The search for home Five downtown apartments to consider | 10 Commuters share their stories | 15
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WELCOME HOME
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troubles 4 Parking JMU students express their struggles finding parking spots on campus
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Find your nook and cranny
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Stuck in traffic
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Thursday, September 28, 2017
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1598 S. Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22801 PHONE: 540-568-6127 FAX: 540-568-7889
Consider these 5 places off campus to hunker down and study for your next test
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the scenic route 15 Taking Students who commute to Harrisonburg share their reasoning for making the trek
a lease 16 Signing Before inking your name onto a contract, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into
plans aren’t for everyone 19 Meals An opinion columnist argues that some students can get by without signing up for a meal plan
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Parking peril JMU students express concerns about parking on campus
While parking passes for commuter students seem pricey, students at other universities are paying higher amounts for spaces. By CHRISTINA ZIU The Breeze
It’s around 8:15 a.m. when Morgan Hennessy, a junior social work major, pulls into the Mason Street Parking Deck every morning. Arriving to campus about an hour before her first class starts, she finds a parking spot with ease — a feat many students struggle with on a daily basis. “I like getting here early because it gives me time to get my stuff together and everything, but I do know if you come later in the day, it is really hard to find a spot,” Hennessy said. It’s no question that parking has long been an issue for students who drive to campus. According to Bill Yates, director of parking services, 8,962 commuter parking permits have been sold for the 2017-18 school year as of Sept. 15. Currently there are 5,520 parking spaces designated for commuters. However, this number goes up after 4 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends when students have access to 2,691 faculty and staff parking spaces. A full-time student parking permit currently costs $272. According to Yates, approximately $97 from each parking pass sold goes to paying debt service on existing parking decks, $75 go to maintenance and operating costs, $63 pay the salaries of parking staff and $36 are put aside for future parking projects. Compared to other Virginia schools, the University of
Virginia charges $240, Old Dominion University charges $248, Virginia Tech charges $289, William & Mary charges $375 and George Mason University charges $445 for a full-year commuter permit. “I think it’s worth it,” Hennessy said. “I would much rather drive in and get here a little earlier and find a spot than take a bus, but I know some people don’t feel that way.” Jenny Amirante, a senior communication studies major, is one of these students. Because of the uncertainty of finding a parking spot, Amirante takes the bus to get to campus every day. “I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a parking pass and then get to campus and not have anywhere to park,” Amirante said. “I love taking the bus — the bus stop near my house has four routes that I can depend on all the time. They’re always on time and get me right on the Quad right where my classes are.” However, JMU does have plans in place to provide additional parking for students in the upcoming years. This December, construction is set to begin for the Chesapeake Avenue Parking Deck, which will be at the corner of West Grace Street and Chesapeake Avenue.
Parking decks such as Warsaw Avenue fill up with students and faculty each morning.
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THEY WON’T TELL YOU WHAT’S HAPPENING...
PHOT0S BY ALEXIS MILLER & WILL CARMACK / THE BREEZE
Metered spaces have been added to the Mason Street Deck, but JMU plans to add more commuter lots.
According to Yates, the deck is expected to be completed in December 2018, and will add about 675 parking spaces for students and conference attendees at Hotel Madison’s Shenandoah Valley Conference Center. In addition, construction for the East Campus Parking Deck is expected to begin in 2019 and be completed in summer 2020. This deck, which will accompany the new Convocation Center near the corner of University Boulevard and Carrier Drive, will add about 1,500 parking spaces for those students going to East Campus and those
attending events. “It is our belief that parking constitutes only one component of the larger transportation system that serves the campus community,” Yates said in an email. “Parking Services works in close partnership with the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation and the university’s Transportation Demand Management staff to meet the transportation needs of JMU faculty, staff, students and visitors.” CONTACT Christina Ziu at ziuct@dukes.jmu.edu.
