Fire Burning, Fire Burning at the Block Party

By now I'm sure everyone has heard about 'JMU Riot 2010'. The news quickly spread all over the region and even ended up in a quick segment on CNN, Deadspin, and on a few other national websites. Sorry this is very late, but my internet wasn't working for 5 days...so give me a break. I'm gonna do my best to lay down the history, what happened (as best as I can, without actually having been there), and suggest some things for the future.

History
So waaay back when at JMU...back when Greek row included fraternities, they held a big alumni weekend. They had bands on Greek row, fenced off part of it where they would have alcohol and would card people to get in, had a constant police presence, and kept everything orderly. At some point, State and University attorneys decided having any sanctioned parties like this on campus was a bad idea. Thus, parties like this were moved off campus.

Snooki Visiting JMU: Start of a Revolution?

In two days, March 3rd, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi will be visiting James Madison University. I can't remember a more hotly discussed about event. Even when now-President Barak Obama came there wasn't as much hate spewed (okay, maybe that's a stretch). Snooki, more than probably any other entertainment figure these days, is loved by some and really hated by many others at the same time. For those that don't know, Nicole (originally from New York, and actually Chilean) was a part of the show "Jersey Shore", which followed the lives of several "guidos and guidettes" Real World-style. It was basically a train-wreck of a show and Snooki is most famous for getting punched in the face by a guy at a bar.

Over the past couple weeks, the news of Snooki coming to JMU has been all over the place, all the way from the Breeze and the DNR to Perez Hilton and the Huffington Post. Students, alumni, community members, and people from all over the country have been placing their judgment on Snooki, UPB, JMU, and JMU students. All the while, the show sold out in three days. I figured it's about time for the Windbreaker to step in and put its two cents in.

To start off with, I'd like to say I've maybe seen five minutes of the Jersey Shore (most of which was the child reenactment), because I'm not a fan of reality TV. I also don't like the fact that it glamorized that culture and while I enjoy making fun of it every now and then...this show was doing the opposite.

That having been said, I'd like to defend UPB on their decision as someone who was on their exec board for two years. The University Program Board tries to provide a variety of educational and entertaining events throughout the year. So far this year, according to UPB Public Relations Director Stephen Eure, they've "brought such events as the awareness program To Write Love on Her Arms, the educational How-To Series, and informational Sex Rules event." This event is purely for the entertainment value and is trying to hit a different segment of the JMU population. Not only that, UPB didn't really have much of a choice. Every semester they put out a survey to students giving different choices for comedy/lectures/musical performances in different price ranges and Snooki was an overwhelming favorite. None of the other choices got nearly that response, leaving UPB little choice other than to give students what they wanted. I've stated on here before how difficult it is to find an act to bring to campus that students are actually interested in, is in UPB's budget, and an act that has an open date on a rare night that campus locations are open. Again, anyone is welcome to join UPB for all the people who are always disappointed (it's pretty much your fault if you don't like what they bring).

To a majority of you that are judging Snooki and UPB...are you really in a place to judge. I love my school and am proud that anyone can come here and have a great time on any given night without having to pay to have fun, but it's a slippery slope. It's hard to walk around campus or talk to students without hearing about less-than-flattering things that happened over the weekend. And what reaction does this stuff get from their friends? Praise. The lifestyle people are condemning is happening every weekend (and most weeknights) at JMU, and the people living this very lifestyle are celebrated...but that's because these conversations are had in private (or at least not on TV)...out of the eyesight of others. Hypocritical? Maybe a little bit. Oh, and in case you didn't read the Huffington Post article, it was mainly talking about the fact that the event's Facebook wall had to be disabled because of the discriminatory posts from JMU students. And these are the people talking about being ashamed of their school? I'm all for giving feedback and saying you don't want to go (look to Josh Kelaher's Breeze letter or Facebook group for examples of good ways to do this), but to say some of the things that were posted is ridiculous.

So where do we go from here?

