The Auburn Plainsman

Water polo

Peace dinner

Big man on campus

» PAGE D5

» PAGE B6

» PAGE C1

Water polo embodies team camaraderie

Peace dinner offers chance to learn about other cultures

Justin Murphy is one of the most recognizable faces on campus

The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID www.theplainsman.com

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Vol. 117, Issue 9, 24 Pages

THE

INVISIBLE

WALL

OF

ASK TELL

DON'T DON'T

ROTC STUDENT BREAKS SILENCE

AMONGST NOISE OF POLICY CHANGE Daniel Chesser

“Guys that hang out, when they play sports, they wrestle with each other and stuff like that,” the ROTC member said. “With me, they kind of step back, and they won’t do that.”

He said differential treatment creates an invisible barrier between him and other ROTC members.

“There are some people in the world whose narrow view of life says, ‘This is horrible, and it is a choice,’” the ROTC member said. “Because of their personal beliefs, it could affect the way they perform while we are fighting.”

The right state of mind is important in war, he said.

“For mission readiness, you shouldn’t allow sexuality to become a part of your mindset when you are in an area like combat,” the ROTC member said.

DADT was instituted 17 years ago under the Clinton administration.

The policy mandated the discharge of any openly gay, lesbian or bisexual service member.

An order to immediately cease the enforcement of DADT was issued Tuesday by Judge Virginia Phillips of the Federal District Court for the Central District of California.

“New instructions were e-mailed to recruiters on Friday for handling situations in which applicants volunteer their sexual orientation,” according to an article in The New York Times. “Recruiters were also told that they must inform the applicants that the moratorium on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ could be reversed.”

Since college ROTC students are considered service members, DADT applies to them, according to policy information from the Office for Public Policy of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

“First and foremost, it is federal law,” said Keith Pickens, employee at department of military science. “It’s not Army policy or Department of Defense policy. It’s Congressional policy signed by the president. We will continue to conform to the law, however, it might or might not be changed in the future.”

News Editor

Since 1994, more than 14,000 individuals have been discharged from the military under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, or DADT. The policy does not prohibit homosexuals from serving in the military, but does prohibit them from engaging in, or attempting to engage in, homosexual acts while in the military.

The command on Auburn’s campus follows the same code of law, which is in accordance with Department of Defense policy, according to Cmdr.

Flash Coulter, executive officer of the Auburn University Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit.

“We have had zero incidents,” Coulter said, “going back to well before I was here, too.”

A member in the ROTC program at Auburn University, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the reality of the issue is much different.

“There are more than several people between the different ROTC programs here that are gay,” the ROTC member said. “I personally know most people that I’ve met that are gay in the military wouldn’t come out even if the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy was repealed, because even if it is legally acceptable, people have problems with gay people.”

Although he proudly serves in the military, he is not able to express his sexuality while in the ROTC program.

“It gets kind of upsetting sometimes,” the ROTC member said, “mainly because there are a lot of events that people bring girlfriends or boyfriends to, or husbands or wives for that matter, but I won’t be able to bring my boyfriend there because that would be unacceptable. I would immediately be recognized as different and potentially end my career.”

While he does not completely disagree with the policy, which specifically puts restrictions on homosexuals in the military, he said he feels the ideals of this country and protecting the fellow countrymen of his nation are independent of his sexual orientation.

Knowing he cannot be open about his sexuality does not affect his dedication to serving his country.

“In all honesty, I’m not really hiding a whole lot,” the ROTC member said. “A lot of people kind of have an idea, but of course they are not allowed to say anything.”

There are numerous situations, especially during physical training, where he doesn’t feel included because others don’t feel comfortable around him.

INDEX

News » A3

|

Campus » B1

|

Intrigue » C1

|

Technology » C3

|

Wasting Time » C5

|

Sports » D1

News A2

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Crime Reports for Oct. 14 – Oct. 21, 2010

DUI Arrests in the City of Auburn Oct. 14 – Oct. 21, 2010

Oct. 15 — Lee Road 10 Theft of property reported. One Droid cell phone.

pump shotgun, one gold ring, one diamond ring, one gold necklace.

Robert P. Sparkman, 23, of Amory, Miss.

East Magnolia Avenue at Thomas Street Oct. 17, 2:31 a.m.

Oct. 15 — South College Street Theft of property reported. One bottle of Grey Goose alcohol.

Kendra S. Marshall, 26, of Opelika Yeager Lane at Downs Way Oct. 17, 3:03 a.m.

Oct. 16 — West Longleaf Drive Burglary and theft of property reported. One red HP computer.

Oct. 17 — North Donahue Drive Theft of property reported. One brown leather love seat, one yellow velvet chair.

Harold Sabauos, 29 Lee Road 869 Oct. 17, 10:01 a.m.

Oct. 16 — Lee Road 56 Burglary and theft of property reported. One Dell laptop computer, one Sears special 200

Paul A. Palmer, 18, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. East Glenn Avenue Oct. 15, 12:55 a.m.

Oct. 17 — Maple Street One 42-inch Sony flatscreen TV, one Sony PlayStation 3, one Microsoft Xbox.

— Reports provided by Auburn Department of Public Safety

Oct. 17 — South Debardeleben Street Theft of bicycle reported. One dark green Timberline Bianchi bicycle.

Emily Adams / Photo Editor

Ron Sparks (left) and Robert Bentley (right), candidates for governor of Alabama, engage in professional debate in the Auburn University Student Center ballrooom Tuesday.

Sparks, Bentley showcase platforms for Alabama Staff Reports Auburn found itself center stage Tuesday evening as Ron Sparks, Democrat, and Robert Bentley, Republican, engaged in the second Alabama gubernatorial debate.

The candidates touched on a range of issues including gambling, jobs, health care and education.

Health care was a major point of the debate, and the two outlined their opinion of the new federal health care law.

“The health care bill, which passed Congress recently, that will totally

take over the health care system in this country: he (Sparks) is very much for that,” Bentley said. “I am very much opposed to that.”

Bentley said he believes states are “laboratories for change,” and they must take the lead in health care policy.

Sparks said he would work with the Legislature in dealing with the new health care law. He said if Alabama does not do so, the state will be missing out on federal dollars and its chance to have its own say in health care.

Discussion of taxes also

dominated the evening, and both candidates reaffirmed their pledge to impose no new taxes if they are elected governor.

Sparks, however, took the opportunity to highlight Bentley’s past comments on poverty.

“This is the gentleman who looked into the camera and said that poor people can be happy too,” Sparks said.

Sparks emphasized his plan to legalize, tax and regulate gambling. He said an education lottery was necessary for more education revenue.

As the conversation

Auburn Weekly Gas Monitor

Location

Reg

Mid

Prem

Walmart–South College Circle K–Glenn and Gay Shell–Glenn and Gay Shell–Wire Chevron–South College Exxon–Wire Chevron–Wire BP–Gay and Samford Chevron–University

$2.589 $2.629 $2.629 $2.659 $2.799 $2.849 $2.849 $2.899 $2.899

$2.699 $2.769 $2.749 $2.799 $2.999 $2.949 $2.999 $2.999 $2.999

$2.829 $2.909 $2.569 $2.939 $3.199 $3.099 $3.149 $3.299 $3.099

Chevron–College and Glenn

$2.899

$3.059

$3.199

Average

$2.770 $2.902 $3.029

Oct. 7, 2010

Regular

Oct. 14, 2010

Mid

number of drug-addicted individuals currently incarcerated in state prisons.

“Our jails should not be the acute detoxification centers of this state,” Bentley said. “We need to look at our overall department of corrections and see what changes need to be done.”

Sparks said education was his highest budget priority.

“I want to make sure that every child in Alabama—rich or poor—if they want to go to Auburn University, that’s exactly where they ought to have

an opportunity to go,” Sparks said. “I believe in that.”

Both candidates expressed optimism for the Nov. 2 vote.

“My campaign’s been gaining momentum from day one,” Sparks said. “I’ve said all along, this campaign is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Bentley was more straightforward.

“We gonna win,” he said.

The debate was the second in a series designed by the Student Government Associations of Auburn and the University of Alabama.

event calendar: Thursday, Oct. 21 – Saturday, Oct. 30

Week of Oct. 21

$3.10 $2.93 $2.75 $2.58 $2.40 Sept. 30, 2010

shifted to gambling, Bentley affirmed several times that he opposes gambling, but is willing to give a vote to the people of Alabama to decide the matter.

“There is no way you can buy enough lottery tickets to pay for everything that my opponent wants to do in this state,” Bentley said.

“That is not the answer.”

The two explained their state budget priorities as well.

Bentley said Medicaid and the Department of Corrections must be funded before anything else. He added that prison reform was needed to address the

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday 21

Highway 280 Band @ Kiesel Park, 6 p.m. *Final week of Sundown Concert Series 24

Bridal Open House @ Saugahatchee Country Club, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Oct. 21, 2010

25

Honors College Fall Film Series, “Persepolis” @ 7:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

26

Creative Conversations: Community Focus @ Starbucks, 5:30 p.m.

27

Halloween Double Movie Feature @ Haley 2370, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Greg Mortenson lecture @ Arena, 7 p.m.

28

10th Annual Downtown Trick or Treat, 6 p.m.

Spending Your Money Wisely lecture @ Student Center Ballroom, 7 p.m.

Friday

Saturday 22

Volleyball Football vs. vs. Arkansas LSU, 2:30 p.m. @ Student Activities Center, 7 p.m.

29

“ART,” a play by the Layman Group @ Event Center Downtown Opelika, 7 p.m.

23

30

Syrup Sopping Day in downtown Loachapoka, all day “Creepy Wonderful Critters - Alligators!” @ Forest Ecology Preserve, 10 a.m.

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News

Bill Shock » PAGE A4

People on the Plains » PAGE A6

www.theplainsman.com

Thursday, October 21, 2010

A Page A3

Cut-a-thon Miss Auburn University, 2chic Salon and Boutique collaborate to raise more than $720 for Children’s Miracle Network Sara Weeks Writer

Fresh haircuts and smiles were abundant Sunday at 2chic Salon and Boutique for the dual-sponsored cut-a-thon for the Children’s Miracle Network.

The event was hosted by Rebecca Hart, Miss Auburn University, and 2chic Salon and Boutique.

The cut-a-thon raised more than $720 for CMN in just four hours.

CMN is a nonprofit organization that helps raise money for children at risk, such as prematurely born children and children diagnosed with disease. There are more than 170 children’s hospitals across the nation, and Lee County is one out of five counties in Alabama associated with CMN. “CMN is national platform for the Miss America Organization; therefore, it is a preliminary to Miss Auburn pageant,” said Michelle Murphy, executive director and adviser to Miss Auburn University.

“It is something Rebecca and the Miss Auburn scholarship program really care deeply about.”

The salon sponsors the Miss Auburn University pageant by donating items and services.

When she wins the title, Miss Auburn receives complimentary hair services for the year of her reign, but the owners of 2chic wanted to do more.

“When we first opened the salon three and a half years ago, we decided we wanted to help sponsor the pageant,” said Terrie McDonald, co-owner of 2chic. “We wanted to take it a step further and support her platform locally, so we chose to have the money raised for her today donated to the Columbus Regional Medical Center.”

All proceeds from the cut-a-thon will benefit CMN at Columbus Regional Medical Center. Haircuts were $20, and waxes were $10. The salon also donated 20 percent of all retail sales, such as jewelry and hair products, to the cause.

One of the salon owners has twins who were born prematurely and benefited from the CMN at UAB. “The CMN has really touched my heart,” McDonald said. “We just want to do something to reach out to the

Photos by Christen Harned / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Top: Oliva Russell, sophomore in industrial systems engineering, gets her eyebrows waxed

by Stephanie Treadwell at the cut-a-thon Sunday. (Bottom) Miss Auburn University Rebecca Hart, junior in communication disorders, styles Aubie’s whiskers.

community because we feel that we have been so blessed to have a workplace that is happy. We just want to thank our clients and give back to the community.”

Hart said she was grateful that 2chic wanted to participate.

“It’s really fun getting someone who is willing to give their time and energy to put all of this together to sponsor this with us,” Hart said.

After receiving the title of Miss Auburn University, Hart had the opportunity to visit the children at the Columbus Regional Medical Center.

“It was just really touching to see these children who are so happy and full of life in the hospital setting,” Hart said. “It really opens your eyes to what you are helping and what your efforts go to.”

At the cut-a-thon, Hart spent her time welcoming participants and helping with face painting for kids who came to the event. Aubie also made an appearance.

“It’s been a lot of fun face painting,” Hart said. “I don’t know if I’m the best artist, but I’ve enjoyed the day. I love being able to come to events like this and be the representative for Auburn in the community.”

Broadband brought to rural Alabama through AU project Courtney Smith Writer

Broadband technology will be brought to more Alabamians, particularly those in rural areas, through a project by the University’s Economic and Community Development Institute.

The project will be funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

ECDI Director Joe Sumners said rural areas are where broadband is needed most because of economic, social and physical isolation.

He said he thinks the project will have a significant impact on the lives of thousands of Alabama citizens.

“Allowing people to figure out how they can use that technology to

improve their lives is something we’re excited about,” Sumners said.

Sumners, who will help oversee the project, said the ECDI has been looking for a way to get involved with communications technology for several years.

“We must have our rural communities connected to the economy,” Sumners said. “If they don’t have broadband, our rural communities can’t compete.”

The primary goal of the project is teaching Alabama residents the social and economic benefits of broadband technology, as well as its practical applications.

The project was designed by Amelia H. Stehouwer, ECDI research and training manager.

Stehouwer is the lead developer for the proposal

and said she is optimistic about the benefits it will have for Alabama citizens.

“People in general are really at a disadvantage when they do not have access to broadband,” Stehouwer said. “They are left out of the whole global network.”

A statewide campaign and eight local and regional campaigns will be conducted to raise awareness for the project, Stehouwer said.

The project-awareness campaigns will reach an estimated 1.51 million Alabamians per year, and training programs will be offered to approximately 11,500 Alabama residents.

Stehouwer said the ECDI will develop 10 training modules targeted to meet specific needs and take advantage of assets of target populations.

County Extension Coordinators will deliver at least six training modules, with two to three sessions per unit, to target audiences within every county in Alabama.

CECs will also deliver training in Spanish and English in 26 of those counties.

Training will be offered at 19 community-college campuses and 26 Englishas-a-second-language facilities.

Guidance programs will also be offered at eight institutes for the deaf and blind, and they will be available at facilities on Poarch Band of Creek Indians land as well.

Austin Monk, senior in public administration, is the associate grant administrator for the ECDI. Monk said he will help plan the training sessions

Printed on Recycled Paper

and will be an assistant at various modules around the state.

“It allows me to implement a grant program in an efficient manner to help benefit citizens of Alabama,” Monk said. “So it goes well with my background in public administration.”

