort of work in the community. “I really do have high hopes and dreams and visions for my role.” Lewis said. “I hope that I can work with the students and the administration to create what we want our campus to be.”

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I’ve come from spaces where I’ve been marginalized and my voice has been silenced, so I can reach into my own toolkit to drive the work that I am able to do with students and for students. BRENT LEWIS

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It’s OK to not be OK

JMU alumna destigmatizes mental health through nonprofit CHARLOTTE MATHERLY Twelve people. Twelve stories. One show. That’s what JMU alumna Jennifer Marshall (’01) had in mind when she launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $6,500 for her idea to host community-based theatrical experience that allowed people to share and hear personal journeys with mental health. In 31 days, she raised over $10,000. “We were just blown away by the people who stepped forward wanting to be a part of it,” Marshall said. “[We] put together a sellout show. We had nearly 400 people there at the very first show in Arlington, Virginia.” The show was covered by several networks and print media, Marshall said, and people from other cities started to reach out and congratulate her. Thus, This Is My Brave was born. This Is My Brave, a nonprofit with the mission of raising conversations around mental health and destigmatizing mental health disorders, began officially in May 2014 with the first show. Since then, it’s grown into a national effort with over 75 shows produced. Marshall, now in the role of executive director, leads her team to work with volunteers across the country who wish to organize an event in their local communities. From their headquarters in Northern Virginia, This Is My Brave remotely takes local leaders through the process of auditions, casting, producing and rehearsals. Marshall said the biggest task is selecting the right stories and the right performers. “In our playbook, it talks about [how] you want to make sure your show has a diverse range of stories,” Marshall said. “So it’s not just 12 stories about depression, right? So that the audience members can come to this event and learn a lot about mental health because they’re hearing it from many different people, all ages and backgrounds and many different health conditions.” Then, program managers fly out for the week of each show, ensuring the event flows smoothly. That’s where another JMU alumna, Erin Hendrickson Gallagher (’93), gets involved.

As a program manager, Gallagher works with the organizers in each community to help get their show off the ground. Gallagher said she didn’t meet Marshall at JMU. Rather, they connected after Gallagher lost her teenage son, Jay, to suicide in 2016. After Jay’s death, Gallagher said, she and her husband turned to mental health advocacy, for which they gained a platform and press coverage in the D.C. area. Soon, Gallagher and Marshall were meeting for coffee and talking about the need they felt for communities to engage more conversations around mental health. Gallagher participated in one of This Is My Brave’s shows and performed “The Worry List,” a piece she’d written for her blog. “I never had suicide on my worry list as a mom, and I worried about a ton of things, but it never occurred to me that I could lose a child to suicide,” Gallagher said. “I wanted to get the message across the parents that, you know, it’s time to start talking about this. While Gallagher has been following This Is My Brave for several years, she only started officially working for the nonprofit in 2019. When the pandemic hit, everything changed. With the majority of their work grounded in an in-person theatrical experience, Marshall and her team had to get creative when COVID-19 came along. Marshall said they had 12 shows scheduled for 2020, but all were canceled and faced a daunting transition to a virtual format. At first, Gallagher said, they tried to have each participant film their performance and send it in to be edited into one show. After difficulties with consistency and quality in the videos, though, they decided to film their next event, a series focused on racial equality featuring Black voices, over Zoom. Through the virtual platform, Gallagher was able to coach each person on how to set up their phone and film their act. Audrey Grubb, the college edition producer, was able to produce a few shows in the Boston area before the pandemic hit and events were forced into a virtual format.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Marshall

Grubb, who earned her masters degree at Lesley University and works as a therapist, initially got involved with This Is My Brave as a performer in 2018. She and her brother auditioned with a song he wrote for her when she was struggling with an eating disorder. They sang together, Grubb spoke about her struggle with mental illness, and they ended up performing at eight different schools in Boston. “There is a huge stigma around mental health issues,” Grubb said. “It impacts people’s willingness to seek help, [and] it impacts people’s abilities to support loved ones who are having difficulties with their mental health … Being involved in an organization that is working to end the stigma around mental illness is extremely meaningful to me.” Despite the challenges brought by COVID-19, Marshall and Gallagher said one of the most daunting, sobering aspects of their work at This Is My Brave is the responsibility of working with people who may be struggling or recovering from mental illnesses. “This is a vulnerable community,” Gallagher said. “We have a lot of responsibility if we’re going to engage people and ask them to tell their story … We want to be really careful not to send anybody [into] a relapse.” This Is My Brave’s mission hinges on eliminating the stigma around mental health, and Marshall said she dreams of a world where talking about mental illness is no longer taboo. “It’s our vision that one day we will live in a world where we don’t have to call it brave for talking openly about mental illness; we’ll just call it talking,” Marshall said. “That’s what we do with our work … One person, one story at a time, we’re changing the way people talk about mental health.”