Bring Your Car to College Private parking lot for JMU freshmen with 24/7 security Email us at freshmenlots@gmail.com
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Be sure to get out of your comfort zone and try out these places to study. Staying in your room can be hard because of all of the comfortable things all around you which can become distracting. Finding new places to study can be hard sometimes because of everyone having different study habits and preferences, but once you find them, you find your niche and your motivation to get work done.
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This one may surprise you, but the last great off-campus place to study is in a bike shop. I know you’re probably thinking, “a bike shop?” However, downtown in Shenandoah Bicycle Company, there’s a home-like Acai Smoothie Bar in the back. This smoothie bar gives you the comfiest place to eat acai bowls and do your work peacefully in this small urban bike shop where you least expected. This smoothie bar gives you a boost of fresh air when you are overwhelmed and feeling stressed which helps you get back on track. If you want, you can even take a ride on the bikes for a little study break.
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If you’re into a cozy atmosphere, then
Sometimes to switch it up and get out of a coffee-style place, I love to go to Heritage Bakery & Cafe, downtown. This a cute little bakery that has delicious treats for as low as $1. They even have a cute outside area where I love to sit and complete readings. Heritage is something that
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MAEVE REISS / THE BREEZE
This is a great place to go if you’re on campus near Memorial Hall, but want to get a different background. Greenberry’s is the perfect place to go between classes and get work done because of their upbeat atmosphere that puts you in the
MAEVE REISS / THE BREEZE
Heritage Bakery & Cafe has an outdoor patio area.
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Another spot to check out is Black Sheep Coffee, a great place downtown. This is one of students’ favorites because of the contemporary style this shop presents. The urban and simple looks of being in a coffee shop like this will help boost anyones’ energy and motivate you to get your work done. Another plus is getting the pumpkin cheesecake brownie for $3 as a little treat. Just hearing the name of it sounds delicious.
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Shenandoah Joe gives off that rustic, 1960s vibe.
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perfect determined mood to knock readings out of the way. This cute little coffee shop will be sure to put you in a perky, happy mood just because of all of the sun shining into the building. Depending on the person, sun can really help students be more productive. The comfortable atmosphere makes me think I’m somewhere else even though I’m still within walking distance of campus.
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Sometimes seeing the same thing all the time can get boring, especially when it comes to trying to find a place to study. Most of the time, students get tired of the atmosphere of their apartments, but never know where to go in Harrisonburg other than the libraries on campus. So, if you’re into peaceful and urban vibes, then these places are for you. Sometimes, getting out of your comfortable house or apartment and changing your scenery won’t only help you enjoy studying, but will also allow you to feel relaxed and concentrate better.
Shenandoah Joe is the location for you. It’s located downtown, which is about a 10-minute walk from the Student Success Center. This coffee shop has perfect, old 1960s vibes, with big antique couches and wooden coffee tables. Hearing the sounds of espresso pouring and the smooth music they play in the background will help any student be able to focus on their homework and get what they need done. A major plus is they even have their delicious pumpkin chocolate chip muffins back, which really puts anyone in the perfect fall mood.
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By AALIYAH MCLEAN contributing writer
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Consider these five off-campus options for your next study spot
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Thursday, September 28, 2017
Traffic takeover Traffic and construction increase near campus, causing delays
By KATELYN MERRIMAN The Breeze
As the roads of Harrisonburg fill with glowing brake lights, students are making their way toward campus. Blake Wilson, a senior justice studies major, knew it was going to be another treacherous day getting to his classroom on time. W i l s o n w a s y o u r av e r a g e upperclassman who paid for his commuter pass his first year living off campus and drove to campus every day. Since his first day of living off campus, Wilson knew he had to get an extra early start to arrive on time. He headed out every morning with the intent to wait at least 20 minutes for any unexpected traffic patterns that might cause him to arrive later than expected. Wilson isn’t the only commuter who’s had to experience delays while going to school because of traffic. Haylee Foor, a junior interdisciplinary liberal studies major, and Katheryn Santivasci, a junior economics major, have experienced increased delays on their rides to campus as well. “The first day of classes I drove to
WILL CARMACK / THE BREEZE
park at Mason Deck and after that I never did again,” Santivasci said. “There was construction on Mason Deck, so it took, like, 50 minutes to get over there. I live in Southview so it should take, like, maybe 10.” Fo o r s a i d s h e l e av e s h e r apartment one hour or more before her class to ensure she’ll avoid extended traffic caused by construction or accidents. “As an alternative for this year, I have changed my route for the morning to avoid excessive traffic,” Foor said. Wilson prepares his journey to class every day with a saying, “wherever you go, you better be determined.” Bicycle transportation is also fading away in the JMU community for some commuter students. Traffic patterns in some areas are blocked by construction. With the increase of traffic in construction areas, some students are limited in their mode of transportation. Leah Bataille, a sophomore health sciences major, See TRAFFIC, page 13
As construction increases on and around campus, so do the levels of traffic and parking holdups in decks and lots.
