Need Some Finals Study Tips?

As finals are fast approaching, it is easy to get overly stressed and confused on how to handle everything on your “to-do” list for the next week. As the freshman class officers we talked to our older SGA members and asked them how they survived finals over the past few years.

• “Try to “teach” your parents, friends or anyone who will listen about the class. Explaining the concepts will really help you find what you understand already and what you still need to study.” – Alicia Pettis
• “Don’t oversleep a final. Seriously. Go to sleep at a normal hour of the night before so you don’t sleep through the alarm.” -Liz Ramirez
• “Start studying at least 2 days in advance. It helps to feel confident in what you know.” -Nora Linkous
• “Never take an exam on an empty stomach. A bagel from Einstein’s is the perfect brain food to hold you over especially for an early morning exam time!” -Morgan Shaughnessy
• “Utilize Student Resources Centers like the Math and Science in Roop and the Writing and Communication in Wilson.” -Matt Klein
• “Download the “self control” app on your laptop. Ban Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc that could possibly distract you.” -Nikki Bologna
• “Drink lots of water and exercise. All the extra blood flow will help your memory.” -Alicia Pettis
• “Carrier and ECL are always great, but always crowded. Places Like TDU have extended hours.” -Collin Russell
• “Re-check the time and place of where your exam is the night before.” -Matt Klein

                                                                         

Just to add a few of our own,

• Seek advice from upperclassmen, just like we did. They are full of helpful tips to get you through this next week
• Don’t forget that there is free food all over campus late at night, keeping yourself healthily fed is important
• Libraries and Top Dog Starbucks are open 24 hours during finals week
• Just relax (UPB is even helping out with this by having a Relaxation Station on Friday. Check out the Facebook event page).

It’s important to keep yourself calm and focused, so turn off Facebook, get some rest, and hit the books. Start studying several days before your exam, and make a to-do list! Best of luck on your finals, and have a wonderful (and relaxing!) work-free break!

Much love,

Pat, Lauren, Kaitlin, and Rachel

Freshman Class Officers

Follow us on Twitter @JMUclassof2015 or join the group on Facebook

Student Engagement Week Results Are IN!

After the success of Student Engagement Week (SEW) in October, we have finally confirmed our results. To analyze our findings, Executive Assistant Nora Linkous met briefly with the Center for Assessment and Research Studies (CARS). Although CARS does not normally receive requests from student groups or organizations, they were willing to briefly check our methods of analyzing the data for accuracy.

Over the five days that the Student Government Association (SGA) was around campus collecting surveys, we received 3,722 responses. This was much larger than we anticipated and hoped for. With this success, SGA felt that it was appropriate to use two methods for calculating the top three issues that the students of James Madison thought impacted the University most.

The first method was to simply find the percentage of surveys that had each issue ranked in the top three. For our second method, we weighted the totals based on the rank they received for the surveys. As shown below, the two methods gave us the same results except second and third place flipped. Even with this transposition, the top three issues were firmly solidified as Transportation, Financial Aid, and Dining Services.

So what will this all mean for the student body? The whole purpose of this week long engagement with the students has been to clarify the pressing and important issues that the university is facing this year. With that goal in mind, SGA plans to go through the year with an emphasis on these issues and produce no less than one proposal per topic. Organization and committee members have been designated to collaborate with administrators to make this as efficient and effective as possible. We would like to thank all of those students that participated in the survey for making Student Engagement Week such a success.

For any further information of SEW, please contact Executive Assistant, Nora Linkous at linkoulj@dukes.jmu.edu

Fraternity & Sorority Life Survey. NOT JUST FOR STUDENTS

JMU Fraternity & Sorority Life is asking students, alumni, faculty members and administrators to engage in a survey about the office, the community, and how to get the word out of what’s happening. Please take five minutes out of your day and click on the the links below to fill out the survey and help out the office. This survey is intended for all students and not just those who are in fraternities and sororities. Thank you for taking the time to fill out the survey as your input is needed in order for the Fraternity & Sorority Life office to be successful!

Here are the links:

For students and alumni

For faculty, administrators, and general employees of JMU

If you have any questions please contact Grant Bigman at bigmangr@dukes.jmu.edu or visit the JMU Fraternity & Sorority Life office website, ‘like’ them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

We are the Dukes of JMU

Madison, James Madison- We are the Dukes of JMU.

Tonight, as thousands of us packed the Convo center, we shared tears, hugs, smiles and laughs. I never thought moments of hardship would be be the moments that helped me to love this school more than I already did.

A very special moment for me was when Art Dean reminded us all that we ARE JMU and that WE CARE.

Katie, Jackson, Nick, Kristen, John, Rob, and Jane would be proud to see the community they have inspired. Together you have reminded the world of what it means to be a JMU Duke, and what it means to bleed purple.

Remember, “JMU knows no true obstacles, only things to build bridges over and tunnels under.”

We are JMU. We are All Together One. We Are the Dukes of JMU.

Click here to see an amazing composition by Evan Duffy of The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” and the Madison fight song.