’round the ’burg

The ultimate visitor’s guide to Harrisonburg, by a student AMY NEEDHAM

During such an unprecedented time, some Dukes might be hungry for new experiences and activities to regain some sense of normalcy. For those entertaining visitors new to Harrisonburg, here are some places right in JMU’s backyard that are sure to impress.

SHOPPING: AGORA MARKET, DART RESALE & TRADE, BLUETIQUE

Photo by Matt Young

For the shopaholics looking for unique finds, downtown Harrisonburg offers a plethora of options. Agora Market is located in the heart of downtown and is home to a community of small businesses, including apparel shops like Heartworn Vintage, Lineage and Charlee Rose Boutique. Dart Resale & Trade offers a more sustainable option, curating secondhand clothing from brands one may not find in other Harrisonburg shops. With affordable prices and a resale option, customers who bring in their unwanted clothing might just find something new. One can find the latest trends in clothes, accessories and shoes at Bluetique. With both a storefront and website, shoppers are bound to find something that catches their eye for a night out on the town or simply a walk around campus.

DINING: BILLY JACK’S SHACK, GRILLED CHEESE MANIA, CROSS KEYS VINEYARDS

Breeze file photo

No visit to Harrisonburg would be complete without grabbing an order of sticky nuggs from Billy Jack’s Shack downtown. These “country fried” white chicken nuggets are tossed in the customer’s choice of homemade sauces and served in a traditional Chinese takeout box. Those with peanut allergies should note that these delicacies are cooked in peanut oil. Located on S. Main Street, Grilled Cheese Mania may be overlooked by visitors heading toward downtown. Its wide variety of grilled cheeses, sides and dipping sauces are a dream for any dairy lovers looking for their next cheese fix. The restaurant even has gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Just outside of Harrisonburg in Mt. Crawford, Cross Keys Vineyards is worth the drive. The 125-acre winery offers breathtaking mountain views and 12 varieties of grapes used to produce its broad selection of wines. If visitors are hungry, they can check out the bistro, which serves an assortment of foods to complement the palette using “only the freshest ingredients,” according to its website.

DESSERT: KLINE’S DAIRY BAR, O’NEILL’S GRILL, HERITAGE BAKERY & CAFE To any ice cream lover’s delight, Harrisonburg is home to two Kline’s locations, one on S. Main Street and E. Wolfe Street. Here, visitors can find chocolate and vanilla old-fashioned ice cream with a variety of toppings to mix in. Special flavors — like brownie batter or black raspberry — are subject to change every Wednesday. O’Neill’s Grill’s cookie skillet is a must-try. With its chocolate chip base, hot fudge drizzle, two scoops of ice cream and whipped cream on top, it keeps customers coming back for more. Visitors looking to satisfy their sweet tooths should check out Heritage Bakery & Cafe’s rotating pastry case of cookies, cakes and other treats baked to perfection. However, one shouldn’t leave without trying one of its many flavors of macaron, including chocolate raspberry and pistachio. Breeze file photo

Photo by Matt Young

THINGS TO DO: SKYLINE DRIVE, MASSANUTTEN RESORT, GAP VIEW RANCH & KENNEL With dining and shopping covered, visitors should be eager to discover the outdoor activities awaiting them in Harrisonburg and its surrounding counties. View seekers should start with the Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road running through Shenandoah National Park, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. Along the Drive is a multitude of hiking trails open to the public and endless views to discover. Situated at the top of a mountain just off Route 33, Massanutten offers amenities like skiing, snowboarding, water and adventure parks, golfing and other hands-on activities. There’s also hotel accommodations and extended stay opportunities. Gap View Ranch & Kennel is the perfect place for animal lovers looking to get outside. Located in Broadway, Virginia, the ranch houses puppies up for adoption as well as donkeys, horses, alpacas and exotic birds. The center is open seven days a week, and visitors must schedule an appointment. No matter the weather or time of year, there’s always something new to be discovered in the Friendly City. If students have friends or family coming to visit them soon, they should remember that it’s OK to venture off campus and experience all that Harrisonburg has to offer.

Fuel up JAKE CONLEY

Coffee: it’s the lifeline of business professionals who drink classic drip, millennials who gulp cold brew and hipsters who sip pour-over. With as much nuance as wine and an equally high-brow community of aficionados, “coffee culture” has gone from an underground community of enthusiasts to an international movement heralded by the green and white mermaid. Whether one’s content with Keurig cups or has the exact ratio of grounds to water needed to make cold brew in a French press memorized — I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m one of those people — the ’Burg’s coffee scene has something for everybody.

