James Madison University
EN-3: Student Life

The most recent inventory of sustainability-focused student organizations was conducted by an ISNW staff in the fall of 2023. 19 student organizations were identified that had an environmental and/or sustainability focus. One example of an organization at the time of STARS submission is the Environmental Management Club (see below).

Information about student organizations can be found at: jmu.edu/index.shtml

Environmental Management Club

"1. To provide a common ground where students from various academic disciplines related to environmental management can advance their understanding and progress of environmental management through an organized exchange of knowledge.

2. The Chapter shall endeavor to promote a better understanding of the scope and opportunities in environmental management.

3. The Chapter shall present educational programs of general interest topics in the field of environmental management and other related technological fields.

4. The Chapter shall promote professional relationships with the professionals in the environmental management field.

5. The Chapter shall encourage its members to participate in Association conferences, meetings, and social events."

https://beinvolved.jmu.edu/feeds?type=club&type_id=65856&tab=about (Accessed 10/12/23, confirmed active 9/10/24.)

The JMU Edible Forest Garden (EFG) Project began in 2020 as an effort to beautify, diversify, and restore part of the campus landscape. The JMU EFG works to advance the mission of the university by offering unique and innovative educational and service-learning opportunities for students, alumni, staff, faculty, and community members. A central focus of the EFG is to enhance awareness of sustainable food production and whole food nutrition. Furthermore, the Forest Garden seeks to elevate the environmental sustainability of the institution by expanding pollinator habitat, restoring marginal soils, improving localized nutrient cycling, enhancing biodiversity, and providing local produce to the campus and community.

The JMU EFG is led by Dr. Mikaela Schmitt-Harsh but is a collaborative initiative involving faculty, staff, and students across different disciplines and colleges. The project was made possible by a generous donation from Danone N.A. through JMU Foundations.

https://sites.lib.jmu.edu/foodforest/ (Accessed 10/12/23). 

Although we have not identified a specific organic agriculture or sustainable food systems project to report from the JMU Farm, the Farm is used for student learning. The JMU Farm, located near Port Republic, was acquired by JMU in 1929. The 30-acre farm consists of 25 acres of second growth and plantation pine forest, 1000 feet of frontage on the North River (just upstream of its confluence with the South River to form the South Fork of the Shenandoah River), and the recently restored Hooke House constructed between 1840-1850. This facility is intended to:

• provide an ideal space in which to disseminate place-based environmental and cultural information to school students and community groups;

• support on-going JMU student projects involving surface and ground water quality, stream bank restoration, forest inventory and restoration, and archaeology;

• provide an inviting off-campus venue for workshops, meetings and symposia.

• JMU faculty and students use the Farm for course instruction and research projects. Multiple students complete projects involving the farm annually.

A 2024 article about student work on riverbank erosion at the Farm can be found at 
https://www.jmu.edu/news/cise/2024/07-09-isat-students-restore-riverbank.shtml

https://jmu.edu/stewardship/tour/jmu-farm.shtml (Accessed 10/12/23)

Madison Sustainability Fund. The Madison Sustainability Fund was created in 2017 in order to promote James Madison University’s vision of environmental stewardship, as well as to allow analysts to explore the ever-growing field of sustainable investing. It has been established as a separate portfolio which was initially funded by PepsiCo, Inc. It operates under the same umbrella as the Madison Investment Fund but is unique, as a sector-agnostic fund, with performance tracked separately from the rest of the MIF portfolio.

The Sustainability Portfolio follows the same investment criteria as that of the general fund, but with the added stipulation that the potential investment must meet the established sustainability criteria. Any potential holding must be within at least one established Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) related index, ETF, or mutual fund. Additionally, an added emphasis will be placed on a company with a strong history of environmental stewardship, as the fund was created with that in mind.

Faculty advisor: Dr. Elias Semaan.

