James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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Blevins BEQIMMIMOS 7

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Changing Perspectives The influx of students on campus brought more cars than parking spaces, legal ones anyway. Creative parking solutions on the part of the stu- dents only yielded an increase in the number of parking tickets, very expen- sive tickets. Campus police were kept busy writing tickets and students were kept busy trying to get out of them. The few extra spaces that were created in various lots were snapped up just as quickly as they appeared. Suggestions to relieve the parking crunch came from all directions but few were feasible. Who could forget one of the most out- standing changes of the year, the hiring of Lefty Drisell as the head coach of the Dukes for the 1988-89 basketball sea- son. We were thrust into the national spotlight as we went from little JMU t o Lefty ' s school virtually overnight. Eve- ryone wanted to know what made JMU so special, what made him want to coach here. Lefty renewed interest in the basketball program. Season ticket sales increased dramatically as did overall do- nations to the university. As the JMU community grew by leaps and bounds so did the Harrisonburg community. As off campus living ap- pealed to more students, condomini- ums and apartment buildings sprang up on every vacant lot. The vast wasteland that had existed adjacent to Valley Mall was transformed into a new shopping center and office buildings. Sheehan 6 BEQinninos

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Adjusting to the Changes M any of the changes we expe- rienced were for the better, though we did not feel that way while we stood in lines. In- creased enrollment brought in- creased revenue which aided in the expansion and renovation pro- grams. Increased enrollment also brought more bright minds which added to the academic recognition we received. And increased enroll- ment meant just that — bigger num- bers, we really were not little any- more. As students we adapted to our changing environment. Each of us was able to see how our university had changed. Change was not a neg- ative aspect. The saying the more things change, the more they stay the same, certainly applied to the student body. As the exterior of JMU changed and students came and went, one thing never changed — the essence of JMU. Though we were caught up in a great changing process we still man- aged to be friends. We still said Hi to new faces and exuse me when we bumped into someone — which was often in crowded spots. We still gave directions to lost freshmen and still loaned our notes to a classmate. We still cheered on the purple and gold, regardless of the sport. And we still loved our school and were proud to be a part of JMU. Those things re- mained the same. We had leamed to roll with the changes. by Susan Bracey Blevins 8 BEQinnmQS