The Breeze 4.18.24

The Breeze

Hundreds of students flocked to Festival Lawn on Saturday to be serenaded by headlines Dayglow and students musicians

Culture | 10 Mutlimedia | 21

Say hello to JMU’s recently elected student leaders

News | 4

Local band Not a Saint to release first EP within the year

Culture | 10

Eastern Kentucky AD may be Bourne’s successon

Sports | 14

Resilient?

Team Oriented?

Adaptable?

Compassionate?

On the cover

Headliner Dayglow performed on Festival Lawn on Saturday during the Purple Reign Music Festival. Winners of JMU’s Battle of the Bands, Von Berger and South House, also played.

Purple Reign is an annual event students look forward to when the spring term comes around each year. Airbrushed T-shirts, caricatures and inflatable games added to the live music experience.

For more on Purple Reign, see page 12.

Elected SGA president, SRBoV lean on strong leadership to meet campus needs for 2024-25 term

Past SGA leaders share advice for incoming staff to settle into their roles

By K. MAUSER The Breeze

Following her recent election win, Student Government Association (SGA) President-Elect junior Brielle Lacroix said her priority is building a “strong foundation” of student body leadership by helping select the next SGA Senate members.

Leading the 2024-25 Senate alongside Lacroix is Vice President sophomore Abby Herbert, Executive Treasurer junior Carson Tighe and Student Representative to the Board of VisitorsElect (SRBoV) sophomore Sydney Stafford.

Former SGA President Shawdee Bakhtiari (’23) said this period marks a “new wave” of strong leadership for the SGA, and added that this strength comes from the newly elected leadership’s passion.

“More than anything else, drive is super important,” Bakhtiari said. “That's really where a lot of the new leadership is going to shine for sure.”

Senior Nate Hazen, SGA’s former president, said the 2024-25 SGA leadership staff are all “going to

do amazing things,” and added that Lacroix and Stafford will elevate their positions to “something even greater” than what they are now.

Lacroix is “really excited” to stay in Harrisonburg over the summer to better prepare for her role as student body president — specifically, she hopes to meet with numerous people in various positions across campus to gauge how their needs can be met alongside student needs. She hopes this information will aid her in not only helping the student body, but the entire JMU community.

“It’s varied interests, a lot of experience and some new perspectives, and also a willingness to learn that I bring to this position,” Lacroix said. “I’m really excited to start showcasing that and get all this stuff off the ground.”

Stafford said she wants to directly connect with the student body throughout her term as SRBoV. She wants to do this by starting a Canvas page, working with orientation to get to know the class of incoming freshmen and speaking to Gen Ed classes at JMU — all of which are to

raise awareness of her goals as SRBoV, as well as the Board of Visitors’ impacts on students.

This student outreach will work toward “hearing out” students and their ideas for Stafford’s term. She also hopes to bring the President’s Council, a campus committee promoting student health and well-being, to student club leaders to be more tangibly involved in the leadership roles around campus.

“To really see the bigger picture is such a great headspace to get into before starting because you’re so much more able to give yourself to the student body, to the community, when you really know yourself and know your own leadership,” Bakhtiari said.

When asked about what advice she would give to both leaders in their roles, former SRBoV senior Abigail Cannella said to “say yes to everything.”

“There’s going to be a lot of opportunities that come up,” she said. “It’s really important to show face and to be there for the student body.”

Former SRBoV Xavier Williams (’23) gave similar advice to Lacroix and Stafford:

“Soak up the opportunity that’s being afforded to you,” he said. “Get to know administration outside of just being a figurehead for the university. Get to know the board members, and really why they are also on the board and why they’re passionate.”

Lacroix said the first board meeting of her term is Thursday evening, and added that she hopes to start her term by familiarizing herself with some of the board members.

“A huge part of this role is how many people you can know, and what you can know about them,” Lacroix said. “I’ve learned a lot about connecting with others through my time serving under Nate, and I’m really excited to take everything I’ve learned from that and use it to build even more relationships and build even stronger connections in this role.”

CONTACT

K. Mauser at breezenews@ gmail.com. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X at @BreezeNewsJMU.

Former SGA Senate leadership give advice to incoming staff. Nate Hazen, SGA's previous president, said the new staff are all “going to do amazing things.” SGA President-Elect junior Brielle Lacroix (left) and SRBoV-Elect Sydney Stafford (right) share their goals for the 2024-25 term. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

Loaded legacy

A look into the woman behind the largest cash donation in JMU history

By SAM GAME The Breeze

Five-foot-tall Colonel Frances Weir (’49) weighed 100 pounds soaking wet. Yet by donating her six million dollar estate to JMU — the largest cash gift ever given to the school — she’s left a larger-than-life legacy.

“When scholarships are your number one priority and a donor sees her legacy mirrored in the priorities of the university in such a way, magic happens,” Vice President for University Advancement Nick Langridge said.

Several months after her death on Sept. 14, 2023, the University announced Weir’s multi-million dollar donation via a press release published on March 28.

The six million dollars is currently sitting in the University’s endowment fund, where it will be used exclusively for needbased scholarships in perpetuity. The donation yields a 4% yearly interest, Langridge said, which amounts to $240,000 each year. This money will be divided into $6,000 annual scholarships for eligible students for financial aid under the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“That $6,000 a year on average gives enough to turn that red light or that yellow light to green,” Langridge said, referencing the decision potential students have to make about whether or not to come to JMU. “So we’re just excited to be able to see more students say yes.”

Langridge said the donation’s size is “an absolute wonder”

— but to him, there’s no question why Weir chose to donate to JMU.

“This campus has evolved in many ways, but the spirit of this place has stayed the same,” he said. “The Madison experience is really special, and I think she knew that. She found a connection here, and she wanted to afford that same connection to future generations.”

Weir had been planning this donation for months before her passing, said Cynthia Cline, senior director of the Office of Strategic Gifts. Cline said Weir was “explicitly clear” that she wanted to use the entire estate for need-based scholarships.

Cline also said Weir had a strong and direct personality due to her time in the military, and added that the image she “conjured up” of her was the opposite of what she looked like.

While Cline contacted Weir every few weeks, she said Weir was elusive when it came to her history.

“I wouldn’t characterize her as warm,” she said. “But obviously, with a gift of the magnitude that she gave, certainly generous.”

However, Weir’s life is even more impressive than the sum of her life savings, Director of Planned Giving Kathy Sarver said.

“She went through the military at a time where they didn’t want women. Her evaluation service reports were all outstanding, and they were all written by men,” Sarver said. “Her gift is very nice, but the woman she was, was awesome ”

SGA passes Bills of Opinion to combat opioid overdoses, resolution to commemorate alumna

By MATEO CSERNECKY The Breeze

The Student Government Association (SGA) Senate unanimously passed two Bills of Opinion to counteract opioid overdoses, approved contingency funds for two student organizations, allocated reserve funds for Students Against Sexual Violence (SASV), and passed resolutions to install a plaque honoring a distinguished alumna and recognizing the student life fiscal manager and technician.

