Heather Coltman will be stepping down from her position as current provost and senior vice president for the Academic Affairs Division effective June 30, according to an email sent from the Office of the President Thursday morning.
JMU’s budget office provided The Breeze with an itemized breakdown of the comprehensive fee not widely available to the public. Here are the biggest takeaways.
Closely following the events of Oct. 7 and after Jewish student groups held a vigil on the Quad with a Wilson Hall lit in Israeli flag colors behind them, JMU halted all requests to light the building, which meant it denied the Muslim Student Association (MSA) from lighting the building for a Palestinian vigil a few weeks later. The university’s lighting policy is still being evaluated.
Four faculty members emailed a letter addressed to Vice President for Student Affairs Tim Miller and JMU Chief of Police Anthony Matos Saturday, May 4 following a confrontation between multiple fraternity students and protestors Friday. The letter requested both a detailed plan outlining how the university intends “to repair the breach in trust” that Alger’s and Miller’s actions have caused, as well as a “public, direct apology” to the organizing student groups.
Heavy rains across JMU and the greater Harrisonburg community lead to flooding and property damage; Inner Campus Shuttles (ICS) and Starship Delivery robots temporarily suspended services. TDU was also evacuated when a fire alarm was triggered.
The Breeze and Breeze TV won 14 awards in the Virginia Press Association’s annual statewide contest.
The Student Government Association (SGA) in its April 16 meeting, the partnered with ResQED to combat the opioid crisis by teaching students to use and obtain Naloxone, a nasal spray that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses that’s commonly referred to as Narcan.
During its special Tuesday meeting, the SGA Senate passed a Bill of Opinion demanding general education classes implement sustainability practices as well as a request for reserve funds for SGA tabling materials.
When Vice President for Access and Enrollment Management Donna Harper (’77) first arrived on campus, not as a JMU student, but as a student at Madison College. During this time, sororities lived in Eagle Hall and East Campus didn't exist. Now, Harper is retiring from her multi-position career within the JMU community after 47 years of service.
The Alger family reflects on Jonathan Alger's 12-year presidency at JMU. His most impactful accomplishments include transitioning to an R2 research university, multiple appearances by the Marching Royal Dukes in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, JMU football on ESPN College GameDay and global study abroad and engagement programs.
Huddled together in a shady area on The Quad, community members gathered to protest JMU’s alleged silence and complicity in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict as well as provide attendees with lectures and pamphlets.
During its final meeting of the semester Thursday, JMU's Faculty Senate voted to pass two resolutions: one supporting those affected by Israel-Palestine conflict, and one allowing the Senate to make changes to its faculty handbook.
After watching the documentary "Victim/Suspect" on Netflix, JMU alumna Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw (D-CT) ('97) decided to introduce a bill helping sexual assault survivors come forward with their assaults.
Senior Edwin Domachowski, who said he’s questioned his gender since fourth grade, underwent his top surgery operation — a double mastectomy — three days after Christmas, 2022. He and other students sat down with The Breeze to share their experiences.
During its regular Tuesday meeting, the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate elected Sen. sophomore Kieran Fensterwald as its speaker for the 2024-25 academic year.
At its Friday morning meeting, JMU's Board of Visitors (BoV) appointed Charlie King as interim university president, presented proposed tuition and fee increases, approved new budget and began the presidential search process.
During the Board of Visitors Friday morning meeting, Vice President for Access and Enrollment Management Donna Harper announced her retirement after nearly 50 years with JMU.
The Board of Visitors announced Charlie King will serve as interim university president during the search for Alger’s permanent replacement.
Students from HHS and SHS picked up trash along the Blacks Run Stream in Harrisonburg on March 29. The Blacks Run Cleanup is one of multiple community projects organized by the Talent Search program, a JMU federally funded TRIO program.
Colonel Frances Weir (’49) donated her six million dollar estate to JMU, the largest cash gift ever given to the school. The donation will be used exclusively for need-based scholarships and will be divided into $6,000 annual scholarships for eligible students for financial aid.
At its regular Tuesday meeting, the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate unanimously passed two Bills of Opinion to counteract opioid overdoses, approved contingency and reserve funds for three student organizations, and passed resolutions to install a plaque honoring a distinguished alumna and recognizing two staff members.