GREENBERRY’S COFFEE CO. Greenberry’s Coffee Co. is so close to campus that it might as well be labeled on the maps in the admissions office. Located right behind the School of Art, Design and Art History’s ArtWorks Gallery, the unassuming white building houses a quaint coffee shop. With its plentiful two-person tables and a counter covered in posters advertising study abroad trips and local bands, the shop fits in perfectly on campus and is suited to the college student who goes for a relaxing coffee and bite to eat with friends. For anyone who wants to try brewing their own caffeinated beverages at home, I recommend picking up a bag of the Greenberry’s house blend whole beans.

BROAD PORCH COFFEE CO. Hidden inside the Agora Downtown Market, Broad Porch Coffee Co.’s simple bar and sitting area might not constitute a fully fledged cafe, but it still manages to evoke a similar atmosphere. Its chalkboard menu — a staple of the modern cafe — and simply designed wooden furniture create an ideal spot to sit and get that essay done while still encouraging community and conversation. For someone downtown looking for a quiet place to sit and enjoy good coffee, Broad Porch is a safe bet.

BLACK SHEEP COFFEE When walking into Black Sheep Coffee Co., visitors are greeted with what can only be described as the coffee-based version of a peaceful Apple store. An open floor plan, wide wooden tables and sparse rustic decoration create an environment that’s both modern and chic at the same time. With an extensive list of both pour-over and espresso-based options, complemented by an equally impressive offering of flavors to choose from, the shop boasts enough variety to satisfy even the pickiest coffee drinkers. For the coffee connoisseur, Black Sheep Coffee Co. is the place to be in the ’Burg.

SHENANDOAH JOE Located in the heart of downtown Harrisonburg, Shenandoah Joe finds its place nestled under the expanse of the Urban Exchange apartment complex. Industrial architecture, plenty of seating spaces and outlets, and a menu written in chalk on the wall next to the counter all serve to create a quintessential millennial coffee shop perfect for those looking to find a city life feeling in Harrisonburg.

SPORTS

Photo by Christine Brady

Find your place

Key FOOTBALL @ Bridgeforth Baseball @ Memorial Soccer @ fields behind E-hall Basketball @ Atlantic Union Bank Center Field hockey, lacrosse and Track & Field @ field behind Carrier Drive *not all jmu sports are listed on this map

BEN DINUCCI/2020 QUARTERBACK #7 DALLAS COWBOYS

ISHMAEL HYMAN/2017 WIDE RECIEVER #13 CAROLINA PANTHERS

RON’DELL CARTER/2019 DEFENSIVE END #97

JOSHUA WELLS/2013

RAHSARD DAVIS/2016 WIDE RECEIVER #19

AARON STINNIE/2017

DALLAS COWBOYS

TENNESSEE TITANS

JIMMY MORELAND/2018

DANIEL BROWN/2014

WASHINGTON

NEW YORK JETS

CORNER BACK #20

TIGHT END #87

OFFENSIVE TACKLE #72 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

GUARD #64

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

earl watford/2013 offensive lineman #71 tampa bay buccaneers

JMU ALUMNI IN DEAN SAFETY MARLOWE/2015 (TRADED) DETROIT LIONS

THE NFL

Welcome home ALEXA FITZPATRICK

The pandemic may have put traditional JMU homecoming festivities on hold, but one doesn’t need to be in Bridgeforth Stadium to celebrate the football season. This year, alumni can relive their days as a Duke from home. Recreate the JMU gameday experience with these fun, socially distanced activities. HAVE A TAILGATE AT HOME For many Dukes, tailgating parties are one of the most anticipated parts of Homecoming. Football fans won’t be gathered on campus this year, but one can still host a tailgate from their backyard. Set up chairs and a canopy outside and decorate with JMUthemed merchandise. Grab some beverages and make one’s favorite Homecoming snacks. For inspiration, here’s a list of six gameday recipes from The Breeze. Invite members from one’s household or social bubble to celebrate. Don’t forget to sing along to the JMU Fight Song. GO THROUGH OLD PICTURES Break out some photo albums and flip through one’s most precious JMU moments. Bring on the nostalgia by reminiscing about Homecoming games from the past. Send old college friends photos and reconnect over the memories. One can also share stories behind pictures with friends and family to get everyone into the JMU spirit. WATCH HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS OF JMU FOOTBALL The Dukes may not be playing a Homecoming game in Bridgeforth Stadium this year, but one can still get their fix of JMU Football by watching highlight reels from the Dukes’ best games. The official JMU Athletics website has a playlist of football videos to view and the JMUSports channel on YouTube has many football recaps and highlights to check out. Organize a virtual watch party by video calling friends in order to bond over the best moments in JMU Football history.