Forever, All Together One

“Virginia State Police confirm Jane Hwang, 18, was the James Madison University freshman that was hit and killed by a city bus Tuesday night. Hwang is from Fairfax, Va.  The crash occurred at 9:52 p.m. on JMU’s campus at the intersection of Carrier Drive and Bluestone Drive.  Hwang was hit by a Harrisonburg city bus and died at the scene.   The bus driver is not facing any charges.  The cause was determined as inattention on the part of the pedestrian.  The intersection was controlled by traffic signals and crosswalk signals.  The bus was making a left turn from Bluestone Drive into Carrier Drive and had a green signal when the victim entered the crosswalk on a “do not walk” signal and was crossing Carrier Drive.” -WHSV

These words are informative.  Journalistic. Factual.  And yet they do not encompass the massive power that this singular event has unleashed on JMU’s campus.  As soon as confirmation that a bus accident had occurred by Godwin Hall, students took to social media offering kind thoughts, words of wisdom, and condolences for a STRANGER. We were unaware of the identity of the individual let alone if they were even a JMU student, and yet, at one am hundreds gathered at the spot to unite as a single JMU Nation.

As time progressed, people reached out from across campus, across Virginia, and across the country to offer their words and support.  Now more than ever, we need to unite as a community and show everyone we are strong. President Rose stated it best with: “So where do we take comfort and what do we do? Well, as a family would, we should first reach out to those most immediately touched by the departure of a loved one and offer our support in coping with the loss. We should look for those in need and we should lend a hand. There is no best way to do this. Just make the effort your own way – it will be appreciated.”

Tonight there will be vigil to honor not only Jane, but those Dukes who we lost this Fall semester.  Forever All Together One is happening November 16th, 2011 in the Convocation Center at 9:30pm.  We hope to see you there.

“JMU is not just an institution of higher learning, but it is a spirit, it is an atmosphere, it is a way of life that I am glad to say I have lived.” – Alpha Spitzer class of 1937

Program Grant Night!

One of the biggest nights in the SGA year is tonight.  We as an organization, have the ability to give specific organizations thousands of dollars to help them put on one of their big events.  Program Grants allow organizations on campus to put on a truly spectacular event for the JMU and Harrisonburg community.  Often times without the additional money from SGA, the events wouldn’t be possible.

The Process:

By submitting an extensive application to the Executive Treasure, organizations tell us where the extra funds will be allocate to, where they could potentially get external funds (i.e. fundraising) and what the event is they are planning.  The applications are then sent to the Finance Committee within SGA and are reviewed, potentially edited, and voted upon.  If the grant passes through Finance, it is presented in front of Senate for approval.  Senate has the ability to change anything Finance has approved, as well as overturn the Finance decision with a 2/3 vote.  Finally, the Executive Board makes the decision to keep the Senate vote, or overturn it.

The Organizations and their Event:

1. VA Bio: “Speed Networking” students will learn how to network, practice networking and hear about life post-graduation from a discussion panel.
2. Mozaic Dance Team: “Coalescence 3rd Annual Weekend” both a showcase and a workshop featuring dance teams from DC, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and areas.
3. Relay For Life: “Relay for Life” participants walk around a track for 12 hours symbolizing that cancer never sleeps.  There are several forms of entertainment throughout the night and funds go towards American Cancer Society.
4. Student Greater Madison, Habitat for Humanity, National Society of Leadership and Success: “The Big Event” a campus-wide day of community service where thousands of students will be sent into Harrisonburg in teams to complete tasks.
5. JMU Breakdance Club, JMU Invisible Children: “Circles 13″ seeks to promote the four original arts of hip-hop with life DJs, a graffiti expo, freestyle MC battles, king of the cypher (community all-style dance) battles, and 4 v. 4 crew battles.

If you want to hear the debate tonight, head over to Festival Highlands room at 5:15p and see where the money goes! There are a lot of great causes, and limited funds, so it should be interesting.

HIV Awareness Week

From November 14^th to 16^th, the Madison HIV Alliance is hosting the first ever HIV Awareness Week.  Over the course of this week there will be various events taking place on campus (all of which are FREE) in order to help raise HIV awareness as well as educate students on how to protect themselves and others.

Calendar of events:

Nov. 10th-16th: AIDS Memorial Quilt Exhibit (8 a.m.–midnight) Forbes Center: Two panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, including the JMU panel, will be displayed (FREE EVENT!)

Monday Nov. 14th: FREE HIV testing in Transition. (No needles, it takes less than 20 minutes and if you do it, you get a voucher for a FREE ENTRANCE TO EITHER EHALL OR DHALL!!)

Monday Nov. 14th: “An Evening with Sheryl Lee Ralph,” (7pm) Wilson Hall: As part of Madison HIV/AIDS Awareness Week, acclaimed veteran of film, television and the Broadway stage and Tony Award–nominated actress Sheryl Lee Ralph discusses the impact of the epidemic on college students and the role that young persons can play in prevention, education and stigma reduction. (FREE EVENT!)