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places to live off campus Whether apartment or townhouse, Harrisonburg has many living options Keezell Apartments
By MARIA KEULER The Breeze
Nothing says sweet freedom like moving out of your freshman dorm and into your first apartment. Dorms were fun and all, but the twin beds, hall showers and Resident Advisers with quiet hours can only be tolerated for so long. When picking your first off-campus location, there are many things to consider — how far you are from campus or how affordable the rent is. Here are five apartment buildings in Downtown Harrisonburg that more students should consider.
Urban Exchange If you’re looking for a location in the heart of Downtown Harrisonburg, Urban Exchange might be the place for you. This building includes four floors of condominiums with various floor plans to choose from. You have the convenience of a parking garage and Benny Sorrentino’s giant, cheesy slices of pizza to get you through those late-night study hours.
Opening in May 2018, Keezell Apartments is offering 22 newly renovated studio bedrooms for rent. For those of you looking for something a little more historic, this building might meet your expectations. After renovation, they preserved some of the old features of the building, for example, the historic windows. These apartments are located in the middle of downtown, surrounded by restaurants such as Magnolia’s, Jack Browns and Billy Jacks.
Ice House Apartments If you’re looking to be surrounded by coffee, clothes, food and beer, Ice House Apartments should be on your list of homes to consider. Conveniently located above Black Sheep Coffee House, Pale Fire Brewing Co., The Yellow Button and Rocktown Kitchen, this historic building offers studio and one-bedroom apartments. Although they’re a bit pricier than others, they’re a perfect fit for those looking for a smaller, more personal space.
Upperclassmen, graduate students and those just looking to live off campus spend hours apartment and house hunting. Harrisonburg offers multiple complexes for different price ranges in a variety of locations.
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Livery Lofts Beginning in June of 2018, students will be able to rent studio and one-bedroom apartments in Livery Lofts, located above Bella Luna — another perfect location for pizza lovers. These residents have the convenience of multiple downtown restaurants and shops surrounding their apartment. Each apartment provides a small, cozy feel with its wood floors and brickaccent wall.
Duke Gardens For those of you looking to stay closer to campus, Duke Gardens, located on South Main Street may be your answer. Located a half a block away from the Quad, Duke Gardens provides three bedrooms
and two-and-a-half baths. The apartments conveniently come furnished, with on-site parking and a cheaper rent than most downtown locations. Residents also have the luxury of a deck large enough for outside furniture — perfect for company. Along with these five locations, Harrisonburg has countless studenthousing options for those looking to ditch the dorms and find their own space. Most buildings have their own amenities and benefits, but some have their downfalls. Be sure to choose carefully. Find a place you love with people you enjoy spending time with. I promise you, the next few years off campus will fly by.
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CONTACT Maria Kueler at keulermc@dukes.jmu.edu.
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Even though freshmen are required to live on campus, upperclassmen can venture away from dorm living.