The ECDI will partner with the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, the Alabama Rural Action Commission, the Alabama chapter of the AARP, the Alabama Community Leadership Network and ADECA’s Community Services Block Grant Program.

Stehouwer said she believes the program will impact the Alabama job market by giving people access to online classes.

She said it could even create 349 jobs throughout

the state.

Stehouwer said the focus when promoting broadband technology would be on demand instead of supply.

Education and training would foster technology adoption and increase local demand for services.

“We believe people who adopt that technology and begin to use its services will lead to decreases in costs of services,” Stehouwer said. “In order to run the line to somewhere, the company would need to divide the cost by number of customers.”

This would lead to an increase in the number supplied, which would lead to an increase in demand.

“People have to realize how this is relevant to their lives in order to take advantage of it,” Stehouwer said.

News A4

The Auburn Plainsman

Hyatt House Apartments

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Lee County Commission announces Master Plan The proposed Master Plan will help county officials plan for future developments—preventing urban sprawl is priority

Abby Townson Writer

Features Clubhouse Laundry Facility Swimming Pool

Amenities Central A/C Dishwasher Refrigerator Wall Unit A/C

312 N Gay St, Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 821-7465

Lee County has commissioned the development of a Master Plan, which is being presented to the County Commission in a public hearing Oct. 25.

Wendy Swann, governmental relations coordinator, said the 185-page plan is about controlled growth and the prevention of urban sprawl.

“In layman’s terms, the Master Plan is a road map for the county’s future,” Swann said.

The plan provides a set of policies dealing with existing and future growth in areas such as land use, transportation, community design and housing.

County Administrator Roger Rendleman said it would have been ideal to establish the plan a decade ago, noting that the last census showed a 50 percent growth rate.

How to keep the community from losing its identity is a concern the

commission wants to address, Rendleman said.

To ensure citizen involvement in the development of the plan, the Lee County Commission established a planning commission.

Comprised of 11 citizen volunteers, the planning commission held monthly meetings to discuss the Master Plan.

The county commission contracted Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood, an architecture, engineering and planning firm in Birmingham, as the primary consultant in developing the plan.

Swann said there has been significant citizen input.

“They told us what they thought the strengths of the county were and what the needs of the county were,” Swann said. “One of the big things was people like the character of some of the small towns, and they really wanted to keep that. They don’t want it to turn into a large urban

area in the rural areas.” them another shot to look Swann said one of Lee at it and to let us know if County’s key goals is to there’s anything on there make that they sure the really don’t c o u n ty agree with keeps that we’ve In layman’s its rural developed.” terms, the characSwann Master Plan is a ter. said the “ I t roadmap for the Master helps Plan is county’s future.” d e a living scribe Wendy Swann, document, a vision governmental relations w h i c h for the coordinator means it longcan be ret e r m vised later. development of Lee Coun“So, we can go back, and ty and provides a guideline we can revisit, and we can for future development alter it—we can change it of the county,” said Larry around and make it fit betWatts, director of com- ter with what is happening munity planning for Good- at the time.” wyn, Mills and Cawood.

Justin Steinmann, AuWatts said the plan is burn’s principal planner, subject to change based said the Master Plan is not on the public hearing and a binding plan for the city the County Commission’s of Auburn.

“It’s a document that final approval Oct. 25.

“We don’t have to do we’d look at,” Steinmann the public hearing, but said, “but our guiding we want to,” Swann said. document for the city of “Because this is a citi- Auburn will be our own zen plan, we want to give comprehensive plan.”

“

FCC may dull shock of cellular bills Sarah Hansen Writer

The Federal Communications Commission released regulation proposals last Thursday in hopes of preventing customer bill shock.

Bill shock is a sudden, unexpected increase in a consumer’s cell phone bill.

According to an FCC news release, an April-May FCC survey indicated that 30 million Americans have experienced bill shock, meaning this issue has affected approximately one in six people.

At the Oct. 14 FCC meeting, the commission drafted several rules that should help decrease consumer bill shock.

“Big companies will need to send out alerts for when (customers) are going over, whether that be going over in minutes, texts or roaming,” said Rosemary Kimball, director of media relations for the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the FCC.

The news release also stated the FCC’s proposed rules would require companies to change their policies to a more transparent style of operation.

“If these regulations get passed, local stores may have to make contracts easier to read,” Kimball said.

One of the main concerns is customers don’t always know what they’re signing up for, which can lead to unwanted overage charges, Kimball said.

Customers have also complained about the lack of uniformity of information distribution among cell phone companies.

“The rules proposed are in the process of being published in the Federal Registry,” Kimball said.

The results should be published sometime this

week, Kimball said.

“Once they’re published, we accept consumer and business comments about (the rules) for 30 days,” Kimball said. “When that time frame is over, an additional 30 days will be spent collecting reply comments on the initial comments that were given.”

The FCC has requested feedback from consumers and companies on whether smaller providers and

prepaid services should be exempt from these proposals or should be allotted extra time to set these regulations in place.

The regulations must be discussed and revised by the FCC before any can be put in place.

Sixty days after the proposals have been published, they will go into deliberation within the FCC, which could take several months, Kimball said.

Currently, some cell phone providers are already offering notifications when customers approach the limit on their plans.

“With our annual contract plan, it gives text notifications when you’re about to go over your allotted minutes or texts,” said Matthew Keeble, Auburn T-Mobile sales associate. “Also, with the family allowance plan, you can control how many minutes each number on the account can use. Text notifications are also sent when you’re about to go over your minutes.”

New zoning district stirs controversy Alison McFerrin Staff Writer

12/31/2010

A public hearing at Tuesday’s Opelika City Council meeting drew impassioned residents bent on protecting the historic downtown area.

The major issue discussed was an ordinance that would create a new zoning classification called the hospitality overlay district, which would allow for mobile food vending and bed and breakfast accommodations, among other items.

The zone is to be created between the Eighth and Ninth Street blocks of South Railroad Avenue.

“The only concern I have in the whole situation is

why do you want to keep up liquor sales to 4 o’clock in the morning,” said Homer McCollum, owner of a business in the affected area. “To me, that just doesn’t make good sense at all.”

The possibility of extended hours for liquor sales was a hot topic.

“I do support the hospitality overlay district,” said Deke Hillyer, who owns two buildings in that block. “A person that gets off work at 2 o’clock in the morning, if he wants to go have a beer and be responsible and have him a burger… then he oughta be allowed the privilege of anyone else.”

Although the new ordinance contains 15 possible

uses for property with this designation, some allowed and some conditional use, none of them specifically mention extending the hours for alcohol sales.

The possibility, however, was enough of a threat.

“I think this whole thing about the hospitality district is to be able to change liquor sales from 2 to 4 o’clock,” McCollum said.

“If that’s all this is about, then I’m totally against it.”

John Marsh, a major downtown property owner, spoke on the importance of this overlay to the improvement of downtown.

“There is, right now, 47 vacant spots downtown,” Marsh said. “There’s some trouble down there, and

we need to do something about it. We need it vibrant, and the Irish Bred Pub is the best thing that ever happened to downtown.”

The pub is a business in this block of downtown that would possibly request to extend its liquorselling hours.

“I think we’re looking at this sort of as a trial in a way,” said Jerry Kelley, director of planning.

If the trial is successful, the council may consider making other Opelika areas into hospitality overlay districts.

If the hospitality overlay district trial doesn’t work as expected, the district could be reclassified with its old designation.

Commentary

A5

www.theplainsman.com

Thursday, October 21, 2010

News

Our View

Time to end don’t ask, don’t tell Regardless of whether the stoppage of don’t ask, don’t tell (DADT) enacted by U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Phillips last week sticks, one thing is certain: DADT is wrong and dehumanizing.

DADT has been in effect for more than 17 years.

In that time, more than 14,000 American citizens have been discharged from the American armed forces for acts or behaviors defined as homosexual.

DADT doesn’t explicitly say military personnel cannot be homosexual or bisexual, but homosexual acts, which supposedly put unit morale, discipline and cohesion at risk, are strictly prohibited.

The ban initiated by Phillips led to the Pentagon allowing openly gay and lesbian recruits to be admitted into the armed forces.

For now at least.

DADT could be reinstated at some point in the future.

President Obama has said on several occasions, including in an interview with Roll-

ing Stone, he would repeal DADT in an orderly fashion.

Obama said he would like to do away with DADT now, “but maintains his administration is obligated to defend the law even though he disagrees with it, and that he lacks the power to overturn it on his own” ( from “Stay on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ ruling unlikely,” Politico).

Political jargon and the continued nonsense of the American bureaucratic machine aside, DADT impinges on the basic human rights our great nation was founded on and supposedly upholds and defends today.

Of course, history has shown not every American citizen has always been extended these basic rights.

Blacks were once considered 3/5s of a human being.

Women couldn’t vote until 1920. Japanese Americans were held in internment camps, which were more or less prisons during World War II. Et cetera and et cetera.

DADT is no different from these earlier errors in judgment. One day, in the notso-distant future, the discrimination against those of “non-normal” sexual orientation will be viewed in a similar light.

It’s yet another discriminatory outcry against the different. It’s fear and cowardice.

It’s an attempted splitting of personality and self-hood.

Gays, lesbians and bisexuals who want to serve, and perhaps die for, their country have to deny who they are.

A cadet in Auburn’s ROTC program, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “It gets kind of upsetting sometimes. Mainly because there are a lot of events that people bring girlfriends or boyfriends to, or husbands or wives for that matter, but I won’t be able to bring my boyfriend there because that would be unacceptable” ( from “The Invisible Wall of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” A1).

It’s just plain wrong.

Maybe DADT was neces-

sary or at least understandable when it was first implemented in the early ’90s.

Perhaps back then the uproar would’ve been a distraction and negatively impacted troops and the morale of the armed forces.

But we are past that now.

We should now be able to move past petty prejudices and accept people as they are—straight, gay, bisexual, transsexual, whatever.

If you want to take up a weapon, man a computer or heal the wounded in service of your country, your sexual orientation or preference should not play a role.

Not asking questions and pretending homosexual men and women aren’t currently serving America in its armed forces, pretending they don’t deserve the same rights as non-homosexuals, is a disservice to the ideals America was founded on.

It’s time, past time, we treated them as equals.

First step: abolish don’t ask, don’t tell.

“I must have known in my heart at an early age that this man could have the ability to profoundly affect my life.”

-Erica Meissner,

senior swim team member from “Meissner leads by example,” D3

Last week’s question:

Do you know the Auburn Creed?

Yes No

16% 26%

Some of it

58%

This week’s question:

Should the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy remain in place? ❍ Yes ❍ No

Vote at www.theplainsman.com

University fails to share healthy sexual information College students have sex. It’s an age-old phenomenon.

As long as there have been institutions of higher education, with their high-minded ideas and relativistic morals, there have been 18- to 22-year-olds getting to know each other in the Biblical sense.

Auburn’s no different. Certain members of the Auburn family are very close indeed.

Which is why it is depressing to learn Auburn finished 136 out of 141 schools in the recent Trojan Sex Health Report, “which grades 141 universities around the nation based on the availability of sex health information on campus” ( from “Trojan releases sex health report,” B1).

Auburn ranks in the bottom 10, officially scoring a D, with a GPA of 1.33, because it has poor health center options, doesn’t

offer students free condoms or HIV tests on campus and because its sexual health website is far below average.

Alabama ranks as the worst state in the country. Four Alabama universities inhabit the bottom 30.

Concerns over the validity of Trojan’s report aside, that’s embarrassing, but also fitting.

Alabama—bright-shining buckle of the Bible Belt, where sex is still a closed-curtain secret, a word almost taboo— would be last in sex health information because we are a state in perpetual denial.

Don’t talk, think or look at it, and it isn’t happening.

That type of thinking leads to abstinence-only education.

The forced close proximity of school, both high school and college, coupled with inescap-

able biological urges, leads to the inevitable. Denying that inevitability does no good.

Granted, the Trojan study does not report on the prevalence of STDs or premarital pregnancies.

But, it stands to reason, Alabama would not fair well based on the report and Alabama’s lack of funding for sex education programs state-wide.

All of that is not to say the University should encourage cohabitation between students.

Knowledge of safe sexual practices should be explained and encouraged, both at Auburn and other colleges all over Alabama but also at high schools.

Instead of ignoring the problem, admit there is a problem and make strides toward correction.

We’re a family here at Auburn.

Let’s be a healthy family.

Your View

Breast cancer awareness still essential, important Editor, The Auburn Plainsman The editorial on Breast Cancer Awareness Month should have highlighted the following: breast cancer awareness and community-based education are essential; separation from early detection, treatment and research for a cure are impossible.

Awareness empowers people with possible life-changing information.

I read the editorial in the online The Auburn Plainsman because I am out of the country, and if the editorial attempted to use humor and/or sarcasm, I missed the point.

Would reading the print version have made a difference? I think not.

The insensitive nature of the communication denigrated cancer survivors and those in treatment who take life-sustaining drugs to remain cancer free, and those who, in the near or distant future, will be told they have a suspicious finding.

Perhaps even more disconcerting, I am concerned for those Auburn students who may feel discouraged about awareness or accessing early detection measures.

To link false positives to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reach that far extends logic.

I am currently overseas, and it has been interesting to see awareness campaigns as part of the global initiative to fight

breast cancer and other women’s cancers not only in Europe but in developing countries as well.

We are fortunate to have our local efforts, such as Auburn University’s BCBS (Blue Cross Blue Shield) employee program.

This program provides a nocost mammogram and physical, focusing on wellness, early detection and promotion of routine self-examination.

Additionally, the on-campus support network “Connections” (contact Women’s Initiatives) brings together those having experienced the diagnosis and treatment of cancer with others interested in promoting campus awareness and helping others.

Recently, I had a family mem-

ber diagnosed with cancer. She is in chemotherapy receiving life-extending and cancer eradicating drugs.

I don’t know, and it is not relevant to me, my family or our treatment team, if the drugs being used are produced or marketed are by AstraZeneca, as your editorial described.

My situation is not unique; many Auburn Family members know a mother, a sister, a grandmother, a friend or a colleague diagnosed, in treatment with chemotherapy drugs, and/or living with the consequences of breast or another type of cancer.

Breast cancer knows no age, race, country, religion, gender or socioeconomic status.

Global or neighborhood

Opinions Editor

Rod Guajardo Editor

Laura Maxwell Managing Editor

Nancy McDaniel executive director, educational support services

OUR POLICY

The Auburn Plainsman Editorial Board Ben Bartley

awareness campaigns, promoting the signs and symptoms of cancer, sports teams wearing pink ribbons on their helmets, lighting a building pink, participating in national campaigns one month out of the year and supporting efforts which may one day result in a cure for cancer seem a fair price to pay if one life can be saved.

I see no need to “wink” when lives are at stake.

And cancer is no laughing matter.

The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages. These unsigned editorials are the majority opinion of the 9-member editorial board and are the official opinion of the newspaper. The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.