Tuesday Nov. 15th: “Who’s Positive: The Tom Donohue Story,” 7 p.m., Festival B llroom:“Who’s Positive” is designed to offer an insight into the life of HIV–positive young persons (FREE EVENT!)

Wednesday Nov. 16th: “Advocating for Youth: HIV/AIDS in Young America,” 7 p.m. Festival Ballroom: Advocates for Youth champions efforts to help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health; the event engages students in discussion regarding personal choice, sexual risk and behavioral impacts (FREE EVENT!).  You can check out their website prior to attending.

During our time at JMU, we become well rounded, educated and enlightened citizens that better our communities and the world around us. Challenge yourself to extend that education; expand that circle of your community. Educate yourself on ways in which you as an individual can stand proud and confident in your actions, knowing you are making safe decisions.

I hope you take the time to attend some of these events and support those who have worked so hard to help better educate us as a community and make JMU an even more well-rounded and enlightening community.

In the spirit of Madison, Go Dukes!

Rheanna Martino

Class of 2012 President

FREE Service that Could Save You or Your Car

Whether you are traveling 3 miles or over 300 miles to get home this Thanksgiving Break, you need to ensure that your vehicle is in top condition to get you where you are trying to go. Almost all of the essential parts of your car need fluids to run properly and if even one thing gets low, you could have a serious problem. Plus, maintaining all the levels properly can add thousands of miles to the life of your car!

Parts that need proper fluid levels:

• engine
• transmission
• radiator/cooling system
• brakes
• battery
• window washer
• air conditioner

Aamco has offered their expertise to check any JMU student’s car for low fluid and tire pressure and fill it (if necessary) just to make sure your car doesn’t break down on the drive home for Thanksgiving. Please attend and tell other people about it, after-all this is FREE stuff were talking about here and it could save you or your car. Check out the event on Facebook for more details!

Memorial for Katie Mausteller Today

On October 10, 2011, the JMU community mourned the loss of one of its own. Katie Mausteller, a 22-year-old senior from VA, passed away after an accident Monday evening.

In my time here at JMU, I unfortunately never had the honor of meeting Katie.  In hearing of her passing, I remember a number of people commemorating what a vibrant and joyful person she was. Her spirit and smile, they said, could light up a room. An all-star basketball player, Katie put tremendous love into everything she did, both on and off the court.

On behalf of the Senior Class of 2012, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to both Katie’s family and friends. There are few words to be said that can take away the pain we feel when we lose someone we love. However, in this time of mourning the loss of this beautiful young woman, we stand together as a class unified by our spirit and love for this University as well as our grievances and thoughts for Katie. We will celebrate her life, reflecting fondly on the times that were shared. Forever a member of the JMU community, her memory will live on forever.

 

In the memory of Katie and spirit of JMU,

Rheanna Martino

JMU Class of 2012 President

 

*We ask that members of the JMU community attend a
candlelight memorial in honor of Katie this Sunday, November 6^th, at
4:30pm in Wilson Hall. Guests are asked to dress in colored clothing in order
to reflect the bright and vivacious personality of Katie. There will be a
chance for sharing and reflection on memories of Katie if attendants would like
to participate.

Free Speech Rights on JMU’s Campus

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” –U.S. Constitution

In lieu of the graphic pro-life demonstration taking place on campus the last few days, there has been a lot of talk about free speech on campus. The rights of a U.S. citizen are protected under national, state, and local laws.  Being at a public university there are also a set of policies and guidelines that govern the actions of individuals on the campus.  As long as an individual/group is not posing a threat to safety, are upholding the laws on all levels, and upholding the overall mission of JMU (which is to educate), then they are allowed to be here.

That being said, Madison Union is responsible for ensuring that the Commons space; which has been determined by the university to be the designated location for free speech activity, is maintained properly.  Outside individuals/organizations are encouraged to pre-register so that public safety can be notified, as well as information about the event can be recorded.  This is not required, but highly encouraged.  The goal of the process is to be “fair and consistent” according to Joe Urgo, Associate Director of Madison Unions.

If at any point an individual on campus feels as though their safety is being threatened, JMU public safety should be notified.

The official statement released by Madison Unions regarding the current activity on the commons:

Practical Statement Regarding

DEMONSTRATIONS OF FREE SPEECH at JMU

This is a Free Speech activity.  The University Commons has been determined by the university to be the designated location for free speech activity, because the location is least likely to interfere with the university’s primary mission to educate students.  It is not sponsored by, nor endorsed or discredited by, the University beyond the extent of supporting and upholding the law regarding Free Speech.

Further inquiry can be directed to Joe Urgo, University Unions, urgojt@jmu.edu, 568-6725.

While the current events have sparked controversy, the resulting conversation is what the founding fathers, such as James Madison himself, had in mind when they created our national Constitution.  The students of JMU have acted admirably in responding to the situation by continuing the conversation in the proper forums and acting in a respectful manner.