Student Government Association (SGA) President-Elect junior Brielle Lacroix and SRBoV-Elect Sydney Stafford share their goals for the 2024-25 term. Former SGA leadership give advice for each position.
The Student Government Association (SGA) released its election results via Instagram Saturday afternoon. Here are the highlights.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), alongside Page County, issued a state of emergency Mar. 23 in response to wildfires that spread throughout Virginia. Harrisonburg Fire Department (HFD) Fire Chief Matthew Tobia said the HFD is prepared to fight wildfires in Harrisonburg and its surrounding cities at any point in the year.
During its regular Tuesday meeting, the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate unanimously passed two accessibility resolutions, approved contingency funds for two a cappella groups and the Front-End Budgeting (FEB) for SafeRides. It also passed an update to its financial procedures.
JMU students, faculty and community members gathered on the Festival lawn Sunday to participate in the Out of the Darkness walk, an annual walk for suicide prevention in collaboration with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
Student Government Association (SGA) elections take place on Wednesday. Take a peek at the candidates running for major positions for the 2024-25 academic year.
Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera (R) visited JMU on Tuesday to speak at “Common Good in the Commonwealth: A Fireside Chat with Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera" with University President Jonathan Alger. This is part of JMU's newest free speech initiative called "Engaging in Better Conversations Across Differences."
At the Board of Visitors tuition and fees public meeting Wednesday, Vice President of Administration and Finance Towana Moore presented the BoV budget overview which explained how JMU’s tuition and fee rates are set each year. Moore also highlighted proposed increases for said amounts for the upcoming 2024-25 summer session and school year.
TimelyCare, a virtual mental health resource for JMU students that provides resources for students, recently increased its 12-session limit of counseling appointments available per student to unlimited access.
The Student Government Association (SGA) held a major candidate debate for the 2024-25 student body president and student representative to the Board of Visitors (SRBoV) Monday evening.
The Student Government Association unanimously approved Front End Budgets for the upcoming year and resolutions to show their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. They also approved campus sexual assault resources and recognized the importance of Diversity Equity, and Inclusion during their meeting on Tuesday.
Faculty Senate Speaker Katherine Ott Walter announced President Alger to leave in June. Ott Walter has been gathering survey data from faculty members in hopes of filling the interim president role while the school searches for his replacement. At the meeting, testing center availability and yearly evaluations were also discussed.
Enes Kanter Freedom, activist and former NBA player, spoke at JMU Thursday about the privilege Americans have to live in such a free country as well as the awareness Americans should have for international problems, particularly fascism. His speech was titled "Freedom over Fascism."
During its regular Tuesday meeting, the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate approved funding for Front End Budget groups, BluesTones, Madison Saxophone Society and the Vietnamese Student Association, as well as appointed an SGA Historian for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year.
JMU's Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter invites former NBA Boston Celtics player Enes Kanter Freedom to speak at the Hall of Presidents on Thursday at 7 p.m. YAF Chairman Parker Boggs said he will discuss national and international freedom, as well as the "evils" of fascism.
Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action as well as a key advocate for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, spoke at JMU on Thursday as a part of her "No Abortion, No Exceptions" tour with guest speaker Angela Harders.
Keister Elementary School art teacher and outdoor learning committee leader helps to crate the school’s Zen garden, also known as its “mindfulness meadow,” which is an outdoor open space composed of four learning spaces for her students to use.
After changes made to the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) this year, many universities — including JMU — are scrambling to put forth financial aid offers for prospective students.
The SGA Senate passed a resolution honoring President Jonathan Alger and his wife, as well as a resolution establishing an award for JMU staff. JMU Dining Services representatives also presented new dining changes.
JMU’s Student Government Association (SGA) approved resolutions encouraging JMU to implement Narcan training and resident hall NaloxBoxes as well as contingency funds for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Madison Saxophone Society (MSS), Camp Kesem and the Bee Friendly Beekeeping Club during its meeting March 5.
JMU President Jonathan Alger announced in a campus-wide email Monday afternoon he accepted an offer at American University in the same position. JMU’s acting president will take over July 1.