Two overdose prevention Bills of Opinion passed unanimously

The first of the two bills, both of which were unanimously passed, called for JMU’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) to implement Narcan administration and drug overdose training for executive positions in charge of the health and wellness of organizations.

Legislative Affairs Chair senior Marcus Rand and SGA Vice President junior Faith Forman wrote the bill and said it was created to combat opioid overdoses. In their presentation, Rand and Forman said the drug overdose death rate last year was 15.8 per 1000 people in Rockingham County.

“This bill is really our best bet at preventing fentanyl or other opioid overdoses on campus,” Rand said.

The second bill unanimously passed called for the Office of Residence Life (ORL) to store NaloxBoxes — which are “first aid kits” for drug overdoses containing overdose reversal drug Naloxone, also known as Narcan, according to the Campus Drug Prevention website — in all residence halls, as well as to provide each hall with informational cards about the proper use of Narcan. Rand and Forman collaborated on the bill and said they hope it would help counteract potential opioid overdoses.

“[This is] an amazing way to help combat something that is coming across America,” Forman said. “It’s a very serious issue.”

Reserve funds issued to SASV

The SGA unanimously passed a $1,400 reserve fund request for SASV as part of its annual demonstration for sexual assault

awareness. Rand presented the request on SASV’s behalf and said it places one flag on the Quad toward the end of April, for every member of the JMU community expected to face sexual assault in their lifetime based on the number of enrolled JMU students.

He said SASV calculates the number of flags to place on the Quad based on national statistics of what percentage of women have been assaulted each year.

The SASV is requesting the money due to an increase in the national percentage of women who have experienced sexual assault since last year and also to accommodate its hopes to include grad students in this statistic. The money requested will help purchase more flags to account for this increased number.

“SASV is a really good organization and they do a lot for [sexual assault awareness], especially in April,” 2026 Class President Reagan Polarek said. “It’s really cool to see the statistics based off of our student body population.”

Commemorative resolutions passed

The SGA also passed resolutions to commemorate and recognize members of the JMU community, with the first unanimously passed resolution to install a plaque commemorating Yuri Nemoto, the first Japanese-American to enroll in Madison College in 1945.

The presenter said Nemoto enrolled in Madison College after being held in internment camps in California and was in leadership positions in multiple clubs and organizations during her time as a student.

“She really made such incredible contributions during her few short years here,” Rand said. “She was too incredible not to have a building named after her, let alone a plaque.”

The other unanimously passed resolution recognized the efforts of Student Life Fiscal Manager Meredith Bauer and Technician Donna Walker. Sen. senior Zach Fox, Sen. junior Carson Tighe, senior Executive Treasurer Matt Haynicz and the SGA finance committee said they were appreciative of Bauer and Walker’s support for student organizations, including the SGA.

“Donna and Meredith have been paramount in every activity I do … they do so much for our organization, we would not be able to function without them,” Fox said.

Contingency funds allocated

Contingency funds were passed for two student organizations, the first for a capella group The Madison Project’s spring concert April 27.

The Madison Project held fundraisers throughout the year to fund their organization’s goals, but the money’s bulk went toward an album recording. The speaker said the $3,000 requested would go toward sound equipment that can be lent to other JMU a cappella groups upon request.

“This could really benefit the student body, especially with the ability to share,” Fox said.

The final contingency fund request passed was for the Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA), which works to promote and educate the community on the occupational therapy profession.

SOTA requested $500 for its inaugural white coat ceremony, which honors 24 graduating SOTA members. The presenter said the funds would go toward space rental, a photographer and decorations.

“I think it’s really important to be able to have an opportunity to celebrate something as important as this,” Fox said.

CONTACT Mateo Csernecky at csernems@dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @BreezeNewsJMU.

Colonel Frances Weir, referred to as “Teeny” by her family members, graduated from Madison College in 1949. Courtesy of Madison Magazine

The SGA Senate passed two Bills of Opinion in an effort to prevent opioid overdoses. Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

TRIO programs provide higher education advice and opportunities to local high school students

By SIXUAN WU The Breeze

Rolling an old tire up the stream, students from Harrisonburg (HHS) and Spotswood High School (SHS) shouted and laughed as they picked up trash along the Blacks Run Stream in Harrisonburg on March 29.

The Blacks Run Cleanup is one of the many community projects organized by the Talent Search program, a JMU federally funded TRIO program. With financial backing from the Department of Education, TRIO, which includes eight different programs, is designed to identify and provide services to “individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds,” such as lowincome and first-generation college students.

The two JMU TRIO programs are the Talent Search program, which includes 500 students from middle and high schools in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County; and the Upward Bound program, which includes 60 students from HHS and SHS, Upward Bound faculty liaison Amanda Sawyer said. Both programs started in September 2022.

“One term that’s used with Upward Bound is called ‘intrusive advising,’ and with Talent Search it’s ‘service advising,’” Upward Bound adviser Wendy Knight said.

Knight said the two programs are different because Upward Bound stresses intensive academic support and pursuing college after graduating high school, whereas Talent Search emphasizes exploring different postsecondary pathways.

Both TRIO programs work with local school district staff to provide academic, financial literacy

and professional development opportunities for participating students through tutoring, workshops, field trips and regular advising checks.

“We have a big emphasis on the academic side of navigating teenagers into adult years but also how to navigate life in general,” educational Talent Search adviser Amber Peake said.

Some opportunities provided by the programs include speaker events where first-generation students will learn more about succeeding in college, Upward Bound summer programs where students can get a head start academically

before the new school year, and Talent Search’s family workshop where parents and students communicate to make better plans for the students as a family, Sawyer said.

While the TRIO programs are designed to support those in need, any student can apply to either program. Both Talent Search and Upward Bound work closely with local schools’ counseling departments to learn more about students’ academics and other interests, Peake said. She added that the programs also spread the word about their

services by attending parents’ night and giving classroom presentations.

“Students get really excited because they are like, ‘We’re going on a field trip to Dynamic Aviation, my buddy wants to come, let’s get them an application,’” Peake said. “A lot of it is just connecting with the community directly, and we want it to be something that the kids are excited about.”

JMU students can volunteer at TRIO events the programs are hosting, such as guest speaker events, many of which are held on campus. Students can also apply to work for the Upward Bound summer programs as mentors and advisers, Sawyer said.

“We get to know a lot of our students on a personal level,” TRIO program assistant senior Xavier Adkins said. “We talk about their life, their grades, what they plan to do after high school … I’ve had students who came up and were like ‘Thank you so much for doing this,’ and I just like being there for them in that way.”