HOW TO CONTACT US

Daniel Chesser News Editor

Eric Austin

Campus Editor

Crystal Cole

Emily Clever

Sports Editor

Copy Editor

Tom Hopf

Brian Desarro

Business Manager

Intrigue Editor

Mailing Address Auburn Student Center Suite 1111H Auburn, AL 36849 Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334–844–4130 Email: . . . editor@theplainsman.com

The Auburn Plainsman welcomes letters from students as well as from faculty, administrators, alumni and those not affiliated with the University. Letters must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on the Monday for publication. Letters must include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification, though the name of the author may be withheld upon request. Submission may be edited for grammar and/or length.

News A6

The Auburn Plainsman

Entrepreneurs open studentoriented tattoo and body art shop Rebecca Croomes Writer

Los Angeles and Miami aren’t the only cities where you can get a top-notch tattoo.

The Loveliest Village on the Plains has a new

custom tattoo shop, thanks to entrepreneurs Aaron Pollack and Mitch Gooden, co-owners of Flying Tiger Body Modification, which opened Sept.

15th.

The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Gooden and Pollack are proud of the student-centered services they offer in the orange-and-blue shop on South College Street.

Pollack does all the tattoo work, while Gooden handles the piercings.

A student I.D. will get a 10 percent discount on piercings, and any collegiate-related ink will earn a 30 percent discount.

“Business has been

Police receive grant to combat sexual predators Chelsea Harvey Staff Writer

A $110,500 grant to the Auburn Police Division will help educate citizens about sexual predators and keeping Auburn children safe.

The grant was awarded by the Community Oriented Policing Services Office of the U.S. Department of Justice, specifically from the Child Sexual Predator Program.

“It’s designed to protect our children and to reduce and prevent child endangerment and to keep sexual predators off the streets of Auburn,” said Capt. Tom Stofer of the Auburn Police Division. “It’s going to be used for the investigation of cases along those lines (involving sexual offenses), and it will be used to educate the public regarding sexual predators.”

Specifically, the Police Division will educate the public by teaching people how to accurately identify a sexual predator and how to file a report about incidents involving predators.

According to the 2010 COPS CSPP Awards List, the program awarded grants to law enforcement agencies in 18 states this year. Auburn was the only agency in Alabama selected for the grant.

“I’d just like to think we were nominated and chosen because we put together a good package,” Stofer said. “I think they were just looking at agencies they thought would be best utilizing the money.”

Like all nominated agencies, the Auburn Police Division was required to meet certain standards in order to be considered eligible for the grant awarded.

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steady enough,” Gooden said. “We tried an awaygame special, and people took advantage of it.”

With TV shows like TLC’s “L.A. Ink” and “Miami Ink,” tattoos seem to have become more popular in the U.S. Gooden said this phenomenon is just the United States catching up to other parts of the world.

“Cultures have (tattoos as) rites of passage across the world and throughout time—it’s something human,” he said.

Both artists advise thinking carefully about getting a tattoo.

“It’s the only thing you’ll buy that’ll last forever,” Pollack said. “There are a

lot of fake shops out there.

Do your research. Make wise decisions.”

Pollack also mentioned looking at a shop’s record of safety and cleanliness before getting work done.

The craziest tattoo Pollack’s ever done?

“I’ve tattooed a guy’s entire face before,” he said.

“That’s pretty crazy.”

The artists advocate custom designs, instead of copying work, to encourage one’s individuality.

Although it is sparsely decorated now, Flying Tiger Body Modification will soon be filled with photos of happy, custom-inked and freshly pierced patrons of the South College shop.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Rebecca Croomes / PHOTO STAFF

Mitch Gooden (left) and Aaron Pollack (right) opened Flying Tiger Body Modification on South College Street Sept. 15.

Campus Thursday, October 21, 2010

Tr

Langdon Hall

Longboarding

» PAGE B5

» PAGE B6

www.theplainsman.com

B Page B1

jan releases sex health report

Numerous factors regarding availability of sexual health information on campus land the University on the low end of leading condom brand’s annual sex report Derek Lacey

students who have concerns or questions about sex health, with Associate Campus Editor information and testing available Auburn’s sex report card is not at the AU Medical Clinic. being taped to the fridge this year.

The Medical Clinic does not give Trojan Brand Condoms recent- out free condoms, but outlets in ly released its annual Trojan Sex the community like Unity WellHealth Report Card, which grades ness and the Department of Public 141 universities around the na- Health do. tion based on the availability of sex “We have brochures and inforhealth information on campus. mation that’s available both online Auburn University came in six as well as here for people on sexual spots from the bottom at number health and sexual awareness, but 136, down from 119 last year. we’re not pushing it out,” said Fred The report, a team effort of Tro- Kam, director of the Medical Clinjan and Rock the Vote, does not ic. “Almost everybody today can go rank schools as sexually healthy or from their phone or from the Inunhealthy in terms of the preva- ternet and look up everything they lence of disease, just to what degree want.” help and information is available to Auburn can improve in every catstudents. egory, but would The schools’ “sex have to improve health” was scored exponentially to We’re in on 12 categories, substantially move a very including health up in the rankings. center hours of op- conservative area Sperling said eration, HIV and Auburn should STD testing local- here, and to discuss do a better job of ity and cost and sex at all is a major promoting walkexistence of peer accomplishment, ins at the clinic, groups. provide a special “We’re not mea- much less how you section on the Unisuring sexual protect yourself.” versity website, health in the way increase avenues Emily Myers, for student advice that we’re looking associate clinical and establish peer at STDs or anything like that,” professor of sociology and groups to get a director of social work better grade on the said Bert Sperling, president of Sperreport. ling’s BestPlaces, Eric Smith, the the independent research firm that newly appointed director of Health fielded the study.

Promotion and Wellness Services, Each school was scored on a one- said sexual health is an important to-10 basis for each category, and national concern, but is only one according to that number, a letter part of an overall wellness plan. grade (A through F) was assigned “Before we implement any to produce a sex health GPA, which health and wellness program, it is determines the rankings. vitally important to garner local Auburn’s GPA chalked up to 1.33, data on health behavior and india D. vidual choices,” Smith said. “This is Overall, Alabama is the worst true for sexual health, and we will state in the country, with four Ala- investigate it further this spring bama universities in the bottom 30. when we conduct the national colAt the top of the list was Colum- legiate health assessment sponbia University, with a GPA of 3.70. sored by the American College Columbia’s success was accred- Health Association.” ited to a newly implemented UniTrojan gave Alabama special versity program called “Ask Alice,” mention as the worst state in its which allows students to anony- report, saying, “Alabama scrapes mously submit sex health ques- the bottom.” tions, which are answered by medi“We’re in a very conservative cal staff. area here, and to discuss sex at all “I think it’s a nonscientific re- is a major accomplishment, much port,” Kam said. “I don’t put a lot of less how you protect yourself,” said credibility on the report, to be quite Emily Myers, associate clinical prohonest.” fessor of sociology and director of Auburn does offer options to social work.

“

Auburn University Sexual Health Report Card

B C WEBSITE F PROVIDED C CONDOMS PROVIDED F HIV F TESTING STD F TESTING OR F COLUMN F STUDENT F C WEBSITE USABILITY D HOURS OF OPERATION

DROP-INS/ APPOINTMENTS

SEXUAL HEALTH

Open six days a week

Drop-ins accepted, but turned into same-day appointments

SECTION ON

Has no separate sexual health section

CONTRACEPTIVES

Contraceptives are available for a small fee.

Condoms are not available or couldn’t be found on campus.

Not available or couldn’t find

Not available or couldn’t find

ANONYMOUS

ADVICE VIA E-MAIL

No programs found or mentioned

LECTURE AND

OUTREACH PROGRAMS PEER GROUP SEXUAL ASSAULT

PROGRAMS

Neither

They don’t exist.

No program

No description provided

* According to Trojan

Top ten sexually healthy schools

Bottom ten schools in sexual health

*According to Trojan

*According to Trojan

1.

Columbia University

132.

University of Notre Dame

2.

Michigan State University

133.

Louisiana Tech University

3.

Ohio State University (Main Campus)

134.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

4.

University of Michigan

135.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

5.

Brown University

136.

Auburn University

6.

University of Iowa

137.

Chicago State University

7.

University of Oregon

138.

Marshall University

8.

Princeton University

139.

DePaul University

9.

Rutgers University (New Brunswick)

140.

Brigham Young University

10.

University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)

141.

University of Idaho

Campus B2

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Writing with a cup of coffee Elizabeth Bonner Writer

The Office of University Writing opened a new satellite writing center Monday at the Student Center Starbucks.

“Our philosophy is to bring writing center services to where the people are,” said Margaret Marshall, director of university writing.

The Starbucks center will offer the same services as the other sites on campus.

Students can sign up for an appointment online, but walk-ins are welcome if a tutor has an opening.

Help is available with any stage of a writing assignment—getting started, revising a draft, basic proofreading for grammar or any other writing issue with which a student might be struggling.

Since the program began in January, satellite centers have been set up at the Athletics Center, School of Forestry and Wildlife Science and College of Architecture, Design and Construction, in addition to the main center at the Ralph Brown Draughon library.

Starbucks was chosen as a location because of its convenience and appeal for students.

“Setting up shop there seems like a good idea, adding another convenient location for students and giving us some publicity,” said Todd Aldridge, graduate assistant director of the writing center. “I still talk with students and faculty who are surprised that we work with writing in all the University courses. I would like everyone on campus to know that we are available to help

with all types of student writing.”

They also said the hip setting of Starbucks may attract more students.

“What I find most exciting about opening up the Starbucks satellite: writing tutoring will be taken out of these classroom-like settings that the other satellites provide, and I think this will attract students who may dislike talking about writing in such settings,” said Beth Savoy, Starbucks tutor and English graduate student. “It may even make the process of writing more enjoyable to students who find writing to be unenjoyable or tedious.”

The program staff would like to expand and add even more sites around campus.

Marshall said more sites would be beneficial because of the strong student response to the program. Students have asked for more tutoring hours than University Writing services can provide, so the office has had to impose a cap on appointments of one hour per week per student.

“Right now, we have only a few hours at Starbucks,” Aldridge said. “If this operation goes well, we could add more hours there or look into other potential locations.”

The Office of University Writing came about after the University Senate endorsed a resolution last spring that stated Auburn should require significant writing requirements beyond the core curriculum in every major.

“I expect that, by next fall, every department will have a plan for writing in their major,” Marshall said.

Contributed

President Obama congratulates Lilly Ledbetter after signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, his first bill as president.

Fair pay advocate to give lecture Jake Cole Writer

Imagine working at a company for almost 20 years and earning numerous performance awards, only to get a smaller paycheck than a co-worker solely on the basis of gender.

Lilly Ledbetter found herself in just that situation when an anonymous tip alerted her she was making considerably less than even the lowest paid of her male co-workers.

Ledbetter will speak at the Telfair Peet Theatre on the subject of the gender gap in pay today at 3 p.m.

“It’s just a really important issue right now because the Paycheck Fairness Act has been passed by the House of Representatives and is going up in front of the Senate next,” said Barbara Baker, director of the Women’s Leadership Institute in Auburn.

“So the time is really ripe to have a representative come to Auburn to talk about this.”

Ledbetter, the second

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my fellow male classmates to attend these events as well. I find that many young men are not aware of these situations, such as the one Ms. Ledbetter was in.”

Ledbetter’s lecture is especially relevant in the face of a Women’s Policy Research study, which concluded that, in 2009, women on average made 77 cents for every dollar a man received, a slight improvement from 73.7 cents in 2000.

“But this doesn’t mean that things are getting better for American workers,” said Ruth Crocker, professor of history and director of the women’s studies program. “Partly, it results from the loss of well-paying and unionized jobs to other countries that have cheaper labor. Most, but not all of those well-paid jobs in the U.S. were held by men.”

Ledbetter’s experience with the gender gap and her efforts to narrow it make her a natural choice for the lecture series, and as a native of Alabama, she

can offer a more personal perspective to students.

“We want an Alabama heroine,” Baker said. “We want somebody from our state who just made a decision to lead in the situation she was put in. This is not a person who set out to be a leader; it’s a person who became very passionate about an issue that affected her and did something about it.”

Baker said she hopes Ledbetter and other speakers the WLI invites to campus can inspire students to act if they see discrimination.

“We’re looking for someone we think our students can relate to,” Baker said.

“We want them to meet a real person and not just listen to her talk, but have a cup of coffee with her and be able to say to themselves, ‘I can do this, too.’”

Ledbetter’s speech will last approximately 30 minutes. It will be followed by a question-and-answer session and meet-andgreet in the theatre with attendees afterward. It is open to the public.

Class of the Week: Child Welfare Rachel Shirey Writer

‑DUI

guest speaker in the WLI’s Extraordinary Women Lecture Series, spent eight years after her early retirement in 1998 fighting her employer, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, in court for gender pay discrimination.

In 2007, Ledbetter took her case to the Supreme Court, which ruled in Goodyear’s favor in a 5-4 decision.

The decision followed laws that stated all complaints must be filed within 180 days of the first offense.

Ledbetter then took her cause to Congress, which in 2009 passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, allowing workers to file complaints after each discriminatory offense, not merely the first.

At her lecture, Ledbetter will speak about her experiences and the continuing issue of pay inequality.

“I am encouraging SWE members to attend the event,” said Jessica Johnsey, president of the Society of Women Engineers. “I always try and encourage

Social work majors are not the only ones who can learn how to prevent child abuse and its effects on families.

Child Welfare is offered as an elective in social work, but it is available to all majors.

Students majoring in anything from human development and family studies to psychology to nursing have taken the course.

“We just try to talk about what families are going through in society,” said Carolyn “Ki” Seroka, assistant clinical professor with the social work program and teacher of the course this semester.

“Then we get a little deeper into some of the services that we have available— social service programs that help families.”

The class discusses sexual abuse, physical neglect and emotional abuse or psychological maltreatment.

“You see pictures of kids with black eyes knowing that their mom did that to them, and you ask yourself how this happened and why,” said Kelly Morrow, senior in human development and family studies.

“It’s tough to see.”

The class also discusses the effects of abuse, solutions and how to conduct

interventions to understand families.

“Ki is really good about being sensitive about these topics, and she also challenges us and will not sugar coat things because that’s not the reality, sadly enough,” said Kristan Lewis, senior in social work.

“She will explicitly say some things, like describing situations and stuff, so that if any of us go into a career where we will see stuff like that, we don’t go into shock because we didn’t know it existed.”

Students visited an office of the Department of Human Resources Monday to get a better understanding of what it is like in the field on a daily basis.

The DHS serves as the state’s child protection agency.

Earlier in the semester, the class visited the child advocacy center in Opelika that deals with sexual abuse cases in Lee County.

“You hear these stories, you hear that these things go on and you know it in your head, but until you see it and see these stories over and over, it’s hard to believe,” Morrow said.

