BREAKING NEWS WE’RE YELLIN’ TIMBER We’re always looking for new It’s going down in the darts and writers. Interested? Email pats section. Submit yours at [email protected]. breezejmu.org. Serving James Madison University Since 1922 BreezeJMU.org Vol. 92, No. 53 Sunny n 66°/ 44° chance of precipitation: 0% Thursday, April 24, 2014 Campaign Birdsong freed from restrictions against Former quarterback wins appeal, allowed to transfer to previously blocked schools By WAYNE EPPS JR. or Charlotte University, two with NCAA rules, the case gridlock The Breeze non-CAA programs. was heard by a committee of In the next day or so, Appa- five non-athletics faculty. For junior and former JMU lachian State University and Birdsong received his ver- quarterback Michael Bird- Liberty University were also dict yesterday. He now has JMU students fight song, a week-and-a-half long added to the list. the freedom to talk with all headache is over. “I was confused, mainly. schools except those in the stalled state budget, After he notified head Because I thought we had CAA and Charlotte as he football coach Everett With- an agreement that it was just continues his search for a tuition uncertainty ers of his plans to transfer conference,” Birdsong said of new home. last Monday, he was told his reaction to the restrictions. “I’m feeling good,” Bird- that he couldn’t go to any “And then I was frustrated. song said of the decision. By SAMANTHA ELLIS other Colonial Athletic Asso- Confused and frustrated, I “I’m just excited that I have The Breeze ciation school, which is a guess is the two best adjec- the opportunity to explore common and allowed deci- tives to use.” all my options now. I don’t College students must deal with a sion in NCAA transfer cases. After that went down, Bird- have any restrictions, I can barrage of stress in their day-to-day But later in the day, Bird- song put in an appeal to have talk to whoever I want to, lives, from rigorous class schedules to song said he was notified by those extra four schools taken pretty much ... I can under- the demands of extracurricular activ- athletics compliance that off the restricted list. The stand the Charlotte thing, LAUREN GORDON / THE BREEZE ities. But many are unaware of the he also couldn’t reach out appeal hearing was Tuesday Michael Birdsong announced his transfer from JMU last Monday. financial burdens that could await to Old Dominion University afternoon, and, in accordance see BIRDSONG, page 12 He has been offered a full scholarship from Marshall University. them in the coming academic year. Since Terry McAuliffe was inaugu- rated as governor, the Virginia General Assembly has been in a state of grid- lock regarding the state’s budget. Democrats in the Senate are eager to expand Medicaid coverage to lower- income Virginians, while Republicans in the House of Delegates are reluc- tant to increase spending on welfare programs. Because Virginia has a constitution- al requirement to balance its budget, the state is unable to incur deficits, It runs in unlike the federal government. The policy is advantageous when trying to avoid debt and overspending, but can require tax increases, spending cuts and a lot of compromises. the family Some students throughout Virginia have begun to notice these shortfalls within the government, and at JMU they have recently started a campaign to keep students informed about the Second generation JMU ambiguity of their tuition rates. These concerns have been elevat- student continues parents’ ed by the stall in the passing of a state budget, which has already prompted athletic legacy the JMU Board of Visitors to postpone any final decisions on tuition until its next meeting in June. “The reason we can’t solve a state budget is all partisan politics and it’s Page 11 ridiculous. This stall is detrimental for many students when they’re looking at COURTESY OF JMU ATHLETICS tuition rates for next year. The fact that the public has to wait until June to see where our tuition is going is ridiculous because many students and families have to start planning,” Nico Climaco, a junior political science major and member of the organization, said. Virginia21, a nonprofit and non-par- tisan organization on campus, works Heart and sole to provide discourse on the politically charged topics of higher education. JMU alumna brings meaning to Toms shoes through her artistic talent and vision The organization hosts events around campus, brings speakers to the univer- sity and encourages an overall interest among students in higher-education politics. “There is no other organization that provides direct advocacy and visible results for students. I’ve always wanted to get involved with our policy process and have a passion for higher educa- tion, so Virginia21 has provided that outlet,” Climaco said. With rising tuition rates, dwindling funds