Homecoming Events

Sunday, October 11th MadisonFest 6pm-9pm on the Festival LawnJoin us around the bonfire as we chow down on some campsite food and enjoy being a kid again with food and entertainment. Enjoy the magic and the freaky talents of the always exciting freak show. Just as you thought it couldn't get any better, bring an old college t-shirt to swap for one of the 2009 Homecoming shirts! Together, let's kick off the greatest week on earth at Madison

Monday, October 12th Banner ContestCome show your support and artistic talents by designing a homecoming banner! The theme is 'Under the Big Top - Duke Dog in the Center Ring'. Voting will take place online the week of homecoming at www.jmu.edu/homecoming and we will display the banners in conjunction with Family Weekend.

Tuesday, October 13th – MadisonGames “Duke Dog’s Three Ring Extravaganza” 2pm Godwin FieldCome one come all to join Duke Dog in a fun packed day of games. Participate side by side with your fellow Dukes through relay races and obstacle courses for a chance to win prizes and bragging rights. Even get the opportunity to create and participate in your very own Carnival Booth fun! Register through an organization, residence hall or just grab a group of friends. It’s going to be a Circus!

Wednesday, October 14th – Commons Day 11am-2pm Festival Lawn & CommonsCome one, come all to the greatest day on earth! From the east to the west there will be a ring of fun for the 2009 Homecoming Commons Day. Join us for popcorn, sweet treats, face painting, games, prizes, and pictures with the bearded lady. So much excitement it had to be separated on two sides of campus!

Thursday, October 15th – MadisonCafe 10pm in Transitions You're officially invited to the show "In the Center of the Ring". Join us in Transitions between 10 p.m. and Midnight for FREE food, karaoke, games, and entertainment. Don't miss out on this great experience under the big top."

Friday, October 16th Parade, Pep Rally, & Sunset on the QuadHomecoming Parade…. where spirit reigns supreme” – 5pm on Duke Drive beginning at the Baseball lotHomecoming 2009 “Under the Big Top” is right around the corner and we want your group to be a part of the excitement! No matter how large or small your group is, you can be a part of the Annual Homecoming Parade “where spirit reigns supreme” on October 16, 2009 at 5pm. Registration packets are available online at http://www.jmu.edu/homecoming/. We hope that you will be a part of this wonderful JMU tradition

Pep Rally & Sunset on the Quad… The Grand Finale 6pm on the QuadWelcome to The Grand Finale! Sunset on the Quad is a fun-filled party on the Quad you don’t want to miss! This exciting evening will be full of performances by JMU’s various acapella groups, dance groups, and other forms of entertainment will be present. There will be FREE FOOD and plenty of games including a petting zoo, face painting and carnival rides. Bring your JMU Spirit to the Quad on Friday, Otober 16th immediately following the parade (6:00pm).

Announcing the 2009 Mr. and Ms. Madison Finalists

The finalists for this year's Mr. and Ms. Madison are:

Ryan Cury
Brandon Brown
Alex Jerasa
Richie Blessing

Allie Weissberg
Lexi Hutchins
Christa Samaha
Candace Avalos

Be on the lookout for the finalists at the 2009 Homecoming Events!

Voting will be announced in the coming week, and make sure to get your Homecoming ticket starting October 5th to make sure you can see who is crowned Mr. and Ms. Madison 2009 at the Halftime Show!

Are you Tech Savvy?

The Student Government Association is looking for a new Director of Information Technology for the 2009-2010 academic year. Applications can be found on the SGA website at http://sga.jmu.edu or here: http://drop.io/DITapp2009#. The following are the requirements for this position:

• Responsible for developing and updating the SGA website
• Attend Staff and Senate Meetings
• Must be in good standing with the University
• Need to be organized and able to work as a part of the Executive Staff Team
• Hold 4 office hours weekly
• Management and upkeep of all SGA owned technology
• Have a working knowledge of Frontpage, Dreamweaver, and any other program needed to maintain the SGA website
• Advise the organization on recommended technology purchases and assist the organization with technology acquisition and implementation
• Ensure the Student Senate meeting minutes and attendance are posted on the website
• This position will receive a $300 stipend annually!

The Application deadline has been extended to Thursday October 1st at 5pm in the SGA office (Taylor 203). If you have any further questions, please contact Chief of Staff Candace Avalos at avalosca@jmu.edu.

