A Spirit That Is Not Afraid
The Auburn Plainsman
THURSDAY, October 29, 2009
Vol. 116, Issue 10 32 Pages
www.theplainsman.com
Spooky spots near Auburn
Graphic by Helen Northcutt / INTRIGUE EDITOR
Visit local haunted houses, hayrides, forests this Halloween weekend including Pope’s Haunted Farm, Sloss Furnace, The Netherworld, Trail of Terror By SARA WEEKS Staff Writer
It was dark. That was all she knew. The blood-curling screams rang in her ears so loudly she could not hear herself breath. The sound of heavy footsteps behind her was getting louder. Her heart was beating uncontrollably. She was almost certain it
was about to pop out of her chest and roll into the puddle of blood she was standing in. Then she saw it: a bright white light. The tour of the haunted house was nearly over. People normally try to avoid situations such as this, however, during the Halloween season something comes over them.
They desperately seek opportunities to be scared out of their wits. They have a craving that can only be cured with fear. Lucky for Auburn residents, antidotes are near. There are a number of hauntings waiting to be explored minutes from Auburn. Popes Haunted Farm, 15 miles from Auburn in
Salem, is a triple-haunt threat. With three events to choose from, visitors are bound to find a thrill-satisfying scare. The haunted hayride, themed after the movie Saw, is an exhilarating favorite that keeps people coming back for more. “We’re probably the only hayride in the country
Auburn falls to LSU, 31-10 By PATRICK DEVER Assistant Sports Editor
Auburn Tigers football lost its third straight game this season to No. 9 Louisiana State University Tigers, 31-10. LSU controlled the game from the beginning, jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. “LSU played a great game,” said Auburn head coach Gene Chizik. “From the beginning to the end, they executed better than we did, and I’d say they beat us in about every phase of the football game.” Auburn could not contain LSU’s sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson. Jefferson had the best game of his career, completing 21 passes on 31 attempts for 242 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a rushing
INDEX
touchdown and 26 yards rushing on 12 attempts. “He had a big night, he executed really well,” Chizik said. Auburn was able to avoid being shut out in the third quarter when junior kicker Wes Byrum connected on a 24-yard field goal. The once potent Auburn offense, capable of putting up more than 500 yards a game, was held to 193 total yards by the LSU defense, including only 42 yards in the first half. “That’s one of the best defenses in the country,” Chizik said Chizik said he can’t look at one guy when evaluating this game. “The whole offense right now is being unproductive,” Chizik said. “You have 42 yards of offense at halftime, you can’t pin that on one guy.” Senior running back
that you sit on a hay bail,” said owner Troy Pope. “Another twist is you’ve got the creepy music and your creeping through the woods and all of a sudden a chainsaw maniac crawls up on the wagon and things flying over your head, things you wouldn’t expect.” If that isn’t satisfying, perhaps a walk through the
haunted barn or haunted forest will be. Both of these attractions are guaranteed to be spine-chilling. “I am not scared easily,” said Krista Autrey, junior in human development and family studies, “but once I walked into the darkness of the haunted forest and was greeted by a > Turn to HAUNTED, A2
SGA proposes textbook checkout By JORDAN DAILEY Assistant Campus Editor
Rod Guajardo / PHOTO EDITOR
Defensive end Michael Goggans attempts to sack LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson in the first half.
Ben Tate failed to rush for more than 100 yards for the first time this season against an SEC opponent. Tate rushed 18 times for 67 yards. Senior quarterback Chris Todd was held to less than 100 yards passing for the second week in a row. Freshman tight end Phillip Lutzenkhirchen caught the second touchdown of his career with eight seconds left in the
News A3 Opinions A6
fourth quarter. Auburn’s special teams was able to hold LSU to zero punt return yards on seven punts by senior punter Clinton Durst. Sophomore linebacker Eltoro Freeman was a bright spot on the defense. Freeman had 12 total tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. Auburn plays University of Mississippi Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 11:21 a.m. CDT.
Textbooks may soon become more affordable for students. SGA and the Library Student Advisory Council are partnering to establish a textbook checkout program. “The plan is to place the books on reserve so students can check
a book out for a limited time,” said Bonnie MacEwan, dean of Auburn University Libraries. “I believe SGA plans to focus on textbooks for core courses, and the number of copies of each book will be limited.” Brad Cink, junior in industrial engineering, got the idea while he was > Turn to BOOKS, A2
Auburn hosts Alabama gubernatorial forum Who will be there? • Robert Bentley, Bradley Byrne, Artur Davis, Kay Ivey, Tim James, Bill Johnson and Ron Sparks Where will it be? • Student Center Ballroom When will it be? • Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.
Campus B1 Intrigue C1 Arts & Entertainment C4 Wasting Time C8 Sports D1
The Auburn Plainsman
News, A2
Thursday, October 29, 2009
CRIME REPORTS DUI Arrests in the City of Auburn Oct. 17 - Oct. 24, 2009 Kathleen M. Cassidy Hemlock Drive / West Thach Avenue Oct. 22, 1:30 a.m. Russell B. Washburn of Lanett West Magnolia Avenue / Thomas Street Oct. 24, 8:03 p.m. Caley Rae Allen of Tampa, Fla. North Ross Street/ Glenn Avenue Oct. 24, 2:55 a.m.
HAUNTED >From A1
man with a chainsaw I was never the same.” The last days of operation for Popes Farms are this weekend, Oct. 29-31. The haunting begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. Ticket prices vary depending on the number of events wanting to be experienced: $12 for one event, $20 for two events and $28 for three events. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Another local haunting not too far from Auburn is Sloss Furnace in Birmingham. Built in 1882, Sloss Furnace operated as a pig iron-blasting furnace until its closing in 1971. The Birmingham police records have more than 100 recorded incidents of paranormal activity at Sloss Furnace. According to an inves-
tigation held in 2003 by the Alabama Foundation for Paranormal Research, “There is no doubt, Sloss is a hotspot for paranormal activity. During our investigations we pulled data that confirms, through our scientific methods and approach, that energies are present that cannot be explained. Sloss is one of the most paranormally active places our team has investigated.” Many Auburn students have already made the two-hour drive to Birmingham to experience the bone chilling fright Sloss Furnace offers. “I was scared out of my mind the whole time,” said Hilary Dukes, junior in biomedical sciences. “I especially liked it because it was actually haunted; it was one of the best haunted houses I have been to in Alabama.” The tour is a half-mile trail of horror and fright.
BOOKS >From A1
studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia, and brought it back to SGA Senate’s Student Interest Committee. “At the university where I studied, I was able to avoid textbook fees for my four class because the university library provided books,” Cink said. “It made me wonder why we are forced into buying $180 books that we use once a week for homework problems or as a test reference.” SGA senators from the College of Science and Mathematics and the College of Liberal Arts are responsible for contacting individual departments within the colleges and requesting textbook donations. “We targeted these two colleges primarily because the Auburn core classes are almost entirely represented within them,” Cink said. Though letters went out last week and there has been a positive verbal response from the department chairs, Cink said there haven’t been any textbooks actually collected yet. “Depending on the response, we
Oct. 17 - Oct. 24, 2009 Oct. 17, The Exchange 300 E. Longleaf Drive – Criminal mischief reported. One video surveillance camera reported damaged.
Oct. 22, University Village 211 W. Longleaf Drive - One Kicker 10-inch speaker and amplifier, one Panasonic radio faceplate, one world literature book and one sociology book.
Oct. 17, Good ol’ Boys 1843 Sandhill Road – Larceny reported. One silver Apple Macbook Pro 15.4-inch. Oct. 19, Sasnett Residence 350 P O Davis Drive – Theft reported. One Black Raleigh Mojave 2.0 bicycle.
Oct. 22, East Park Apartments 900 Old Mill Road – Larceny reported. Seven shirts, five pants, one fingernail kit, one silver necklace, one pair of silver earrings.
Oct. 20, Glenda Avenue – Theft reported. Two HDK towing signs.
Oct. 23, 420 N. Dean Road – Burglary reported. One Jensen CD/DVD
With themed rooms, guests get to experience the panic of hillbilly hell, zombie attack and a 3D maze in fright vision. The tour takes 30-40 minutes, depending on how fast one can run. Sloss Fright Furnace is open for the remainder of October. It opens at sundown and quits selling tickets at 11 p.m. weekdays and 12 p.m. weekends. Admission is $15, but they only accept cash or checks on site. Tickets can also be purchased ahead of time at frightfurnace.com. The next haunted house featured, The Netherworld, is ranked the No. 2 best haunted house in America by Hauntworld Magazine. The Netherworld is located less than 150 miles from Auburn in Atlanta. Featured nationally on NBC’s Today Show, CNBC and in USA Today, The Netherworld is a must see. Brandon Kunze, senior
in business, made a visit last week. “The drive was definitely worth it,” Kunze said. “The scenery and special effects were unbelievable.” The Netherworld features two haunts: Blood Night and Zombie Land. The Travel Channel describes it as follows: “Man eating monsters, stomach churning make-up, mindblowing scenery. No you aren’t on the set of the latest Hollywood slasher flick, you’re in Netherworld, and in this horror movie, the victim is you!” The Netherworld is open weeknights in October from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends from 7 p.m. to midnight. It is also open the first two weekends of November from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. To avoid crowds at the box office, tickets can be purchased at fearworld. com. Blood Night admission
navigation with 7-inch monitor and one Tevue 15-inch monitor. Oct. 24, Auburn City Softball Complex 2560 S. College St. - Burglary reported. Assorted clothing items, one pair of gray New Balance shoes, one large black Northface jacket, one large black Embark luggage bag and one pair of hoop earrings. - Reports provided by Auburn Department of Public Safety
is $20 or $25 for both Blood Night and Zombie Land. If vampires or zombies aren’t scary enough, check out the nearby haunted funeral home. Haunted Hollow Funeral Home and Casket Company, located 30 miles north of Auburn in Valley, is a sure to cause skin to crawl and nerves to tingle. The trail includes a tour through the ruins of the haunted funeral home, a haunted trail and the cemetery mines maze. The excitement and rush of fear from this ghostly tour will keep guests dying for more. Haunted Hollow is open Oct. 29-31. From 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EST Thursday and 7:30 p.m. to midnight EST Friday and Saturday nights. Admission for Oct. 29 is $10, while it is $12 for Oct. 30 and 31. Admission includes a tour of all three events. All events are outdoors there-
fore operation is subjected to weather conditions. If the distance is a problem, perhaps something a little closer to home would be of interest. SpringVilla Park in Opelika turns into a frightening trail of horror during October. It features a haunted house, a haunted trail and a haunted maze. Tickets go on sale at sunset, and it closes at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and younger. Don’t miss out on this eerie adventure. The Halloween season is almost over, so instead of staying at home to watch a scary horror flick, get out and be apart of one. As spooky endeavors are undertaken, remember the wise words of Dexter Kozen, “An’ if something’ scares you and you want to run, jus’ let on like it’s Halloween fun.”