Most likely...nowhere. Snooki will come to campus. Some people will be pissed. Others will be entertained. Spring Break will happen. Everyone will forget or move on.

But is that really it?

All of you that are in an uproar...are offended...are ashamed...will you let this travesty just pass by?! Why not do something about it?

Get an educational lecture on campus. Bring in a senator, congressman, governor, or other political figure. Bring a debate on campus. Want to make a point? Get with UPB (or heck, maybe even join UPB) and help bring one of the above mentioned onto campus (UPB can help you get a list). Get them into Wilson Hall (after all, it has a higher capacity than Memorial). If UPB has already planned out their full budget, try SGA, other student orgs, or do some fundraising to get someone good and get them in there. Then pack the place out. Get it to be better attended than Snooki. Then do it again. And again. Make your event bigger than Snooki. Why not create a culture on campus of involvement in politics or education? Find something you're passionate about and pursue it. If you don't want to be known as just a party school that brings Snooki to campus...you know who can change that persona? YOU!

Stop being reactive to events on campus like Snooki and instead be proactive. Get out there and create a difference in your school. In my four years at JMU I saw a program formed by the a small group of student leaders on campus called jMubilee to bring together the JMU campus and Harrisonburg community. Every a year we put on at least one event, but my senior year a handful of awesome students helped me put together a huge event on Godwin Field the last day of classes. We scrounged together $10,000 from different places on campus and had free food, live music, an outdoor movie, and free games for over 1,600 people. Anything is possible at JMU. The faculty and staff are more than willing to help. Stop thinking small. Dream big. Complaining might make you feel better for the moment, but it doesn't help anyone and won't improve things for the future. Do something about it!

To UPB, I'd say make all of these people put up or shut up. Bring a good cultural event to campus and see if the attendance is even comparable.

I'm a huge fan of the "Be the change" campaign. There were a few phrases that always stuck out to me: Be exceptional, Be the example, Be visionary, and Be passionate. To extend that a bit further... Don't wait for someone else to start something...be the ignition. Don't join the trend...be the trend. Don't accept things the way they are...push the boundaries. There aren't too many things at JMU that are beyond the scope of a group of passionate, resourceful students. If I may borrow a page out of Dr. Mark Warner's book... "YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!"

Your move JMU...

Madison For Keeps

Remember back to your time at Madison. Remember your freshman year dorm, eating at Dhall (grilled cheese Thursdays), hanging out with your FROG group... Now think about any organizations or sports teams you were involved in... How about that one Saturday night senior year...you know the one... At JMU, we alumni have had the opportunity to spend some of the best years of our lives at an amazing institution in a community that is unmatched across the country. We spent four (or more) years building relationships and growing our family of Dukes. Now imagine not having those experiences.

Since the economy has taken a downturn, the scholarship money available to current students has taken a huge hit. Not only that, but parents are losing their jobs. This means that families who once had no problem paying for tuition and living expenses now can't afford to keep their children in college. Over 200 students currently at JMU are in danger of not being able to finish their time at Madison because they can't afford to pay for the upcoming Spring semester.

So here's your chance Dukes. It's time to "Be the Change". It's time to prove that we are "All Together One". A special fund has been set up called Madison For Keeps.

RIP (Free) Hillside Tailgating

As the evening sun goes down on a cool Fall evening, a car pulls into C4 (affectionately known as Hillside lot) to save a spot for the upcoming Saturday morning. A bleary-eyed student makes their way down to a parking lot overflowing with purple. Many current students and alumni can relate countless memories of good times had in Hillside. In the years leading up to the National Championship year of 2004, tailgating on the campus of JMU was something quieter and was something to do, but wasn't out of control. As the years passed and as the excitement of each football game grew, so did the tailgating. Soon, Hillside and the Baseball lot (R1) became an event on Saturdays apart from the actual football games. The lots were teaming with happy people in purple and gold. Tailgating became something that JMU thrived at, for logical reasons.

