Well, since there seems to have been a dog-pile on Carol, I’d like to just put in my two cents. I know Carol well and know how much she put into getting Nation off the ground. I don’t disagree that there have have been some issues over the years that have rubbed people the wrong way. However, I do know that her heart was always in the right place. And, as far merchandise, Carol went through the all the appropriate channels with the University to ensure she wasn’t running afoul of any copyrights,etc. I do understand why some have had issues with the way the site was/is managed but I believe Carol’s approach towards “negativity” on the board was that there were many prospective/new students/parents that were members of the site and she wanted to “put our best foot forward”.

I am not a regular user of FB or JMU-N and, after reading through this thread, I can understand why many have been frustrated. I just value Carol as a friend and champion of all things JMU. Despite some of the legitimate frustrations people have experienced, I believe Carol has done far more good than harm for JMU.

(11-14-2019 02:55 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  The political stuff warrants warnings and removal. If you're stirring the pot that much you don't need to be a part of it. I don't have any sympathy for anyone banned for posting political stuff or whatever else is against the rules. Harassment etc I think we can all agree has no place.

Agreed on those. But have seen instances where a lost game was being discussed and a negative post (which there will always be some) was removed. My recollection was that it was neither inflammatory or personally abusive-just a differing opinion on execution of strategy. It's an athletic contest; the results are not always going to be rainbows and unicorns.

Carol doesn't have any special agreements with the University. Her products must get licensed from the JMU Foundation the same as anyone else like eFollett (JMU Bookstore), University Outpost, etc. I have some experience in retail; I don't think she is raking in the profit that some of you think she's bringing in.

(11-14-2019 03:28 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Carol doesn't have any special agreements with the University. Her products must get licensed from the JMU Foundation the same as anyone else like eFollett (JMU Bookstore), University Outpost, etc. I have some experience in retail; I don't think she is raking in the profit that some of you think she's bringing in.

Its not the products that are the issue. If JMU is not officially associated/licensing the online group (effectively a store) selling the products, then the name should be changed. It is also legally problematic for JMU to just "ignore" this.

(11-14-2019 03:34 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(11-14-2019 03:28 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Carol doesn't have any special agreements with the University. Her products must get licensed from the JMU Foundation the same as anyone else like eFollett (JMU Bookstore), University Outpost, etc. I have some experience in retail; I don't think she is raking in the profit that some of you think she's bringing in.

Its not the products that are the issue. If JMU is not officially associated/licensing the online group (effectively a store) selling the products, then the name should be changed. It is also legally problematic for JMU to just "ignore" this.

I'm not into any of that.

Would you also have to change your board username?

(11-14-2019 03:35 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  

(11-14-2019 03:34 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(11-14-2019 03:28 PM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  Carol doesn't have any special agreements with the University. Her products must get licensed from the JMU Foundation the same as anyone else like eFollett (JMU Bookstore), University Outpost, etc. I have some experience in retail; I don't think she is raking in the profit that some of you think she's bringing in.

Its not the products that are the issue. If JMU is not officially associated/licensing the online group (effectively a store) selling the products, then the name should be changed. It is also legally problematic for JMU to just "ignore" this.

I'm not into any of that.

Would you also have to change your board username?

Nice try, but the key is "using the name in commerce" ...

Love the Dukes. Hate the Spiders.

Where does the Dukes Domain board poster "JMUNation" stand on the name issue?

I hope he hates Spiders.

I don’t view the purpose of JMUN as a commerce site. Yes, there are products available but, my guess is that’s a very small percentage of the traffic on the site.

(11-14-2019 03:53 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Where does the Dukes Domain board poster "JMUNation" stand on the name issue?

He didn't ™ it in time. Now it's public domain.

(11-14-2019 01:56 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  

(11-14-2019 01:54 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(11-14-2019 01:51 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  I will officially stop being negative toward anyone except Spatters now.

oh come on.....I feel like we really mended fences over this topic and are all good again

WAIT YOU'RE A SPIDER????

lol, yeah right

That was a close one. I almost had a heart attack.

Doesn't Facebook allow you to set up a "marketplace" within a group? Should be open to all, and exclusive to none.

(11-14-2019 04:13 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  That was a close one. I almost had a heart attack.

well rest easy no danger of that, but....

- Hate the spiders and dislike Carol - 4:15pm EST

(11-14-2019 03:58 PM)TXGiant Wrote:  I don’t view the purpose of JMUN as a commerce site. Yes, there are products available but, my guess is that’s a very small percentage of the traffic on the site.

If it's not a commerce site and you're her friend then please tell her to stop constantly advertising and shoving her products down our throat. We get that she sells socks and orca tumblers. People who want them can go to her site and buy it but we don't need the constant push of her products. This should be a page to discuss JMU, not pad her wallet. I was a big fan of JMU Nation when it started but the whole thing feels like a business now.

Edit: For example Jimmy Moreland was playing well for the Redskins this preseason. After he had a really good game, she made a post essentially saying "Don't forget I'm selling Jimmy Moreland socks. Get them now at jmunation.com". Let us enjoy him playing well without trying to make a quick buck off circumstance.

(11-14-2019 03:58 PM)TXGiant Wrote:  I don’t view the purpose of JMUN as a commerce site. Yes, there are products available but, my guess is that’s a very small percentage of the traffic on the site.

I count 6 posts self-plug posts by Carol in the last week (if we're counting her trying to sell her club seats).

When this came up elsewhere a few months ago, I counted over 30 in a single month.

You might technically be right when it comes to overall traffic, but in terms of percentage of posts from the gate-keeping admin that doesn't allow anyone else to advertise? Not so small.

(11-14-2019 05:56 PM)James Madison Wrote:  

(11-14-2019 03:58 PM)TXGiant Wrote:  I don’t view the purpose of JMUN as a commerce site. Yes, there are products available but, my guess is that’s a very small percentage of the traffic on the site.

If it's not a commerce site and you're her friend then please tell her to stop constantly advertising and shoving her products down our throat. We get that she sells socks and orca tumblers. People who want them can go to her site and buy it but we don't need the constant push of her products. This should be a page to discuss JMU, not pad her wallet. I was a big fan of JMU Nation when it started but the whole thing feels like a business now.

Edit: For example Jimmy Moreland was playing well for the Redskins this preseason. After he had a really good game, she made a post essentially saying "Don't forget I'm selling Jimmy Moreland socks. Get them now at jmunation.com". Let us enjoy him playing well without trying to make a quick buck off circumstance.

Wow, just noticed the web/ecommerce site that seems to be affiliated with the facebook group.

Sorry, but thats MAJOR trademark infringement, and JMU should absolutely enforce this. The amount of product being sold does not matter.

She has licensing agreements with JMU (which, by the way, she obtained while serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors - conflict of interest concerns??). The site and its products are legal.

How, when, and specifically from whom donations to JMU are made as part of purchases is another issue fraught with moral ambiguity and opacity (The site explicitly states “This donation is made by JMU Nation and not made on behalf of the purchaser.” Looking past the glaring ethical issues with this point alone, what name is on this donation? Business? Personal? Business or personal tax benefits? Do the donations towards sports funds benefit her personally? I feel like I could probably go on.)

...But the products and website themselves are legitimate.

If use of "JMU Nation" is officially licensed for ecommerce, then that is no different than Follett licensing the name for JMU Bookstore. The premise that this is not affiliated with JMU (as stated earlier) is then not entirely true.

The whole issue in my mind is whether or not people are being misled about this group being something JMU is licensing/endorsing. Whether or not that endorsement is wise is another topic entirely.