Architects host fun, carve
plan to move to a second phase to get the remaining colleges to donate text books for their courses,” Cink said. MacEwan said many students are surprised textbooks aren’t already in circulation at the library. She said the library enjoys working to address student concerns. “A good example (of addressing student concerns) is the implementation of the extended hours in the library,” MacEwan said. “None of us knew the impact of staying open 24 hours, but the students were able to work with us to pilot the idea.” Cink said the program is also designed to give students flexibility when beginning classes. “Students can wait to see if a textbook is necessary for a class and can purchase a textbook when they are certain they will need it,” Cink said. The library is counting on SGA to secure the books, which they have committed to do. The library will then cover processing costs and make the books available any time the library is open. “We’re always pleased to ... better serve students,” MacEwan said.
By ROD GUAJARDO Photo Editor
Auburn University’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction will hold its 21st annual Pumpkin Carve this Friday, Oct. 30. The event will begin at 9 a.m. when visitors can purchase pumpkins for $4. The Pumpkin Carve will feature an appearance by Aubie from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m, a student costume contest at noon and the children’s costume contest at 6 p.m. Festival visitors are welcome to carve pumpkins from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. during which face painting, cookie decorating, games and other community events will be held. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The pumpkins will be lit at 6
Morgan Thacker / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR
The Pumpkin Carve will be at Dudley Hall Friday, Oct. 30 at 9 a.m.
p.m. followed by the judging based on creativity, appearance and craftsmanship. David Frazier is the director of the 2009 Pumpkin Carve. Frazier said there are first, second and third place winners that are awarded prizes. The Auburn chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students is sponsoring the event and accepting minimum donations of $5 for the student’s carved jack-o’lanterns. “Each year there are between
300 and 400 pumpkins that are carved, lit and displayed at nightfall,” Frazier said. Michael Harrington, junior in pre-graphic design, participated in last year’s Carve. “It took me about two hours or so,” Harrington said. “I had never really carved a pumpkin on my own so I just used a collection of miscellaneous kitchen utensils.” A live video stream of the day’s activities can be seen at www.cadc.auburn.edu/pumpkincarve.
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The Auburn Plainsman
NEWS
Robot may help give sight to blind Auburn-Opelika area is No. 16 best place to start small business
A3
THURSDAY, October 29, 2009
Ellison Langford / NEWS EDITOR
Ellison Langford / NEWS EDITOR
Ellison Langford / NEWS EDITOR
Auburn students Robert Campbell and Michael Friedman demonstrate blacksmithing at the historical fair.
Children and adults alike can entertain themselves by drawing water from an old-fashioned well.
Emily Powell, 10, and Joshua Powell, 7, scrub clothes on washboards at the historical fair.
Old-fashioned festivities Syrup Sopping Day, the Lee County Historical Society Fair in Loachapoka By ELLISON LANGFORD News Editor
The smell of sausage biscuits smothered in sugarcane syrup and sweet and salty kettle corn exploding in a cauldron saturated the air at the Loachapoka Syrup Sopping Day Saturday. Scarlet candied apples contrasted the overcast morning as parents took their turns paying $2 for their youngsters to sit atop a mule as it plodded in a circle to power a sugarcane mill. “We had syrup, and Sarah rode the mules around,” said Cory Smith about he and his daughter Sarah. “I’m amazed at how big it is, I had no idea. We’ll have to come again next year.” But riding the mules that grind the cane isn’t the only attraction. There was also the Poultry Palace Trained Chicken Eggzibit. Ellison Langford / NEWS EDITOR At the exhibit, children and their parents listened to songs about farms ani- Don Stanson of Auburn feeds sugarcane into a mill at the Syrup Sop. The mill grinds the juice from the cane. The juice is collected as it runs out of the side of the sugarcane mill and is turned into syrup at another station near the sugarcane mill. mals and petted a variety of chickens. with a small child, maybe. And that’s been about 12 “I’m entertaining the And if they’re interested, years ago.” crowd and educating I’ll finish it and I’ll give it Cook said he and his them at the same time to them.” family were part of the with the Poultry Palace But while the Syrup Sop Syrup Sop because people Trained Chicken Eggzibit,” features many attractions, from Loachapoka heard said Joseph Puiszis, who the main event is the dem- about their syrup-making operated the show. onstration of how sugar- operation. They asked Puiszis said this was cane syrup is made. Cook and his family to his first time at the Syrup There are two mills at take over for the man who Sop. He said he enjoyed the Syrup Sop. Each has used to make the syrup for performing in front of the a single mule turning the the Syrup Sop, as he was large crowds despite the machine which grinds the planning to retire. chilly weather. juice from the sugarcane. Across the road from Puiszis was not the only The juice is later poured the Syrup Sop is its predeone at the Syrup Sop try- onto a series of trays cessor, the Lee County Hising to teach others. where the impurities are torical Society Fair. “I teach people, young sifted out and the water is Syrup Sopping Day kids,” said Ralph Scharp- boiled away. began in 1972 when it less of Elba. “(I) try to get Doug Cook of Beaure- branched off from the young kids interested in gard was one of several LCHS’s Fair. hand craft, doing some- people helping make the Bill Skinner was one of thing with your hands be- syrup. the fair’s volunteers. sides someC o o k “(I’m) making points, thing on said his job blades and flakes,” Skinner electronis to keep said as he used a tool to Check ics.” fire shape a piece of stone into online for the Scharpheating the an arrowhead. “Big ’uns more photos. less demtrays at a and little ’uns.” o n st ra t e d consistent Robert Campbell, a how to t e m p e r a - graduate student in adult carve wood on a wood ture and to maintain a education, was working in lathe. consistent flow of cane the blacksmith forge. A wood lathe is a device juice. “My job is to demonwhich swiftly spins a piece “My father-in-law, Jerry strate some of the things of wood. While the wood Popwell, and his father, people might not know spins, Scharpless deftly Pa Popwell, from Birming- about, educate them,” carves the wood with dif- ham, got some cane one Campbell said. “And I’ve ferent tools. time, and they wanted to done some things from Ellison Langford / NEWS EDITOR “I’ll pre-turn a lot of grow it,” Cook said. “And giving them tours of the things before I leave home,” we grew enough to where museum. A few years back Ralph Scharpless of Elba demonstrates how he uses a variety of tools to carve wood as it Scharpless said. “And what we could start trying to I ran a still for them, which spins on a wood lathe. The pieces he makes while demonstrating are either given away to children or sold to help pay for the materials he uses. I do, I’ll find somebody cook it to make syrup with. was fairly interesting.”
The Auburn Plainsman
NEWS, A4
Soot problem for Birmingham
Auburn Weekly Gas Monitor Week of Oct. 25
By DANIEL CHESSER
This week’s prices Location
Staff Writer
Regular
Mid
Premium
Shell - Shug Jordan Wal-Mart - South College Chevron - South College BP - Gay & Samford Shell - Glenn & Gay Spectrum - Glenn & Gay Chevron - Glenn & College
$2.499 $2.459 $2.699 $2.599 $2.539 $2.499 $2.799
$2.639 $2.579 $2.899 $2.799 $2.639 $2.639 $2.949
$2.779 $2.699 $3.099 $2.939 $2.839 $2.779 $3.099
Average Gas Price
$2.583
$2.734
$2.890
Last week’s average
Regular $2.402
Mid $2.543
THURSDAY, October 29, 2009
Premium $2.698
By SAMUEL SOLOMON
Sean Murphy of Lansing, Mich., attempted to set a world record for the most live cockroaches fit into one person’s mouth for 10 seconds. Murphy, a senior associate at Preuss Pets, managed to find enough room in his mouth for 16 Madagascar hissing cockroaches. Murphy said the roaches were a minimum of 2.5 inches or longer. This squashes the former record of 11 cockroaches. The Guinness World Records will have to verify Murphy’s attempt before it becomes official. Murphy said he thought his attempt to break the record would be a profitable publicity stunt for the store where he works.