Morrow said she thinks people in this field have to care for children and be able to control their emotions because it can tear people apart if they are not strong.

“I really do think that all kinds of family and

children service work is absolutely critical, but public child welfare, child protective services, I think, is probably one of the most demanding jobs you can have in social work,” Seroka said. “You have to have the skills to engage and join with families. You have to have empathy, and you have to reach out to them. You have to be nonjudgmental, in the sense that you respect everyone, but at the same time, you have to be able to assess what happened here.”

Seroka said it takes responsibility and the ability to make critical decisions to deal with the pressures

that come with handling an abused child.

Child welfare isn’t just a course for people interested in the field. Seroka said this is a good course for women considering parenthood.

Seroka said she believes when dealing with people, it’s necessary to have a basic knowledge on abuse because then people know how to help kids and can be a part of finding the solution.

“The world definitely needs social workers, hard core,” Lewis said. “Social work is huge for advocating for the voice that isn’t heard.”

Helen Northcutt / GRAPHICS EDITOR

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Campus B3

The Auburn Plainsman

Maria Iampietro / Associate Photo Editor

Greek organization members sign in on the concourse, wearing their letters for spirit points. Different events throughout the week gave Greeks the chance for a little friendly competition.

Greek Week 2010 creates friendly competition among Panhellenics Katie Brown Writer

It has been a busy week for Greeks on campus.

Greek Week, a weeklong competition that began Sunday, is an annual tradition where sorority and fraternity members, with aid from other campus organizations, engage in friendly competition to raise money for charity.

“It brings the group together in a showcase atmosphere instead of competitive nature,” said Paul Kittle, director of Greek life. “The Boys and Girls Club and Auburn City Department of Public Safety are the two beneficiaries of the week.”

The Greek community, which accounts for 30 percent of Auburn students, is divided into six teams, each represented by a

different color.

“There are seven to eight organizations on each team,” said Laura Smith, director of Greek Week.

“They range from three sororities to five fraternities on each team.”

While raising money is the main goal, teams are also concerned with winning spirit points, which determine block football seating for the fraternities each season.

“The first-place team gets 200 spirit points, second place gets 150 points and third place gets 100 points,” Smith said.

Each team attempts to send as many members as possible to each event in order to gain points and become the winner.

The week kicked off Sunday with the SGA 5K run, with door prizes, live entertainment and an

appearance from Aubie.

Other events throughout the week included the Miss Greek Week Pageant, coed football tournament and a carnival for Auburn students and the children from Boys and Girls Club.

“The model that we are using now is five years old,” Kittle said. “It used to be a lot of events like track and field and tug of war.”

While the model has made the week more of a collaborative effort instead of competitive, the money generated from the events highlights the work of the Greek community.

“Last year, we donated about $20,000 to the Boys and Girls Club and bought six defibrillators, so I hope to raise at least $20,000 again this year,” Smith said.

In order to raise money, it is essential that the

Greek community and students involved work together for a greater cause.

“It has good student directors,” Kittle said. “It is a fun week, and they know that there is a good purpose to all their work.”

Aside from helping the Auburn community and winning spirit points, Greek Week also aims to unite the Greek community.

“Greek Week is a wonderful way for the Greek community to come together for a common cause—service,” said Sarah Sanders, president of Pi Beta Phi sorority. “It is also a great way to meet different people in other organizations.”

Greek Week comes to a close today with a new member barbecue for freshmen and bowling night.

Greek Week In Review ■■ Monday: Miss Greek Week Pageant ■■ Tuesday: Team Color Day; Coed Flag Football ■■ Wendesday: Carnival on the Green Space ■■ Today: New member barbecue and bowling night ■■ Tomorrow: Toga Day

Encyclopedia of Alabama offers interesting anecdotes Alison McFerrin Staff Writer

The Encyclopedia of Alabama was the topic of the latest lecture in the Discover Auburn lecture series.

“It is an edited, online reference source on all things Alabama,” said Jeff Jakeman, editor and project manager of the encyclopedia at www.encyclopediaofalabama.org, who gave Thursday’s lecture.

“Everyone talks about collaboration in the new age, and this is really a collaborative project.”

Jakeman demonstrated the site’s usefulness by pulling up a number of articles on a range of topics, including military trivia, natural history and sports facts.

When the EOA was launched Sept. 15, 2008, it offered only 525 articles.

Today, the encyclopedia contains about 3,300 printed pages, and content is added at a rate of about 300-400 pages, or 120-150 articles, per year.

It also incorporates multimedia, like photos and video.

“Users from Alabama view almost four pages per visit,” Jakeman said.

“It shows that Alabamians are using this site fairly extensively; however, only 30 percent of our total visits are from Alabama.”

Of the 70 percent of visitors from outside the state, 10 percent are international.

The encyclopedia began under the leadership of the Alabama Humanities Foundation and the University of Alabama Press, with initial planning and grant application starting in 2000-2001.

Auburn’s contribution came in 2003 when it became the host institution for the internal offices and the technology platform, Jakeman said.

“I want you to know, the EOA is not my project,” Jakeman said. “It’s not Auburn’s project, although it played a very important role in creating the project.

It’s really Alabama’s project. It’s a project for the entire state.”

Jakeman said his favorite pages are those about natural history.

“Alabama is such a rich state in terms of its environment,” he said.

Laura Hill, communications editor for the project, said the encyclopedia can be a beneficial source for

everyone because of the range of topics.

“If you want to be someone who can talk to anyone at a cocktail party, start going to the Encyclopedia of Alabama because it gives you something to talk about to almost anyone you meet,” Hill said.

A staff of five and one part-time member primarily run the EOA. Some future focuses for EOA include completing articles of all Alabama’s counties and incorporated cities and towns, adding a mobile app and highlighting pages that align with course standards for use by teachers.

Only 17 other states have online state encyclopedias, according to the site.

The Discover Auburn series is presented by the Auburn University libraries, the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities and the AU Bookstore.

The next lecture will feature archival prewar photographs of Afghanistan and the Pakistan frontier

by Cornelia Martin.

The lecture will be Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. in the special collections department of the Ralph Brown Draughon library.

Katie Wittnebel / Photo staff

Professor Jeff Jakeman was the featured lecturer for this month’s Discover Auburn lecture.

Campus B4

On the Concourse

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Do you think Auburn has an adequate sex ed. program?

“I’ve never heard of a sex ed. program on campus, but it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

—Joe Storrs, senior, archaeology “No, because I’ve never heard about any.”

—Desi Ingram, freshman, business “I guess not because I have no idea about it.”

—Megan Mitchell, junior, early childhood ed./special ed.

“I don’t know. I’ve never had sex ed. here.”

—Jamaal Canada, junior, sports medicine “I don’t really know. I haven’t ever been to a sex ed. program.”

—Ben Walker, freshman, aerospace engineering “I’ve never heard of the Auburn sex ed. program, so I guess not.

—Sophie Ledman, freshman, undeclared

JESSICA EPPERSON, 19

T iger Nights:

Fiesta

on the Plains TOMORROW October 22nd 7pm-midnight.

Auburn University Student Center

Inflatables Food Giveaways and Live Entertainment

featuring Diamond Rio bring cans for the Beat Bama food drive Free for AU Students with valid ID. $5 for general public.

For Event Information: www.auburn.edu\UPC or 844-4788

Feeding Auburn’s hunger for food and loveliness, this week’s loveliest is experimenting with service. As the assistant director to the Beat Bama Food Drive, this biomedical sciences major recognizes the need for feeding the hungry.

“It allows people in Auburn to have a Thanksgiving dinner who otherwise wouldn’t,” she says.

Food for the soul, Jessica.

Think you know an Auburn woman who has what it takes to be the Loveliest Lady on the Plains? Send submissions, with names and contact information, to campus@theplainsman.com

BOIL THE CAJUNS! STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (SAA) IS HOSTING THEIR ANNUAL

SHRIMP BOIL ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21ST ON THE WALLACE CENTER LAWN FROM 6-9 PM. IT WILL BE CATERED BY THE CREOLE SEAFOOD SHACK FOR

ALL YOU CAN EAT SHRIMP!

THERE WILL BE INFLATABLES THAT ARE SPONSORED BY CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES A NEW DJ WILL ALSO BE THERE THIS YEAR IT IS TO ALL SAA MEMBERS AND ONLY $10 FOR ALL OTHERS!

FREE

SO COME OUT AND ENJOY GOOD FOOD, GOOD MUSIC, AND A GOOD TIME WITH YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS!

WAR EAGLE!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Campus B5

The Auburn Plainsman

Langdon Hall to reopen Brent Godwin Assistant Campus Editor

Langdon Hall, one of the oldest and most historic buildings on Auburn’s campus, begins a new chapter of its life when the doors open again in January 2011.

According to J. Emmett Winn, associate provost, the renovations to the auditorium started with tearing out all of the approximately 460 seats and old ceiling and floor tiles, which were found to contain asbestos.

“Langdon Hall has a long distinguished history at Auburn University,” Winn said. “We’re really happy to get to use it again.”

Winn said Langdon Hall auditorium was closed several years ago because of problems with heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Work on the HVAC was completed in August, allowing renovations to begin on the auditorium.

Lecture classes will be held inside the newly renovated auditorium.

The current renovation is an effort to restore the building to its original state, as it was before it underwent renovations in 1950.

“The asbestos in the floor tile is common for a building of that era,” said Burl Sunlin, assistant director of in-house construction at Auburn.

Sunlin said it was not airborne asbestos, and it

has now been removed and replaced with new floor tile. “(The new auditorium) should be a nice, good asset for the students,” Sunlin said.

When completed, Winn said Langdon will include 310 comfortable seats, similar to those found in movie theaters.

“The old seats were small, cramped and uncomfortable,” Winn said.

“The renovated auditorium will be similar to the 2370 one in Haley Center.”

It will also feature stateof-the-art audio-visual equipment, smart boards and blackout shades to keep out light during lectures.

“Many students’ parents and grandparents remember having classes in Langdon, and I remember when they showed free movies there when I was a student in the 1970s,” Winn said.

Langdon Hall, located in Auburn’s historic section of campus (next to Samford Hall), has stood for almost 130 years as the rest of campus changed and expanded around it.

The building was built as a church and was located on the intersection of Gay Street and Magnolia Avenue, near the current location of First United Methodist Church.

At the time, students at nearby Auburn Masonic Female College used the building.

According to Auburn folklore, the building was

Contributed by Special Collections and Archives

Langdon Hall sits in sunlight in the most historic section of campus in 1883. Built before the Civil War, it was originally used as a chapel of Auburn Masonic Female College. The building’s renovations are scheduled to be completed in January 2011.

rolled on logs to its current location.

“I’ve heard that story for years,” said Tom Tillman, director of university planning. “I would say that it is probably true. There’s no one still around from that era to refute it.”

When originally moved onto campus, Langdon

did not include its brick exterior or recognizable columns.

In an 1883 photo from the Auburn University Digital Library, the building can be seen with large, steeple wood walls.

When Old Main burned down in 1887, Langdon was used to house

displaced classes, according to Auburn University Libraries.

“The building will also include a new handicap ramp,” Sunlin said.

According to Sunlin, no changes will be made to the outside of the building.

Winn said at this time he is unsure which classes

will be held in the Langdon auditorium, but that several colleges on campus have already expressed interest in using the space.

Langdon Hall renovations are being done in cooperation with the Facilities Division, Office of Information Technology and the Office of the Provost.

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Thursday, October 21, 2010

Longboarders cruise campus Colton Campbell Writer

Andrew Puente described the experience of riding a longboard in one word: “freedom.”

The longboard, a long skateboard that looks like a surfboard on wheels, has grown in popularity on campus in the past few years.

Sean Frost, senior in psychology, is happy more people are riding longboards since his freshman year.

“I love seeing other people riding them around,” he said.

Puente, sophomore in biomedical sciences, uses the board mainly for transportation.

“It’s just fun to ride around on,” he said. “I love to just cruise around campus. I’ve got a lot of friends who live off campus, so I ride it when I visit them, and it doesn’t take long.”

“Cruising” is the optimal word—Puente said the boards can reach speeds of 50-60 mph.

So it’s no surprise that longboarders have received some attention lately—mainly from one unwanted source: the police.

The website for Travel with Care, the city’s and University’s initiative for safe transportation, says skateboards are not allowed on campus or on the sidewalks downtown.

This rule is assumed to cover longboards as well.

But safety isn’t the issue, the longboarders say.

Frost, who rides his longboard to class every day, said longboards can be safer than skateboards.

“You have more control over the board,” Frost said.

“But it all comes down to who’s driving.”

Frost and Puente both started out on skateboards, but gave them up

for longboards because of safety issues.

“I got hurt too much when I rode skateboards,” Frost said.

Frost said the reason most people get stopped is disorderly conduct.

A friend of his recently received a $301 fine for riding his longboard on campus.

Puente got stopped last week, but got off with a warning.

“Usually, if I see an officer coming, I just get off my board and start walking,” Frost said.

For now, longboarding is not officially condoned by the University or city, but not all the attention on the longboarding community is negative.

Max Shoemaker, sophomore in building science, said he loves seeing people riding them on campus.

“I don’t know much about them, but I love seeing them fly by people

going down hills on campus,” Shoemaker said.

“They go fast, but it looks like they have everything under control.”

Some people see longboarding as a lifestyle, but not Frost.

“I just use it as my main form of transportation,” he said. He also said that riding his longboard can cut 10 minutes off his trip to class every day.

For anyone who wants to try their hand at longboarding, Frost and Puente give similar advice.

“Practice away from people,” Frost said. “I can’t tell you how important that is.”

However, Frost warns everyone who wants to get into the activity that it can be embarrassing when you “eat it” on campus.

“One time, I fell down in front of a full Tiger Transit bus, and my friends will probably never let me live that down,” he said.

Maria Iampietro / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

Sean Frost, senior in psychology, rides a longboard down the Thach concourse Friday on his way to class.

Peace dinner offers chance to learn about other cultures Emily Adams Photo Editor

Everyone got a “peace” of the pie at the International Student Organization’s annual peace dinner last Thursday.

The Student Center ballroom was filled with guests ready to taste food from the nine countries represented.

International student organizations volunteered to serve popular dishes from their countries.

The event was about more than eating dinner, however. The $1 donation required of attendees will go to the World Food Program, which fights worldwide hunger.

“Every year, we have a peace dinner, and from the name, you know we are trying to do something for world peace,” said Leon Qian, vice president executive of ISO and graduate student in electrical engineering. “We speak about world peace every day, but we have to actually begin

to do something. So this is something to gather people from every country and cook and invite others to come enjoy.”

Qian said promoting peace is not as difficult as it seems.

“You start by just bringing one dollar and one can of food, and if you wish to give an additional donation, you can, but by doing that you are already helping people out there,” Qian said.

