Mr. J’s opened its first location on East Market Street in Harrisonburg in 1990 — since then it’s been a popular morning stop for students and locals alike in the Harrisonburg area. This January, Mr. J’s Elkton Express, the newest addition to the Mr. J’s Bagel franchise, opened in Elkton, Virginia.

Harrisonburg City Council approved the Bluestone Town Center development and a high-density housing development at the intersection of Peach Grove Avenue and Port Republic Road at Tuesday night's meeting.

Banning and censoring books have been hot-button issues of late, particularly within education. The implications of censoring or not censoring content in public schools have wracked the public consciousness for decades but have picked up speed within the past few years, and Harrisonburg is no exception.

Nineteen universities across 10 states have now banned TikTok for national security concerns — while not yet impacted, JMU could be affected soon as criticism for the app continues to pick up. 

JMU Faculty Senate did not follow state open meeting laws at Thursday's meeting by going into closed session without citing a reason or exemption and by not certifying the closed portion after it ended. Following publication of this article, the Senate asserts it isn't a public body and doesn't have to follow those laws.

Provost Heather Coltman also responded to allegations made against her in two resolutions that were set to be voted on at the meeting but were postponed.

Class registration occurs just a few months before the semester begins, and for some students like sophomore Maddie Tardif, this proves to be stressful. During this time, students are often racing against one another to get classes, but what really makes this time so hectic is the battle over “good professors,” several students told The Breeze, and they often consider Rate My Professors ratings when picking classes.

The Breeze has been JMU’s official student-run newspaper for 100 years. Since its first issue on Dec. 2, 1922, The Breeze’s mission has been to provide the JMU community with news and important information. From college name changes to the construction of new buildings, here are some of the biggest moments The Breeze has chronicled at JMU since 1922. 

A vote on the Bluestone Town Center (BTC) — a proposed development that would be a mix of multi-family buildings, townhouses, single-family detached housing, shops and businesses — has been postponed by Harrisonburg City Council until its next meeting on Feb. 28 following an almost eight-hour meeting and public comment section.

The JMU Board of Visitors (BoV) discussed changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), updated members on JMU’s efforts with the Virginia General Assembly and heard a presentation on a new Innovation Center for Youth Justice at its full board meeting on Feb. 10.

 

Eric Nickel, the director of  university recreation, won the Dolley Madison Award, which recognizes a member of the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management for their time, talent and treasure. 

JMU students have historically voiced frustrations with on-campus parking, but it’s tight at off-campus housing as well. On any given weekend night, a tow truck can probably be seen roaming the streets of Southview, Copper Beech and other apartment complexes with high student populations. Here's some helpful information for if your car gets towed in Harrisonburg.

Multiple JMU students died and others were injured with life-threatening injuries in a car wreck last night in West Virginia, according to an email from Tim Miller, vice president for student affairs, sent to the university community around 12:40 p.m.

JMU Office of Residence Life (ORL) held a meeting in the Frederickson Hall conference room Tuesday to discuss the future Village housing redesign plans and allow students to ask questions and give suggestions for the new dorms. The Village redesign plan will start with Ikenberry Hall, according to the Residence Life staff — it’ll be demolished over the summer and re-opened in the fall of 2025.

At Tuesdays meeting, the Harrisonburg City Council granted Build Our Park permission to have discussions with city staff to further develop its plan to add a new urban park to downtown, heard repeat concerns about the proposed Bluestone Town Center construction and approved an increase in tax relief for the elderly and disabled.

JMU’s Faculty Senate heard two new resolutions at its Jan. 26 meeting — one calling for the Senate to condemn recent actions by Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Coltman, the other demanding more accountability and transparency in the faculty hiring search process.

The Senate also discussed R2 faculty compensation increase recommendations, passed a resolution calling for expanded support for the Office of Disability Services and donated $10,000 to The Pantry at JMU.

COVID-19 created shortages of all kinds across the world, including in different areas of labor in the U.S., such as retail, hospitality and the food industry. One area, in particular has been hit hard: teachers. In Harrisonburg City Public Schools (HCPS), there’s high demand for time off and leave from teachers, but not enough substitutes to fill all the requests, according to Jeremy Weaver, the director of human resources for HCPS.