Now, because of supply and demand (among other reasons), Hillside is transitioning into a donor lot for the Duke Club. For those uninitiated with the Duke Club, it is "the fundraising arm for James Madison University Athletics. Through its annual fund drive, the Duke Club raises unrestricted contributions in support of student-athlete scholarships and the athletic budget. Additionally, the Duke Club aids athletic facility enhancements and other needs through capital campaigns." Basically, through donations from thousands of Dukes, the Duke Club supplements the cost of scholarships and helps to raise money for larger projects, such as the football stadium expansion. The Student Duke Club is a small (though essential) part of the Duke Club (making up less than 5% of the $1.1+ million yearly contribution). So please do not mistake the President of the Student Duke Club as the Director of the Duke Club, or vice versa.

Now that we've covered the background stuff, let's review why we, as JMU football fans, still have it made. They're taking away Hillside as a free lot...which still leaves the Baseball lot within a third of a mile of the stadium. Oh, and don't forget the huge Convo lots or R2 across Port Republic Rd. as free places to tailgate either (both within a half mile from the stadium). You'd be hard pressed to find a school with a football program as big as ours, with as many fans as we have, that has tailgating so close to the stadium (that doesn't cost thousands of dollars for a parking pass). Especially when you take into consideration that we have so many lots within a five minute walk that are FREE. Here's two possibilities that I'll go ahead and lay out for those who used to tailgate in Hillside. First, you can talk to your friends and decide which of the other three spacious lots you want to tailgate in. A second option would be to get those same friends and scrap together $150 to get a parking pass for Hillside for the season through the Duke Club. Many people have already bought a parking pass and will continue to make (and possibly quickly forget) memories in Hillside. The bottom line is, to say that "the man" taking away one of the free tailgating lots and turning it into a paid lot will hurt JMU tailgating is belittling of all the James Madison students, alumni, and fans that have created the amazing atmosphere that we enjoy.

GO DUKES!

East Campus Dining Hall Opens Monday

The new East Campus Dining Hall is set to open on Monday, August 17 (name still TBD). For those that haven't driven by campus lately, the place looks AMAZING. And that's just the outside. The 700-seat facility is also the campus' first LEED certified building, with measures in place to save money on lighting, heating, water, and lots of other green initiatives (including getting lettuce and potatoes locally). It also features a very nice banquet room upstairs.

Now for the list of cool stuff that should move us up another couple spots for the list of best campus food in the nation. First, and probably coolest, JMU has hired a pastry chef from Disney to work in the new ECDH. This means that everything from cinnamon buns for breakfast to pies for dessert will taste that much better. Next, the new eatery will include traditional naan and other Indian food fixed in a tandoori oven. Also on the menu will be fresh, made-to-order pastas and California and New York-style pizza, using herbs grown in the Arboretum. There will be a Bistro, as well, that will be like classic home-cooked meals, along with having a large salad bar. All of this food will come plated, garnished, and fixed like you're in a restaurant.


I can't wait to try out all this new food that is guaranteed to be top of the line. Recent JMU alumnus and current intern on campus John Johnson got a chance to try it out today, and it is apparently, "Off the heezy." I'll update with new pics and more info once I get in (hopefully in the next few days).

New Dining Hall Serves Up Sustainability, Restaurant-Style Meals

Return of the Quad

After a few years of the Quad being at least partially blocked for construction, it is finally opening back up. The fence that had been blocking off nearly half of the Quad has recently been taken down and most of the construction done on the Quad side of the tunnel has been completed. Walking around the newly reopened Quad was like seeing a friend you haven't seen since sophomore year and they're dressed a little nicer and are in a little better shape than you remember them. The new paths are really looking nice and, as you can see in the photos, the walls are bluestone. No matter which angle you look at the new construction from, it looks great. Once the PAC (which is also coming along nicely...hopefully a photo tour of which will be coming soon) is done it will really complete the Quad. So now, the photos:


















Additional photos

And what post about the Quad would be complete without...
Madison Project's I'm On The Quad