Vaishali Sharda, ISO president, said the organizations tried to publicize this year’s dinner to American students.

“Especially here on campus, as many American students as I have met, they are very interested in learning about other cultures, and they really appreciate them,” Sharda said. “And even international students, someone from Turkey is learning about India, so it’s a mutual give-and-take.”

Sharda said the event was started after 9/11 to

Emily Adams / PHOTO EDITOR

Safina Hussain, graduate student in industrial engineering, serves food at the Peace Dinner Thursday. Food was prepared in traditional styles, and proceeds benefitted the WFP.

encourage brotherhood and peace.

“We encourage American students to come and taste the food, but at the same time, it’s just so there is some cultural exchange,” Sharda said.

Food promotes peace

by bringing people together, Sharda said.

“Food is the biggest representation of a particular culture, and it also tells you about the prevalence of crops in that country,” Sharda said. “Food is one thing that brings students

together because you sit at a table eating and talk and share your thoughts of that culture.”

The peace dinner is an effective way of teaching students about other cultures, said Angela Serata, graduate student in

industrial engineering.

“A lot of people come into college, and it’s the first experience they have with people of other countries,” Serata said. “I think food is a good way of introducing them because it’s something we all have in common.”

For international students, the dinner served as a way to learn American culture.

“I want to know other cultures and their food,” said Chris Yu, student in the Intensive English Program. “You make a lot of friends here and learn about their countries and languages—not just English, but you learn a little bit about Korean, Spanish, Japanese culture.”

The dinner proved that positive results come from different cultures coming together, according to Qian.

“The ability of one person may be limited,” Qian said, “but when people come together, we can make change.”

Team awarded $1.3 million for biodiversity research Maddy Hall Writer

A research team led by professors Ken Halanych and Scott Santos received a grant of $3 million from the National Science Foundation in association with the Assembling the Tree of Life program.

Of this amount, $1.4 million goes directly to the Molette Biology Laboratory for Environmental and Climate Change Studies at Auburn.

The Assembling the Tree of Life project works to design a framework phylogeny and resolve evolutionary relationships in large organism groups.

“The goal of the program is to understand the diversity of life on the planet and how the earth’s species are related,” Santos said.

“Our team will be studying annelids, or segmented worms, one of the most

abundant organisms on the planet and who have important functions in the environments and commercial enterprises.”

Presently, about 16,500 annelid worm species are recognized around the world.

The grant includes significant outreach components, including training classes to be held at the Smithsonian Institution labs in Panama and the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories.

“These organisms have crucial functions in numerous ecosystems, and some have commercial or medical value,” Halanych said. “However, we have very little understanding of their evolution or how they are related.”

Santos’ specific role is the bioinformatic.

“Bioinformatics is figuring out how to best utilize

Helen Northcutt / GRAPHICS EDITOR

computer technology to effectively analyze, store and retrieve all of the data that will be generated,” Santos said. “It is one of the fastest growing sub-disciplines in the sciences at the moment, and I encourage all undergraduates in biology and computer sciences to explore the opportunities

in this exploding field.”

Halanych manages the overall progress of the team’s work.

“My job includes determining which specific species will be examined, organizing the field expeditions, assessing progress and quality control of the laboratory work,” Halanych

said, “and making sure the work is analyzed and published in a timely manner.”

The team also consists of international researchers from Colgate University, the University of Kansas, Texas A&M at Galveston, the University of Southern Illinois Carbondale, the University of Osnabrueck in Germany and the University of Göthenberg in Sweden.

Students at each university aid the professors by working in the research labs.

“Dr. Halanych and I strongly believe that having undergraduate students involved in research contributes directly to their current and future success at Auburn and beyond,” Santos said. “This award will allow us to continue offering undergraduates the opportunity of earning real experience in a laboratory setting.”

The grant funds materials for research, the process of data acquisition and travel costs for collecting samples.

A large part of the funding is allocated for the education and scientific training of individuals, like graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at Auburn, as well as at the other participating institutions.

The team’s proposal had to pass through three phases to gain approval from the NSF, including a peer review by experts.

“We were quite fortunate, since less than 10 percent of grant submissions to NSF actually make it to the third phase,” Santos said. “At the international, national and regional levels, it furthers Auburn University’s place as a respected institution of higher learning, as well as being on the forefront of cutting-edge research.”

Intrigue

Old-school video games

» PAGE C3

DiLo: Rusty Hardy » PAGE C4

www.theplainsman.com

Thursday, October 21, 2010

C Page C1

A good kind of prick From the flu to hepatitis, there are a number of vaccines students should be caught up on this winter Miranda Dollarhide Associate Intrigue Editor

Charlie Timberlake / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Kristbjorg Johnson (left), senior in public relations, receives a flu shot from Lila Wright (right) at Walgreens Sunday.

Childhood vaccines are important in protecting children from serious disease and possibly death. As adults, it is vital to keep up with a recommended set of vaccines.

“Vaccines are important because they prevent disease,” said Fred Kam, director of the AU Medical Clinic. “The ones most people get are ones that you don’t see much, like measles, mumps, polio and chicken pox.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some vaccines are needed only once when entering adulthood, while others should be administered every year.

Amy Donaldson, associate clinical professor, said the flu vaccine should be received yearly to be effective because flu strands change every year.

As a young adult, the flu vaccine isn’t the only important vaccine.

Kam said college students should be given the hepatitis A and B; meningococcal; and tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccines.

Spread through blood, semen and other fluids, hepatitis B is

a contagious liver disease. The vaccine is administered in three doses.

Hepatitis A, like hepatitis B, is also a liver disease, but it is passed by infected stool.

Although the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended before one reaches adulthood, Kam said most children and teenagers do not visit the doctor unless they are sick, so they may not have received it.

The meningococcal vaccine protects against meningitis, a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

It is recommended by the CDC for people living in dormitories and should be administered in one or more doses throughout one’s life.

“Meningococcal is important because of close contact with others,” Donaldson said.

The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, or lockjaw, a disease causing painful tightening of the muscles; diphtheria, which creates a thick covering in the back of the throat; and pertussis, or whooping cough, a respiratory illness that causes extreme coughing. » Turn to VACCINES, C2

Big man on campus Justin Murphy is more than just another bookstore worker—he is one of the most recognizable and friendly faces on campus Alison McFerrin Staff Reporter

Maria Iampietro / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

Two kittens, Lester and Raleigh, wait to be adopted at the Lee County Humane Society.

Feral cat problem ignored The feral cats around campus are running wild, and it is up to pet owners to prevent population increase on and off campus Jake Cole Writer

They mostly come out at night, creeping around bushes and darting around lone walkers.

No student walks the campus for any length of time without seeing part of the sizable population of feral cats.

“What people need to understand is it’s a human-made problem,” said Tara Lanier, head of media relations for the College of Veterinary Medicine. “It’s the responsibility of the pet owner… not to abandon animals.”

From 1999 to 2008, the vet school ran a program

to monitor the feral cats on campus.

Operation Cat Nap, as it was called by its creator, assistant professor Brenda Griffin, attempted to control the cat population by spaying and neutering captured cats delivered to the school.

“You may have seen cats walking around on campus that are missing the tip of their ear,” said Pat Rynders, associate director of the veterinary college. “That’s how we identified them as having been through that program.”

Participants in the program not only spayed and neutered feral cats, but gave them vaccinations for

With his big smile and ever-cheerful personality, Justin Murphy embodies the spirit of the Auburn family.

Murphy works as the University bookstore greeter, but his job extends beyond just saying “hello” to bookstore customers.

“I do pretty much anything except cashiering,” Murphy said, which means his 20-25 hour per week job may include anything from stocking to

answering phones to running errands to customer service.

Murphy started working at the Auburn University Bookstore when he graduated from high school in August 2005.

“I got an Alabama occupational diploma,” Murphy said.

Because of Murphy’s learning disability, he said he prefers work over classes.

“I’d get distracted,” Murphy said. “Thirty minutes into class, I’d be daydreaming or just not even paying attention.”

Murphy quit the bookstore for a few months in the spring of 2008 to work full time at Chick-fil-A, but he was back at the bookstore that summer.

“I don’t like working in » Turn to JUSTIN, C2

rabies, feline leukemia and feline distemper.

Students also set up feeding stations for colonies of cats.

A colony consists of at least three adult cats living and feeding in proximity to each other, but they can grow much larger.

Several years ago, a graduate student checked up on feeding stations and discovered lax feeding schedules left these groups of cats without a consistent source of food.

Because the cats had grown dependent on humans for food, the inconsistency posed a serious » Turn to CATS, C2

Elaine Busby / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Intrigue C2

The Auburn Plainsman

CATS

» From C1

risk to the colonies.

That downturn in reliable participation led to the end of Operation Cat Nap in 2008.

“The problem on campus is that you’ve got a fairly transient group of people who are involved,” Rynders said. “Oftentimes, the students will go on vacation, or they graduate, and it leaves a hole in the care program.”

Now, the campus leaves the tipped cats on campus, while any new strays are taken to the Lee County Humane Society for adoption.

Cats with acceptable behaviors are placed for adoption, but some cats are just too wild, forcing the Humane Society to put them down.

“We do practice humane euthanasia here, and that’s just because we have such a bad overpopulation problem in our community,” said Stacee Peer, director of public relations and development at the Lee County Humane Society.

“That’s just a sad thing, and we always try to remind people to have their pets spayed and neutered because that’s the only way it’s ever going to get better.”

By leaving colonies of strays on campus, the vet

VACCINES » From C1

Kam said he strongly recommends adults receive the Tdap vaccinte.

“In the past, there was a period of 10 years when we weren’t giving out the pertussis part of the Tdap,” Kam said. “Now we are trying to catch up.”

Kam said the pertussis part was left out because there was a problem with it for a small period of

school not only avoids burdening the Humane Society with even more cats, but also accomplishes two important goals.

One, they introduce vermin control. Two, the spayed and neutered cats set up and defend territories from cats that can reproduce.

In an effort to control wild cat populations, students should remember that just because they can handle a pet now doesn’t mean they can in a year or even a semester.

“I try to remind college students to think about your living situation,” Peer said. “Right now, you may live in a place where pets are allowed, but I know students often have lots of transitions.”

The Humane Society has taken steps to ensure responsible ownership by instituting a stricter application process, including meetings with pet counselors, but ultimately, it is the duty of the owner.

“Nobody’s going to feel badly toward someone who can no longer keep an animal, but they do need to do the responsible thing,” Rynders said, “and the more responsible thing is to take that pet to the shelter, where it stands a chance of being adopted rather than turning it out loose.” time.

The Tdap vaccine is required once as an adult, and followed with just tetanus, diphtheria or Td every 10 years.

Other vaccines are recommended for sexually active adults, such as the human papillomavirus or HPV vaccine.

The hepatitis A and B, meningococcal, Tdap and flu vaccines can be found at the AU Medical Clinic and at most doctors’ offices.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Elaine Busby / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Justin Murphy hands out paper fans and buttons to expectant customers and fans in the bookstore on game day Saturday.

JUSTIN » From C1

the corporate business,” Murphy said. “At Chick-filA, I didn’t feel appreciated or anything like that.”

Appreciation for Justin is something that’s in high supply at the bookstore.

“He has the most genuine interest in people and who they are, what their interests are, why they’re at Auburn,” said Katie Lee, bookstore director. “He really exhibits what we want for our employees to do.”

Those characteristics are what make Murphy an ideal candidate for an upcoming bookstore project.

“We want to use him in our training materials,”

Lee said. “We really want to have a sound training program that’s consistent for anybody in any department, and we want to use Justin as an example, that this is what we want, and what we hope for, that a person will really, truly care about their job.”

Bookstore employees have also taken notice of how seriously Murphy takes his job. Andrea Cason, senior in psychology and bookstore employee, said the best adjective to describe Murphy is “helpful.”

“He helps me every time I have a question because he knows where everything is in the store,” Cason said. “He’s always cheerful,

Maple Walnut Granola Bar

and he always says ‘hi’ to me and asks me how I am.”

Murphy said his favorite part of working at the bookstore is meeting interesting people every day.

“Some of them I’m really close to,” Murphy said.

Murphy also works at Publix, usually about 10 to 15 hours per week.

“I bag your groceries, and I take them out to your car for you,” Murphy said.

Davis Darwin, Publix customer service staff, said Murphy has a great spirit about him.

“Truthfully, I’ve never seen anybody who didn’t get along with him,” Darwin said.

Murphy said he got his

Kerry’s recipe of the week

Ingredients: 2 cups rolled oats ½ cup chopped walnuts ¾ cup maple syrup ¼ cup light brown sugar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup raisins

The Auburn Plainsman INTRIGUE STAFF

BRIAN DESARRO

Editor MIRANDA DOLLARHIDE

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 8 x 10 baking dish with cooking spray. Evenly lay out the rolled oats and walnuts on a baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown, stirring halfway through to prevent burning.

Transfer to a mixing bowl. Reduce oven to 300 degrees F. In a small sauce pot, combine the maple syrup, light brown sugar, butter, salt and vanilla extract. Bring mixture to a boil while stirring. When mixture comes to a boil, remove from heat. Pour over the oats and nuts. Add raisins and stir until all ingredients are incorporated. Transfer to the baking dish and press down with a spatula. Bake 25-30 minutes. When the granola comes out of the oven, press down with a spatula again to ensure compactness.

Cool for 2-3 hours, and cut into squares.

Serves: 12

Associate Editor

work ethic from his dad.

“My dad told me, ‘Justin, if you want something, you’re going to have to earn it,’” Murphy said. “Here’s one important thing I’m going to tell my kids one day, if I ever have a family: ‘Never quit a job until you find another job.’”

Lee said Murphy loves Auburn, and she thinks that he considers everyone who walks through the door family.

Maybe that’s why he never wants to leave.

“My dream goal—I would love to see this happen one day—is somehow getting a full-time University job,” Murphy said. “I’m happy where I am, but that’s my goal one day.”

Contributed by Kerry Fannon

CHELSEA POUND Assistant Editor

Random

To reach the staff, call 844-9109, or e-mail us at intrigue@theplainsman.com

Angel’s Angel’s Antique Antique

Question & Answer If you could have one thing that would make your life better, what would it be?

I would hire someone to fix my hair and do my makeup every morning.

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Shanna Kirkpatrick junior, secondary math education

Age: 20 Hometown: Haralson, Ga. Greatest fear: I don’t want to drown to death.

Hobbies: I like to lay out, hang out with friends and watch movies Random fact: My fingernails are always painted.

There is never a time when my nails haven’t been painted.

Availability: Single

What is the best music video you have ever seen?

“I’m A Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears How do you contribute to the breast cancer awareness cause?

Me and my mom buy T-shirts and jewelry that support it. We support a group of women that do the breast cancer walk in Atlanta.

What is the best thing you have done at Auburn?

I would say going to a home football game.