Sawyer said both Talent Search and Upward Bound's goal is to not only to provide students with resources and skills, but also to inform students of their post-secondary choices to help them find their best fit.

“[The biggest hope is for them to have] the support and feeling comfortable knowing what to do for their future,” Sawyer said. “Whether it’s college or something else, they can feel like they have the ownership to choose for themselves what’s best for them.”

CONTACT Sixuan Wu at wu3sx@dukes. jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X at @BreezeNewsJMU.

High school students from surrounding counties help clean Blacks Run Stream through the TRIO program, which aims to provide educational and community service opportunities for students. Courtesy of Amber Peake

from LOADED LEGACY, page 5

The life behind the legacy

Weir was born in 1927 and grew up on a farm in Winchester. Although she was the eldest of three daughters, her height gave her the nickname “Teeny.” Her nephew, John Anderson (’70), said Teeny was the only name her family referred to her by.

“I had to ask my mom to learn that her name was actually Frances,” John said. “But everyone just knew her as Teeny, and it stuck.”

Weir’s sister, Dorothy Anderson, said in a Madison Magazine article that her sister always wanted to succeed, and added that Weir “didn’t want to be a housewife.” After graduating from Madison College, Weir wanted to continue learning within a successful career.

Dorothy said her mother gave Weir two options for her career: she was either going to teach or go into the military.

“She decided to go into the military,” John said. “And thank God for that.”

In the U.S. Army, Weir quickly climbed the ranks to colonel, where she was the first woman to lead a majority-male brigade.

“You think of a woman being in the Army and being in charge of mostly men, that was a challenge and you had to be a strong person to be able to deal with that,” John said. “There had to be some pushback.”

Despite climbing the ranks, Weir received pushback.

As part of her inheritance, JMU received her service evaluations. One from Brig. Gen. Arthur Hurow said he had doubts that any Women’s Army Corps officer could maintain the leadership of her male counterparts. This soon changed, as Hurow wrote in a later evaluation that “this adverse inclination quickly changed to outright admiration. In place of doubt of capability, I have monumental conviction of it.”

Another service report from retired Maj. Gen. John E. Murray said Weir “wears the smallest boots in the headquarters but has the biggest kick,” and added “Joan of Arc must be in her lineage.”

Weir led her brigade in Europe and Vietnam. In 1976, she settled back in Virginia as the deputy assistant commandant of the U.S. Army Transportation School. She retired in 1977 after being diagnosed with Graves’ disease. John said Weir was never vocal about her time in the military, but she was always willing to share her opinion.

“She had very strong views about the former presidential administration,” Dorothy said. “I’d share views with her sometimes, but my son’s views are on a different end. She’d laugh and say ‘You need to convert him.’”

Weir also loved cats and she owned several throughout her life. Her other philanthropic donations mostly revolved around animal shelters, Sarver said. Along with taking care of her cats, Weir enjoyed many activities outside of her career.

“According to her neighbors, she was good enough at golf that she could have made

the pro tour at one point,” Dorothy said. “Evidently, she was a good poker player too.”

Following in Weir’s footsteps

Inspired by his aunt, John followed in Weir’s footsteps by attending JMU.

“My aunt was the first in our family to get a college degree,” he said. “I knew I was going to be the second. I had two options: Shepherd College and James Madison. I figured, my aunt Teeny went to Madison, so I’ll have her there.”

His son, Jake, also went to JMU and graduated in 2023. Both Jake and John attended the Alumni Awards Gala where Weir was posthumously awarded the Presidential Alumni Award. To them, the award is a testament to her unrelenting willingness to help others.

“She wanted to make sure that people who had less opportunities than her could work their way through college,” John said. “I mean, six million is a lot of money. That’s going to take care of a lot of students throughout the years and give them a chance to make something of themselves.”

John said he hopes students receiving needbased scholarships from Weir’s donation remember the woman behind the money: a woman who defied many odds throughout her life and was grateful for everything.

“I just hope that the folks that are able to benefit from her donation are going to be reminded where it came from,” he said. “It came from somebody who was a very strong character. She came from humble beginnings, growing up poor in Winchester. She’s the perfect example that if you work hard, you can make it.”

TOP: Weir earned the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. BOTTOM LEFT: Written on the back of a photo of Weir reads, "She wore the smallest boots they could find in Vietnam — and they were too big." BOTTOM

RIGHT: Weir shaking hands in uniform at Fort Jackson, SC.

In one of her service evaluations, retired Maj. Gen. John E. Murray said Weir “wears the smallest boots in the headquarters but has the biggest kick,” and added “Joan of Arc must be in her lineage.” Photos courtesy of Madison Magazine

Not a Saint and not a setback

Local student-founded band set to release new song in April and EP within the year

By ASHLEE THOMPSON The Breeze

Indie funk-rock band Not a Saint has been circling Harrisonburg for years, playing gigs every weekend and headlining UPB’s annual Purple Reign event two years in a row.

The six-member group has risen to local fame with bandmates being recognized on the street, but they’ve never had a studio release.

That’s all going to change very soon.

Later this year, Not a Saint will release its firstever professionally recorded EP, “Growing Pains.” Its first single, “W.K.O.L.,” releases this Friday, April 19.

Media arts and design (SMAD) and music double major Gillian “Georgia” Saunders is the band’s frontman and creator. The fifth-year senior saw Not a Saint go through many iterations and changes before finding its current lineup.

“We quickly gathered members together for Battle of the Bands in 2022 and we won, which let us play Purple Reign for the first time as Georgia Saunders Band,” Saunders said.

Following its successful first performance at Purple Reign in 2022, more members joined and left until that summer when Not a Saint landed

“If anyone wants to make music with other people, it’s such a wonderful feeling, don’t hold yourself back,”

Luca Moroianu

Not a Saint keyboardist

its first official lineup, debuting at an Irish pub in Saunders’ hometown of Richmond.

Not a Saint has played lots of gigs since banding together, such as Purple Reign again in 2023, The New River Pawpaw Festival in Radford, VA and, most recently, Washington, D.C.’s Blossom Kite Festival — something Saunders called “surreal.”

“It’s awesome to see so many different people connect, and there’s something so special about playing your own original music to a crowd,” Saunders said of the festival. “A sweet old couple stopped to dance to one of our songs. Dads swung their kids around to the music. It’s so cool to get to play gigs like this, especially for big audiences.”

French and music double major senior Luca Moroianu, the band’s new keyboardist, loves playing locally in Harrisonburg and at JMU.

“I think when they say Harrisonburg is the Friendly City, it’s definitely the friendly city,” Moroianu said. “I’m so happy to be a part of a community that values music so much. It’s really important for building young musicians’ selfesteem and confidence, and it makes me feel really good.”

After learning piano at a young age, Moroianu has been in love with music “forever” and chose to attend JMU because of its music program’s good reputation.

