Jamas Madison Unhrsrslty Tuesday, September 4,1964 Vol.62 No. 2 Traffic signal fixed, lights synchonized Cantrell Avenue," Smith said. By Al Winter During the period the flashing staff writer signal operated, many students ex- Students taking classes at pressed concerns about safety while Anthony-Seeger Hall can rest easier using the crosswalk. now that the stoplight at the Recent JMU graduate Brenda crosswalk from main campus is Crawley said, "In the morning, peo- working again. ple on their way to work wouldn't let you get across. It was big-time The light, which had been a dangerous." " flashing yellow signal for at least 15 months, was repaired in June. The Mark Wierzbic, also a recent JMU signal is synchronized with those at graduate, said, "Sometimes the drivers are real animals. Sometimes Grace Street and Cantrell Avenue, they won't stop for anything." according to Ralph Smith, Harrison- burg superintendent of streets, i Other students were also aware of the crossing problem. "I'm glad I'm Pushing the signal buttons on not a communication arts major so I either side of Main Street will turn don't have to deal with the traffic at the light to red at the end of its cycle all," said senior management major and stop traffic. It was originally set Jeff Lupis. up that way, Smith said, but it was not synchronized with the other Some students, used to the lights. flashing signal, may not be aware that the light has been repaired. Traffic blocked the intersection at Grace Street and caused confusion "The first time I knew it was fixed among the motorists, Smith said. was when I was crossing and a car Also, students "wouldn't wait for stopped," Crawley said. "I thought the cycle and went across anyway." that was real nice, so I waved and The signal was turned to flashing shouted a 'thank you.' Then I look- yellow in 1982 while the Virginia ed up and saw the light was red." Department of Highways and Transportation devised a plan to It may take a while for pedestrians synchronize the lights. and motorists to get used to the working light again, Smith said, "Eventually, we want to syn- Staff photo by JOHN KESSLER chronize all those lights, from Port "but we hope it will benefit the Republic and Maryland Avenue to pedestrian traffic at James Madison The traffic light at the Anthony-Seeger crossing now works after a Warsaw Street (next to JM's) up to University." year of delays. New students anticipate good education, good time at JMU By Mark Millar their high school class. classes and doing well in them and being accepted assistant news editor The total enrollment is between 9,300 and 9,400, socially. Others are worried about money pro- Hilton said. blems. Kathy Sayko, of Eagle Hall, is most con- About 2,300 new students have begun their first When asked of their expectations of the next cerned about "financial strain and calculus." year at JMU. four years, many freshmen said they were looking Although many freshmen are nervous about The freshman class accounts for about 1.6S0 of forward to a good education and a lot of fun. their first year here, most seem to be excited about these students, while approximately 650 are "I want to have a good time and a good educa- attending JMU. transfer students, said university spokesman Fred tion, in that order," said Randy Parker, a Garber Eagle Hall resident Tracey Howard is Hilton. Hall resident. JMU accepted 36 percent of the more than "relieved"to be here after waiting throughout the , Eagle freshman Schawn Perm expects "hard summer. 12,000 high school seniors who applied. work, fun and an experience I won't forget." As the selectivity of the university increases, the Brian Patterson, who lives in Weaver Hall, likes quality of students improves, Hilton said. The Others said they are eager to meet new people classes so far. "The professors are great," he said. average SAT score for JMU students is 1,050, and and live away from home. "They're funny. They're genuinely interested in most students were ranked in the upper quarter of Some concerns of freshmen are finding their trying to do a good job." Two JMU dance Instructors The University of Richmond faaturad In first non* Webbed Spldara dafaat JMU 43*12 student dance concert bars. win In opening game Saturday. Page 2, Th» Breeze, Tuesday, September 4,1984 Computer literacy program underway of computer services, these labs are By Mark Miller 220, Elementary Statistics and Infor- business and computer science facul- assistant news editor mation Decision Sciences 201. ty, was $313,000. just a starting point. A new center Two computer labs are available will be located in the basement of The purpose of the program is to for students in these and other com- Miller Hall in January. This semester marks the beginning