If you had to wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A T-shirt and Under Armour Auburn shorts

What class are you looking forward to in the spring?

I’m going to try to take kickball.

Where do you typically go to study?

The library Who is your favorite professional football team?

The Atlanta Falcons What makes you most uncomfortable?

Excessive PDA—that is disgusting.

Have you ever had your car towed?

No, but I get tickets like it is nobody’s business.

How do you protect yourself against Internet fraud?

I don’t really think about it much, but I don’t do anything over the Internet.

What video game do you wish would come back?

Donkey Kong

Technology Thursday, October 21, 2010

C3

www.theplainsman.com

Intrigue

Gaming goes retro Old-school video game systems like the Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis and Sony PlayStation are making a comeback Darcie Dyer

are clamoring for the outdated video games of their Writer youth.

Game systems like NinAccording to fans of tendo 64, Sony PlayStation retro games, the reasoning and Sega Genesis took behind the “Retro Revival” center screen in the ‘90s is simple. by spawning a worldwide “These are the games craze and becoming an in- we grew up on and logged tegral part of our culture. countless hours on,” said The generation that so Jamison Codner, senior proudly in busimade these ness adg a m e s m i n i s t r aNew household tion. “New games names is games and now pull- and new graphics new graphing out old are great, but you ics are boxed-up great, but s y s t e m s really can’t beat you really and games, the classics.” can’t beat bringing the clasJamison Codner, sics. I don’t popularity senior, business know if back to the administration they’re betold school games of ter or if our the ‘90s. generation With the infinitely is just loyal to what we more complex world of grew up with, but either 21st-century RPG and way I’m glad that they’re Wii linked-in gaming, coming back. I’m in full it may seem strange to support.”

Other Auburn students some why young people

“

also feel the same loyalty to their favorite childhood games as Codner.

Some students find solace in the memories of the games of their childhoods, even if they weren’t huge gamers at the time.

“I’ll admit, I was a huge Mario Kart fan back in the day, but after that, the whole gaming trend kind of lost me,” said Hannah Hubbard, senior in human development and family studies. “But I’ll gladly replay some Nintendo 64 any day.”

The return of old-school video games is in part because of America’s negative economic climate.

New games cost at least $30 to $40 each.

Gamers may not be ready to give up their gaming, but they also may not be prepared to pay the high price to buy the expensive game systems and corresponding games.

“For a lot of people, I think it just makes more

Charlie Timberlake / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Mike Moody, senior in supply chain management, plays NFL Blitz 2001 on his Nintendo 64.

sense to play the old games, especially if you haven’t played them in a while,” Codner said.

“They’re as good as new, but free.”

Nostalgic gamers can soon look forward to being able to not only replay the classics, but also revisit the game with new story lines and updated content.

NBA Jam, Splatterhouse, Donkey Kong

Country Returns, Fallout: New Vegas, and James Bond: GoldenEye007 are some of the retro games scheduled for revamping and reappearance on the store shelves.

More impressive graphics, more violence and more multi-player options can be expected.

Several major publishers are planning on satisfying nostalgic gamers by releasing new games that

look and sound similar to the old ones.

New video games are being released with an art style reminiscent of the distinct old-school graphics of Sega Genesis and the original Nintendo and the same sounds that almost anyone could pinpoint.

Whether playing the old-school games or buying the revamped version of the classics, the retro revival is in full force.

OIT sponsors National Cyber Security Month Rachel Shirey Writer

The Internet is a phishing pond where students are being hooked into scams, putting them at risk for identity theft.

October’s National Cyber Security Month is used to encourage cyber safety awareness among students.

Even social networks like Facebook can put students at risk.

Mark Wilson, manager of network security in the Office of Information Technology, said Auburn University has sponsored the event for four years and has tried to change the theme regularly.

“We try to emphasize protections for your system,” Wilson said. “For instance, make sure it’s patched where you run the security updates. It’s important that you don’t

ignore those. Virus protection is not really the silver bullet that it used to be.”

According to keepitsafe. auburn.edu, last week’s theme was, “Don’t lose control of your identity to phishing scams.”

Other themes include copyright infringement, preventing viruses and being aware of what you post online.

Phishing scams try to acquire valuable information, like banking numbers, usernames and passwords, through deceptive means.

OIT will also be hosting an event to promote student awareness from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26 in the common area by the Foy Desk on the second floor of the Student Center. They will discuss safe computing and will be giving away free T-shirts.

When it comes to phishing scams, Wilson said

Stumbleupon.com suggests random and unusual websites tailored to each user’s interests. But beware that time goes by faster while stumbling around the Internet.

At cuteoverload.com, users post obnoxiously precious pictures and videos of animals being cute.

at least 80 percent of the compromises come from what they call social engineering techniques.

It involves an e-mail that encourages students to click on something that introduces malware into their systems.

“A u b u r n University, just like your bank or credit card, will n e v e r send an e-mail soliciting your username and password,” Wilson said.

Wilson said phishing scams are now at a point where hackers are sponsored by the state.

Wilson mentioned China, India, Brazil and Russia

as examples.

“These governments pay,” Wilson said. “They know that, in cyber warfare, it’s very little investment to launch cyber warfare. They are after money. They are after resources, bank account information, scams, personal information and credit card numbers.”

How e v er, Wilson anticipates phishing scams a n d other identity theft methods to get worse before they get better.

Wilson said part of the challenge with the University is the openness that comes with an academic environment that

4

Online time wasters Studying for a big test or writing that pesky senior thesis? Take a break from studying and waste some time with our top picks for the best online time wasters.

Because your GPA isn’t that important, right?

encourages learning, especially with the amount of research students and faculty do.

Students unknowingly visit unsafe websites while surfing the Web and put themselves at risk for malware and scams.

Kacey Orred, senior in collaborative special education, found herself being targeted by scam artists on a common baby-sitting website.

Orred came across a fake posting on the website looking for a baby sitter.

The posters claimed to live in Canada and that they were in the process of moving.

They asked Orred to cash out their check and wire money back.

“It seemed out of the norm when they said they were going to send me all this money and that they wanted me to send them

back some,” Orred said.

“That just didn’t make any sense to me.”

Orred reported the post to the website, and the person was deleted.

Wilson said the best way to prevent yourself from falling for a scam is to watch what information you post online.

Wilson also encouraged a unique password.

“Choose a password that’s at least 10 characters, and you have both mixed case and characters,” Wilson said.

Regardless how careful people may be, they should be aware of possible scams.

“Be wary,” Orred said. “If it seems like it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Just know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you send any personal information at all.”

Prevention is the best way to handle cyber security problems.

Cheezburger.com encompasses a plethora of websites from failblog and lolcats to the Wedinator and photobomb, all with one mission: making you laugh.

Reddit.com is a social news site where users submit content and vote on what they like.

Intrigue C4

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Ask why before you buy Customers buying products with the pink ribbon may unknowingly be contributing money to a contradictory cause Mary Gillman Writer

October may be National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but that doesn’t mean every item with a pink ribbon is true to the cause.

“Around October, which goes kind of aflame with pink, we would notice that there were a lot of corporations that would be selling products with a pink ribbon slapped on them,” said Angela Wall, communications manager of Breast Cancer Action, a group dedicated to ending breast cancer. “Because there’s no trademark on the pink ribbon, anyone can use the pink ribbon for anything.”

Breast Cancer Action created a project known as “Think before you pink.”

“Think before you pink” is dedicated to ensuring companies hold true to their word about funding research and helping the cause.

“Quite often, the very product being sold to raise awareness contained ingredients that themselves contributed to an increase in the disease,” Wall said.

The problem is neither the plethora of pink ribbons, nor further awareness brought to the disease.

BCA does not approve of companies “pink-washing” their products when many of them contain ingredients or packaging materials known to cause breast cancer.

“So we coined the term ‘pink-washer’ to refer to corporations that try to have it both ways, which we believe you can’t do,” Wall said. “You can’t say you want to end the epidemic on one hand, and then create a product that contributes to more women getting the disease on the other.”

Yoplait yogurt, which usually sports a pink lid during this season, partnered with Komen for the Cure to help donate money to finding a cure for breast cancer.

Before pressure f r o m B C A l a s t year, Yoplait yogurt, a product of General Mills, contained rBGH, or bovine growth hormone, which is linked to causing breast cancer.

“It upsets me to know that people are being taken advantage of when they

think they are doing good by donating money to the cause,” said Anne Gagnon, senior in industrial design, “but in some cases, they may not really know where their money is going.”

Wall said, as of August 2009, Yoplait yogurt went onto shelves as rBGH-free dairy.

Not long after, Dannon yogurt followed suit.

“We put a campaign together where we contacted both General Mills and Komen and said, ‘This needs to stop because this is pink-washing,’” Wall said. “Several weeks later, we got a call from General Mills saying they were stopping using rBGH in their dairy to manufacture Yoplait yogurt.”

Now, around twothirds of dairy in the United States is rBGH-free.

Pink-washing does not mean one should stop buying all breast cancer awareness products all together.

However, consumers are advised to research whether the products they buy in pink, truly are pink, and not just a marketing ploy.

Tim Simpson / PHOTO STAFF

Rusty Hardy, driver for Auburn Express Towing, tows from more than 70 lots in town.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF RUSTY HARDY Brian Desarro

the office, and I actually come in and get the office ready to be opened.”

Intrigue Editor Once he arrives at a property, Hardy While most people cringe at the said he gets out of the truck and walks sight of a tow truck, Rusty Hardy sees the lot to check for illegal cars rather it as just another day on the job. than just driving through.

“We monitor properties so we can The main problem Hardy faces on get cars parked ila regular basis is deallegally without a ing with irate car owners parking tag,” said who walk up during the I’m to the Hardy, a driver for towing process and want point now Auburn Express their car back.

Towing for the last where it doesn’t “I’m to the point now where it doesn’t really four years. bother me when some“We will hook really bother me one gets angry,” Hardy up the car, tow it when someone gets said. “I tune them out.” to the lot, then the angry.”

He said his best advice car will sit there for people to avoid getuntil the registered Rusty Hardy, ting angry about having owner comes and Auburn Express Towing their car towed is to just picks it up.” be vigilant.

With about 70 “When you pull on a different properties that Auburn Express Towing pa- property, you have to look for a towing trols, Hardy rarely finds a shortage of sign,” Hardy said.

However, if you do get your car cars to tow.

“I am on call 24 hours a day,” Hardy towed by Hardy, expect a $100 fine and said. “I am normally the first one to a trip to Opelika to pick it up.

“

The Student Alumni Board, or “SAB” for

short, is the governing body of the Student Alumni Association (SAA). The SAA is Auburn’s largest membership-based student organization with more than 3500 members. The SAB is this organization’s governing board. SAB members have a variety of job duties, ranging from event work such as checking people in at the Alumni Hospitality Tent before home football games, setting up and hosting the annual Shrimp Boil, hosting Alumni Association-sponsored events, traveling to state-wide club meetings with alumni, and planning joint community service projects with local alumni.

This large student-run group is now accepting applications!

Get involved in running a major organization, learn new leadership skills, and interact with other Auburn alumni!

lee RD. 724 Salem Al 36874

Applications for SAB are available now at

http://www.aualum.org/saa

There will be an information session

Monday, October 25th at 6:00 pm in the Student Center Room 2225 and Thursday, October 28 at 6:00 pm in the Student Center Room 2218.

The application will be due November 1st, 2010 at the Auburn Alumni Center.

$5.00 OFF Sunday Night Only

Wasting Time

C5

www.theplainsman.com

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Intrigue

Fold here

Thursday, October 21, 2010

HOROSCOPES Leo: A heated mattress pad will be the greatest investment you will ever make.

Pisces: Even though Facebook releases your private information to advertisers, causes you to not get work done for hours at a time and is an endless source of drama, you’re still on it, aren’t you?

Scorpio: Are you shivering with antici…

pation?

Taurus: Registration will take a turn for the worst when your alternate PIN doesn’t work. Schedule an appointment with your adviser today!

Aquarius: The whole “getting iced” thing is over. As in, it stopped being funny six weeks ago.

Cancer: Don’t eat the corndogs.

Capricorn: Treat yourself to that clean-sheet feeling this weekend. You deserve it.

Fold here

DOWN 1. Jury member 2. Wheel part 3. Red meat 4. Counselors 5. Not hesitate 6. Nutty confection 7. Quinine water 8. He directed marlon 9. FICA number 10. Happened to 11. Prolific author 12. Old harp 13. Invent 19. Complain 21. Toothpaste buy 25. Felt pens 26. Artists’ lifeworks 27. Dogpatch resident 28. Desist 29. Sitar tunes 30. Arafat’s org.

31. “Das Boot” craft (hyph.)

32. Island nation 33. Car metal 35. B’way posting 39. Addams family cousin 40. Least able to see 42. Worth 44. Its cap. is Quito 46. Moat 47. __ Milsap of country music 49. City in Idaho 50. Word from the pews 51. Meet defiantly 52. __ __ for keeps 53. China’s dollar 55. Tex. neighbor 56. Genuine 57. Sharpen 59. TD passers 60. Sun. homily

Aries: Remember, LSU fans are from Louisiana. Some behaviors can’t be helped.

Sagittarius: Vote Jim Jones in 2012.

Gemini: I think you are FINALLY ready for this jelly.

Virgo: Are you training for the famous Nathan’s hot dog eating contest, or are you just hungry? Really, really hungry?

Written by Brian Desarro / INTRIGUE EDITOR

TECH SCRAMBLER Clue 1: 0’s and 1’s NYRBAI

Clue 4: Sega __ SSGEEIN

Clue 2: Socket listener VRREES

Clue 5: __ security BCEYR

Clue 3: Linking device DOMME

Bonus: Beware of these Use letters from circles

Fold here

ACROSS 1. Sunblock ingredient 5. Poker stakes 10. Liniment 14. Crossed out 15. Air-conditions 16. “Only Time” singer 17. Mountain pass info 18. Choir director’s need (2 wds.)

20. Overhaul 22. __ Scala 23. Ms. Zellweger 24. Wild shrub 26. Lubricate 27. Tightrope walker 30. Dress features 34. Safari worker 35. Veer off-course 36. Right off the __ 37. Nitpicks 38. Bolshoi rival 40. Tree trunk 41. NASA counterpart 42. Kill a bill 43. Tell 45. Begin again 47. Piano performance 48. “Kidnapped” monogram 49. Petty officer 50. Farewell 53. Over there 54. Love madly 58. Some models 61. Used sparingly 62. Ambler or Clapton 63. Bandleader Count __ 64. Smelting waste 65. Belg. neighbor 66. Scornful smile 67. Fish story

Libra: Celebrity splits got you down? Just remember how less fabulous your life really is.

OCTO Instructions 1.

Place the numbers 1 to 8 in each of the octagons such that the numbers are not repeated in any row, column or diagonal.

2.

The numbers along the edges, top and bottom are the sums for the numbers in the diagonal that begins or ends at that number.