JMU’s chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) announced Friday it’s inviting Enes Kanter Freedom, a former NBA player who has since been outspoken against fascism, to speak on campus at an event titled “Freedom over Fascism” on March 28.
To prepare young adults for their first primary and others with the tools necessary to make informed decisions during Super Tuesday, the Madison Center for Civic Engagement organized the Presidential Primary Preview event in the Student Success Center on Monday.
The Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) expressed disappointment in JMU and the Student Government Association’s (SGA) “lack of transparency” around SGA’s illegal closed meeting in a statement to The Breeze on Friday morning, marking the third time FIRE has raised concerns about the SGA’s governance in the past year.
The Madison Center for Civic Engagement plans to hold its Presidential Primary event Monday, which will help students navigate the primary elections on Super Tuesday.
Freshmen students Libby Stedman and Molly Schreiner teamed up to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in honor of Bernard “Ben” Stapelfeld.
The University Recreation Center (UREC) hosted a panel of professionals on Feb. 22 to recognize Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW). The panel shared both insight and advice on the topic of eating disorders.
JMU's Student Government Association (SGA) approved contingency funds for JMU Club Rowing, MadiTHON and Alpha Kappa Delta Phi on Tuesday. It also passed a resolution to make ADA reporting more accessible, and it passed an updated election policy.
The Student Government Association (SGA) illegally barred the public, including the media, from the beginning of its meeting Tuesday, backed up by Vice President for Student Affairs Tim Miller, who incorrectly cited Virginia law.
Ohio State professor and JMU alumnus Stephen Quaye (’02) discussed Black student activism on college campuses and the use of a racial justice lens to improve Black students’ experiences during Black History Month keynote event on Thursday, organized by the Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS).
Alexander Wyatt Campbell, the perpetrator of the 2022 Bridgewater Community College shooting, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and will face two consecutive life sentences plus an additional six years for the use of a firearm in both murders.
A fight is taking place at JMU — but not just any kind of fight. JMU and seven other schools in the Sun Belt Conference are participating in a contest to see which school can donate the most food throughout February.
Contingency funds requests for JMU Muslim Student Association (MSA) and Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) were approved by the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate at Tuesday’s meeting, but the contingency funds request made by JMU Young Life was denied.
A cooking fire at Southview sparked around 8 p.m. Tuesday, affecting two units. None of those injured were transported to the local hospital.
Increased applications and admissions, as well as athletic success and JMU’s economic impact, were just some of the topics discussed at Friday’s Board of Visitors (BoV) meeting. The BoV will meet next on April 18 in the Festival Student and Conference Center.
The Board of Visitors’ (BoV) Student Affairs Committee convened Thursday to discuss a strategic plan for the department, JMU’s accessibility resources and new initiatives such as religious spaces to enhance students’ sense of belongingness on campus.
JMU’s X-Labs, a center for engaged interdisciplinary research, partnered with the global education technology company Ellucian to create a pilot internship program that leads students to develop a software.
University communications spokesperson Eric Gorton first announced JMU was accepted into the “Welcome Corps on Campus” program in a press release on Feb. 8. Religion professor Christina Kilby, who has been “very involved” in the program, said JMU is one of the cohort of schools enrolled in it; the full list is yet to be revealed.
On Tuesday, the Student Government Association (SGA) approved over $5,600 to help fund “Taste of Africa,” an event held by the African Student Organization (ASO) to showcase African fashion, cuisine, music and dance.
Harrisonburg Director of Communications Mike Parks said a driver traveling northbound on South High Street lost control of their vehicle around 3:37 a.m. and veered into the R13 parking lot. The driver first struck a road sign, then wrecked five parked cars.
Despite the push toward protecting children from sexually explicit content through Rockingham County Public Schools’ (RCPS) temporary removal of 57 books, these schools still use sexually explicit materials in their curriculum. Students voice their concerns with the removal of these books, arguing that these new standards for book removal should have been applied equally to all books.
The construction of Carrier Library, which began in May 2023, caused concerns among students regarding the lack of study spaces around campus. Now, students are adapting to the new norm.