Since they’re both students and active band members, Saunders and Moroianu have had to

prioritize their time well so they can graduate. Luckily for Saunders, she says her two majors complement each other well and align with her career aspirations.

“It’s kinda cool because my majors help each other. I’ve learned a lot about [the music] industry and improved my writing abilities,” Saunders said. “I’ve learned a lot and have applied it directly to the band to help however I can.”

Director of choral activities Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy has known Saunders and her bandmates for many years, having taught most of its band members in class and choir ensembles.

“These students are among the most talented musicians in the School of Music,” van der VatChromy said in an email. “It’s not just their talents that impress, but their ability to bring their unique musical interests to life outside their degree requirements and coursework.”

In 2023, van der Vat-Chromy nominated Not a Saint for the Valley Business Keynote Entrepreneurial Arts Scholarship, which it won.

This $1000 award supports the entrepreneurial projects of a sophomore or junior visual or performing arts major.

Saunders said this award allowed Not a Saint to book studio time at Sill & Glade Cabin in Mount Solon to record its EP, “Growing Pains.”

“It was more typical for an individual student to receive the award, but we were the first band to ever win it, which is really cool,” Saunders said. “It was a great experience and I’m really grateful.”

Its EP, which consists of five tracks, is Saunders’ most “proud” creation.

“I’ve gotten really good at giving creative criticism and being specific on my vision,” Saunders said. “Being able to work together with producers to make my vision come to life and this song is everything I’ve wanted.”

The opening track is called “W.K.O.L.” — standing for “What Kind of Love” — and explores wondering if your friend is your friend, or something more.

“W.K.O.L” — which drops Friday — has been dubbed a “funky panic song” by Saunders, who said it wasn’t originally going to be on the EP, but upon hearing her bandmates’ reactions to it, knew it had to be included.

Saunders’ mother, Kristi Saunders, has supported Not a Saint since it formed, making a point to attend as many of its gigs as possible. As a professional visual artist, Kristi designs the band’s merchandise and has created single art — including the art for “W.K.O.L.”

“I really believe in her. I believe that she can do anything that she sets her mind to,” Kristi said. “It would be a disservice from us as parents to dash her dreams and tell her she can’t do that.”

Gillian and Moroianu said the best way to support local bands is to follow them on Instagram and engage with their music.

“If anyone wants to make music with other people, it’s such a wonderful feeling, don’t hold yourself back from that because it can change how you see things,” Moroianu said. “It’s easier when you have a group of people who love working together.”

CONTACT Ashlee Thompson at thomp6ab@ dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.

The Not a Saint band has been performing at local venues and events since 2022, including JMU’s Purple Reign. K. Mauser / The Breeze

Made up entirely of JMU students, Not a Saint members grapple with managing their time spent on schoolwork and the band. Courtesy of Gillian Saunders

JMU theatre thinks outside the recycling box

Students reuse materials for costumes, sets and create projects with sustainability in mind

By ZACH MENDENHALL The Breeze

The ruffly feathers and bird-like movements displayed by the characters in JMU’s studio theater production of “The Birds” captures the beauty and authenticity of nature. The production also serves as the department’s latest attempt to promote the sustainability of its costumes and sets.

JMU’s musical theater department had a budget of $3,500 to make around 200 costumes for JMU’s production of “The SpongeBob Musical” in March. Each costume cost $17.50 on average, but some were cheaper than others.

The insides of smashed VHS tapes glued to electrical wires were used to make the character Karen the Computer’s wig, while reused and recycled materials like cut-up balloons and compact discs made up her headpiece. SpongeBob’s production staff emphasized sustainability more than any show in the past three years.

Sustainability in theater is the reusing and recycling of items such as costumes and props to limit spending and emissions and decrease the carbon footprint of departments. Its online promotion has increased over the past 15 years thanks to organizations like the Sustainable Theatre Alliance for a Green Environmental Shift and Theatre Green Book.

According to the Broadway Green Alliance, over 800 tons of carbon are saved annually due to energy-efficient LED and CFL lights. The alliance has also saved 19,000 pounds of textiles from entering landfills.

The idea of sustainability in JMU theatre sparked in December when it was discovered by SpongeBob scenic designer junior Myer Kim that the scene shop wasn’t effectively using canvas material and wood scraps.

“It’s never been something where we were actively thinking about how we can recycle this … how can we create a show that has this trash but doesn’t look like trash,” Kim said.

Last semester, Kim received the undergraduate professional development award, a $1,500 grant to help him research a topic of his choice. With the money, he purchased a variety of would-be discarded materials — such as plastic, trash, cork, brick and concrete — then researched how they could be combined and used for a show with the materials already in stock.

A majority of the items didn’t fit his overall vision, so he turned to canvas, plastic bottles and cans.

“The scenic design revolved around what an ocean is like, and there’s so much trash within an ocean,” Kim said. “There’s a disconnect between what we say we’re going to do and what we are actually doing, hence why I decided to do my texturing with a lot of plastic and a lot of these trash materials.”

Kim’s knowledge of sustainability stems from his background in architecture, where he’s currently learning how carbon footprints can be reduced and a greener society can be created.

Costume shop manager Kathleen Conery was an early supporter of Kim’s ideas. Conery’s a part of multiple social media groups for costume educators and professionals, where people often search for alternatives with less environmental impact.

Instead of ordering something from halfway across the world, Conery said items could easily be found in thrift stores, saving resources and limiting emissions.

“The more we do this, the more of a habit it gets, it’s automatic to try to choose the greenest supplies,” she said.

Conery’s currently working on costumes for JMU’s upcoming mainstage production, “Dance Nation,” and she plans to continue reusing items from the department’s storage. A recent email sent to the School of Theatre and Dance students asked recipients to donate used backpacks and duffle bags for the show to limit the purchase of new ones.

“I think reusing is such a smart idea, you don’t need everything new,” Conery said. “I think trying to minimize what you buy that’s shipped from overseas is a good idea because of the imprint of the shipping formats.”

During December, JMU theatre majors, sophomores Ryan Michalowicz and Meg Hogan, traveled to different areas of the Shenandoah Valley to gain inspiration for JMU’s current studio theater production, “The Birds.” The show is almost entirely recycled, making use of old tarps, fabrics and textiles.

“It was really the process of transforming something old into something new, which was also kind of the metaphor for the entire show of ‘The Birds,’” Michalowicz said. “As a school, it was a big goal this year to use a lot of different methods and sustainable materials … as well as creating something that looked fun and homemade at the same time.”

Hogan is a prop designer for “The Birds” and faced the challenge of finding places for her props to work and make sense on stage. She said her concept for the show’s props was finding a balance between something man-made and where nature has reclaimed it.

“We are huge fans of using everything that we have at our disposal for future use,” Hogan said. “That’s where a lot of our sustainability comes in, just reusing what we already have, and altering it or changing it for other purposes.”

