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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Trustee selection committee takes strides to maintain transparency Committee Major players in Board reconvened of Trustee selections Wednesday at the Capitol Natalie Yarid News Editor

Gov. Robert Bentley met with the other four members of the Board of Trustee selection committee in an open meeting yesterday to discuss the selection process for the Auburn University Board of Trustees. The committee was able to come to an agreement and pass the new process recommended by Bentley. During the meeting, Bentley addressed the current position of the committee, including the mistakes that have previously been made, where he believes it should go from here and concluded the meeting with a vote on the new and perfected selection process. “We all make mistakes, and we should all learn from them,” Bentley said. “I personally do.” He also admitted that the process was rushed and not handled in the proper way. John Blackwell, president pro tem of the Board of Trustees, agreed the process was rush, but wanted to reassure the public that the committee worked hard to review each individual nominee the first time around. Blackwell emphasized that the committee members have always had the University’s best interest in mind, and they will continue have that role as they begin the new process. “The process isn’t perfect,” Bentley said. “It is made up of human beings.” The governor said he has received much criticism from the public in regards to the process, but he only has one

Bentley

After beginning his first term as governor January 17, Bentley was saddled with beginning the search for trustee nominations in March. The first selection process was rejected by Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston. Bentley, and the other four members of the selection committee, will now reassess the previously-received 200 applications.

Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, declared he would not bring the first round selection committee appointments to the Senate for a vote. His decision was a catalyst for the committee’s decision to revisit the selection process. Marsh

The controversial appointment

Lowder

The 28-year trustee’s re-appointment to the Board by Bentley in March sparked controversy. After Marsh declared he would not bring the appointments before the Senate for a vote, Lowder called Bentley to remove his name from the selection committee. Lowder’s final term will end in the spring.

vote. He emphasized that his vote has the same value as the other members of the committee during selection. Bentley got down to business by making numerous suggestions to the committee members on how to make the process more transparent. As outlined by the governor, in the new process each applicant will be treated the same, whether they are presently serving on the Board or not. Bentley recommended that all nominees be interviewed. “I would like to slow down the process and get things right,” Bentley said. “If we do this, it will be the most transparent selection process of all schools in Alabama. “ The suggestions made by

Bentley were supported by the committee and the process will begin shortly. The new selection process will allow nominations to be reopened. The Board of Trustees office will accept nominations until 4:45 p.m. June 24. During the second step of the new process, the committee will request letters of recommendation, résumés, references and a statement of the nominee’s involvement, support and interest in the University. After receiving the supporting materials from the nominees, the committee will begin to review the materials from each applicant. The committee will then select no more than three nominees for each available posi-

tion for interviews. This decision will be made by July 29, and the committee will reconvene within the first two weeks of August to begin the interview process. The process will be concluded by September 30. Following the interview process, the committee will meet and make its final decision about the selection. The committee has already taken steps to make the selection process more open and transparent to the public. “Let’s get everyone back on the same team and move forward to do what is best for this great University,” Bentley said. What does the Board do? The Board of Trustees consists of 14 members as follows: one member from each congressional district, one member from Lee County, three at-large members and the Governor. This year the Auburn Board will have nine vacancies. Positions in districts 1,2,3, 4, 6, 7, 9, a Lee County position and one at-large position are to be selected during the process. The requirements to serve on the Board are specified by the Constitution of Alabama and are as follows: must be a resident of the district applying for, must be less than 70 years of age, cannot be an employee of Auburn University and cannot be a member of the selection committee. New members of the Board are appointed by the selection committee and are approved by the State Senate. Members hold office for a term of seven years. The selection committee is made up of the President Pro Tempore or another trustee designated, one trustee elected by the Board of Trustees, the governor and two members of the Au» See Selection, A2

Winners announced in writing contest Students essays written on Auburn University’s Common Book Laura Hobbs Writer

The winners of the second Common Book writing contest were announced May 18 at a dinner held by President Jay Gogue and his wife Susie. Students were asked to write an essay about how themes in “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time” inspired them. Submissions were read and ranked by a panel of contest judges including Margaret Marshall, Constance Relihan, Sharon Roberts, Paul Patterson and Emily Washburn. Alicia Berdeguez, freshman in creative writing, took home the first place prize for her poem “Patterns.” “My writing was inspired by the children in ‘Three Cups of Tea’ and their passion for learning,” Berdeguez said. “It was also inspired by the story’s setting and theme of spreading knowledge to promote peace.” Along with winning first place, Berdeguez was awarded an opportunity to shad-

