Announcing: Staff Positions Available

With our newly elected excutive council in place, the time has come to hire the staff to help with the day-to-day tasks of running the organization.  Below, you will find each available postion and a link to the application. Completed applications should be brought to Taylor 203.

We are still accepting applications for Director of Information Technology, Executive Assistant, and Parliamentarian. Check out their position descriptions and application.

Chief of Staff: This position is newly created and accepted into our constitution!  The purpose of the chief of staff is to facilitate the mission of the Executive Council through the Executive Staff. This position works closely with the Student Body President. He/She shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Executive Council and act as a liaison to the Executive Council for the Executive Staff. He/She shall delegate all Executive Staff responsibilities equally and appropriately among the Executive Staff.

**Director of Information Technology:  The Director of Information Technology (DIT) is responsible for developing and updating the SGA website.  The DIT, who is a member of the SGA Executive Staff, must attend executive council meetings. Additionally, he/she is responsible for the management and upkeep of all SGA-owned technology, i.e. computers, printers, tvs and iPads.  The DIT also advises the organization on recommended technology purchases and assists the organization with technology acquisition and implementation.  He/She will ensure the Student Senate meeting minutes and attendance are posted on the website.  The DIT position must hold three office hours per week.**

Director of Membership Development: The purpose of the DMD is to educate the first-year senators and representatives and provide leadership opportunities for all members of SGA. The DMD has the responsibility to work collaboratively with members of the Executive Council to plan retreats and organize meetings. The DMD has the responsibility to bring in guest speakers, provide leadership activities and bonding opportunities for senate.  As DMD, it is your responsibility to create these leadership & bonding opportunities and to serve as a role model to the first year members.

Director of Public Relations: The Director of Public Relations serves as the press secretary for the organization.  He/She shall be responsible for forming relationships with all media outlets that provide coverage for the JMU Student Government, i.e. The Breeze, student publications, The Daily News Record, etc.  The DPR will control all of the Student Government Association social media pages and accounts, i.e Facebook, Twitter, the SGA Blog and Website.  They will also coordinate content with the JMU Office of Public Affairs.

**Executive Assistant: The Executive Assistant of the Student Government Association serves as the secretary of the organization, and is in fact “the organization behind the organization.” He/She is responsible, but not limited to serving as the office manager and organizer, taking minutes in Executive Council and Senate meetings, creating the databases, will be nuts and bolts certified, responsible for a large number of the room reservations with Events & Conferences, making and updating records binders, maintaining blackboard, sending out inter-organizational emails and updating the office calendars.**

**Parliamentarian: The Parliamentarian is in charge of making the final ruling on all issues of constitutionality that arise during SGA meetings. He/She is not a member of Senate or the Executive Council, but is required to attend all senate meetings. The Parliamentarian is the consultant to both bodies on issues pertaining to the SGA Constitution and Bylaws, in addition to Robert’s Rules of Order. The Parliamentarian must hold a Parliamentary Procedure Workshop for all new and returning senators and representatives.**

That’s all of them! Remember, applications need to be in to Taylor 203 by 5pm.  You also need to be available on Thursday April 12th from 6pm-10pm for interviews. Make sure you dress to impress!

Questions, concerns? Email Kelly Johnson at Johns2ke@dukes.jmu.edu and she can help you out. Good luck!

Senior Goings On–Rheanna Martino

Dear Seniors,

Much as we don’t like to admit it, the sudden arrival of spring means more than sunny days spent on the Quad, nights spent enjoying rooftop restaurants and the soon to be summer weather bringing on vacations and beach days. This year, the arrival of spring means the fast approaching culmination of our years of hard work here at JMU. That’s right: graduation is coming. (To lessen the pain, let’s just call it the “G” word, okay?)

 Trust me—I hate saying it more than you hate hearing it. There is nothing fun about counting down the days until we part ways with our home of four years. But look at it this way: if we’re only here for a short time, we better make it a good time, right?

There are a lot of important (and fun!) things coming up in the next few weeks to not only prepare us for the big day but also to help celebrate the time we have left.  Below you will find details on some of these events as well as resources where you can find out even more.

April 2^nd-6^th: Bookstore Grad Fair

The annual Grad Fair is your one stop shop for all things related to the “G” word.  While it may not sound appealing, this is a vital week for all seniors. During this week you can order your cap, gown, hood, tassel and all other important things for the big day. Worried you don’t know what you need? Thankfully there will be an experienced team available to ensure that you select the correct regalia to be perfectly dressed come May 5^th. If you go to the bookstore during this week, you are guaranteed to leave with everything you need; no need to wait or order, it’s all guaranteed to be there (if you go after this week, there is no definite on how long it will take to get everything).

For those who are unsure, let me clarify once and for all: all caps and gowns this year, despite popular belief, are purple. 100% JMU purple. Did you order on-line and think you ordered a black one? Don’t worry; the website uses the black outfit for its display on the page (it’s easier than specifying for each school). It’s also okay if you ordered online; you’ll get the same outfit as the rest of us.