JMU’s studio theater is very sustainable, Michalowicz said, as the space has remained mostly untouched for the last 10 years. It possesses the same movable seats, curtains, lights and a floor that can be lowered.

Pushing for sustainability in theaters can encourage students to look outside the box and get creative with what they already have, Michalowicz said.

“I think that’s a really unique process that the students this year have been exposed to that they haven’t been exposed to in the past,” he said.

Kim said sustainability means the future. He sees value in the longevity and reusability of the items he purchases. He said defining sustainability in one vague word allows for multiple interpretations and ideas.

“Seeing that shift is really fascinating because they don’t even know it, but they’re pressing sustainable theater without them even realizing it and it’s so cool,” Kim said.

Despite reusing objects, sustainability can be expensive, Conery said.

“Sustainability would be purchasing organic cotton that is grown in a water-conserving nature, purchasing all non-toxic dyes and chemicals and detergents,” Conery said. “Purchasing things that you know are local, and individually and artisan made … all those things are more expensive.”

Some shows include little interpretation for designers and directors. On the other hand, productions like “The SpongeBob Musical” and “The Birds” have extended the recent promotion of sustainability, Hogan said.

People with more power in higher-level theaters need to be held accountable, Hogan said, as they must acknowledge sustainability and embrace it as part of a bigger mission.

With increasing production costs, sustainability challenges will continue for theaters, but Conery said it’s good that people are considering it and are excited to see where it goes.

“A sustainable theater is the only way forward as the planet warms and everything falls apart around us,” Hogan said. “I think we need to be aware of where we are spending our money, where we are spending time and our labor and where we are expanding materials.” CONTACT

Textiles ranging from cut up balloons to VHS tapes were salvaged from past JMU shows to create bright and textured designs.

Students working on “The Spongebob Musical” were tasked with finding new ways to upcycle materials from previous shows. Photos courtesy of Myer Kim

When Dukes cry: Purple Reign inspires community

By KAILYN HARDY & LIZZIE STONE The Breeze

Students filled the Festival Lawn on Saturday to listen to student performers and headliner Dayglow during the Purple Reign Music Festival, hosted by the University Program Board (UPB). The concert lasted from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. with attendees wandering in and out of their spots on the lawn.

“This is just really low-key,” history major freshman Nadja Stovall said. “It’s just nice to enjoy the warm weather and lay out on the lawn with good friends, soaking in the sun, listening to music.”

Bands Von Berger and South House played during the festival — both were winners of JMU’s Battle of the Bands on March 22, a competition to find student-run bands to participate in Purple Reign. They often perform at Crayola House, a local music venue that hosts basement shows for local artists.

Von Berger consisted of five students and two special guests for their performance at Purple Reign: Senior lead vocalist, lead guitarist, songwriter Max Berger; senior specialty vocalist Michael Cseh; junior guitarist Steven Londoño; sophomore drummer Zach Bell; junior guitarist Ben Beaver and special guests alumna Sierra Lambert (’21) and Emilio Tognelli.

“The night before, we were like, ‘Let’s play Battle of the Bands,’” Berger said. “Our bass player had a conflict, and the odds were against us.”

Von Berger overcame those odds and won a spot as a Purple Reign opener, which its members said was their “biggest venue yet.” Adjusting to the venue was challenging for the band, as they couldn’t complete a full soundcheck.

“The biggest issue playing live is being able to hear yourself; it’s always been the biggest challenge,” Berger said.

Von Berger emphasized the importance of student involvement in the musical community through venues such as Crayola House.

DJ Ronald Jonald performed his first JMU gig at the Purple Reign Music Festival. Photos by Landon Shackelford

‘Purple

Reign builds community’

Peter

Wormald Freshman attendee

The bandmates described how the JMU and Harrisonburg music scenes have acted as “safe spaces” for them to express themselves and explore music.

“We’re happy to be the bridge of the Harrisonburg DIY scene to the university crowd,” Cseh said. “We want to bring that energy to the student population and hype up our friends we all recognize from other shows.”

Students expressed that the annual event contributed to their sense of belonging.

“Purple Reign builds community,” freshman Peter Wormald said. “Having a shared thing that everyone can talk about and have is really huge.”

Purple Reign is something students look forward to when the spring term comes around each year. Students were entertained with airbrushed T-shirts, caricatures and inflatable games in addition to live music.

“There was a hype around last year’s Purple Reign, and I remember being sad I couldn’t go, but this year we’ve been here since the beginning,” junior political science major Dylan Bencivengo said.

Community and togetherness were themes of the event, with students and performers expressing their connection to JMU and Harrisonburg through music. Dayglow, who changed into an airbrushed ‘Go Dukes!’ tee mid-performance, couldn’t help but embrace that momentum.

Like Dayglow said: “Go Dukes!”

CONTACT Kailyn Hardy at hardy3ka@dukes.jmu.edu or Lizzie Stone at stone3em@dukes.jmu.edu. For more on the culture, arts and lifestyle of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, follow the culture desk on X and Instagram @Breeze_Culture.

see PURPLE REIGN PHOTOS page 21 Headlining act Dayglow played fan favorites “Hot Rod,” “Run the World!!!” and “Can I Call You Tonight?”

SPORTS

Reports allege JMU is eyeing Matt Roan as next AD

Brandon DeSantis hired as associate AD

By SPORTS DESK The Breeze

The Daily News-Record, around 4 p.m. reported that Eastern Kentucky (EKU) Athletic Director Matt Roan will replace JMU AD Jeff Bourne following Bourne’s succesful 25 years with JMU. The DNR’s report was followed by an article by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Matt Roan was hired as EKU’s AD in 2020. During his tenure, EKU’s men’s basketball team had two 20-plus win seasons, and its football team won its conference championship in 2022.

Roan has overseen 12 All-American athletes and 42 AllConference athletes. He has also worked as a member of the NCAA’s Division 1 Council and Division 1 Football Oversight Committee. Before he arrived at EKU, he served as the AD at Nicholls State University.

Roan also announced at least $31 million in renovations to the Alumni Coliseum and Baptist Health Arena. Under Roan, ticket sales increased 15.1%, sponsorships increased 168.3% and student-athletes recorded their highest single-semester GPA in school history (3.36) in the spring semester of 2020.

On April 17, JMU also announced the hire of Brandon DeSantis to lead Integrated Health Sciences. The role encompasses sports medicine, strength and conditioning, as well as sports psychology and sports nutrition. Desantis earned his Masters of Science in athletic training from Kentucky in 2012, the same year Roan

Living football: Jacob Dobbs reunites with Chesney, joins Dukes for final college season

By JACKSON HEPHNER The Breeze

Some people like football. Others love football. But redshirt senior linebacker Jacob Dobbs lives football.

That’s how head coach Bob Chesney introduced him during spring practice on April 4. Dobbs is new to JMU this season but not new to Chesney. He started his collegiate career playing for the head coach at Holy Cross from 2019-23.