A study by the Southern Environmental Law Center reported Birmingham has the most soot-filled air in the South. “Birmingham has been under the shroud of air pollution for far too long,” said Kat McCue, senior communication manger for the SELC. “The impact on residents is real because of exposure to high levels of pollution.” The Environmental Protection Agency classifies soot as particulate matter that causes pollution. Birmingham is Alabama’s largest city. It has a growing reputation for its health care with the help of Dr. James Andrews of the Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center, but it also has a history of steel production that has led to the current airpollution problem. “One of the contributing factors to air pollution in Birmingham is partly due to the vast amount of people who live in suburbs 2050 miles outside of the city limits that drive into the city for work,” said Traci Montgomery of Birmingham. “There is a lack of public transportation services and a large amount of single-passenger cars commuting into the area every day adding to the growing amount of air pollution that Birmingham is experiencing.” As is typical of many
large industrial cities, Birmingham has problems stemming from power plants and car emissions, said Cory Musuca of the Jefferson County Department of Health. “We are working closely with the EPA to develop control strategies that will apply to certain industries to reduce particulate matter,” Musuca said. Another report by the SELC lists the problems, the sources of the problems and the solutions. This report said the source of soot pollution is not only motor vehicles, but also the three old coalfired power plants that put sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere. These plants are predicted to account for 89 percent of sulfur dioxide and 50 percent of nitrogen oxide by 2012, according to the report. According to the report, one problem is that the America Lung Association ranks Birmingham fifth in the country for soot. Deposits of mercury from power plants and other sources become toxic in surface waters, according to the EPA Web site. High levels of mercury have caused Alabama health officials to place restrictions against residents consuming fish harvested from nearly 40 bodies of water in the state, including Opossum Creek, Valley Creek and Lewis
Smith Reservoir. One gram of airborne mercury can contaminate a 20 acre lake, according to the EPA Web site. The report also said more than 17 percent of Alabama teens between ages 15 and 18 suffer from asthma, a condition which is aggravated, and sometimes caused, by ozone pollution. “This is an unacceptable rate of asthma in young people,” McCue said. According to the EPA Web site, the size of pollution particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. The EPA’s Web site said it is concerned about particles that are 10 micrometers, one thousandth of a millimeter, in diameter or smaller because those are the particles that generally pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can have negative health effects on the heart and lungs. “Birmingham has to bring the three coal-fired plants into a much better pollution control status,” McCue said. The solutions in the report include reduction of mercury emissions from the power plants through state legislations, developing a long-range transportation plan and make energy efficiency and renewable energy sources a top priority.
Thursday, OCTOBER 29, 2009
The Auburn Plainsman
News, A5
Awards given at Photo XI exhibition By SAMUEL SOLOMON Associate News Editor
Local artists and photographers entered more than 100 photographs into the Auburn Arts Association’s Photo XI photo exhibition at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. “This is one of our most popular shows,” said Margaret Gluhman, exhibition coordinator. The show features 38 works by 28 photographers, Gluhman said. Frank Uhlig, professor of mathematics at Auburn University, is one of the 28 photographers. Uhlig said he has been interested in photography since he was 10 and has entered in contests as far
Rebecca Croomes / PHOTO STAFF
Rachel Little, freshman in fine arts, views the photograph, “Swimmers,” taken by Christy Stanfield at West Point Military Academy.
away as Delaware. Uhlig said he looks at the top 30 percent of works to see which trends
are popular. “I look for what startles me,” Uhlig said. Christy Stanfield, who
received a jurors award last year, had one entry, called “Swimmers,” this year.
Auburn area ranks top 20 By BRIAN DESARRO Staff Writer
The Auburn-Opelika area is ranked No. 16 on cnnmoney.com’s list of best small places to launch a business. The list, which included cities from across the country, cited the University and muted effects of the recession as key factors contributing to the area’s high ranking. “There are three key factors that we recognize every time,” said Mayor Bill Ham. “First would be Auburn University and everything it brings to the community, second would be our public school system and third would be the people and the quality of life.” Ham attributed most of the credit for the ranking to members of the community, citing a sense of “involved citizenship,” meaning residents value the quality of education and what it means for their families. To aid small businesses with any problems that may arise, the University sponsors the Small Business Development Center. Director of the SBDC, Jackie Di Pofi, said there are a lot of factors that make the
Auburn-Opelika area attractive on a national level. “We are a small town that has the benefits of a small town, but we are close to Atlanta, the beaches, New Orleans and Nashville,” Di Pofi said. “So it’s just a great central place to live as well as an environment of warm, receptive people and interesting things to do.” Gus Clark, owner of Fine Wine and Beer by Gus, said he opened his store because of the rapid growth he saw in the area. “There’s a lot of room and a lot of need for businesses,” Clark said. “It’s easy to have a niche market due to the fact that there isn’t much here.” The Auburn-Opelika area had 2,231 small businesses total in 2007, with the average for small metro areas being 3,516 nationally, according to cnnmoney.com. The small business growth rate for the area in 2007 was 11.9 percent, while the average national growth rate for small businesses was 4.1 percent. “The city focuses heavily on quality of life issues within the community,” Ham said. “We do a citizen survey annually by a national company that tests
Morgan Thacker / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR
Auburn’s downtown streets are lined with boutiques such as Therapy and bars such as 17-16.
the city against its peers, which are predominantly other university communities.” However, there are some downsides to owning a small business in the area. “One of the downsides to the area would be the customer base is constantly in and out of town,” Clark said. “That a little
difficult to hold onto.” According to cnnmoney. com, another downside is the lack of public transportation. “Everything is a mixed blessing and we are a small town,” Di Pofi said. “Some people are used to a much faster, more exciting or more available choices in things.”
Darkness, silence cause hallucinations By ADAM SMITH Staff Writer
The results of a study conducted at University College London said when a group of people are placed in a dark, silent room, many start hallucinating after just a few minutes. The study, which was published in the “Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease,” attempted to differentiate the subjective experience of different people undergoing sensory deprivation, depending on how predisposed they were to hallucinating. Celia Morgan, a research fellow at the university, described the process of the investigation.
Morgan said participants were first given a questionnaire to determine psychotic personality expressions and other unusual perceptions. From the results of the questionnaire, researchers selected two groups, those who were more prone to hallucinations in daily life and those who were not. None of the participants were institutionalized or mentally disabled. They were all members of the normal population. The selected participants were then closed inside an anechoic chamber, a room designed specifically to eliminate all light, sound and echoes. “(Sensory deprivation chambers) are used to
study thinking, emotions, memory and so forth when there is minimal environmental stimuli,” said Peter Suedfeld, psychologist at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver who has done research on sensory deprivation for 30 years. Participants in UCL’s study rated their expressions before and after 15 minutes in the chamber. “Hallucination-prone people had weird experiences,” Morgan said. However, even some of the participants who were not prone to hallucinations still had unpleasant experiences in the quarter hour they spent in the chamber, Morgan said. “Healthy people can get
hallucinations under sensory deprivation,” Morgan said. “They experienced less (perceptual distortion) than hallucinationprone people, but still experienced some.” Morgan, who has done research on hallucinogenic drugs, noted the similarity in hallucinations produced by drugs and those produced in the anechoic chamber. “What we saw for sensory deprivation hallucinations is that when there’s not information coming in (the brain),” Morgan said, “our brain predicts what’s supposed to be there. For the complete story, go to www.theplainsman.com
“I enjoy seeing how my work stacks up against others,” Stanfield said. John B. Shadrick and Hank Siegel, award winners from previous shows, traveled from Birmingham for their fifth awards reception. “This is a good regional show with good competition,” Shadrick said. Shadrick’s work, “Harvest Corn,” won a $100 merit award. Siegel’s work, “Door #15th Avenue West,” won the purchase award. The photograph will become part of the Auburn Arts Association’s Collection of Works on Paper. Siegel described his work as a possible entrance to the “swankiest
crack house in Birmingham.” The photo is of a brightly colored door, which comes from a “questionable” neighborhood in Birmingham, Siegel said. The exhibit showcased several types of works, including digital prints, computer-generated works, gelatin prints, giclee prints, pigment prints, archival pigment prints, digital raw images and others. “It’s one of our favorite shows, and it is different every year,” said Sara Hand, cultural arts director for Auburn’s Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center. The photo exhibit is on display until Nov. 30.
COMMENTARY
A6 Thursday, October 29, 2009
THE AUBURN PLAINSMAN EDITORIAL BOARD Cliff McCollum
Lindsey Davidson
Natalie Wade
Opinions Editor
Editor
Managing Editor
Ellison Langford
Rod Guajardo
Abby Albright
News Editor
Photo Editor
Sports Editor
Brittany Cosby
Ben Bartley
Helen Northcutt
Campus Editor
Copy Editor
Intrigue Editor
Kevin Saucier
Tom Hopf
Andrew Sims
Multimedia Editor
Business Manager
Online Editor
OUR VIEW
Celebrate Gay Pride Week: stop second-class citizenship Adam Cooner We’d like to begin by congratulating the Auburn Gay-Straight Alliance on a successful first-ever Pride Week here on The Plains. We hope this is the start of a long standing tradition to help highlight the issues and problems facing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and will help to bring more knowledge and good will to this campus. We wish we could write a glowing editorial about the positive things going on in this nation for the LGBT community, but we do not live in a time where such good things exist. Instead, we live in a time where the LGBT community stands as a group set apart, a group not endowed with the same rights and benefits of citizenship that should be given to every American. Nineteen states have banned gay people from being married. Only four states currently allow gay marriages to be performed, as New Hampshire’s law allowing gay marriage does not come into effect until 2010. Several have written laws to keep gay parents from being able to adopt children. Insurance privileges and other financial incentives given to other Americans aren’t always extended to gay couples. Gay men aren’t allowed to donate blood. Members of the LGBT community can serve their country in the Armed Forces, but only if they stay quiet about who they are and what their orientation is. If word gets out, even the best soldiers are immediately released from duty. What is wrong with this picture? In this country, aren’t we supposed to be a nation of equals under the law? Aren’t we all supposedly endowed with rights and freedoms that cannot be taken away? The gay community has become a community of second-class citizens, and is being treated by our government as a group that is somehow less than or inferior to other groups. Perhaps we favor a broad interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment, but when it says “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States,” we take that statement at face value. By reading it in such a fashion we assume it means that no state should have the ability to deny any privileges of U.S. citizenship to its citizens. The last time we checked, being gay didn’t disqualify you from being an American, so we have difficulty understanding how things like marriage bans and “Don’t ask, don’t tell” are allowed to happen. Due to the passage of Proposition 8 in California, there now exists a real example of truly unequal rights.