See: https://www.breezejmu.org/news/jmu-cob-trailblazer-gives-program-international-prestige/article_f4d59278-6a75-11e9-b5d2-6f0e4ae6a7d8.html (Accessed 10/12/23)

Environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility at JMU, and units across the campus organize many events annually as part of their series and similar events. The following is one such event:

"Many Voices, One Planet: Accounting for the past and narrating sustainable futures," The 17th Conference on Communication and Environment, was held June 5-9, 2023 at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA. The theme offered a platform for environmental communication research, practice, arts, and activism dealing with the diversity of voices that raise concerns about our planet. Addressing questions of diversity and inclusion, the theme emphasizes the need to reconcile the many injustices of the past and present in order to move forward and create narratives about just and sustainable futures. Students were invited, and scholarships were provided to support some undergraduate and graduate students attending.

https://www.isforum.org/news-and-views/2023-conference-communication-and-environment-harrisonburg-june-5-9-2023 (Accessed 10/13/23)

JMU hosted the Sustainable Shenandoah Valley’s Student Sustainability Summit at JMU on April 6, 2024. Fifteen teams from five regional higher education institutions presented about their sustainability projects and research related to the Sustainable Development Goals. Over 100 students participated in the event, which was organized by students and overseen by the JMU College of Integrated Science and Engineering (CISE) in partnership with the Sustainable Shenandoah Valley Regional Centre of Expertise.

The SSV RCE, also known as simply Sustainable Shenandoah Valley (SSV), was officially acknowledged as a Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development by the United Nations University (UNU) in December 2013. In 2016-2019, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by central Shenandoah Valley partner institutions of higher education including James Madison University, Blue Ridge Community College, Bridgewater College, Eastern Mennonite University, and Mary Baldwin University. 

https://sites.google.com/view/2024-student-summit/home (Accessed 7/23/24)

Example cultural activities include:

1. 2023 MFA Thesis Exhibition with Hannah Patteson and Mia Greenwald 4 April - 2 May, 2023

JMU’s annual MFA Thesis Exhibitions showcase the breadth of artistic possibilities in its MFA program as well as the intersectionality of studio practice and education for which JMU is known. There was an exhibition reception held on Tuesday, April 4th from 5-7pm at Duke Gallery and an artist talk with Mia Greenwald and Hannah Patteson on Friday, April 7th at 4:30pm.

Mia Greenwald is an interdisciplinary artist and gardener who explores themes of magic, the human body, and landscape. Exploring the era of witch trials in pre-modern Europe, Greenwald creates anchor points from which to critique and fracture capitalism, colonialism, and their resulting climate catastrophe. Heretic Territories: Spells for Fracture is grounded in Greenwald’s own bodily experiences and Trans identity. Embodiment becomes a tool for connection and unlearning as Greenwald engages with experimental processes and ritual.

https://www.jmu.edu/dukehallgallery/exhibitions-22-23/2023_mfa_thesis.shtml (Accessed 1/30/24)

2. Both Sides of the River | Jan. 31–March 18, 2023 Curated by Dr. Beth Hinderliter Reception: Jan. 31, 2023, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Panel Discussion: Jan. 31, 2023, 6 p.m.  Conversation with Kosmolgym, Dr. Alan Braddock and Dr. Beth Hinderliter on art and ecology, Both Sides of the River Masterpiece Reception: February 9, 2023, 6:30 p.m.

Drawing on the importance of river ecologies as a dynamic site where land and water meet, Both Sides of the River pursues decolonial visions of justice and repair of the environment. Artworks by Carolina Caycedo, Sara Favriau, Marcos Ávila Forero, Kosmolgym and Mary Mattingly address differing scales of geological time, perceptual and sensorial activation in the service of decolonial ecology, environmental racism, as well as new inter-species relations and kinship.

https://www.jmu.edu/news/artandarthistory/2023/02-01-bothsidesoftheriver.shtml (Accessed 10/12/23)

3. “A Better World, Together” exhibit, invites visitors to consider paths toward sustainability. Located in King Hall and the EnGeo buildings, this immersive showcase, on display through Spring 2024, serves as a beacon of hope, urging students to consider their role in shaping a sustainable future. The exhibit centers around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which serve as a roadmap for tackling global challenges. Each goal represents a critical element of building a more sustainable world, from eradicating poverty to preserving biodiversity. Highlighting JMU’s contributions to environmental sustainability, the exhibit features the work of more than 120 faculty members from diverse disciplines.  The exhibit was created by JMU's Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World.

https://www.jmu.edu/news/stewardship/2024/4-1-exhibit-promotes-environmental-stewardship-ahead-of-earth-day.shtml (Accessed 07/23/24)

1. University Recreation's (UREC's) Adventure Program plans an assortment of trips that teach and follow "Leave No Trace" principles, including hiking, kayaking, skiing, canoeing, and other outings. https://www.jmu.edu/recreation/activities/adventure/urec-adventure-trips.shtml (Accessed 10/13/23)

2. The Step Wilderness Therapy Program Retreats are a collaborative effort between the Counseling Center and UREC. The 2023 general program is a five-day, four-night therapeutic adventure program in the George Washington National Forest during the week of spring break. Participants include two to three counseling center clinicians, one to two certified guide(s) from UREC, and six to ten students. Over the course of this trip, students will backpack through the wilderness and experience outdoor education sessions and therapy process groups. Activities include but are not limited to learning proper shelter and camp building techniques, Leave No Trace Education, and proper water filtration techniques as well as process groups, intra- and inter-personal skill building, natural interventions, and self-reflection.