Dobbs first met Chesney in June 2018. The Macomb, Michigan, native had never heard of Holy Cross before he received his offer, but he and his mother had made the trip to Massachusetts to see the campus.

While Chesney’s daughter, Lyla, did cartwheels in her father’s office to entertain Dobbs’ mother, Dobbs and his soon-to-be head coach talked football. He left the conversation impressed enough to tell his mother, “I’ll probably go here.”

Six years later, Dobbs stood on the turf of Bridgeforth Stadium after a morning practice, telling the story of his first encounter with Chesney, capping it off by calling his decision to play for him “the greatest decision of my life.” Chesney, just within earshot, smiled and gave Dobbs a thumbs up as he entered the Athletic Performance Center.

Their relationship was a successful one at Holy Cross. The Crusaders won the Patriot League Championship every year Dobbs was there. He was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year twice (2021, 2023) and was named First Team AllPatriot League thrice (2020, 2021, 2023).

But what makes Chesney successful, according to Dobbs, is how invested he is in his players as people rather than just football players. Dobbs said he thinks that’s why Chesney can get players to buy into his program.

“It’s really easy to listen to someone and follow them when they actually care about you as a whole human being, not just as a football player,” Dobbs said.

On a personal level, Chesney and Dobbs share a connection through their families. Both of their fathers were football coaches, and Dobbs and his younger brother, Noah, both won State Championships for De La Salle Collegiate High School in Warren

“I don’t think I’ll ever be coached as hard as that was in youth football [by my dad],” Dobbs said. “My dad was very hard on me. He demanded the most out of me, I learned everybody’s assignment, all positions as a quarterback growing up in youth football and that really sparked kind of the student of the game in me.”

Chesney knows firsthand that players who are raised by coaches often know what goes into the game from an early age. His knowledge on the field hasn’t been ignored by defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill.

“He’s a complete alpha,” Hemphill said. “He takes control of the whole defense, he knows every call. He knows every check. He gets people lined up, and then he does play with the effort that we’re looking for, so we’re pleased to have him.”

Under AD Matt Roan, Eastern Kentucky (EKU) had a 312.2% increase in financial contributions, according to EKU. Courtesy of EKU Athletics

Left: JMU graduate linebacker Jacob Dobbs won the 2023 AP Comeback Player of the Year Award. Right: Dobbs has known JMU head coach Bob Chesney since he was 18 years old. Photos by Preston Comer / The Breeze

Miranda Stanhope leaves memories of leadership, persistence for JMU track & field

By ZACH MENDENHALL The Breeze

Entering the final lap of her 10,000m run at the Raleigh Relays on March 29, senior Miranda Stanhope glanced at the clock and attempted to do the mental math for a successful run. Her goal? Beat JMU Alumna Shannon Saunders’ school record of 33:54 set in 2005.

After the race, she was still unsure if the clock was correct and waited to celebrate until results were posted. A wave of relief rushed over Stanhope after it was confirmed she had broken Saunders’ record by one second.

During her previous indoor season in the 3k and 5k runs, Stanhope earned two school records, but she said breaking the 10k record is something she’s wanted to do since her first race.

Leading by example doesn’t just mean being a great runner; it means not skipping practices, focusing on peripheral issues like sleep and nutrition and encouraging teammates to do their best. Stanhope’s humility has allowed the team to look up to her and has motivated it to perform better, alumna runner Mary Milby (2020-23) said.

Stanhope has received numerous conference all-team nominations and event titles during her time at JMU. She feels her love for running long distances has made her a standout cross country and track and field team member.

“It’s a privilege and joy every day to be able to work with her,” track and field assistant coach Rebekah Ricksecker said. “She’s a very hard worker, she’s very motivated and she’s a team player. Everybody looks up to her, and I love coaching her.”

She works just as smart as she does hard and is an “intelligent runner,” Ricksecker said.

Stanhope knows athletes can only push themselves so far and spaces out her energy in ways she can make it count. “That really takes a lot of toughness, mentally and emotionally, to be able to summon that courage and mental energy when it counts,” Ricksecker said.

Pacing yourself is important as a runner, Stanhope said, as she feels she’s doing just the right amount needed to improve. She hasn’t sustained any major injuries during her four years in college and attributes it to her patience.

Ricksecker’s decision-making has been aided by Stanhope who, Ricksecker said, has a very good pulse of how the team feels mentally, physically and emotionally. This allows easy communication among team members.

Not every day is perfect for Stanhope, but Ricksecker said she doesn’t let herself get dragged down and is motivated by bad days.

“I think that one of the biggest things that has helped her be so successful is that she knows not every day has to be an amazing day in terms of training or racing,” Ricksecker said. “Every runner has ups and downs, but I think that the athletes who are most successful are able to learn from the bad days.”

After her freshman year of high school, Stanhope realized she had a good chance of being recruited by a school based on the strength of her time. No matter the division, she said it was exciting to know she would most likely find herself on a college team.

She knew she would land a division 1 spot after winning her state meet during her junior year at Joseph Badger High School when multiple opportunities opened up for coaches to contact her.

“That was a really, really exciting turn in my career,” she said.

She enjoyed the friendliness of JMU’s team and facilities and was worried about other schools’ stressful environments. Although unsure of where she would enter the team, Stanhope knew that if she trained hard enough at JMU, she would qualify for all the meets she wanted to.

“It just felt like it was a really good balance of everything that I’m looking for at a school,” Stanhope said. “Also, I know that I’m gonna have all the opportunities that I want to have to compete.”

Stanhope said she lacked a consistent lifting program in high school and has improved her athleticism and running form at JMU thanks to its training facilities and services. She said another big change from high school was having teammates to train with all the time, as she feels better having workouts structured so that she isn’t completing them by herself.

During her first year at JMU, Stanhope was still getting into the rhythm of college-level running, but former coach Dave Rinker noticed the early potential in her that spawned for coaches like Ricksecker.

“She was just such an inspiration to me, and I’m sure many of the other people on the team as well,” Milby said. “Being able to watch the historic moments at meets and stuff … it’s kind of inspiring to see and I’m just very grateful that I was on the same team as her.”

Milby graduated in December and has lived with Stanhope since her sophomore year, as she and Stanhope were in the

same incoming class. Stanhope’s ability to serve motivation has helped push the team to perform better and “be like her,” Milby said.

“Through her actions and how she approaches running in general and her spot on the team, it’s always been an example to follow,” Milby said.

Milby hopes Stanhope continues to find success in whatever she chooses to do. She’s confident that Stanhope will apply the same consistency and dedication she has on the track to other areas of life.

“I’m really excited to kind of see how she continues to grow,” Milby said. “I think she’s very well aware of what she’s capable of, but she also knows when to push and when she’s going to, you know, flex that boundary a little bit.”