Gay couples who married before Prop. 8 took effect still have valid marriages, recognized with full legal rights. Those citizens who chose not to marry during that time are simply out of luck, unable to have their love and commitment recognized by the state. At it’s core, Prop. 8 was a vote by a small majority of voters that took away legal rights of a group of citizens. How is this possibly legal? Haven’t we seen this before? They may have been called Jim Crow laws, but the sentiment feels largely the same. Honestly, we think the state may just need to get out of the marriage business. If the government can’t figure out to treat everyone with the same rights and privileges, it goes against the ideals of equality we try to preach around the world. Let’s end the hypocrisy. Of course, the gay rights issues are not really legal issues. If the argument is fought on legal grounds, the positions against gay rights become hard to defend. That’s where the moral argument comes in. By arguing religious beliefs and tenets as absolute legal facts, by tossing out words like “decaying family values,” “sanctity of marriage” and “Sodom and Gomorrah,” hate becomes legislation. With the divorce rate being what it is, isn’t the “sanctity of marriage” a contradiction in terms? Do we really want our government acting as a force for morality? Aren’t they usually the poster children for immoral behavior? Moral debates and moral issues belong in our churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship, not in the halls of our statehouses. Our government offices have enough to do without trying to legislate personal morals. There needs to be vigorous debate in this country on these issues. We need to examine ourselves and our positions to see what we think, how we feel and why we think that way. All we know is that laws and policies that put some of our friends and loved ones at a lower level than us can’t be full right. If a couple wants to adopt a child and raise them in home filled with love and warmth, what does it matter if they are gay or straight? If people wants to serve his or her country in the armed services to fight for the freedoms we all enjoy, why does who he or she sleep with matter? If two people love each other and want to commit the rest of their lives to one another, does their sex really matter? It doesn’t. And it shouldn’t any more.
Staff Column
Shared secrets bring togetherness “I’m happy I can’t afford groceries because it’s making me lose weight.” “I’m afraid there will be nothing outstanding or interesting to say about me in my obituary.” “I’m not making friends in college because I spend Friday nights on Facebook remembering friends from home.” Last Thursday, two of my best friends and I went to a PostSecret event at UAB. For those of you unfamiliar with PostSecret, it’s an ongoing community art project that began in 2005 thanks to Frank Warren. People mail in their secrets anonymously on a postcard, and then select secrets are posted on the Web site or displayed in the books or exhibits. I accompanied my friends to the event because, honestly, I had nothing better to do that night. I have seen the Web sites and heard the stories about PostSecret, but I never understood what it meant to some people until I witnessed secrets being revealed in front of hundreds. As I sat in the audience, listened to public “thankyou’s” directed to Frank Warren: “Your Web site has saved my life”; “I don’t know what I would do without PostSecret.” Of course the concept
Morgan Thacker photo@theplainsman.com
is entertaining, but is it actually life-saving? I was apprehensive until I looked deeper into the secrets. I realized some were ideas I have considered or emotions I have felt before that I wouldn’t reveal to just anyone. Warren said he has been referred to as “The Most Trusted Stranger in America,” even when his mother dubbed his idea of PostSecret “diabolical.” Anonymously revealing to strangers the one thing you normally wouldn’t tell anyone could be used as a form of therapy. The sense of community and relief felt when identifying with the secrets of others could be considered therapeutic as well. I might not be speaking for everyone, but I know that holding in a secret can sometimes cause more pain than the secret itself. So, what could be better than releasing it with no consequences? Although PostSecret is a convenient method of venting about secret dis-
appointments or insecurities, that doesn’t mean everyone is willing to take the time to scribble their secrets on a postmarked square of cardboard and send it across the country. If you don’t feel like taking the time to record and mail your secret, then read all of the other secrets; I guarantee you’ll find one that you can identify with. And it’s possible you’ll find one you thought was exclusively your secret. PostSecret allows us to hear unheard voices and read unheard stories. Each secret comes from a unique situation, but seeing a secret that is shared between you and one other random person in the world can provide you with a peace of mind in knowing that you are not alone. You will be bonded with your secret sharer in an understood feeling of togetherness. In fact, the word “secret” in Hebrew means “come closer.” My favorite secret that I came across this weekend was on a photo of a pregnant woman with a globe painted on her stomach. The secret states, “We’re all so connected, I desperately wish we knew it.” Morgan Thacker is associate photo editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach her at 8449109.
Send us your letters, rants, complaints and raves at
opinion@theplainsman.com We are an open forum for you, our readers, and appreciate any views you would like to share with us.
OUR POLICY The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages. These unsigned editorials are the majority opinion of the twelve-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 Auburn Student Center Suite 1111H Auburn, Ala. 36849 844-4130 or 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.
A7
COMMENTARY
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Always striving to do better
Lindsey Davidson editor@theplainsman.com
As a media and the campus’s main source for news, we strive for accuracy and expediency. There is a level of credibility that must be met as well in order for respect to be gained from readers. News groups, especially newspapers, have to establish an intimate relationship with their readers in order to survive in these days of change. You get to know us as writers individually by our columns. You know us as a whole by our articles, photos and videos. The editorials give our
readers a chance to see into the staff ’s collective opinions. Reminder: those should not be taken as facts. We strive to have unbiased articles and cover all newsworthy aspects that are relevant to our readers. We had an incident two weeks ago where a writer plagiarized in a news article. He fabricated a quote from the governor’s press secretary. Our apologies again to those affected. Along with trying to serve the students, faculty and staff, we pride ourselves on the transparency of the work we gather, edit and publish for the community. Mistakes are made and we acknowledge and take credit for our errors. I also notice the threat of credibility, and that is why honesty overrides embarrassment. Newspaper readership is at a record low after a recent report.
The Audit Bureau of Control released Monday that only 13 percent of the population reads a physical paper. That means we are only reaching 3,400 of the Auburn students, according to the statistics of that report. Every reader should know we serve him or her, as does every newspaper to their audience. Blogger Paul Gillin wrote about the decline and rebirth of the newspaper industry. He said the changes will make traditionalists uncomfortable. He describes how the move to new media will replace the physical paper and the impact of multimedia and the Web. Regardless of the new developments, the habitual readers should be relieved knowing some things will never change. Content should and will always drive any media, whether it is a newspaper or a televi-
sion station. No matter the alterations we are making at this paper, we are concentrating on the content. It is a learning experience for all of us to embrace the inevitable while keeping the overall goals in sight. Media can’t afford to fall short with informing inaccurately and unfairly. Readers claim they don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. They are not sure if they can trust their news source. If you have questions about our articles or our judgments, ask. Any staff member would be willing to explain their position. We have been making changes, but the readers have been our No. 1 priority. Trust us. We are here to serve you. Lindsey Davidson is the editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach her at 844-9021.
“I am not scared easily, but once I walked into the darkness of the haunted forest and was greeted by a man with a chainsaw I was never the same.” -Krista Autrey, junior in human development and family studies on her experience at Pope’s Haunted Farm
Last week’s question: “Are you a fan of organic personal lubricants” >Yes: 62 percent > No: 38 percent
This week’s question: “Should gay marriage be legalized?” >Yes > No Go to www.theplainsman.com to vote.
Your View
Outgoing dean corrects last week’s article Editor, The Auburn Plainsman I am writing to indicate that the headline “Reaccreditation Causes Dean to Retire” in a front-page story of the October 22 Plainsman was a misrepresentation of a well-written and accurate article by Mr. Blake Hamilton. As the focus of the story, it is to be noted that I am not “retiring,” but plan to step down as Dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics and to continue to devote my time to Auburn University by returning to teaching and research as a professor of chemistry and biochemistry. Furthermore, for the headline to suggest that I was leaving my position because of reaccreditation implies that I was backing away from the responsibility. On the contrary, COSAM is in an excellent position for its role in the University’s reaccreditation, but I did not see myself as Dean in 2013 (4 years from now), when the on-site evaluation will occur, and believed that it would put my successor at a disadvantage to take on such a crucial process without the option
of being involved in the early data gathering and analysis steps with a vision to the future. With that said, I regret that more care was not taken in reading Mr. Blake’s article in determining a more appropriate and descriptive headline to accompany it. Similar quality control should have been accorded the name associated with the photo that was associated with the article. Stew Schneller Dean, College of Sciences and Mathematics Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry
SGA President urges students to continue support for football team Editor, The Auburn Plainsman Friends, I heard a story yesterday that I felt is worth sharing with you all.
In the heat of the battle against LSU on Saturday, Kodi Burns took a shot to the chin that cut open his lip and knocked out two of his teeth. Kodi came to the sidelines with the teeth in his hand. The trainers sewed his mouth up, wiped off the blood and Kodi went right back in the game and ran the ball as hard as ever. He never quit. The game was a tough, tough loss, but none of our players ever quit. They scored their only touchdown of the night on the last play of the game. One thing I noticed was that the LSU student section got there early, stayed late and made a lot of noise until the very end. They made the difference for their team. We play Ole Miss on Saturday in a game that we need to win to become bowl eligible. Between now and Saturday, you might see signs or stickers that simply say “11:21, be the difference.” We had those signs and stickers made to remind all of you that kickoff is early on Saturday. It’s at 11:21 a.m. and you need to be there to “be the difference.” We need to get there early, stay late and be loud to show our team we are behind them no matter what. This season is not even close to being over.