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TRAFFIC | construction causes traffic delays from page 9
said her roommate now has to suffer having to arrive early to campus because of unsafe bike routes and inconvenient buses that don’t come to her apartment in Campus View during the time frame she needs. “My roommate has a bike that she rides to campus and she can’t ride it right now because of the construction on Reservoir — it is not safe enough to ride a bike,” Bataille said. “The buses rarely come out here, so my roommate has to ride with us to campus, so she waits for three or more hours for her class.” Avery Daugherty, transit superintendent for the Harrisonburg Department of Public Transportation, shared how the increase of bus riders would make the campus easier to navigate. Some students have already taken that approach and have seen a major difference in
their daily commute. “I take the bus,” Santivasci said. “I have given up on driving, it’s just not worth it. If I am going to have to leave my house an hour early I’d rather just take the bus.” Santivasci stated that taking the bus can be an alternative from not only stressful traffic conditions, but difficulty parking as well. “There is a great picture that shows a stretch of road,” Daugherty said. “It shows cars backed up as far as the eyes can see … then it also shows the scenario if all of those people that are in those cars, usually just one person per car, are in a bus the difference that it would make on that road … it would make things go by so much smoother,” Daugherty said. CONTACT Katelyn Merriman at merrimke@dukes.jmu.edu. WILL CARMACK / THE BREEZE
Traffic problems have forced some students to heavily rely on the bus system, while others decide to bike or walk to get to campus.
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Stuck in the suburbs
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Students discuss living outside of Harrisonburg
By CARRIE DOMENIC The Breeze
While Harrisonburg ’s rapid expansion is often considered a positive for the community, some students would rather stay away from the bustle of a busier town. Instead of living in traditional student-living apartments in Harrisonburg, some students are choosing to live with their families nearby, or in quieter parts of Rockingham County. “The only difference is that those students who are living with family don’t have to worry so much about the moving and the transitioning that other students do,” Rebecca Carbaugh, the coordinator of Off-Campus Life, said. “So it can be — if they’re living in the area with families — a lot easier.” According to Carbaugh, about 70 percent of JMU students live off campus. While she said that most students who move off campus live in apartments with roommates, a considerable amount from surrounding areas choose to live at home with their families. One such person is senior social work major Megan Arey, who said her relationship with her parents helped prompt her
decision to commute to JMU from their house in Waynesboro, Virginia. “I would much rather be there, that’s the reason I didn’t go away,” Arey said. “I was considering VCU, but I wasn’t ready to be on my own. I was like, ‘I can’t do it.’” In addition to being close with her parents, living at home also has plenty of practical benefits for Arey. This includes having help to care for her four-month-old daughter Farryn. “Besides just, like, missing her, it’s not that big of a deal,” Arey said. “My mom, she doesn’t have a job so she keeps her whenever I need her, so I’m able to get any work done. It’s actually really great.” Family support is also a factor for Linville, Virginia, native Heather Barrix, a senior social work major. Barrix currently lives in Elkton with her fiancé, who she said, along with the rest of his family, offers a strong support system. “I would still rather [commute] than live in Harrisonburg,” Barrix said. “I have family in Elkton.” Family ties, as well as financial reasons, were large factors in both Arey and Barrix’s decisions to commute. The average student debt of a JMU
graduate in 2016 was $28,407, according to The Detroit Free Press, with many students borrowing money to pay for room and board or rent. “I’m in no debt because I live with them,” Arey said. “Because they pay for JMU and all I really have to pay for is gas.” While Barrix doesn’t live with her parents at no cost, having lower COURTESY OF HEATHER BARRIX living expenses and a Heather Barrix, a senior social work major, lives with her fiancé and two dogs in a house in Elkton. yard where her two dogs could have Social Services, she felt like becoming she’s learned from her social work room to roam influenced her to look a social worker in the area where she’s field placement in the Teen Outreach for housing outside the city. from was the only option. Program in Harrisonburg. “It’s a lot cheaper so we could afford “That’s really the only reason I went Despite not living as close to JMU as a nice house with a backyard in Elkton, to college, because I didn’t see myself many students, Barrix said she doesn’t whereas we probably couldn’t afford doing anything else,” Barrix said. “And think the distance has had any impact that in Harrisonburg,” Barrix said. “We I had a social worker who was really on her JMU experience or relationship didn’t want to be in an apartment or a inspirational to me … I wasn’t doing with her classmates. townhouse.” good in high school and she kind of “I feel a connection to JMU just In addition to the lower price of said, ‘Well, what about social work?’” because it’s not only broadened my housing in Elkton, having strong ties Barrix has a job as a social worker education, but also my friendships,” to the local community played a part secured after she graduates in Barrix said. in Barrix’s career choice. After being December, where she’ll be working part of the foster care system in the for Family Educational Services in CONTACT Carrie Domenic at Rockingham County Department of Elkton, as well as implementing what breezecopy@gmail.com.