Despite not having a specific plan, Stanhope said she’d love to keep running after JMU. She said she may take some time away from the sport post-graduation but would like to run more half-marathons in the future regardless.

“I’m going to miss her daily presence at practice, I’ll definitely miss her leadership,” Ricksecker said. “She’s got an awesome personality and she’s very funny and a great storyteller, so I know that I and the rest of the team will miss those traits about her as well aside from her athleticism.”

It’s important to Stanhope that some of the habits from her college schedule — like her good diet and workout routine — remain in her life, she said. With her background in the sport, she can’t remember not running and working out, as a healthy lifestyle has been “ingrained” in her.

She got engaged in November and plans to live in the Harrisonburg area with her fiancé to save money after graduation. She hopes to land a job using her health sciences degree and gain more experience than just as a studentathlete for her résumé.

When reflecting on her time with her teammates, Stanhope said she will remember the smallest things most.

“Just getting to see my teammates and traveling to a new place for a run and getting to talk and catch up with everyone on the runs. Those are some of my really fond memories that are always going to stick with me,” Stanhope said.

CONTACT Zach Mendenhall at mendenzl@dukes.jmu.edu.

For more track and field coverage, follow the sports desk on X @TheBreezeSports.

Senior distance runner Miranda Stanhope set a JMU program record with a time of 33:54 in the 10,000m run at the Raleigh Relays on March 29. Courtesy of JMU Athletics

from DOBBS, page 14

Dobbs’ effort has been noticed by Chesney as well, and was another highlighted area when discussing how special his longtime player is.

“He’ll get out on the field and he just wants to give you everything he’s got every single play,” Chesney said. “You never will ever question his effort. You'll never question his intensity, and you really won’t question his toughness.”

That toughness was on full display last season. After dislocating his elbow and tearing his UCL, forearm and tricep tendon in Week 4 of the 2022 season, Dobbs’ Defensive Player of the Year Campaign in 2023 earned him the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award, alongside Michigan running back Blake Corum and U.Va. running back Mike Hollins.

For Dobbs, the effort he puts on the field is just a part of living football. In between practices and games, Dobbs said he can’t take his mind off of football, even when he needs to take a break. Before practice, he’s thinking of formations. After games, he’s thinking about what he can do between then and Monday to get better. He says living football is, to him, thinking about football “every second of every single day, to a certain extent.”

“It doesn't have to be sitting there up all night studying plays,” he said, “but it's just about doing something every single day outside of your time here to be the best version of yourself.”

CONTACT Jackson Hephner at

dukes.jmu.edu. For more football coverage, follow the sports desk on X @TheBreezeSports

hephnejt@

Graduate linebacker Jacob Dobbs was named First Team All-Patriot League thrice (2020, 2021, 2023). Preston Comer / The Breeze

OPINION

Want to praise someone or get something off your chest? Darts & Pats is the place to do it. Submit your own at breezejmu.org.

A “class-act” pat to JMU basketball hall of famer Coach Kenny Brooks for, despite his incredible rise to fame, always standing by his family.

From a new Wildcat, but always a Dukes fan.

A “girl-in-red” dart to Chick-fil-a for being homophobic.

From an addicted lesbian.

A “caffeinated” dart to Sage Bird Ciderworks for putting me onto cold brew tonics.

From a coffee enthusiast.

A “good-for-you” pat to my roommate for no longer eating goldfish at 1 a.m.

From a sleep-deprived student.

JMU lacks accessibility implementation

Students with disabilities still struggle to receive accommodations

Imagine struggling to find a parking spot on campus or feeling exhausted from trekking up countless hills on your way to class. Now, picture navigating these challenges with a physical disability. It’s easy to overlook such issues when they don’t directly impact us. However, approximately 10% of JMU students have a disability and face these ongoing challenges on a regular basis.

The transition from K-12 to higher education is significantly more stressful for students with disabilities. During grade school, schools are required by federal law to write an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and provide necessary services. However, once students arrive at university, they are left to manage the educational support process on their own.

Senior Emma Ruffing, who asked to not have her disability disclosed, said it was difficult to adapt to college's lack of typical structure.

“In high school, a lot of it for me was I was at home with my parents and they could sort of keep me on track,” Ruffing said. “I also had other systems in place such as the marching

band, which meant I had to schedule my work. Though, at JMU you don’t have that and I can be honest when I say that I struggled a lot through college.”

Universities follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which ensures reasonable disability accommodations. However, students are required to independently reach out to on-campus disability services, a process that can induce anxiety and occasionally lead to unmet expectations. Alex Moscal, who is a senior in the Adult Degree Program at JMU, has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and autism. EDS is a group of 13 heritable connective tissue disorders that impacts connective tissue, affecting skin, joints and blood vessel walls. POTS is a blood circulation disorder that involves a significant increase in heart rate upon standing.

Even with several diagnosed disabilities, Moscal said finding out which accommodations they needed was very difficult and mentioned that the Office of Disability Services (ODS) isn’t consistent with who receives what accommodations.

“You have to have everything set up perfectly to get accommodations, and you have to know what accommodations you can ask for because

JMU doesn’t have a public list of possible accommodations,” Moscal said. “It’s insane that I was able to get an accommodation to be tardy to class because I have a wheelchair and have to navigate campus, but one of my other friends who has physical disabilities that impact their legs was not able to get an accommodation.”

Along with JMU's minimal disability service advertising, Ruffing said that getting accommodations for students who have an invisible disability typically requires a student to receive another assessment or be medicated. However, according to Ruffing, getting an assessment can take up to two years, leaving students unable to receive any accommodations until the test’s completion.

Alternatively, if a student opts for medication, they can expedite the process by having their doctor fill out a form explaining their diagnosis and medication necessity, overriding any further assessments. Yet mandating medication for students, especially when they weren’t previously inclined to it, presents a significant issue. Conflicts also arise if a student can’t afford certain medications. Ruffing said the only way she was allowed to receive accommodations was if she went back on her medication.

A recent Student Government Association resolution encourages JMU to update its campus accessibility notation. Breeze file photo

ORIANA LUKAS Breeze columnist

“A lot of the time, disability is one of the few groups that people can join at any time.”

Emma Ruffing

JMU senior

“I went back on medications to get accommodations, but I have a very complex history with medication,” Ruffing said. “I’ve had some not so great reactions in the past including things like weight loss. So while it works to some extent, the effects can also be challenging and I just don’t think it’s a great system.”

JMU promotes itself as a school that prioritizes accessibility and inclusion on campus claiming, “James Madison University is committed to providing a campus that is physically and technologically accessible to all students, faculty, staff and visitors.” Although JMU complies with all legal accessibility requirements on campus, students still feel their specific needs are overlooked.