There are some big games left that we can win, but we need your help to give our team the home-field advantage that Jordan-Hare Stadium has always been known for! 11:21. Get there early. Stay late. Be loud. Be the difference. War Eagle! Jacob Watkins SGA President
‘Thanks’ from Iowa State Editor, The Auburn Plainsman As an Iowa State fan I want to thank you for taking our football coach last year. You were also kind enough to send us one of your assistants to be our new head coach. He has done an incredible job at Iowa State. We are currently 5-3 after winning at Nebraska last weekend. Good luck with the rest of your season – you will surely need it. Jim Hogan Aimes, Iowa
Staff column
Excuse me, sir, but where do you get off? Rod Guajardo
photo@theplainsman.com
There’s nothing quite as irritating as someone interrupting you whilst you’re trying to be professional and do your job, unless the person causing said interruption is accusing you of theft with no evidence, reason or manners. Let me put you in my shoes. It is the second quarter of the Auburn versus Kentucky game. I am kneeled down on the sidelines to the right of the Auburn bench. The Auburn offense is in
the red zone attempting to put some points on the board. As I shoot Ben Tate rushing through the Kentucky defense, I feel a tap on my left shoulder. I look up to find a member of the Auburn coaching and athletics staff with a look colder than the weather inside Jordan-Hare. Those of you who attended the game you can understand the logic of my dress: a thick jacket, three layers of shirts, jeans and an Auburn Under Armour beanie. I stared at the staff member expecting to be told that I need to move behind the designated lines painted on the field for press, photographers and videographers. I looked down and confirmed that I was clearly
behind the restricted lines. As I looked back up, I saw the meanest mug I have seen outside of The Plainsman office. “Did you pick that hat up off the ground?” the distraught staff member asked me. “No, sir,” I replied. “Well, it’s just that this girl dropped her hat, and we can’t find it,” he said. Freeze frame. At that point, a million things are running through my mind, the majority of them being to apathetically respond with, “And…” Why am I being interrogated for someone else’s mistake and carelessness? Why is this man whose only thought process for even beginning to accuse me had to be, Well, he is wearing a hat.
“Well, I’ve been wearing this the entire game,” I replied, as I looked around trying to find someone I knew who could vouch for my attire. “OK,” the man tells me as he appears to be satisfied with my response, turns to walk back to not doing his job, and I turn around to mine: my camera. Then, I hear a very faint “Well, where did you buy it?” Wow. It’s not enough he could have made me miss the biggest play in Auburn football history, due to his irresponsible staff not being able to hold on to their belongings, but this is where the line is crossed. Looking back on the situation, I should not have answered his question.
Why would me telling him the name of the store solve anything at all? Alas, the scared naïve side of me came out as I envisioned the result of my actions, just as Cory Matthews taught me to do as a young lad. “The Haley Bookstore,” I said. “OK,” the staff member said as he walked away. The incident continued to swirl through my mind that night and still does every time I return to an Auburn football game. I am aware that I am no big time photographer with bags of equipment worth more than some cars on campus, but I take my job seriously. While I do miss being squished in the student section like sardines with my Auburn family, as we cheer our voices off for a
team that is trying to live up to our expectations and bring us back to being the dominant SEC team we once were, not even Antonio Coleman could pry the press pass from my hands. There is no better feeling than capturing every moment of this Auburn team on its way back to the top and sharing it with the Auburn faithful. It would be irrational of me to associate one ignorant staff member with the entire Auburn athletics department, which is why I am not. All I ask for is the same amount of respect and professionalism in return. War Eagle. Rod Guajardo is the photo editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach him at 844-9108.
The Auburn Plainsman
NEWS, A8
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
ARM lends a hand to families By HELEN NORTHCUTT
Mrs. Battle who is confined to a wheelchair from Staff Writer MS,” Word said. “Her deck was in really bad shape, In honor of Make a Dif- and she was having a reference Day, Oct. 24, resi- ally difficult time getting dents from Auburn and in and out. We tore off the surrounding areas put old deck and put in a new together projects to help one with a wheelchair under-served families in ramp, so her and her famthe community. ily can easily enter and exit “We have been working the house.” on seven projects today,” Battle said she could said Carla Reddle, con- not afford a new deck and struction coordinator for ramp. Alabama Rural Ministry. Battle said after Hur“Make a Difference Day ricane Katrina hit she has been pretty big. We thought there was no decided to go on a blitz hope she would ever get and just mainly do roofs her house repairs accomand ramps. We have work- plished. ing on two different roofs Reddle said the project and two different ramps, has taken only two weeks along with a group of to set into motion. university students from “A friend contacted Tuskegee have been work- them for me and then ing on three other projects Carla called me and I was that don’t involve roof or amazed to get her call,” ramps.” Battle said. “When I found ARM tries to arrange out they were going to service projects for low- build me and my family a income people who are ramp I couldn’t help the not be able to afford home tears. It means a lot, the repairs, said Brad Word people are friendly and lovwho is on ARM’s board of ing and they mean it from directors. bottom of their hearts, and “Our mantra is warm, I just really can’t describe safe and the feeling. dry,” Word It’s overCheck said. “So, whelming.” we work Reddle online for on roofs, said Battle’s more photos. d o o r s , issue was windows, one of safed e c k s , ty and she steps and ramps so people felt her team could easwill be able to stay in their ily help meet the Battle’s homes.” needs. Vicki Battle of Nota“We have wonderful sulga, a victim of multiple people here that are willsclerosis, is 75 percent ing and loving and that crippled. Battle is also can do what needs to be confined to a wheelchair done,” Reddle said. “Mrs. because of a recent hip Battle needed this badly. surgery. If she can’t get down those Battle’s home lacks the stairs and something is necessary safe ways of happening to the house entering and exiting the then it is not a good situhouse. ation. We are trying to get “Today we are helping this ramp up as soon as we
Ellison Langford / NEWS EDITOR
Carla Waldrop hammers a nail into a board while her husband, Mark Waldrop, holds the board steady. The two are part of a group who helped build a new deck for the Battle family in Notasulga.
can so that it is safe for her to live here.” Mark and Carla Waldrop volunteered to build the Battle’s ramp and said they have learned there are people that need help and there is always somebody in a worse situation. “We love participating in missions all over the world, but home missions are our heart,” Carla said. “We love to help people in the community that are in need because we don’t realize we have people that are right in our backyard that need help. There are a lot of people like the Battles that need help and don’t have any support.” With the completion of her new ramp set for a couple of days, Battle is thankful and excited to be able to venture safely outside her home. “I couldn’t sleep all night,” Battle said. “It was like Christmas in October. I’ve been having such a good day. I didn’t know
Ellison Langford / NEWS EDITOR
Brad Word measures and marks a board to help build a deck for the Battle’s home.
I was going to be up this late, but I feel great. Just going on adrenaline.” In 2008, three million people cared enough about their communities to volunteer on that day, accomplishing thousands of projects in hundreds of towns, according to the
Robot simulates sight for blind By SAMUEL SOLOMON Associate News Editor
About 314 million people worldwide are visually impaired, and almost 45 million of those are blind, according to the World Health Organization Web site. But one little robot might be able to lend a hand in bestowing the gift of sight. Its name is Cyclops, and it is the brainchild of scientists at the California Institute of Technology. Designed as a test platform for artificial retinas, the retinal prosthesis allows the robot to have the visual experience of a person using a retinal implant. “How do you approximate what the blind can see with the implant so you can figure out how to make it better?” is the question posed by Wolfgang Fink, a visiting associate professor in physics at Cal Tech. This is the question researchers hope Cyclops can answer. “The idea is we use the Cyclops platform in lieu of the blind subject,” Fink said. Few people worldwide have received retinal im-
Contributed by the California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology’s ‘Cyclops’ platform.
plants, keeping researchers limited. “A sighted person’s objectivity is impaired,” Fink said in a press release. “They may not be able to get to the level of what a blind person truly experiences.” The robot applies image-processing algorithms which creates a heavier contrast and allows the robot to differentiate a white wall from a darker doorway, Fink said. “Just by pixilating images and looking at them with a healthy eye does
not approximate what a blind person is experiencing,” Fink said. “Therefore, using a machine we get a lot closer to that goal because we can dictate what the machine can use for its navigational input.” Now Cyclops is controlled via joystick. “The missing link is to get rid of the joystick and have the robot control itself,” Fink said. While Cyclops is not yet at the stage of independent movement, the theory is that it will recognize an obstacle or door-
way through its camera and translate that data into a navigational command, which will move itself around the object and through the door. At that stage, it will not only help the visually impaired explore the sights of the world around them, it may discover the surface of planets on its own. Research is also being conducted on using the Cyclops as a testing ground for autonomous planetary exploration, Fink said. Robots could use scientific algorithms to discover interesting geological targets or anomalies on other planets and move toward them to further investigate. “It plays hand in hand; it is a multi-purpose platform,” Fink said. Fink also said eventually lenses could be fitted with infrared cameras allowing people with artificial retinas to see at night or through dense fog. “The idea is to enhance algorithms and to push the field of image processing to the point that is can be useful for implants and to arrive at the point where they allow independent mobility for the blind,” Fink said.