ZOOM YOUR COLLEGE BUDDIES Meeting up in person with college buddies may not be possible this year due to COVID-19, but there are other ways to catch up with fellow Dukes. Social distancing makes connecting with friends harder; however, there are plenty of ways to stay in touch. One can invite their JMU pals to socialize on a video call. Download Zoom, or any other video conferencing platform, and host a virtual reunion with all of one’s friends. HAVE A JMU-THEMED PHOTOSHOOT One doesn’t have to be on campus to bleed purple and gold. There are many Insta-worthy opportunities at homecoming, but one can still take good pictures without going to the event. Show school spirit from home by dressing up in JMU apparel and have a photoshoot with purple and gold props and any other JMU merchandise one has in their house. Share the pictures on Instagram and tag @breezejmu for a chance to be featured on our social media pages. PARTICIPATE IN JMU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION VIRTUAL EVENTS Homecoming may not be happening in person this year, but the JMU Alumni Association is still hosting many virtual events that are available for alumni. Some of the activities include a JMU scavenger hunt that can be done from home, a virtual fun run, a series of online webinars, and much more. Check out the Alumni Association’s website for a full list of the events that will be happening during the week. JMU Homecoming may look different this year but alumni can still celebrate their alma mater with these fun activities. Social distancing prevents football and tailgating from occurring, but there are ways to show school spirit from home. So grill up some burgers, throw on JMU apparel and virtually reach out to a few fellow Dukes to have the best at-home gameday experience this October.

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DRESS THE PART AVERY GOODSTINE Being a freshman can be tough. The bus schedule is a guessing game, trying to figure out acronyms, like “ECL,” are tricky and finding the best time to avoid the Starbucks line is impossible. Fashion decisions should be the least of a freshman’s worries. This is a fashion guide for all things JMU.

football games Whether at home or in the stands, football fashion is a staple. It’s time to get out those crop tops, jerseys, facepaint and beads. Just grab every purple or gold thing owned, just to be safe. It’s going to get cold at some point in the season, so a JMU hat is a must-have. Throw on some glitter eyeshadow and football stripes.

exams Exam days are when to bring out the comfiest sweats, a soft sweatshirt and fuzzy socks. Throw that hair up into a messy bun or twist it into a claw clip. The goal is to be as relaxed as possible. Depending on what class the exam is for, a pack of tissues is optional.

brunch A brunch outfit holds so much power. The perfect mix of comfy and cute is the goal. Light wash jeans and a cute top are staples, but the weather has a big impact, too. For warmer days, some flowy pants or a skirt with a bright-colored top is a simple and cute option. On colder days, opt for darker jeans with a chunky knit sweater and a belt. Sunglasses, jewelry or a bag are options for accessories. And finally, a brunch look wouldn’t be complete without some platform sandals or heeled booties.

e-hall brunch Sweats and a T-shirt. Honestly, the one that was worn to bed is probably good enough. Don’t even touch the hair and save a shower for later. Part of the E-Hall brunch experience is rolling out of bed, sliding on some Birkenstocks and hoping the omelet line isn’t too long.

all-nighter There’s a first time for everything, and an all-nighter is no exception. Comfy and cozy is key, and layers are an all-nighter’s best friend. Be prepared with extra hair ties in case one breaks, and if contacts are worn, now is the time for glasses. Remove all jewelry prior to beginning work because it will become annoying in about five minutes.

first day Congratulations, it’s the first day of college classes. This is the time to wear the cutest outfit because after this, the motivation to dress cute goes out the window. Jeans are a solid, reliable option, but if there’s a skirt that’s dying to be worn, go for it. Think of this as your college debut, it’s perfectly acceptable to go all out. It’s important to always bring a sweatshirt or sweater, and as difficult as it may be, now is not the time to prioritize cute shoes over comfy ones.

night out Leather skirts, sparkly tops, black boots and fake eyelashes, this is the time to shine. The streets of downtown are a runway, so use them. The rules are: there are no rules. Wear that little black dress, wear those thigh-highs and do some winged liner. It might be cold outside, but a jacket would mess up the outfit. Being a college freshman can be a crazy and confusing time, so hopefully, some fashion anxiety has now been relieved. College is the time people experiment with their identity and how they want to present themselves to the world. Sometimes a little guidance can go a long way. It’s also important to remember that anyone should dress how they want to, and don’t be afraid to stand out. Photos by Maddie Root

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