3.

The number in each diamond is the sum of the numbers of each of the four faces that border that diamond.

The numbers that border the diamonds do not have to be unique.

4.

Number of numbers provided in this Octo = 58

Fridays open at 3 Buy one get one free fajitas Music: Spiritual Rez Check www.theplainsman.com for the answers For more OCTOs, go to home.comcast.net~douglasdgardner/site © 2009, Doug Gardner — Patent Pending

Saturday open at 11 Music: Trapper Haskins and the Bitter Swell

Ages 19 & up

Intrigue C6

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Charlie Timberlake / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Matt Lally and Heather Galante, seniors in RTVF, and Danny O’Donnell, junior in RTVF, prepare for an upcoming newscast Monday. Eagle Eye TV broadcasts live three times a week.

Behind the scenes: Going live with Eagle Eye Jeremy Gerrard Writer

Going live in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Eagle Eye TV is here, broadcasting sports, news and entertainment live from the Student Center each week.

Started in 1992, Eagle Eye TV, which began as an offshoot of the University Program Council, grew into its own student organization, setting up in one room inside Foy Student Union.

Today, with the help of about 30 members and eight staff, Eagle Eye has spread its wings inside the Student Center, utilizing a studio and professional equipment to bring live broadcasts to students and alumni.

As the only television station in Alabama produced entirely by students, Eagle Eye offers three live shows each week.

Shows may be viewed online, in the Student Center or on local campus televisions, including an HD channel that was added in February of this year.

While previous systems did not allow from Auburn’s campus.

Such guests have included SGA PresiEagle Eye to broadcast live, an update installed to its system in 2009 gave it the dent Kurt Sasser and local band The Good Doctor. capability to do so.

Each show runs between 15 and 30 With this new system, Eagle Eye is exminutes, with minimal panding, taking advantime for commercial tage of these new possibreaks. bilities.

I love doing This keeps the staff “One of our goals this what I busy with stories and year was to create more making sure they have content,” said Kathryn do, though, and I enough content to fill Johnson, channel prothe time slot. ducer and junior in radio, wouldn’t trade this As one of the new adTV and film. “We went job for the world.” ditions to Eagle Eye, from just being on camPaul Stockman, “The Prowl” has received pus to having a whole HD sports director positive feedback from channel, and so we wantstudents. ed to create more shows.”

Ben Woolnough, staJohnson said that all they produced last year was news, but tion manager and senior in biomedical now they are producing a sports show sciences, said he puts in more than 35 and “The Prowl,” a show she created. hours a week at the station, and the rest The show takes the form of an enter- of the staff comes close to that as well. tainment talk show that features a variety While those who work at Eagle Eye of local news, entertainment and guests have the freedom to develop stories the

“

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way they want, the station is professional in the execution of each broadcast, making sure every detail is correct, down to each word on the teleprompter.

Woolnough said every member at Eagle Eye has become somewhat comfortable with all aspects of the station, regardless of the original position they wanted, making even the anchors jacks-of-all-trades.

“I love doing what I do, though, and I wouldn’t trade this job for the world,” said Paul Stockman, sports director and senior in broadcast journalism. “I enjoy interviewing and getting to know people, and it’s nice to interview people like Gus Malzhan because if I have a pressing question I want answered, I get to ask.”

While many of the students involved in Eagle Eye come with a background in RTVF, the station is open to all students and always looking for volunteers.

“Don’t be afraid to join,” Woolnough said. “It’s a little intimidating at first, and there are some technical terms, but it is a lot of fun.”

Sports Thursday, October 21, 2010

Football Update

Arena Grand Opening

»» Page D4

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www.theplainsman.com

D Page D1

Nick Van Der Linden sports@theplainsman.com

Tiger Bowl XLIV

After scoring 65 of the record 108 combined points in a nonovertime SEC game, the Tigers will face conference foe LSU. Both teams enter the game with identical records of 7-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play and are the only two unbeaten teams in the SEC. Most Tiger Bowls have come down to the final seconds and have often decided who went to Atlanta.

I don’t see this one being any different.

LSU, known for playing physically and winning ugly, will be bringing another stellar defense to the Plains.

The Bayou Bengals rank third nationally in total defense, sixth in rushing defense, eighth in passing defense and 11th in scoring defense.

While its defense is strong, LSU’s rushing and passing offense will be key » Turn to Linden, D2

This Week in Sports

Contributed

Samantha Clark competes at age group nationals three weeks ago.

Contributed

Robert Bedsole competes in the running portion of age group nationals.

Triathletes go the distance Sarah Hansen Writer

“Triathlon—It’s not about finding your limits.

It’s about finding out what lies just beyond them,” is a popular quote among triathletes.

The members of the Auburn Triathletes take on running, biking and swimming every week in practice.

Robert Bedsole, graduate student in mechanical engineering, is the president of the student organization.

He and other members take part in triathlons throughout the yearround season.

“People with varying interest levels are in the club,” Bedsole said. “Some people want to go pro, and others are in it just for fun.”

Auburn Triathlete

members won both the said McCurdy, graduate university male and fe- student in agronomy and male first-place titles this soils.

A mixture of running, weekend at the Hickory Knob State Park in South swimming and biking is part of the training.

Carolina.

M c Jay McCurdy C u r d y said he won the To do it runs 17 univerto 18 sity men’s right, you miles a race with a time of have to put a lot into w e e k , it. Train as much as swims 02:07:48.

5 days Saman- you can mentally a week tha Clark a n d won the and physically take. bikes 4 university Robert Bledsole, to 5 days w o m e n’s triatheletes president a week. race with a time of “ You 02:29:18. have to do everything, Bedsole said Auburn but I tend to focus on my Triathletes isn’t officially weaknesses,” McCurdy recognized by the Uni- said. versity as a club sport McCurdy started his tribecause mandatory prac- athlon career about five years ago. tices aren’t required.

“I’m trying to go pro, so “My training schedule varies from week to week,” I try to run as many races

“

as possible,” McCurdy said.

McCurdy said he got injured and began crosstraining, which led to his triathlon career.

“To do it right, you gotta put a lot into it,” Bedsole said. “Train as much as you can mentally and physically take.”

To be a member of the Auburn Triathletes, a $25 per semester charge to cover certain race fees is required.

“We looked into becoming a club sport, but it didn’t fit our needs,” Bedsole said.

Tests are being conducted to evaluate the triathlon system to determine whether it will be a NCAA-recognized sport, Bedsole said.

“The season runs from May 1 through the following end of April,” McCurdy said. “The collegiate

Bayou Bengals return to the Plains Blake Hamilton Associate Sports Editor

THURSDAY Soccer 7 p.m. v. Tennessee

FRIDAY Swimming & Diving 3 p.m. v. LSU & Notre Dame

Saturday Football 2:30 p.m. v. LSU

SUNDAY Volleyball 1:30 p.m. v. LSU

national championship will take place at the University of Alabama this year.”

Although there isn’t an official coach for the team, weekly practices do take place.

“There are voluntary coaches that lead practices in one area,” McCurdy said. “Also, everyone’s level of participation and schedules make team practice difficult.”

Clark, senior in nutrition and food science, became a member of Auburn Triathletes her sophomore year in college.

“I’ve swam since I was four years old, and I swam in high school,” Clark said.

“I decided to get into triathlons when I came to college.”

Clark was conference champion last year of the Southeastern Collegiate Triathlon Conference.

An improved secondary and fewer penalties are what it’s going to take to take down LSU. The Bayou Bengals of LSU visit Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday, entering as the only other undefeated SEC school. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof cited LSU’s offensive versatility after Auburn’s 65-43 victory over Arkansas.

“They are a very talented team,” Roof said. “You can’t really sink your teeth into one aspect of their offense and just focus on that because they do so many things well. They run the ball very well, and they have very talented receivers.”

Auburn gave up 428 passing yards Saturday and ranks 108th nationally in pass defense.

However, the defense’s forcing of three turnovers resulted in three Auburn touchdowns.

Emily Adams / Photo Editor

Senior running back Mario Fannin pushes through Arkansas’ defense during Saturday’s win.

“You note the positives, which there were some,” said head coach Gene Chizik. “You note the negatives, which there were many, and proceed to move on.”

LSU coach Les Miles’ strategy is to continue

rotating quarterbacks Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson.

His preparation for Auburn, however, has become standard among SEC coaches: containing junior quarterback Cam Newton.

“If we had a guy like Cam

Newton, he might be our third quarterback,” Miles said. “I don’t know who we have to demonstrate the skills that he has. He runs hard. He gives a blow like a fullback. He’s elusive like a tailback, and he has a great touch on the ball. He’s one

of a kind.”

And with LSU’s defensive rankings, the Auburn offense may have something to worry about. The Bayou Bengals rank No. 3 nationally in total defense and No. 11 in scoring defense.

“They’re just very talented,” Chizik said. “I think they just kind of took off from where they left off last year. They’re extremely good and very talented defensively.”

Despite Newton’s performance, which includes 860 total rushing yards on the season, senior wide receiver Kodi Burns thinks the offense can still improve its performance against LSU by eliminating penalties.

“We need to work on eliminating stupid penalties,” Burns said. “Every time we get in the red zone, we need to get six instead of kicking field goals.”

Auburn vs. LSU kicks off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and will be televised on CBS.

Sports D2

LINDEN » From D1

in this game.

The Bayou Bengals must get its running game going.

Otherwise, LSU will have no chance Saturday.

Some key matchups in the game will be LSU running back Steven Ridley against an Auburn defensive line led by junior Nick Fairley.

The Auburn Plainsman Ridley ranks second in the SEC in rushing, averaging 98 yards per game.

If Auburn can keep quarterback Jordan Jefferson from escaping the pressure and limit Ridley’s yards, the Tigers should be able to shut down this LSU offense.

Although LSU is known for its great defense, Auburn’s defense has shown signs of brilliance as well.

Auburn ranks 15th in

the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 101.7 yards per game.

The Tigers have yet to give up a run longer than 26 yards this season.

Chizik has called his defense resilient, saying they make big plays and create turnovers when it counts.

The Tigers currently have a turnover margin of plus eight and have forced eight turnovers in the fourth quarters of the last

four games.

Turnovers, fortunately, play a big part for Auburn in the series.

The Tigers have intercepted 18 passes in its last seven wins over LSU, including six in 1994 alone.

Along with the usual offense and defense, special teams should also be fun to watch.

Auburn’s special teams was nearly flawless last week against Arkansas,

but will have their hands full Saturday with LSU’s Patrick Peterson.

The junior cornerback has returned two punts for touchdowns this year and averages 21.1 yards per return.

“He’s maybe the best in the country,” said Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. “He’s extremely talented. He’s got great ball skills, he’s a good tackler and he has good in-

stincts. He’s a great player.”

Auburn has won nine of its last 16 games against teams ranked in the AP top ten and is looking for its first Tiger Bowl win since 2006.

The 2006 game was decided by a Brandon Cox 1-yard quarterback run, as No. 3 Auburn held off No. 6 LSU, 7-3.

Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on CBS.

Charlie Timberlake / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Katie Shelton / PHOTO STAFF

Sophomore midfielder Ana Cate defends the ball from Ole Miss junior Kendyl Mygatt.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Mary Coffed, sophomore forward, defends against Florida in Auburn’s 1-0 win last week.

Soccer team kicks into high gear Auburn’s soccer team returns home after two tie games for an SEC matchup against Tennessee Alison McFerrin Writer

Auburn soccer will face the University of Tennessee in Thursday’s game at the Auburn Soccer Complex.

After scoring two draws in its most recent games versus Vanderbilt and the University of Kentucky, Auburn currently stands at 9-5-2, 3-3-2 SEC. Tennessee’s current record is 7-8-1, 4-3-1 SEC. Tennessee will travel to the Plains after two losses to South Carolina and Florida.

Auburn pulled a win

over Florida last week, but also lost to South Carolina.

Coach Karen Hoppa said Sunday that the team had several things it needed to improve on in this week’s practice.

“One of the things we’ve got to work on is our finishing,” Hoppa said. “We get a lot of chances in the course of the game, and we don’t even get them on frame. We don’t even get them on the face of the goal.”

Tennessee’s coach Angela Kelly also cited the need for improvement on finishing in an article from

Youthfuloffender.com Just because you made a mistake doesn’t mean you have to carry a record with you for the rest of your life.

Don Eddins, Attorney. *Auburn * (334)821-9981 No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other attorneys.

second behind LSU in the utladyvols.com.

“We need to have a killer SEC West.

Last week, Tennessee instinct,” Kelly said. “That comes from individuals midfielder Caroline Brown w a s who need chosen to take as SEC care of We get a lot freshman fini shing soccer opporof chances of tunities. in the game, and we player the week.

There’s a S h e tentative- don’t even get them has made ness right on frame.” t h r e e now to put the Karen Hoppa, g o a l s soccer coach and two ball in the assists back of in the the net,” Tennessee currently 2010 season and is now ranks fourth in the SEC in fourth place (counting East, while Auburn is league contests only) in

“

SEC statistics in goals per match.

Hoppa said Sunday that the process to prepare for Tennessee would be the same as preparations for every team.

“We have a lot of film on them,” Hoppa said.

“We’ll watch our film from this past weekend, and compare it to the Tennessee film and create a game plan from that.

That’s kind of the process we usually go through.”

Defender Sammy Towne also commented on where she thought the team needed to focus this week.

“We’ve just got to stay

consistent in the back and make sure we don’t have any mistakes,” Towne said. “We do have a young team, so it is a little more difficult because a lot of playing in the SEC comes from experience. We’ve really go to play these next three games like they’re playoff games because we aren’t in a situation right now to be able to lose or tie.”

Sophomore midfielder Ana Cate said the team will be glad to be back at home after two away games.

“We miss our fans,” Cate said.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Volleyball returns to the Plains to face Razorbacks and Tigers Nick Van Der Linden Assistant Sports Editor

Fresh off a three-set sweep, the Auburn volleyball team (15-7, 6-4) is preparing to take on Southeastern Conference rivals Arkansas Friday and Louisiana State University Sunday.

Coach Wade Benson said Auburn and Arkansas are similar because both are trying to get back to an elite level.

“When you see the opportunity to play somebody kind of like yourself, you want to take advantage of it,” Benson said.

Five-set matches have become the norm between these two teams, including the teams’ last meeting in Fayetteville, Ark. The Tigers pulled out a tough 3-2 victory in a game that went back and forth.

Senior outside hitter Morgan Johns led the Tigers with 17 kills and a .429 attack percentage, while sophomore outside hitter Sarah Bullock recorded her third doubledouble with 11 kills and 21 digs.

“Last time, we went five (sets),” Benson said.

“It’s always gone five with them, so there is not a whole lot of love lost in this one. We’re gonna have two teams that are feisty, two coaches that are feisty, and it’s going to be on.”

The Razorbacks are looking to end a five-game losing streak after losing in Oxford, Miss.