Many JMU students say parking is a daily stressor they’ve had to adapt to. Jeffery Tang, an associate dean and professor in the College of Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE), said he thinks students would realize JMU does not have a parking problem if they took a step back and considered the university’s parking landscape.
On Tuesday, the Student Government Association (SGA) Senate approved over $20,000 in reserve funding for Chabad House and JMU Student Ambassadors, contingency funds toward Madison Consulting Club and JMU Anime Club, and a grant for Relay for Life.
Since Starships’ introduction to JMU in 2020, the robots’ popularity has grown, and they have become a campus staple. With the recent snow and rain, some students said they are more likely to get food through Starship to avoid trekking across campus to the dining halls in the elements.
The Student Government Association (SGA) Senate unanimously approved contingency funding requests for JMU club ice hockey and Filipino Americans at Madison (FAM), and approved a program grant for Kinetix during its Tuesday meeting.
Following a recent temporary ban of 57 books across RCPS, school board members held a public work session on Tuesday to discuss future plans of a comprehensive selection process to determine whether books are appropriate for a K-12 audience. Librarians and community members expressed their frustration with this decision.
Classes meant to take place on Jan. 16 that had been canceled because of snow were re-scheduled to this past Saturday. Even though students did not like this decision, Faculty Senate Speaker Katherine Ott Walter said this may become the norm.
Out of the 58 first-year students who were placed in temporary triple rooms at the beginning of the fall semester, 22 remain in the triples as of Dec. 15, according to an email from Assistant Vice President of Communications and university spokesperson Mary-Hope Vass. RAs, students and parents reported mixed feedback for the housing arrangement.
A car hit an 18-year-old JMU student at the intersection of South Main Street and Port Republic Road around 11 p.m. Friday, Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD) Lt. Chris Monahan confirmed to The Breeze. The crash is under investigation, which should conclude this weekend.
Friendly City for Palestine (FC4P) urged the Harrisonburg City Council to pass a resolution in favor of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during its regular meeting Tuesday. They delivered prepared speeches, held signs and shared personal stories.
JMU's Student Government Association (SGA) approved their proposed dress code amendment at their meeting on Tuesday, among other amendments. The dress code, first proposed in fall of 2023, states that any members or guests in violation of this dress code will receive an absence.
JMU’s Student Government Association (SGA) approved resolutions encouraging JMU to implement Narcan training and resident hall NaloxBoxes as well as contingency funds for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Madison Saxophone Society (MSS), Camp Kesem and the Bee Friendly Beekeeping Club during its meeting March 5.
JMU President Jonathan Alger announced in a campus-wide email Monday afternoon he accepted an offer at American University in the same position. JMU’s acting president will take over July 1.
JMU’s chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) announced Friday it’s inviting Enes Kanter Freedom, a former NBA player who has since been outspoken against fascism, to speak on campus at an event titled “Freedom over Fascism” on March 28.
To prepare young adults for their first primary and others with the tools necessary to make informed decisions during Super Tuesday, the Madison Center for Civic Engagement organized the Presidential Primary Preview event in the Student Success Center on Monday.
The Foundation of Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) expressed disappointment in JMU and the Student Government Association’s (SGA) “lack of transparency” around SGA’s illegal closed meeting in a statement to The Breeze on Friday morning, marking the third time FIRE has raised concerns about the SGA’s governance in the past year.
The Madison Center for Civic Engagement plans to hold its Presidential Primary event Monday, which will help students navigate the primary elections on Super Tuesday.
Freshmen students Libby Stedman and Molly Schreiner teamed up to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in honor of Bernard “Ben” Stapelfeld.
The University Recreation Center (UREC) hosted a panel of professionals on Feb. 22 to recognize Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW). The panel shared both insight and advice on the topic of eating disorders.
JMU's Student Government Association (SGA) approved contingency funds for JMU Club Rowing, MadiTHON and Alpha Kappa Delta Phi on Tuesday. It also passed a resolution to make ADA reporting more accessible, and it passed an updated election policy.
The Student Government Association (SGA) illegally barred the public, including the media, from the beginning of its meeting Tuesday, backed up by Vice President for Student Affairs Tim Miller, who incorrectly cited Virginia law.