Make a Difference Web site. “The projects are as much fun for the workers as they are for the family,” said Deborah Stabler, volunteer for Make a Difference Day. “We have had a good time being together, coming in and talking
with each other. Some of Mrs. Battle’s neighbors are out there helping build the ramp. She never met them until today, but we are all neighbors in the community. Just to be able to meet somebody, meet a need and have a great time doing it has been a lot of fun.”
The Auburn Plainsman
CAMPUS
Ask a Professor Photo of the Week On the Concourse
B
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
Students flock for a fright
Photo Illustration by Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Ashley Duram uses a sharpened tool to operate on her victim, Brady Duram, in the amputation room of Omega Tau Sigma’s haunted house attraction.
Omega Tau Sigma, professional veterinary fraternity, hosts haunted house for students on campus By MARY-GLENN SMITH Staff Writer
With Halloween quickly approaching, students around Auburn are searching for costumes ideas, planning parties, carving pumpkins and anything else to get prepared for this spooky holiday. Many people will also be out and about looking for place to find a good scare at a local haunted house. “I like good haunted houses around this time of year,” said David Bailey, senior in environmental sciences. “I think haunted houses are a good place to for a guy to take a girl on a date; since they are scary they give you a good reason to get close.” While most of the Halloween festivities won’t be kicking off until this weekend, Omega Tau Sigma started things off early by
Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Megan Allred reaches past the bars while gripping a bloody knife to grab students in the jail room.
hosting a haunted house Friday night. Auburn’s professional veterinary fraternity turned its usually peaceful abode on Wire Road into a house of horror for one
night for visitors to come enjoy for only $6. Omega Tau Sigma also accepted donations of canned food at the door for the “Beat Bama” food drive. With a can of food,
attendees received a dollar-off discount. In between studying and going to class at the Vet school, members of Omega Tau Sigma worked all week to make the house
Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Alex Favreau crawls over the couch as Samara from The Ring.
look as scary as possible. “The whole week before we worked to get everything ready,” said Casey Eckert, first year veterinary student, “Everybody went up there and worked
hard getting all the rooms ready; with a lot of help we got everything finished.” The members also took part in the haunted house by playing spooky characters and scaring visitors as they traveled throughout the house and yard. “I played the girl from ‘The Ring,’” said Alexandra Favreau, first year veterinary student and Omega Tau Sigma member. “I hid behind the couch and crawled out from the television at people.” The haunted house was full of terrifying attractions: an amputation room, a rabies room, a pain clinic, a jail and more. “I thought the haunted house was tons of fun,” Favreau said. “I liked the headless horseman and the pain clinic acts the most.” The vet students tried > Turn to HOUSE, B2
Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Casey Eckert poses as the Headless Horseman on a horse named Shadow.
Printed on Recycled Paper
The Auburn Plainsman
CAMPUS, B2
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Caribou Coffee finds new home By BRITTANY COSBY Campus Editor
Move over Starbucks, there is a new coffee shop on campus. Students filtered into the Ralph Brown Draughon Library for a new cup of joe. Caribou Coffee finally opened its doors on the second floor. “The project began mid-summer,” said Gina Groome, marketing manager. “We are excited that it is finally complete. The line of students was out the door on opening morning.” Starbucks in the basement closed its doors a week prior to the opening of the new shop. All the salads, sandwiches and snacks provided there have moved to Caribou Coffee. “I like the coffee here much better than the Starbucks that was in the basement,” said Anna McEntire, senior in science education. “It is in a more convenient location and a bigger facility. The coffee tastes fresher, too.” Specialty drinks include the Mint Condition,
political science. “It is more convenient location for students studying, but the Starbucks in Haley is more convenient for class locations.” Caribou Coffee has its own specials to secure that customers will keep coming back.
which features a special blend of mint, espresso, chocolate and whipped cream, or a Hot Apple Blast made from a caramel apple cider laced with cinnamon and spices. “I like Caribou Coffee better overall, but there are pros and cons of the shop,” said Knox Brown, sophomore in
HOUSE >From B1
to make sure each room played on different fears. “The hand room was a dark room with black lights,” Eckert said. “People in the room just looked like part of the walls, but they were wearing white gloves, so you could just see hands everywhere in the room and all over the walls.” The action wasn’t limited to inside the house. In the yard, haunted house visitors were frightened by a man in the process of being hung to death, a crazed person with a running chainsaw and even a headless horseman. “It was exciting to have a horse at a haunted house,” said Eckert, who played the role as the headless horseman by riding her black mare, Shadow, with a black shirt over her head. “Horses are just something you just don’t see at most haunted houses.”
A certified trainer was sent from Atlanta to prep the new employees for the busy opening day. “Caribou Coffee is the second largest corporate coffee house in the nation,” said Randy White, head trainer for the company in Atlanta. “The shop has been busy, but I think it will only get busier as the word gets out.”
By ALISON MCFERRIN Staff Writer
Illustration by Rod Guajardo / PHOTO EDITOR and Kate Davis / Graphics Editor
Students wait in line for Caribou Coffee for its opening Monday on the second floor of RBD library.
AGSA hosts pride week on campus By BRITTANY COSBY Campus Editor
Auburn Gay Straight Alliance announced its first
pride week. It kicked off with a display on the Concourse where students wrote words of love and support.
“Pride week is about getting the word out,” said Samuel Maddox, freshman in architecture. “We wanted to put faces be-
hind the name and its members.” Maddox said he thinks pride week will humanize the cause on campus.
Straight Ally Appreciation Day was hosted to recognize its straight allies contributions to the organization’s members.
The University Honors College is screening “Prom Night in Mississippi” (2008). This movie was made by Paul Saltzman, a twotime Emmy winner. It chronicles the events of the first racially integrated prom at Charleston High School in Mississippi. “Prom Night in Mississippi” will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday in the AUSC Ballroom.
Speaker gives food some flavor By BRITTANY COSBY Campus Editor
One movement is asking people to stop and smell the roses, at least when it comes to food. Julie Shaffer, professor and leader of the Slow Food chapter at Emory University, spoke to students about the Slow Food Movement, Oct. 26, in celebration of National Italian American Month. In today’s society, Shaffer said most people are in a hurry. People picking up prepackaged, microwaveable meals at the grocery store and driving through fast food chains have become the standard food practices. “A lot of pleasure has been taken out of foods,” Shaffer said. Slow Food is a nonprofit, member-driven organization founded to counteract the fast food lifestyle of America today by getting people interested in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how those food choices affect the rest of the population. It was founded in 1989 and now there are more than 100,000 members in 132 countries. “We believe that the food we eat should taste good and that it should be produced in a clean way that doesn’t harm
the environment,” Shaffer said. “Slow Food is helping people rediscover the joys of eating and understanding the importance of caring where their food comes from, who makes it and how it’s made.” Some slow food practices include buying local foods food to cut down shipping costs and gas emissions. Sam Mogannam, owner of the By-Rite Market in San Francisco, is passionate about buying local foods. “We have come to expect all our food to look the same, to taste the same and to be of the same size,” Mogannam said. “Unfortunately, what happens is it becomes the same size, but it becomes flavorless.” Sam Mogannam said passion is everything when it comes to food. He said it is the same whether it is a chef or a farmer, if they are passionate about what they are doing, then it is going to flourish and consumers will find a quality product. Slow Food is not the same as eating organic. Slow Food promotes farming practices that have the lowest negative impacts on the environment and eliminate pesticide use.
Oct. 29 Children’s Halloween Party Time: 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Location: AU Bookstore
Halloween Carnival Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Location: Cater Lawn
STEM Scaring for Kids, a Halloween Masquerade Benefit Time: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Location: Greystone Mansion on Magnolia Blakeley Sisk / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Julie Shaffer talks about the Slow Food Movement.
If a food is organic, it is not always using sustainable methods. “We want to make sure the food is good, clean and fair,” Shaffer said. Atlanta is home to three Slow Food chapters, including two university chapters. One is at Emory University, and it raises awareness about the sustainable food movement to students and faculty. The other is part of the Le Cordon Bleu Atlanta Culinary College and ed-
ucates future cooks and chefs on how to prepare sustainable food. Simplicity fused with quality ingredients is what Slow Food is all about. “Being a chef for me is 100 percent about food,” said Nate Appleman, executive chef of three restaurants in the San Francisco area. “It doesn’t have to look pretty. For me, it comes down to flavor, and that’s why I am a chef.” Slow Food is catching on all over the globe.
Faculty/Staff Trick-or-Treat Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: AU Bookstore
The Auburn Plainsman CAMPUS STAFF
BRITTANY COSBY Editor BLAKE HAMILTON Associate Editor
JORDAN DAILEY Assistant Editor
To reach the staff, call 844-9109.