Aside from caps and gowns and all, there will be other senior-related things available, too. You will be able to look at the official JMU Class of 2012 Rings and place an order if you never had the chance before, check out diploma frames and get a sneak peek at some of the Alumni apparel (there’s that dreaded ‘A’ word…) that will be on sale for those of us who will soon be crossing into the post-grad world. As scary as it sounds, remember that you’re one of approximately 4,000 who are going through this all. Make a new friend or bring the ones you’ve cherished since your first days here. Either way, embrace this rite of passage that comes with being a Duke.

Graduation’s no fun. What kind of fun things are going on for the Senior Class?!

There are a lot of events lined up in the next few weeks that will allow us to celebrate the end of this chapter of our lives. Ranging from countdown nights to sporting events, there are tons of opportunities for enjoyment such as final study breaks, focus groups sponsored by the Duke Club, the Senior Picnic and the Candle Lighting ceremony.  

For more details on these events and more, check out the Senior Class Events schedule on the Alumni Office’s Website. Or, for daily updates you can follow @SGAjmu2012 and @SGAjmu on Twitter.

 You can also continue to purchase senior shirts. The last day to place an order will be Monday April 16^th. You can come by Taylor 203 anytime between now and then (daily from 10am-4pm) to place your order.

These next few weeks will be bittersweet ones for sure. There is no denying that we will miss this place, but it’s only natural to feel the excitement and hope of starting a new chapter of our lives, much like we did when we were on our way to start our JMU careers. Rather than spend our days longing sadly for more time, let’s celebrate all that we have left. Remember—we’re not here for a long time, so let’s make it a good time.

Best wishes in your last weeks here. And Go Dukes!

-Rheanna Martino

Class of 2012 President

P.s. Have a question, comment or concern? Email Rheanna at Marti2rk@dukes.jmu.edu.

Class of 2014 Ring SALES!

We have finally unveiled the Sophomore class ring. As an event, ring premier went amazingly and we are so thankful for all of you that came out to enjoy the night with us. Now for the fun part, actually ordering your ring!

If you didn’t get a chance to come out and celebrate with us, head to the SGA office in Taylor 203 to pick up your bag with a FREE t-shirt as well as the brochure with pricing options.

Balfour representatives will be available from March 24-26 (10am-4pm) and again from March 29-April 2 (10am-4pm) right outside post office in Warren Hall. They will have the ability to size you as well as show you in person examples of the ring styles.

If you have any questions, you can post in the Facebook event as members of the committee will be checking it frequently. For updates, follow @SGAjmu, @SGAjmu2014 on Twitter and “Like” the Student Government Association page on Facebook.

Assessment Day, on Valentines Day?

For those of you who are lucky enough to have a special someone to share Valentines Day with (or even if you don’t), participating in assessment day is not high on your list of things to do.  And understandably so. You have better things to do than actually try on a test that doesn’t count towards your GPA. Plus, who wants to sit in a room for 3 hours and take a test that has nothing to do with your education?

Common misconception.  Assessment day is a HUGE deal! This day helps JMU understand and improve the quality of education that is being offered. You want your degree to mean something when you leave here right? Well, this test allows administrators to critically view areas that can be strengthened or maintained.  Additionally, the Commonwealth of Virginia mandates that all state universities assess student learning.

This “test” is very similar to the one that you took as an incoming freshman, and your results from that test will be compared to the results from this one to ensure that you are actually learning something.

During these assessments, students are tested on their knowledge in one of the general education areas of history, science, mathematics, or fine arts. In addition, a students may also complete tests measuring critical thinking, cultural knowledge, intellectual and personal development.

Not sure if you have to participate in assessment day? Well, check out this informational page that will give you everything you need.

Helpful Finals Info

With some people’s finals beginning tomorrow, we thought we would take the time to give you some last minute links and helpful information to get you prepared:

1.  Need to know WHEN your finals are happening? Not all professors tell you the right day on your syllabus. Check out this link to make sure you have the correct date and time. Also, if the date is different, EMAIL your prof to double check.
2. Need an extra cram session? BOTH Carrier and East Campus Libraries will be open for 24 hours during finals week.  Be sure to book a study room if you want some quiet time, or you need to work with a group.
3. Need a late night snack to power you through a study sesh? JMU Dining has select locations open 24 hours for your convenience, such as Starbucks and Top Dog. And other places have late night hours as well.
4. Need help with that final paper, speech, or presentation? University writing center has some experienced staff to help you in whatever situation you are in.  You can make as many appointments as you need to get the best grade you can.  Take advantage of them! They often see things you might not.
5. Need to relax before you take a test? UREC has massages you can book for as little as $35 for a half hour! Also, UPB is sponsoring a FREE relaxation station on FRIDAY DEC. 9th in Transitions from 8-12p.