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It’s not always black and white
BREEZE FILE PHOTOS
Signing a lease at any of the local apartment complexes and townhomes comes with a set of fees and regulations. Make sure you stay informed by reading your lease from start to finish before signing your name. “It’s a one year lease— starting in August fans, and stuff like that. It’s split equally between who are looking to bring a dog next year can By ANDREA BRUSIG
When looking to move off campus, potential renters have various factors to consider throughout the selection process: price, location and amenities. The Harrisonburg community offers many off campus housing options that cater to students’ needs. Taylor Carrington, a community ambassador for The Retreat, explained that many students who call or visit typically ask about the amenities and utilities included in the price. “We have about 500 students living in The Retreat.” Carrington said. “Aside from the price, we get asked a lot about amenities — from hiking trails to disc golf.” DJ Maimone, another community ambassador for The Retreat, stresses that asking questions from multiple people will give you various perspectives, and a better idea about the location you are interested in. “Ask as many people questions as you can about the lease and figure out if that’s going to be the right place for you and if you’re going to want to live there,” Maimone said. I feel like all too many times, people just get hung up on either price, or they hear about a place, but do your research, ask people questions and really go and see the property and the units that you would be living in before you sign.” Maimone went on and explained that payment for off-campus living is different than what students are used to living on campus.
and ending in July, and you can move in at the beginning of August,” Maimone said. “So your cable, your wifi and your water is all included in your monthly rent, and then electricity is split up between all of the roommates.” However, students looking to back out of a lease after signing would face consequences. “Just like any place, it is a legally binding contract once the lease is signed,” Maimone said. David Heide, a leasing professional at The Harrison, also emphasizes the importance of research when it comes to signing a lease. “I would say get a jumpstart on the leasing opportunities early and don’t sign a lease unless you know you’re serious about living there,” Heide said. Sophomore psychology major Kayla Shaw didn’t have her car at the beginning of the semester and had to rely heavily on the bus system. “I don’t live too far from campus, but I didn’t have my car at first so I had to adjust to that,” Shaw said. “The bus system is definitely different off campus compared to seeing them all the time on campus.” However, Shaw regrets not asking about how the utilities price was divided among her and her roommates. “I wish it would’ve been more clear about how I would split the price from my roommates, just because our routines are very different,” Shaw said. “Some of us use more water, and some of us use more electricity with hair dryers, extra
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contributing writer
my roommates but one of my roommates has a mini fridge in her room, so we worked it out that she might have to pay a little more than what we pay because she’s using more of the utilities bill.” Sophomore psychology major Gabby Shepherd just moved off campus to Sunchase this year, despite her uncertainty and love for living on campus in the past. “I get to experience so much more than I would had I stayed on campus,” Shepherd said. “I’ve grown up so much even in just one month.” Shepherd looks back at her decision and encourages students to look at more than one potential option. “My biggest regret is I wish I would’ve looked more into the benefits from each place and not just jumped into only researching the most popular places to live,” Shepherd said. “At the time, I only looked into places where other people I knew lived. I also wish I knew how much to plan ahead for parking. I’m in a lot of later classes this semester, so if I want to come on campus early I have to really think about where the best place is to park.” Application fees and move-in dates came as a surprise to Shepherd as well. “I knew about the security deposit, but I didn’t know I had to pay an application fee,” Shepherd said. “Your lease also begins in July and lasts a whole year, which is different from what I was used to living on campus last year.” Shepherd also explains that she didn’t know her apartment complex allowed pets. Students
look for housing options with similar policies as Sunchase. “My roommate just got a dog, and it turns out a lot of people have dogs in my apartment complex,” Shepherd said. “There’s an extra fee, but there’s lots of places both inside and out to let your dog roam around.” Senior health sciences major Megan Harris went from living in an apartment to a house closer to campus. While she loves where she lives now, there are things she misses that come with living in an apartment. “The biggest difference between the two I think is the community,” Harris said. “Living with 10 other girls in a house means there are always people around to eat with, go to the grocery store and sit on the front porch with. But proximity to campus is huge. I love being able to walk to class and avoid parking. However, I did love that my apartment came with all the extra amenities like the pool and clubhouse. There was more space and time I had to myself.” If a student decides to live with roommates, Harris emphasizes that honesty is key. “My biggest advice I would give to students looking to move off campus is to just be open and honest with the people you live with,” Harris said. “Definitely be open with your roommates and talk about your expectations ahead of time.” CONTACT Andrea Brusig at brusigap@dukes. jmu.edu.