The Auburn Plainsman
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
CAMPUS, B3
Festival honors native heritage
By THEADORIS MORRIS and French fries were sold Staff Writer at the event, to go along with Native American venThe sixth annual War dors. Eagle Native American Traditional performers, Festival was an event for reenactors, singers, mupeople of all ages and eth- sicians and storytellers nicities. put on shows and shared The office of Diversity their history. Drumming, and Multicultural Affairs exhibition dancing and and the Auburn American flute playing was also perIndian Association held formed. the festival Friday at Ham More than 1,000 people Wilson Livestock Arena passed through the feson South Donahue from 9 tival, coming to join the a.m. until 4 p.m. historical experience. Ten The Native American elementary and middle festival is normally held at schools from the surthe Jule Collins Smith Mu- rounding areas were in atseum of Fine Arts, but was tendance. at the arena because of “The festival is good the weather, said Shakeer depending on the age,” Abdullah, director of the said Todd McConnell of Multicultural Center. Auburn, who was there “The festival is to honor with his two children. “For and learn about the Na- 4-year-olds it might be a tive American history of little much, but the other Alabama and this region,” stuff they can see, underAbdullah said. “Cities stand and enjoy.” and rivers in Alabama are The traditional dancing named after Native Ameri- and drumming took place cans, and we wanted to get on the inside of the arena back in touch with that where the performers and history and reach out to reenactors took center the community and reach stage. out to Auburn University.” Walking into the arena, The festival began with a sounds of chanting and presentation of colors dur- singing, drumming and ing the opening ceremony the jingling of bells could and ended with the retir- be heard as the performers ing of the colors. danced for the audience. Food such as fish basDressed in bright colkets, nachos, lemonade ors, feathers and authentic
Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Johnny, a Cherokee from North Carolina, performs a dance.
costumes the dancers performed traditional folklore and war dances, demonstrated the “Omaha,” which is a grass dance and the “duck and dive,” where they duck under a bullet to show the enemy their bullets could not hit them. “People learn a lot of things that aren’t in the
Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Community members take part in a dance while enjoying the festival activities.
history books about the dancing and the culture,” said Daniel Harris, an Auburn High School student and Native American reenactor and dance competitor. “It felt good dancing; it’s a lot of attention and it’s a good crowd.” Different kinds of birds were exhibited by The
Southeastern Raptor Cen- about different cultures,” ter, and craft demonstra- McConnell said. “Learning tions were shown at the what they did to survive, living history camp site things we can buy at the exhibitions. store, everything they did Tents representing four with their hands.” different camp sites were Deborah Sanders, a set up with authentic tools Creek Indian from Weand artifacts for people tumpka, represented the about which to view and women who would wear learn. deer skin and prepare the “We hope and try to food gathered by the men. make sure everything is Pete Dunaway, a Muskauthentic and represents ogee Creek, demonstrated that era as well as the re- the Muskogee Creek camp gion,” Abduland the lah said. h u n t The Cheroing tools Check kee material s e d , online for usuch culture disas video coverage muskets, play exhibited indigriver cane of this story. enous crafts, blow guns deer skins and bow used for trade and weap- and arrows. ons and items used for Speaker James Bullock personal grooming from enlightened audiences the 18th and 19th century about the Seminoles and by Mark Eaton, a Cherokee the history of the three and Saponi Indian. Seminole wars. The Creek Indian hunt“We couldn’t be happier ing camp from 1790-1820 about the turnout,” Abdulby Butch Fuller, a Creek lah said. “The students Indian from Brierfield, dis- were really engaged and cussed and demonstrated one of the teachers said it how once a year for five fit in their learning stanmonths, the Creek men dards.” stayed in the camps huntFor more information, ing deer, averaging 200 a visit the Auburn American season. Indian Association Web “It is important because site at www.auburn.edu/ it is heritage, the past, and student_info/american_ it’s interesting to learn indian_association/.
Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Participants at the festival display their traditional clothing.
The Auburn Plainsman
CAMPUS, B4
Faculty earns awards By JORDAN DAILEY Assistant Campus Editor
The accomplishments of Auburn’s professors were recognized Tuesday at the fourth annual Faculty Awards Celebrating Excellence Ceremony. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mary Ellen Mazey gave opening remarks. “We recognize those whose scholarly work in the past year has impacted Auburn’s purpose by presenting them with the highest awards given to faculty,” Mazey said. Retired Head of the Board of Trustees Robert E. Lowder welcomed honorees and guests. “I think about the impact my own Auburn University professors had on my life,” Lowder said. “I can personally attest to
the effect our faculty has on our students.” Lawrence C. Wit, associate dean and professor of biological sciences, served as the master of ceremonies. Marcaylyn Price, development coordinator for the Office of Planned Giving, provided piano music before and after the ceremony. Vice President for Alumni Affairs Debbie Shaw presented the first awards. The award for Distinguished Graduate Faculty Leadership was given to Kimberly Walls, music education professor. Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Awards were presented to Theodore Becker, political science alumni professor, Carolyn Robinson, horticulture assistant professor, and Shari Park-Gates,
consumer affairs assistant professor. The following faculty were named new alumni professors: Frank Bartol, animal sciences adjunct professor, Curtis Jolly, agricultural economics and rural sociology professor, Mary Mendonca, biological sciences professor, Subhash Sinha, mechanical engineering professor, Wei Wang, associate professor in industrial design, and Mark Steltenpohn, professor in geology and geography. Morris Bian, history associate professor, won the Creative Research and Scholarship Award. Vice President for Research John Mason presented the Distinguished Diversity Researcher Award for an early career, and innovative diversity researcher was given to
Mitchell Brown, political science assistant professor. This award, for established diversity researchers, was presented to Francesca Adler-Baeder, associate professor and extension specialist in human development and family studies, and Constance Hendricks, community health professor and registered nurse. Assistant Vice President for University Outreach Royrickers Cook presented the Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach to Barry Burkhart, psychology professor. Mazey and Gerald and Emily Leischuck presented Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching to Sushil Bhavnani, mechanical engineering professor and Mendonca, one of the new alumni professors.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
AU Symphonic Band performs in Opelika
Rod Guajardo / PHOTO EDITOR
Richard D. Good conducts the Symphonic Band for the Tiger and Eagle wind ensembles.
Homecoming Week Events Monday, Nov. 2 • Campaign Kickoffs at 3 p.m. to begin formal campaigning. Tuesday, Nov. 3 • Movie: Public Enemies at 7 p.m. in Haley 2370
AU analyzes Alabama taxes By JORDAN DAILEY Assistant Campus Editor
In a new analysis of recently released U.S. Census Bureau data, Auburn University’s Center for Governmental Services found Alabama’s tax revenues have declined 13 percent since data was analyzed one year ago. The nine Southeastern states averaged a 14.2 percent dive from the same quarter in 2008. David Hill, associate director for Auburn’s Cen-
ter for Governmental Services, said members of the Center anticipated a decline in state revenues because of the recession that began in 2008. “Alabamians lost jobs, spent less at the mall and even held back on recreational activities like fishing that would require purchase of a state license,” Hill said. Other states’ tax revenues fell more than Alabama’s. Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina and North Carolina presented
declines of 17 percent, 18 percent, 21 percent and 22 percent, respectively. Alabama’s 13 percent was more than losses by Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Florida, which lost 5 percent, 9 percent, 11 percent and 12 percent, respectively. “Alabama’s retail sales have remained relatively strong when compared with other states, but an increase in unemployment has hurt income tax revenues,” Hill said. Some of Alabama’s tax
revenue categories have shown increases in the past year, such as alcohol tax, tobacco tax and gasoline tax. “These increases were too small to offset declines, especially in the income tax,” Hill said. According to the Center for Governmental Services analysis, Alabama’s 2009 unemployment rate was 10.1 percent, more than double the highest unemployment rate, 4.7 percent, recorded in the same quarter of the previous year.
Computer science professor gains grant By BLAKE HAMILTON Associate Campus Editor
The National Science Foundation has honored Assistant Professor of Computer Science Xiao Qin with a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award. The prize exists to aid young educators involved in international research within the context of the mission of their institution. “We received the award roughly two weeks ago,” Qin said. “It will be used mainly to improve the performance of large-scale data storage programs and data-intensive computing applications that use techniques such as data mining.” Qin has been at Auburn since 2007. He has his Ph. D. in computer science from the University of Nebraska and has research interests in such areas as
fault tolerance, performance evaluation and storage systems. The award is for $400,000, while the project is titled, “Multicore-Based Parallel Disk Systems for Large-Scale Data-Intensive Computing.” This research will ideally create the first parallel disk system in which large parts of data and input/output processing are offloaded to multicore processors that are embedded in disk drives. “We are so pleased to have Xiao’s accomplishments recognized with this important CAREER award,” said Kai Chang, alumni professor and chair of computer and software engineering. Qin’s award will go toward the connection of multicore computing and parallel disk systems by addressing issues behind multicore computing,
data processing and performance analysis. A toolkit will be used to design and analyze the hardware and software components for those systems. “This is the third award that has been founded,” Qin said. “”I’m the P.I. on the project and I have two other co-P.I.s, two other collaborators. One is at the University of South Carolina and another is at the University of Southern Mississippi.” Qin received the second of those awards during the summer for his program titled “QoSec: A Novel Middleware-based Approach to Teaching Computer Security Courses.” This was an award from the NSF for $149,000, to be used to develop a program to help students learn the rapid development of critical security software and is the first educational material of its kind designed to
teach real-world computing system security to undergraduates. Another way that Qin will utilize the CAREER award, however, will be in establishing a storage systems laboratory to design real-world data-intensive systems. He will also work to create courses on multicore programming, storage systems and data-intensive computing. An unofficial, yet important by-product of these grants will be that Qin can further bring minorities to Auburn. “Qin will utilize our department’s infrastructure as a channel to recruit underrepresented minority and female students,” Chang said. “He is motivating and retaining minority students to conduct research in the area of storage systems and energy conservation technology.”
Wednesday, Nov. 4 • Around the World Competition: Indian Night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Terrell Dining Hall Thursday, Nov. 5 • SAA Shrimp Boil from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6 • Voting from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Tiger Nights Hit the Deck from 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in the Student Center
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Auburn Plainsman
Campus, B5
CAMPUS CALENDAR Campus calendar is provided to University-chartered organizations. Submit written events to The Plainsman office between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., prior to the Monday before publication. Limit 30 words. May be edited for pertinent content.