What has SGA been up to in September: Updated

Here are just a few things your SGA has been working on this month. These are the most common student issues that have come up since the beginning of the year, and we have a few updates on some steps we've taken to address these concerns. Check it out:

Harrisonburg Bus stopping at 2:15am

• working on getting an information out on why bus closed early
• collaboration with judicial and prevention offices to find alternatives to the bus
• survey on student's thoughts on buses to provide concrete information when working with administrators and looking for solutions

JMU home football games

• talked to athletic/ticket departments to ask about sudden changes
• there are 4,500 seats total in stadium and 4,400 students were let in but many were left without a seat and stuck on the sidelines
• ticket office is planning on doing an advanced pick up for the remainder of the season to avoid complications with seating
• talked about getting student input at the end of the semester to prepare for the new stadium in terms of reallocation of student seating

Upperclassmen resident parking

• working with parking advisory committee
• talking about allocating spots to residents in arboretum lot (C17) which is currently only commuter and residents are only allowed access after 4pm

Early festival closing

• meeting with dining to see reasons behind early closings
• asking budget related questions to the new changes (possibly the reason festival closes early)
• working on alternatives such as making E-Hall like greens with a carry out option

These are just a few options we have brainstormed, and we invite you, the students, to share any other comments or suggestions towards addressing these issues! Please comment on this blog with your ideas!

For more information, please contact Candace Avalos at avalosca@jmu.edu

Apply for the Danville Memorial Scholarship

A $1,500 scholarship in memory of a true friend

Check it out here today:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=177442420025

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What: In the summer of 1996, just before the start of the new semester, JMU student Matthew Lee Montgomery “Danville” was the victim of a fatal car accident. “Danville” was about to start his junior year at JMU and had the distinction of being the Executive Treasurer-elect for the Student Government Association. When students returned to school and heard about the loss, the SGA was so moved that they created a scholarship in his name. APPLY TODAY!

Who: Anyone of sophomore standing or higher (meaning you must presently be a sophomore or have the appropriate credits) and seniors continuing on to graduate school AT JMU may apply!

How: Fill out the application and turn it in by Monday April 27th by 5pm to Taylor 203 (SGA Office) in the VPSA's mailbox or danvillescholarship@gmail.com

Why: To get a chance at winning a $1,500 scholarship for school!

Reminder: SGA members are not eligible.

SGA Executive Staff Applications '09-'10

How can we make SGA better next year?
With YOUR help!

Apply to be on the Executive Staff for the 2009-2010 school year!
The available positions are:

• Executive Assistant
• Parlimentarian
• Director of Membership Development
• Director of Public Relations
• Director of Information Technology

Find the application here:
http://sga.jmu.edu/ExecutiveStaff.html

DUE APRIL 15TH BY 5PM to Taylor 203
*When you turn in your application, sign up for an interview time which will take place from 8pm-11pm on Wednesday the 15th

Questions? E-mail Student Body President-Elect Candace Avalos at avalosca@jmu.edu

Your SGA 2009 - 2010

Check out who will be representing you next year in your SGA!

Executive Council:
President - Candace Avalos
VP of Administrative Affairs - Dan Smolkin
VP of Student Affairs - Brock Wallace
Treasurer - Andrew Reese

Senior Class Council:
President - Alex Jerasa
VP - Ashley Fary
Secretary - Camilla Posthill
Treasurer - Ryan Birkhead

Junior Class Council:
President - Kathleen Lee
VP - Kaitlin Soloman
Secretary - Stephanie Kissam
Treasurer - Eric Hogan

Sophomore Class Council:
President - Carlos Ruiz
VP - Rheanna Martino
Secretary - Gina Whang
Treasurer - Timmy Austen

College of Arts and Letters:
1. James Lazo
2. Robert Cellucci
3. Lauren Waldt
4. Harrison Covall
5. Philip Moore
6. John Scott

College of ISAT:
1. Christine Rettig
2. Andrew Elgert
3. Laura Spinks
4. Ryan Philbrick
5. N/A
6. N/A
7. N/A

College of Education:
1. Adam Hall
2. N/A

College of Science and Math:
1. Thomas Smith
2. Jay Lee

College of Visual and Performing Arts:
1. Dan Westbrook
2. N/A

College of Business:
1. Susanna Chacko
2. Sandra Tran
3. Susan Ghanem
4. John Cewe
5. N/A
6. N/A

*N/A means that the seat was not filled due to a "tie" of one vote among candidates