aquaint students with computers and puter courses. Anthony-Seeger Hall of a computer literacy program at to give them hands-on experience has 24 computers, primarily for use Spresser hopes to have computers JMU. with hardware and software, said by computer science students. The available for students to use much as All students, starting with this Dr. Diane Spresser, head of the 40 in the basement of Converse Hall they use the library. The university's year's freshmen, will be required to department of math and computer are for business and IDS students. long-term goal is to have one take at least one course which incor- science. The labs will be open from 10-4 microcomputer for every 15 porates computer use before The university purchased 64 new p.m. Monday through Friday, as students, or about 600. graduating. microcomputers for use by students well as 6-10 p.m. Sunday through JMU now has a total of 150-200 The courses in the program this in the program. The total cost, in- Thursday. computers, including those used by year are Math 107 and 108, Math cluding 12 personal computers for According to Ben Yarber, director faculty, Spresser said. Area residents disagree about school prayer Allowing organized, spoken prayer in public of silence for students. By John Holt guest writer schools would make some students uncomfortable This* decision will be made after the Court and would violate student rights, she said. studies an Alabama law which allows periods of Area residents see voluntary prayer in school "(Allowing prayer in schools) assumes everyone silence at the beginning of each school day for stu- one of two ways: they love it or they hate it. believes in God," she said. "There are some peo- dent prayer or meditation. The Supreme Court outlawed officially spon- ple who don't." "They (legislators) can't keep you from praying. sored prayer sessions in public schools in 1962. A Political leaders are afraid to tackle the real There should be an option to pray. The time proposed amendment, a major part of President issues of education, she said. "They lack guts." should be there," she-said. Ronald Reagan's re-election bid, would have Linda Neff, mother of a 15-year old girl who at- Neff said she believes the Senate made a mistake allowed organized, spoken prayer in public tends Harrisonburg High School, disagrees with y hot passing the amendment. "We shouldn't schools. Allain. She said when prayer was taken out fight to keep religion out of the schools-have the The Senate vote was 56-44 in favor of the schools "things started going downhill." option to pray available," she said. measure, 11 votes short of the two-thirds majority Neff said she believes allowing organized, NefFs daughter, Michelle Lang, a sophomore at necessary for passage of a constitutional amend- spoken prayer in the public schools would not infr- Harrisonburg High School, said she believes ment. inge on anyone's rights. spoken prayer has no place in public schools. Violet Allain, a JMU professor of education, "There's only one religion to start with and "People will be afraid to pray because their believes the amendment is inappropriate. "Which that's Christianity," she said. friends will pick on them," she said. "I would be prayer are they going to use? Religious education is In April, the Supreme Court said it would con- embarrassed to sit and pray. You can do it just as the reponsibility of the home," she said. sider letting public schools provide a daily moment well at church or at home. Why do it at school?" BIO For Everything © Automotive engines AUTO PARTS Foreign or Domestic Students Recieve 10% Discount On All Cash Purchases Except Sale Items (with JMU I.D.) Open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 434-4418 £±L Editor Managing adttor ■ Farta. Bualnaaa managar Nawaaditor Aaalatant bualnaaa managar Aaalatant nawaaditor 5TH Aaalatant nan adltcx Ada daalgn managar Faaturaaadltcx Cay Fur* 30AM AaaMant taaturaa adttor .00 Sporta adttor •aattTaaa* rht Brttzt la puotlanad Monday and Thuraday Aaalatant aporta adttor Kany Carnal mornmga and Watrtbutad throughout JMU. Editorial adltor Mailing addraaa la TV grant. Aadjeay-loajar AaaMant adttortal adltor KiMI Hall. JMU. Harruoabarf. Va. 2M07. HARRISONBURG Photo adltor For ijvatmag. cat 5M-OM. Foradaarial offlcai, APPEARANCE AFTER Wlra adltor atfMMUT. Production managar a) ulilin aWd be nraaaa u> THEIR SUMMER TOUR Admlnlatratlva aaalatant Advtaara CAR'S- 121 SOUTH MAIN HARRISONBURG,VA. .Ml . The Breeze, Tuesday, September 4,1984, page 3 New scholarship-loan is available By Bill Qoodykoontz JMU, he said. "It's a competitive program" with top priority, while biology applicants will be given news editor JMU students competing with students from other a lower priority.