The purpose of this program is to use adventure as a platform to improve relational skills, build self-confidence and self-efficacy, and increase healthy coping skills. Contact Leslie Gerrard at gerrarll@jmu.edu or Melinda Fox at fox3mm@jmu.edu for information on how to register for the trip.

https://www.jmu.edu/counselingctr/services/wilderness-therapy.shtml (Accessed 10/13/23)

The University Recreation Center (UREC) offers one hour, no cost programs. https://urecregister.jmu.edu/Program/GetProducts (Accessed 10/13/23)

(1) Examples of Nutrition and Wellness sustainability-related programs offered in Fall 2023 include:

Vegan Around the World: Explore different flavors around the world and learn the benefits of a vegan diet. Each class will highlight the cuisine of a different country.

Vegan Baking Made Easy: Explore ways to create tasty treats with plant based ingredients.

Easy Plant Based Cooking: Learn new ways to incorporate more fruits, veggies and whole grains into your favorite recipes.

The programs are designed and facilitated by UREC student staff members. The goal is to have these students apply what they have learned in the classroom to positively impact the health and well-being of the JMU community. Students determine program names, descriptions, learning outcomes, general outlines, and final presentations with the assistance of the Assistant Director for Fitness & Wellness, University Recreation and Wellness Student Managers. These are also counted under peer-to-peer education programs EN-1.

(2) UREC also offered bicycling programs in Fall 2023 including:

Learn to Fix-a-flat: During this onsite clinic participants will meet at the UREC Adventure Center to learn the basics of bike mechanics and how to repair a flat tire. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes, though UREC will provide a bike if necessary. 

Two Wheels, Two Scoops: On this adventure trip, participants will meet at the UREC Adventure Center to get outfitted with bikes and helmets before departing for a road ride through campus and into downtown Harrisonburg. Once downtown, the group will head to Kline’s Dairy Bar for an ice cream or warm beverage before biking back to UREC. UREC will provide both bikes and helmets, however, participants may bring their own if they like. Participants must cover the cost of their own purchase from Kline’s.

The Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World annually employs undergraduate and/or graduate students. Facilities Management's sustainability team also offers employment to students. Some examples of projects to which student employees contributed include waste bins and recycling station message updates, graphic and web design, and a campus sustainability map and tour development.

Each year James Madison University offers student-led and developed service breaks to locations in the United States and abroad. Some service breaks are sustainability focused. Each service team typically consists of 12 student participants, two student co-leaders and a faculty or staff learning partner. Most breaks take place during the spring break period, but breaks are offered at all of the JMU academic breaks. While working with national and international communities, the James Madison University Alternative Break Program trains and immerses students in a purposeful service experience designed to connect students and community members while enhancing personal growth, mutual awareness and life-long learning.

https://www.jmu.edu/abp/. (Accessed 10/13/23) This is counted in EN-1.

Student groups were identified from https://beinvolved.jmu.edu/web_app? which can only be accessed with JMU credentials for safety reasons. (Accessed 8/23/23)

Responsible party for sustainable investment and finance category: Dr. Elias Semaan, Faculty Advisor for the Madison Sustainability Fund. Email correspondence 9/5/23.

Responsible party for University Recreation's (UREC's) Adventure Program: Trey Smith, UREC, Coordinator for Adventure & Camp Specialist. Email correspondence 9/8/24.

Responsible party for "STEP Wilderness Therapy Retreat": Leslie Gerrard, Coordinator: Wilderness Therapy Program, Counseling Center.

Email correspondence 10/2/23. Programs for Sustainable Life Skills category from UREC website https://urecregister.jmu.edu/Program/GetProducts (Accessed 10/13/23)

Responsible party for student employment opportunities: Christie-Joy Hartman, Executive Director, Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World

Alternative Break Program information from: https://www.jmu.edu/abp/ (Accessed 10/13/23)

Entered by Essa Paterson, ISNW, 01/30/24. Programs confirmed as still currently active on 08/24/24.