Following the Arkansas game, Auburn will face No. 12 LSU, which is coming off a 0-3 loss at Ole Miss, and Georgia in Athens before traveling to the Plains.

Auburn last faced LSU in Baton Rouge Sept. 17,

First and 10 Helen Northcutt

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Junior setter Christina Solverson dives to save the ball against Alabama Oct. 3.

losing 1-3 after winning the first set.

Benson believes his team played well in its last game against LSU, but was physically beaten on the attack to the block.

“Last game was played at a high level,” Benson said. “It was a slugfest.

This time, we need to block better against LSU if we’re going to beat them.”

Auburn will rely on its homefield advantage to help secure the win.

During a loss to the No. 1 Gators, Benson said he felt the team really came together.

“Kelly Fidero played a good match, kept us in that match and allowed us in the third game to have a chance to do something special,” Benson

said. “Although we weren’t able to do it, we had a nice coming together.”

Junior outside hitter Kelly Fidero led Auburn with eight kills and a career-best seven digs.

Freshman setter Chelsea Wintzinger got in on the action and recorded her second double-double of the season, finishing with 14 assists and 11 digs.

Florida junior setter Kelly Murphy led the Gators with 15 kills, 13 assists, and 12 digs.

Teammate Kristy Jaeckel had nine kills, and libero Erin Flemming finished with a match-high 13 digs.

“Although the performance wasn’t marked with a victory, we did come away with a positive experience,” said senior

middle blocker Lauren Mellor.

The Tigers concluded their weekend play with a three set sweep over the South Carolina Gamecocks.

The Tigers tied a school record with 15 blocks and were led by Mellor, who had a season-high seven blocks.

Teammate Sarah Bullock finished with 11 kills and three blocks.

Senior libero Liz Crouch had a team-high 16 digs.

“We did very well blocking against USC,” Bullock said. “Our middles did a good job reading their setters and we closed on our blocks.”

The Tigers return home after traveling to Florida and South Carolina.

Meissner leads by example Brent Godwin

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The Auburn Plainsman

Quick for my first two years at Auburn,” Meissner Assistant Campus Editor said. “I must have known Women’s swim team in my heart at an early age captain Erica Meissner that this man could have didn’t like swimming the ability to profoundly when she first started. affect my life. He did just “I absothat.” lutely hated Meissner swimming for said that when my first six she first bemonths—the gan looking at only thing I recollege swimally liked was ming prothe bathing grams, Auburn suit,” Meissner was far from said. the top spot on M e i s s her list. ner’s attitude Ho w e v e r, MEISSNER changed draMeissner said matically when she won a once she experienced the couple ribbons at a cham- spirit of Auburn, she knew pionship meet. she couldn’t swim any“It was one of the first where else. times I had experienced “Auburn was my fourth success in sport,” Meissner choice at the beginning said. “My confidence sky- of the recruiting process,” rocketed, and I haven’t Meissner said. “However, stopped swimming and when I came on my recompeting since then.” cruiting trip, I was sold.

Meissner said that when “I felt this overwhelmshe was 8 years old, she ing sense that if I were to decided she wanted to come to Auburn and comswim at the collegiate lev- pete for its swim team, el for coach Richard Quick that I would not only deat Stanford University. velop into a better swim“Though I didn’t end mer, but also a better perup at Stanford, I did end son.” up having the privilege of Meissner and her teamswimming under coach mate Melanie Roberts

have been swimming to“Erica is an all around gether for almost four leader,” Roberts said. years.

Meissner serves as an “The first thing I think example to her teamabout, when I think of Er- mates of how to balance ica, is how she takes pride swimming, school and in everything she does,” friendships.

Roberts said. “She really “By just observing what epitoshe does, I mizes know she the quote sucI must have will of, ‘Exceed, and known cellence it makes is a life- in my heart at an me want style, not to do the early age that this an event.” same,” RobT h a t man could have the erts said. li fe sty l e ability to profoundly “She is also of excela brilliant affect my life. lence is studentexactly athlete who Erica Meissner, what has devotes women’s swim team earned the same Meissner amount of the title of captain of the time and energy that she women’s swim team this does into the pool, into year. her academics.”

“Our team has goals Meissner and the womthat lie beyond just the en’s swim team is gearing pool—in the classroom up for another great seaand community as well,” son on the Plains.

Meissner said. “I want to “People down here see our team excel in all speak of the Auburn Famthree areas and continue ily,” Meissner said. “It is to produce well-rounded not a myth. student athletes.”

“It is real, and it is preIn regards to swimming, cisely this family that has Meissner said the team prepared me for excelplans to reassert its domi- lence in and out of the nance in the SEC. pool.”

“

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A Plainsman Tradition: Plainsman staff members make picks each week about which college football teams will win in 10 selected games. The staff members will move up or down on the field, depending on how many games they pick correctly.

Week 8 No. 6 LSU at No. 5 Auburn No. 10 Wisconsin at No. 13 Iowa No. 14 Nebraska at No. 17 Oklahoma State No. 7 Alabama at Tennessee No. 3 Oklahoma at

No. 18 Missouri Ole Miss at No. 21 Arkansas Georgia Tech at Clemson Georgia at Kentucky No. 19 South Carolina at Vanderbilt Rutgers at Pittsburgh

Sports D4

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, October 21, 2010

MIDSEASON FOOTBALL UPDATE Injuries

Recruitment

Awards

from Auburn Undercover

AAIRON SAVAGE ■ ■ ■

MICHAEL FLINT

Suffered a major knee/ankle injury against Arkansas Oct. 16 Likely out for season Suffered season-ending injuries the last two seasons, once in 2008 (torn ACL) and again in 2009 (torn Achilles tendon).

■ ■ ■ ■

First official commitment of the 2012 class Offensive lineman Attends Oxford (Miss.) High School Received offers from Florida, Alabama, Arkansas and LSU

CAM NEWTON

SEC Offensive Player of the Week ■ Davey O’Brien Quarterback of the Week ■ Walter Camp National Football Player of the Week ■

NICK FAIRLEY ■

■

SEC Defensive Player of the Week SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week

Newton approaches TD record Blake Hamilton Associate Sports Editor

Todd Van Emst / AUBURN MEDIA RELATIONS

Junior quarterback Cam Newton currently has 25 touchdowns on the season (12 rushing and 13 passing), one score shy of Pat Sullivan’s school record for touchdowns, which he reached in 1970 after running for nine touchdowns and passing for 17.

“I’ll tell you this,” Sullivan said. “I’m pulling for him because he’s a great player, but

more important than that, he’s a great person. He’s representing Auburn in a firstclass manner, and that’s important to me.”

Newton is expected to break the record in Saturday’s game against LSU, the only undefeated SEC team other than Auburn.

Newton ran for 188 yards in Saturday’s game against Arkansas, marking the fourth time he has rushed for more than 170 yards in a game. Newton is the first

player in Auburn history to do so in three consecutive SEC games.

Newton has won SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors three times this season, in addition to other awards, including Rivals. com National Player of the Week and Davey O’Brien quarterback of the week.

He currently ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency (180.53) and 11th in rushing yards (122.9) and total offense (305.4).

LifeSports Thursday, October 21, 2010

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Sports

Water polo embodies team camaraderie Blake Hamilton Associate Sports Editor

When it comes to closeness among teammates, Auburn water polo makes quite the splash.

The seven men on the team compete across the Southeast each fall, helping each other outside of practice, as well as during.

“I really enjoy how close our team is,” said captain Patrick Gilday, senior in software engineering. “Everyone gets along extremely well, and the younger players know they can talk to the older guys about questions they may have, even if it is not water-polo related—questions about adjusting to life in Auburn or questions about school. Also, this comes into play when we are at tournaments because we all go out to eat together and hang out in between games.”

The team was founded in 1995 and joined the Collegiate Water Polo Association later that year.

Charlie Timberlake / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Sophomore set/driver Chris Rutledge looks to pass past freshman defender Zach Galvin in team practice Tuesday.

It functions as a coed club containing both a men’s and women’s team.

“My favorite part about being on the team is getting to play goalie,” said Andrew Eick, junior in mechanical engineering. “I

joined when I was a freshman because a friend of mine introduced me to the sport and showed me how fun it is.”

The team practices the heavily aerobic sport in the James E. Martin

Aquatics Center.

“As a team, we practice every Monday through Thursday,” said Chris Rutledge, sophomore in business. “We start off with a short, but intense dryland workout consisting

of both abdominal and leg workouts. We then transfer to the pool for drills, sprints and scrimmages.”

The team takes part in three tournaments in the fall—two round-robin style tournaments, in

which each team plays each other team, and a league championship tournament.

“I really enjoy playing water polo; therefore, tournaments have always been my favorite part because we get to play four games in one weekend,” Gilday said. “It would be hard to spend basically a whole weekend with the team if we did not get along as well as we did.”

Gilder said the team goes to about three or four tournaments in the spring.

The structure of competition changes with the semesters.

“They are invitational and are not part of our league,” Gilday said.

“These tournaments have teams from different areas in the country, unlike our league tournaments that just consist of Southeastern teams.”

The team’s last competition of the fall is the Southeast Regional Championships at Georgia Tech Oct. 30–31.

Photos by Emily Adams / PHOTO EDITOR

(left) The crowd begins to pour into the Auburn Arena Friday night. (right) Harlem Globetrotter Scooter Christensen balances a ball on his nose at the opening of the Auburn Arena.

Barkley, Globetrotters draw crowd at Arena opening Erik Yabor Writer

The new Auburn Arena scored with those who attended its grand opening Oct. 15.

Auburn men’s basketball great Charles Barkley called the opening of the arena “a celebration for Auburn” and expressed his fascination for the

building itself.

“That place across the street (the Coliseum) was a dump when I played there in 1981,” he said. “Clearly in 2011, it’s a dump.”

The Arena holds roughly a thousand fewer people than its predecessor (9,600 to the Coliseum’s 10,500), but Barkley said that wasn’t necessarily bad.

“Bigger isn’t always

better,” he said.

He wished men’s basketball coach Tony Barbee luck on his upcoming first season as coach.

“He’s at a big-time school,” Barkley said. “He wants to win, and he’s going to win.”

Barbee called Friday’s crowd “unbelievable.”

“You are just as important as my leading scorer

or leading rebounder,” Barbee said to the crowd. “We need you here every game.”

After the teams were introduced and celebrations finished, the worldfamous Harlem Globetrotters took the court versus the Washington Generals for the Arena’s first official basketball game.

The Globetrotters claim to have more than 23,000

wins versus 345 losses throughout its history, for a winning percentage of .986.

The team has not lost a game since 2006.

The Globetrotters have earned its name by touring around the world, claiming to have played in 120 countries and territories.

Down 73-68 with three minutes remaining, the

Globetrotters ceased their theatrics and played competitively, rather than comically, in order to avoid the rare loss.

“It was a fun night,” Barbee said with a smile.

The Auburn fans in attendance would readily agree with him.

The first Auburn basketball game of the season will be Nov. 3.

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The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Tennis serves it up at ITA Chelsea Harvey Staff Writer

The men’s tennis team will compete in the ITA Southern Regional Championships this weekend.

The team will travel to Tuscaloosa to compete against the University of Alabama.

Four players from the men’s team will be attending the tournament.

Junior Alex Stamchev, sophomore Tim Hewitt, sophomore Michael Wardell and sophomore Davis Taylor will each be competing in singles.

Stamchev will partner with Hewitt, and Wardell will partner with Taylor to compete in the doubles matches.

According to coach Eric Shore, more players were expected to attend, but several are injured and unable to compete this weekend.

Shore said the weekend the doubles at the HEB may be a challenge com- Baylor Invitational with pared to last year’s tourna- sophomore partner Lucas Lopasso. ment.

Sophomore Michael “It’ll be tough to beat Wardell last year,” has a 4-5 Shore said. record “Last year, Our longin sinTim Puetz won the term goal is gles play and 2-4 tournadoubles ment in to make the Sweet record s i n g l e s , 16 in the spring.” and he and w i t h Eric Shore, partner Stamchev men’s tennis coach N i c k won the doubles.

Mauri lWe are golo. ing to need H e a couple guys to step up.” competed at last year’s Puetz is unable to com- ITA Southern Regional pete because of an injury. and took away two wins.

As of last fall, Stamchev Taylor’s 2009 fall season stood 6-5 in singles and left him with a 1-7 record 11-2 in doubles with part- in singles and a 1-4 record ner Tim Puetz, senior. in doubles with partner This season, he was Alex Jorne. awarded week 12 on the The four will be facing SEC Honors list. several SEC rivals.

Playing in his first sea“Ole Miss is a very son, Hewitt recently won strong team,” Shore said.

“

“LSU, very strong team, and of course Alabama.

Those are the SEC teams that will be there.”

Shore said Ole Miss in particular is a team to look out for because it is currently the top-ranked team in the SEC. Shore said the team has been preparing for several weeks to take on the other competitors.

“We just had a hard week of practice last week,” he said. “We continued to work this week, and we leave on Thursday,” he said.

Shore said after this weekend’s tournament, the team will focus on improving its rankings for the spring.

“Just trying to get prepared for the spring, and, like I said, get some guys to step up,” Shore said.

“Our long term goal is to make the Sweet 16 in the spring.”

Plainsman Archives

Michael Monteiro and Andreas Mies warm up before a match.

Plainsman Archives

A female Auburn swimmer races in breast stroke form in a match last year.

Auburn swim and dive starts off with a splash Corey Good Writer

The Auburn football team isn’t the only team with championship aspirations this season.

The Auburn swim and dive team has won 14 straight SEC titles and is working on its 15th.

The women’s swim team recently came off a big victory at rival Alabama, with a score of 169-74, while the men’s team fell short in a close 133-110 meet.

Each of the four Auburn divers scored NCAA Zone qualifying scores in both the one-meter and

three-meter springboards.

The team has been preparing for this season and will try to improve every week.

“We’re going to use this fall to build a solid foundation,” said dive coach Jeff Shaffer. “We’re going to try new dives and make the corrections we need to as the season progresses. We’re going to step up and compete, build off our strengths and find our weaknesses and correct them. We’re working for that SEC title and this team has what it takes to compete for championships. We were successful

at Alabama, and we’ll build off that victory and prepare for LSU.” The Tigers host LSU at 3 p.m. Friday in the Student Activities Center, and the Auburn women face Notre Dame at 3 p.m. in a trimeet.

This will be LSU’s and Notre Dame’s first meet.

LSU held a preseason intrasquad scrimmage in September to warm up for the season ahead.

Two Auburn swim and dive team wins this weekend could help build the foundation for another championship year for the Auburn Tigers.

Check online for this week’s Coaches Corner: Nick Clinard, men’s golf ■ Hometown: Gastonia, N.C. ■ Second season with Auburn CLINARD

■ Highest ranked recruiting

class since 2004–2005