allocated toward financial aid and the average student accumulat- ing $30,000 in student loan debt after graduation, the unpredictability of the state budget can be a major con- cern for students and families trying to budget their finances. While Lauren Tamony, Virgin- ia21’s campaign coordinator and a senior history and political science double major, doesn’t need financial see BUDGET, page 4 4/24 INSIDE NEWS MATT SCHMACHTENBERG / THE BREEZE 3 Delving into documents JMU students work JMU alumna Lindsey Richards operates The Sole Story, where she creates custom made Toms. In the future, Richards hopes to run her company full time. with county clerk to digitize local records. By MOLLIE JONES obtained an LLC (limited liability company) “That was a really personal pair with a lot The Breeze license to establish herself as a legitimate of detail,” Richards said. “My dad and I go to OPINION business, and has named it The Sole Story. Comic-Con every year together.” 6 Decisions decisions For those of us not quite ready to jump on Richards’ company has been up and run- Perhaps the most intricate pair Richards CHOICES is unrealistic the tattoo bandwagon, there is an alternative: ning since October. Each order requires a has painted was for Morgan Brown, also a and needs a major personalized shoes. base fee of $20, and then an additional $10 for JMU alumna. renovation. Lindsey Richards is making a name for every hour she spends painting, which var- “She offered to design a pair of Toms for herself in the Harrisonburg area by hand ies depending on the intricacy of the design. me as a graduation gift,” Brown recalled. LIFE painting canvas shoes, mainly Toms. Rich- Richards has painted everything from “I just asked her to do a Lion King theme, 9 He’s back! ards, who graduated from JMU last year, has animals to flowers, and even “The Walking with it being my favorite movie of all time JMU alum Russell made a part-time business out of her pastime Dead” and Disney princess-themed shoes. … when I received them in the mail, I was Wagoner set to perform in — creating art. Many customers know exactly what they blown away. They are extremely detailed ... It Harrisonburg tomorrow. “I didn’t realize I could actually draw until would like, but others tell Richards what was way more than I asked for, she did a great junior year of college,” Richards said. “I have their interests are and let her imagination job, and she gave so much time dedicated to SPORTS a huge collection of Toms and thought it run free — it seems to be working, as no one them as well.” 11 Championship in sight would be cool to personalize them. That’s has asked for changes to their shoes so far. As Richards recalls, the process for that par- Men’s golf team set how it started.” Richards’ favorite pair that she painted was ticular pair took almost 10 hours to complete, for CAA tournament What began as a mere hobby has now a surprise for her father. They had superhe- this weekend. grown into an all-out business. Richards has roes painted on them. see TOMS, page 10 Today Friday Saturday S unday sunny scattered t-storms sunny partly cloudy 66°/44° 67°/44° 69°/36° 67°/40° PageEDITORS Marta Vucci & Rachael Padgett 2 EMAIL [email protected] Thursday, April 24, 2014 2 Serving James Madison University Since 1922 G1 Anthony-Seeger Hall, MSC 6805 press play James Madison University Harrisonburg, Va. 22807 PHONE: 540-568-6127 FAX: 540-568-6736 MISSION The Breeze, the student-run newspaper of James Madison University, serves student, faculty and staff readership by reporting news involving the campus and local community. The Breeze strives to be impartial and fair in its reporting and firmly believes in First Amendment rights. Published Monday and Thursday mornings, The Breeze is distributed throughout James Madison University and the local Harrisonburg community. A look inside: JMU Breakdance Club and “Circles.” The club’s Single copies of The Breeze are annual fundraising event draws dancers from all over the world. distributed free of charge. Additional Photos and video online at breezejmu.org/multimedia. copies are available for 50 cents by contacting our business office. Comments and complaints should be addressed to Sean Cassidy, editor. The OCTO puzzle EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SEAN CASSIDY [email protected] MANAGING EDITOR IJ CHAN [email protected] Tuesday’s puzzle solved NEWS DESK [email protected] LIFE DESK [email protected] SPORTS DESK [email protected] OPINION DESK [email protected] COPY DESK [email protected] Tuesday’s OCTO solved POH TO [email protected] VIDEO [email protected] ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT 540-568-6127 ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Will Bungarden ADVERTISING MANAGER Michael Wallace CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tori Smith ASS T.