I took this picture from the East side of campus, right in front of the ISAT building. The picture is of the sun setting over the West side of campus. This is symbolically significant, because what we can see happening to our University is a shift of focus away from the humanities, and to the sciences. It is also important that the East side is at a higher elevation, as if it is looking down upon the West side. Also, James Madison here appears to be overseeing the decline of the West side, and the fields of study that go along with it.After thinking about it, it might be possible that this was actually intended when the statue was built. The huge Madison statue (which dwarfs the modest, life-sized version on the quad) was likely built facing the West side of campus to signify a change in focus for the University. In the picture we see highway 81, which marks the end of the West, old JMU, and the beginning of the East, new JMU. After crossing the highway, nothing is the same. The buildings look different, everything is newer and bigger, (like the statue, as previously mentioned) and it seems like a progressive, not traditional, environment.
This does serve an aesthetic purpose, as the East side looks new and the Madison statue is intimidating yet welcoming, but the primary purpose is symbolic. The East side is scrapping tradition and moving forward, and unless the West side strives to keep up, the University is moving on without it.
This space will undoubtedly shape my memory of JMU. I will continue to keep track of the change in direction of this University, especially because it will influence what happens with me and the people I know in our academic future.