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Pass or punch?
PIZZA • PASTA • SUBS
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Columnist takes a look at whether a meal plan is worth the money for off-campus students
LUNCH SPECIALS
BREEZE FILE PHOTO
E-Hall is among the many popular spots to eat on campus, but the all-you-can-eat food comes at a hefty price.
By TESS GIBSON contributing columnist
When attending college, the least of your worries should be about food. In traditional American society, we’re supposed to eat three meals every day. Most people participate in this routine, or try to stick to a similar agenda. Then there are those of us who don’t have time for scheduled meals every day because our schedules are all over the place — we eat when we eat. This is common for many college students, including myself. For on-the-go individuals like me, being able to just grab something is ideal and almost necessary to get through school days. But let’s look at both sides — weighing our pros and cons. After looking at the options provided on JMU’s Dining Services page, I realized we have a bigger variety to choose from than expected. The plans vary from 50 punches per semester with $175 dining dollars to 19 punches weekly with $175 dining dollars. In between those, there are six others to choose from — eight in total — give or take some punches and dining dollars. Let’s start by taking into account everyone’s different shapes and sizes. For example,
a petite 4-foot-11-inch female and a 250-pound football player are obviously going to consume different amounts. Also, since off-campus students don’t necessarily need 14 or more punches weekly when they’re also eating meals at home, a few punches and some dining dollars may be all they want. Either way, there seems to be a plan for everyone or one that comes close to fitting most students’ needs. In saying that, some of my friends and associates who are off-campus commuters went without a dining plan this semester. Christine Mullen, a junior communication sciences and disorders major, only puts money on her Dining Dollars Gold account monthly to use on campus. This is considered a meal plan, but it’s done simply by transferring money from a bank account onto your JMU card — not any real planned meals involved. She said her thought process was that she’d be saving money in the long run, but is now debating getting a meal plan with weekly punches and dining for next year. Mullen explained it’s because of the convenience; when you know you have a set amount of meals during the week, you don’t stress as much about how much you’re spending. Another downside to not
buying a meal plan or one without punches comes when we think about dining halls. Dining halls are more expensive than getting a meal at Top Dog or P.C. Dukes because it’s buffet style. The cost for E-Hall or D-Hub is $12 for lunch, dinner and brunch, and $7.50 for breakfast. When you have a meal plan, though, you can just swipe for a punch, which is usually around $7. In these cases, you’re actually saving money, and if you haven’t had an E-Hall brunch on a Sunday morning, you’ll want to try it out. All in all, having a meal plan is a nice backup in many situations. Whether you just haven’t had time to go grocery shopping or simply have a sudden craving for something sweet, Dining Services has your back. Even for just a pick-meup to keep you going during the day — which I often need, — like grabbing some coffee or an energy bar between classes, can be a game changer. Set punches and dining dollars are a sort of broad outline for those of us who require flexibility to be productive. So stop stressing about food and go find a plan that best fits your needs. CONTACT Tess Gibson at gibsonto@dukes.jmu.edu.
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