All in all, the best thing you can do is be prepared.  You’ve been doing well all semester, so don’t freak out too much.  Get some sleep, hang out with your friends, and enjoy your last few days at JMU before the holidays.

You got this Dukes!

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

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.

Commission to Honor Contributions of the Women of Virginia

Governor Bob McDonnell, chairman of the Commemorative Commission to Honor the Contributions of the Women of Virginia, along with other commission members and  legislative leaders House Speaker William J. Howell and State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple, today announced that the Commission would hold a series of nine forums or “community conversations” across the Commonwealth during the month of October to gather ideas and broad public input on an appropriate monument in Virginia’s Capitol Square in Richmond to commemorate the contributions of the women of Virginia.  These public forums are an outgrowth from Senate Joint Resolution 11, which the Virginia General Assembly unanimously passed in 2010.

Speaking about the monument, Governor McDonnell remarked, “The uplifting and powerful stories of the women ofVirginiaare overdue for telling and underappreciated to this day. This monument will ensure that visitors to our State Capitol will have the opportunity to learn about and celebrate greatVirginiawomen. It will also further enhance the beauty and charm of historicCapitol Square. I encourage all Virginians to be a part of telling this pivotal part of our shared history.”

“Virginia’s history is storied and includes many significant accomplishments and contributions by women, which have strengthened our communities and improved our Commonwealth’s terrific quality of life,” said Speaker Howell.  “How best to appropriately recognize these achievements is an important conversation to have and I hope and encourage all Virginians to participate in the forums.”

“The ideals, vision and spirit of sacrifice of Virginiawomen can and do serve as an inspiration to all Virginians,” added Senator Whipple.  “It is therefore more than fitting to recognize and honor the contributions of Virginia’s women with the placement of a permanent monument on the grounds of Capitol Square.  We welcome the public’s input in making the best decision possible.”
Tonight in the Festival Ballroom at 7p one of these talks is occurring.  The purpose of the forums is to gather ideas and broad public input to commemorate the contributions of women inVirginia.  Several students from the various schools attended and participated in the previous discussions.  The commissions members who were present were very impressed with their input and would like to hear more from students such as JMU’s.

“Before moving forward with plans to honor and commemorate the diversity and remarkable achievements ofVirginiawomen with a monument onCapitol Square, the Commission recognized the value of gathering the ideas and recommendations of all Virginians,” said Governor McDonnell’s Secretary of Administration Lisa Hicks-Thomas.  “This special project will serve as an enduring monument to the contributions of all women throughout our Commonwealth’s 400 year history, and we want to ensure that the views of all Virginians are heard and reflected in the final design.”

So, What is Student Engagement Week?

Though the title might suggest otherwise, we are not promoting that students of JMU get engaged during this week.  However, if that was your original plan, then by all means, don’t let us stop you.  This week is actually going to be dedicated to making the Madison experience for this year even better.

While on our organizational retreat, SGA came up with 8 broad topics that we as student leaders felt were necessary to explore.  We want the students to come up with our 3 long-term goals for the year from that list, that way, we have some accountability, as well as transparency with what our projects are.

Now, you might be wondering how we are going to get these answers from the student body, and the answer is simple.

Every individual in our organization is putting in the time and effort to be in 5 different locations around campus all week long to ‘engage’ YOU as a student, as well as get a feel for what your ideas are.

We will be at tables with signs, food, drink and of course our survey for you to fill out. Sounds like an amazing plan right? Want to know when and where? Monday-Friday we will be set up:

• Chandler Courtyard (10-3)
• Village Basketball Court (10-3)
• Warren Patio (10-3)
• ISAT Lobby (10-3) and finally,
• UREC Atrium (2-7)

Need some more info? Check out our Facebook event, follow us on Twitter @SGAjmu and of course, keep checking back here for more updates.

Coming Soon…My Madison (formerly e-campus)

Beginning Sunday October 9th, yes SUNDAY, the way e-campus looks, operates, and functions will be totally different.  In Senate on Tuesday we had Anna Lynn Bell, Director of University Advising, and a few of her colleagues come and tell us that their collaboration with Academic Affairs, Administration and Finance as well as the Office of Student Affairs proved to be a great effort in making the changes students wanted to see made.

Their main priority was to focus on advising and registration problems that students have been complaining about for years.  Easier access to cumulative, major and minor GPA’s, personalization options as well as integrated systems so that three or four pages didn’t need to be accessed to gain information.

With the new changes, students will be able to customize the Student Tab with things such as links to forms, major specific materials, as well as any other information that is deemed Academic Support.

Some of the things that SGA brought up included: easier transcript printing, clarifying that E-Campus and BlackBoard will be integrated into the My Madison portal (no extra log-in will be required), as well as actual integrated personalized to YOU information.  Email, calendars, final schedules by semester, etc. will all be included as well.

We are really excited for all of these changes, and if any of you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Representatives from SGA are all over campus, the Twitter is constantly monitored as well as our Facebook page.  Again, October 9th when you log into E-campus you will see some changes. Get Excited.