“

My writing was inspired by the children in ‘Three Cups of Tea’ and their passion for learning. It was also inspired by the story’s setting and theme of spreading knowledge to promote peace.” —Alicia Berdeguez Freshman in creative writing Winner of the Common Book writing contest

ow Mary Ellen Mazey, the Auburn University provost, and witness the responsibilities that come with the position firsthand. “(Mazey) told me for every problem there’s a solution, for every negative there’s a positive and for every challenge there’s an opportunity,” Berdeguez said. Second place went to Jen-

nifer Robinson, sophomore in English and Spanish, for her essay “Missteps and Success,” that discussed the books’ theme of success. “I wanted to write about ‘Three Cups of Tea’ because I was really inspired by Greg Mortenson’s selflessness and perseverance,” Robinson said. “Writing the essay helped me form clear thoughts on the book and encouraged me to think about how I could apply Greg Mortenson’s journey to my own life.” As part of her award, she also shadowed Mazey and received a behind-the-scenes look at a meeting with the Auburn University Board of Trustees. The third-place prize of the night was awarded to Eric Lopez, senior in political science, for tying themes in the book to issues of foreign relations. Lopez was awarded an opportunity to shadow Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs. “I truly enjoyed the opportunity of getting to shadow the athletic director Jay Ja-

cobs for the day,” Lopez told the Office of University Writing. “It was a once in a lifetime experience to see all the inner functions of how a collegiate athletic department operates.” The Common Book program is established in more than 100 universities nationwide and was developed to promote a shared academic experience among students. Auburn Connects!, a program that began in fall 2010, co-sponsored the contest. Committee members, who were nominated by their respective academic associate deans, and representatives from the Student Government Association were asked to nominate three books for the contest, giving the provost the final decision. “Three Cups of Tea,” written by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, is a No. 1 New York Times best-seller that recalls the harrowing tale of Mortenson’s campaign to rebuild schools in desolate areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Vol. 117, Issue 29, 12 Pages

Arraignments held today for local high-profile cases Judges Jacob A. Walker III and Christopher Hughes will arraign defendants in five high-profile cases Thursday. Get up-to-date information on the cases and court dates at theplainsman.com.

Goodwin, Kitchens, McNeil, Mosley: The four former Auburn University football players accused of armed robbery were scheduled to be arraigned in Hughes’s courtroom at 9 a.m. Thursday. They were indicted by a Lee County grand jury earlier in the month. The four former players were each charged with five counts of first-degree robbery, one count of first-degree burglary and one count of third-degree theft of property. Mosley faces an additional misdemeanor count of conspiracy to hinder a business.

Harvey Updyke: The man accused of poisoning the Toomer’s oaks waived his right to an arraignment Wednesday, which was scheduled for Thursday. According to the Circuit Clerk’s office, waiving the right to an arraignment automatically means Updyke has entered a not guilty plea. Updyke, 62, was indicted on six charges last week by a Lee County grand jury, including two counts of first-degree criminal mischief, two counts of desecrating a venerated object and two counts of unlawful damage, vandalism or theft of property from a farm animal or crop facility. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for each felony charge and as much as a one-year sentence and $2,000 fine on each misdemeanor.

Local summer music festivals in full swing Opelika, Auburn residents encouraged to attend events Natalie Yarid News Editor

The Opelika Parks and Recreation department will host a free outdoor concert every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Municipal Park. The concert series will run for 15 weeks this summer. The series will feature a wide range of music including country, jazz, R&B and folk. Dinner will be available for purchase from 6:15-7:30 p.m. The Opelika Band Boosters will prepare hamburgers, hotdogs and homemade ice cream, making the night ideal for a picnic with friends and families. The Rocky Brook Rocket, an antique miniature train with intriguing history, has been restored and will be back on the tracks for complimentary train rides during concerts. Auburn also held a concert series this month. With three shows over and one remaining, Auburn Parks and Recreations considering this annual event a success. The program tried to use local bands to further its business and allow the public to become familiar with the good music being produced right here in Auburn. “This event has been going on for about four years,” said Dana Stewart, program director for Auburn Parks and Recreation. Concerts take place every Thursday night this May from 6-7:30 p.m. at Town Creek Park. Each week’s concert is free and open to the public. The concerts are great for people of all ages. “It’s fun for families and nice for college students to relax and be outside,” said Lady Macintosh, a student at Auburn. The concerts so far have included local bands such as Crossroads Band, County Road 12 and Summer Breeze. “Our band loved playing at this event, it was the perfect weather, atmosphere and everything,” said Will Mooty, lead singer of Summer Breeze, Stewart said, the bands seem to have fun as they play and watch people within the community enjoy a relaxed evening on blankets and lawn chairs. The final concert, with a performance by Satin Soul, will take place May 26.

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