One concern that has emerged for students with disabilities is parking. While each JMU parking deck meets the requirement of having an appropriate number of accessible parking spaces — a deck that has 400-500 spaces is required to have at least nine accessible spaces — that still isn’t nearly enough, especially when students often get short term injuries that require them to use those spaces temporarily.

Aside from minimal parking spaces, there’s a lack of accessible ramps. Moscal said, the ramps are typically only on one side of the parking deck, and that varies from floor to floor. So when the elevator isn’t working, students have to find a way to navigate through the parking deck, which can pose challenges.

“When elevators on Grace [Street Parking Deck] break they go straight to the top floor, so I have to go down all of the floors in my wheelchair because I have no other way of going down,” Moscal said.

Additionally, JMU is known for its hilly campus. Just to get to class, students typically have to hike up at least one hill. When looking around, it can be noticed there are little adjustments made for anyone who may be in a wheelchair or on crutches.

One of JMU’s newest buildings, Duke’s Dining and its surrounding area, exemplifies the lack of accessibility on campus. When looking at the building, it’s perched on a steep hill. To walk around the building, a student either has to scale several flights of stairs or a steep hill, leaving physically impaired students out of luck.

Upon entering the building, access to the second floor primarily relies on two large stairways. The only way for students with physical disabilities to maneuver around is a singular elevator, which may lead to delays during peak time. To make matters worse, the elevator also shuts down around 3 p.m. While students can go through card services to grant access to the elevator during these specified times, many students are unaware of this option.

“I personally feel like you never know why someone may want or need to use an elevator,” Ruffing said. “A lot of the time, disability is one of the few groups that people can join at any time, so shutting off access to elevators is never a good option.”

To better support students with physical disabilities, JMU provides a disability map that shows which buildings are accessible on campus. However, freshman Mason Hoey, an SGA senator dedicated to increasing disability diversity, proposed a resolution to update the disability maps after spotting about 50 inaccuracies within the map.

“For example, going to the east campus residential halls, typically they mark the furthest entrance as a manual accessible entrance, but then they’re behind fire doors on the inside, which don’t meet accessibility requirements,” Hoey said. “Also, if you’ve ever been to the front door of King Hall, there’s four stairways that lead to that door, so there’s no way to enter King Hall through the front door.” Last week, a resolution authored by Hoey and Senator Sophmore Ella Stotzky, which called for improved accesibility notation on campus and maps, was unanimously passed.

While it has to be considered that updating older buildings can have legal issues, the university should look for other solutions to accommodate this minority group. Overall, disability services at JMU need attention. ODS does its best with the funds it receives. However, as a minority group, it seems they are overlooked.

Moscal said that, as the president of the “I Dream Disability Diversity” club at JMU, the club’s goal is to have ramps throughout campus, more accessible elevators and students’ awareness of his issue. However, shouldn’t all of this have already occured?

CONTACT Oriana Lukas at lukasok@dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news

$156,162

e real cost of your educa on e average total cost of a four-year bachelor’s degree at a public institution

$27, 338 e average federal student loan debt a er graduation

$43,064

JMU’s out-of-state tuition for the 2023-24 academic year

Gen Eds need to work in favor of three year degrees

In the United States, the average total cost of a four-year bachelor’s degree at a public institution is $156,162. This average is an amalgamation of private vs. public tuition, in-state vs. outof-state tuition and living costs according to the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities.

This total shows how the current system of college education in the U.S. is beyond expensive and is a major financial burden on students. Remedying this problem requires several different solutions, but a big one could be changing college curriculum to fit into three years instead of four.

European countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, currently structure their bachelor’s degrees for a three-year duration. While international costs vary depending on the country and university, it’s obvious that three-year degrees are more than feasible based on these international models. Implementing this same timeline in the U.S. would be fairly simple and desirable. Many U.S. universities have a liberal arts education, meaning they attempt to have students take classes in all subject areas regardless of their major(s). At JMU, this is achieved through general education requirements. This is where the introduction of science, math and arts requirements come into play. Rather than spending all their time on their chosen field of study, students are instructed to branch out into all programs. According to a Breeze Instagram poll, 50% of 120 respondents agree that JMU’s gen-ed classes aren’t important to their college education. At JMU, these gened classes are meant to mostly be completed during a student’s first year in school. This shows how a student spends a full year of college tuition on classes that could have nothing to do with their desired area of study. JMU students could spend their first year jumping into their major, but instead often wait until their sophomore year to really start taking the classes they want.

Having to waste time on classes that prevent students from integrating into their majors sooner, proves that part of the

American college curriculum is unnecessary. Removing these class requirements would allow U.S. college students to finish their bachelor’s degrees quicker and for lower costs. In the U.S., the average federal student loan debt after graduation is $27,338 according to the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities. For comparison, JMU’s out-of-state tuition for the 2023-24 academic year is $43,064, as stated on JMU’s undergraduate admissions website. Comparing these two rates shows that cutting out a full year of school could have massive financial benefits for students.

The fundamental idea of a liberal arts education is commendable. However, the financial logistics of college makes it a burden. If students anticipate thousands of dollars in student loan debt, bombarding them with additional requirements isn’t a good thing. Creating an environment where students can take the classes they need for less overall money is the best outcome for college students.

While the current academic system tries to encourage a wellrounded education, the combination of financial stressors and additional academic burdens make a four-year degree significantly less desirable than a three-year plan. In the end, students can have the same experiences, learn the same amount of information and set themselves up for success in three years. A bachelor’s degree in three years is more practical and helpful for all college students.

CONTACT Riley Kilcarr at kilcarmr@dukes.jmu.edu. For more coverage of JMU and Harrisonburg news, follow the news desk on X @BreezeNewsJMU.

Ella Austin / The Breeze

RILEY KILCARR contributing columnist

The Student Government Association passes bill facilitating Narcan availability on campus JMU almuna Colonel Frances Weir's generosity nets record $6 million cash donation

Live updates: JMU Board of Visitors announcement on athletic director and interim president roles Camp Kesem helps students and children cope with parents affected by cancer

The annual Purple Reign Music Festival hosted by the University Program Board featured multiple student performers. Dayglow headlined the event as hundreds of students enjoyed the performances, activities and giveaways. Photos by Landon Shackelford / The Breeze

For more photos of Purple Reign, view the full gallery online at breezejmu.org/multimedia.

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The City of Harrisonburg (VA) Fire Department will hold a written examination and physical ability test on Saturday, April 27, 2024, for the purpose of evaluating candidates interested in becoming a firefighter. Find out more/ apply online: https://www.harrisonburgva. gov/employment. EOE.

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The Breeze, JMU’s award-winning student media organization, seeks a student graphic designer for print and online advertising. Job requirements include creating ads fro clients, collaboration with Advertising coordinator, page layout and design. Must be deadline oriented. Knowledge of Adobe software and previous design experience. EOE. Apply at jobs.jmu.edu

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