Campus Events
Friday, Oct. 30
Thursday, Oct. 29
Auburn Magazine Advisory Board Meeting: Noon at the Alumni Center
Art Exhibit in Biggin Hall: Water: Three States (Phase II) Exhibition in Biggin Gallery from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Faculty/Staff Trick-orTreat: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the AU Bookstore Pizza Creation Contest Taste-Off: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mama Leone’s in the Auburn Student Center Children’s Halloween Party: 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. in the AU Bookstore Halloween Carnival: 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Cater Lawn Asian Film Series #6: International Asian Film “Three...Extremes,” 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Haley 1203 STEM Scaring for Kids: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Greystone Mansion
Art Exhibit in Biggin Hall: Water: Three States (Phase II) Exhibition in Biggin Gallery from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fisheries Seminar: David Glover presents ”Slow growth of coastal largemouth bass” from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Swingle Hall Rm. 303 Football, Fans & Feathers: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Southeastern Raptor Center, Shug Jordan Parkway Faculty Bass Trio Recital: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Goodwin Music Building Recital Hall Saturday, Oct 31 Football vs. Ole Miss: 11:21 a.m. in Jordan-Hare Stadium
Nell Richardson Book Signing: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the AU Bookstore Alumni Hospitality Tent: Beginning at noon, Wallace Center Lawn
School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Seminar: Speaker Wade Ryberg will speak on “Predation, Community Assembly and the Scaling of Prey Diversity in Ozark Glade Metacommunities” 11 a.m. to noon in SFWS Rm. 1101
Sunday, Nov. 1 Fall Choral Concert: 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Auburn United Methodist Church Monday, Nov. 2 Art Exhibit in Biggin Hall: Water: Three States (Phase II) Exhibition in Biggin Gallery from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. S.O.S. Information Session: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Student Center Rm. 2107 Tuesday, Nov. 3 Art Exhibit in Biggin Hall: Water: Three States (Phase II) Exhibition in Biggin Gallery from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
JCSM Presents Elvis’ America: 1956: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art JCSM Presents 1956 Film: “Mystery Train,” 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art UPC Presents “Public Enemies”: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Haley 2370
Faculty Recital- Matt Wood, Trombone: 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Goodwin Recital Hall Thursday, Nov. 5 Art Exhibit in Biggin Hall: Water: Three States (Phase II) Exhibition in Biggin Gallery from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. SAA Shrimp Boil: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the alumni tent, Wallace Lawn The Sounds of Auburn: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum Friday, Nov. 6
Football, Fans & Feathers: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Southeastern Raptor Center, Shug Jordan Parkway NPCH Homecoming Step Show: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Student Activities Center Men’s Basketball vs. Miles College: 7 p.m. in Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum Tiger Nights Hit the Deck: 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in the Student Center MAIN Event: “Minority Alumni Involvement Now,” 8 p.m. to midnight at the Alumni Center
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Board of Trustees Meeting: Time and place TBA
Art Exhibit in Biggin Hall: Water: Three States (Phase II) Exhibition in Biggin Gallery from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Art Exhibit in Biggin Hall: Water: Three States (Phase II) Exhibition in Biggin Gallery from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7
Around the World Competition: Indian Night: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Terrell Hall
Alumni Board Meeting: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Alumni Center
Football vs. Furman: 12:30 p.m. in Jordan-Hare Stadium
Alumni Hospitality Tent: Beginning at noon, Wallace Center Lawn
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The Auburn Plainsman
Campus, B6
Thursday, October 29, 2009
COSAM draws diversity in students By BLAKE HAMILTON
dress by Lawrence Wit, the college’s associate dean for student affairs. As the rain poured last “I think it’s a good turnFriday afternoon, high out for an event that is school students from part of a bigger plan that across the state filed into Dean Schneller has had the Student Center Ball- almost since he got here, r o o m . to increase The Colthe diverlege of Scisity of our ences and c o l l e g e ,” We are MathematWit said. ics’ Minor- trying to identify stu- “ T h a t ’ s ity High dents who may have d o n e S cho ol not been identified in ts he rvoeur gahl Visitation Day cre- the usual methods of d i f f e r e n t ated an op- recruiting.” fronts of p o r tu n i ty which this Velma Richardson, for juniors is just one. associate dean, COSAM and seniors There are a Office of Diversity and interested lot of other Multicultural Affairs in Auburn things that to learn follow this. about speIt’s excitcific curriculums. ing to see these folks come “COSAM is committed out from all over the place.” to diversity,” said Velma Richardson provided Richardson, associate her introduction, followed dean for the COSAM Office by the first session. This Diversity and Multicultur- session featured a recruital Affairs. “We have a very ment talk, information rerigorous science curricu- garding financial options lum, but at the same time and scholarship options. we have some fantastic An integral component students. We are trying to to the operation of the identify students who may event were the COSAM have not been identified in students who volunteered. the usual methods of re“We have the top people cruiting, so this is a great on campus working on opportunity for everyone.” this in wonderful cooperaThe event was due in tion to teach about what part to the efforts of COS- COSAM offers as far as AM Dean Stew Schneller to academic support and the promote multiculturalism various programs,” Richwithin the department. ardson said. “We have stuThe program began dent support and various with a welcome ad- organizations represented Associate Campus Editor
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Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
High school students listen to an information session at the College of Sciences and Mathematics’ High School Minority Visitation Day in the Student Center Ballroom.
Scholarship honors slain Chinese couple By BLAKE HAMILTON
The scholarship fund initially reached $5,627, in the months following The memory of two Chen and Wu’s deaths, but slain Chinese students no guidelines were estabwill be forever preserved lished for any continued in a new scholarship from efforts to raise funds and Auburn University Gradu- the money remained at ate School. that level. ChangqUniversity ing Chen guidelines and his dictated It is truly a wife, Yi the monWu, were blessing that these ey could found dead honest people are not not be in their offused until c a m p u s being forgotten in the it reached apartment face of these changing the sum May 29, of $25,000. times.” 2000. Both T h e Yuan Tian, m e r g had sufdoctoral candidate in ing of the fered mulcomputer science s c h o l a r tiple stab wounds ship into and were the Audiscovered by police after burn Family Graduate a call was made report- Assistantships Endowing a woman screaming. ment, however, allowed The Changqing Chen for it to finally be awarded and Yi Wu Scholarship to Tian, a Ph. D. student memorial fund was cre- in computer science. ated shortly after and “This is a very nice way has been awarded to its to honor the students’ first recipient, Yuan Tian. memories and to assist “I am truly honored and a current graduate stuhumbled to be awarded dent at Auburn,” said this fellowship,” Tian George Flowers, dean of said. “I don’t feel that I the graduate school. “We have done enough. I am will be able to fund a full not the only one who has or partial graduate fellowcontributed to this com- ship through the scholarmunity and many other ship for years to come.” people have done a great The scholarship is for job, even though they did $1,000 and will be prenot receive an award.” sented during Chinese Chen was a graduate stu- Ambassador Wenzhong dent in textile engineering Zhou’s visit Oct. 20 to 21. from the city of Xi’an, and “The scholarship is a Wu, from Wuhan, was to testament to Chen and undertake graduate stud- Wu,” Tian said. “I believe ies the following summer that it encourages the for electrical engineering. Chinese people at AuAssociate Campus Editor
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burn University to do more to not only help the local Chinese community, but also the rest of the community as well.” Tian earned her bachelor’s degree in information engineering from Chengdu University of Technology in China. She worked for SCU-NESEC Infosec Co. Ltd from 2002 to 2003, when she joined Beijing Beyondsoft Co., Ltd as a software engineer. She was then accepted into the master’s program at Auburn, where she received a degree in computer science. Tian also served as a graduate assistant at Auburn from August 2006 to December 2008. The award’s criteria call for a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, enrollment for at least a year in Auburn University Graduate School and have a GPA of at least 3.5. Applicants also had to submit a résumé, two recommendations from their respective graduate committee and a form of documentation of service to the Chinese community at Auburn. The story will henceforth be awarded annually. “Most importantly, however, the victims of a meaningless crime are remembered almost a decade later,” Tian said. “It is sad that such things happen, but it is truly a blessing that these honest people are not being forgotten in the face of these changing times.”
to tell students how they can become engaged.” The second session began with a discussion on academic and preprofessional programs. Speakers included Minority Programs Coordinator of the COSAM Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Sherre Padgett, Director of Pre-health Professions Beverley Childress, and academic adviser of COSAM Krysta Diehl. “We have a lot of high school students who are very curious and are asking a lot of questions,” said Nina Thomas, sophomore in pre-pharmacy working at the event. “People have the idea that if you have a big university there’s not a lot of help, and we’re here to show that there is help out there.” The third session featured speakers who discussed student support programs and student organizations. The event concluded with a panel discussion with representatives from groups such as the Association of Women in Science, the National Pharmaceutical Association and Alpha Epsilon Delta. “This event is about giving students an opportunity to gain exposure to the wonderful programs COSAM offers,” Richardson said. “We hope that they’ll come away with the idea that Auburn is where they can find their place.”
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Auburn Plainsman
Auburn study reveals green’s most lucrative crop By BLAKE HAMILTON
“The findings of this Associate Campus Editor study were things we had been looking for a long Despite the economic time because this induswoes that have plagued in- try has struggled for nodustry in Alabama, it’s the toriety,” Fields said. “The greens that give Alabama data based upon the 2007 a good amount of green. earnings showed that the Deacue industry Fields, asdidn’t do a sociate whole lot. These are profesToday it’s sor of the entrepreneurs who are starting to A u b u r n diversifying. They’re take off, College though, as of Agri- different than most is the case c u l t u r e , farmers you’ll see.” with other collected industries. Deacue Fields, The econodata for professor, my definitethe colCollege of Agriculture ly affected l ege’s economic agriculture.” analysis of the green inOne of the halldustry, revealing that marks of the green ingreens pump $2.89 bil- dustry is versatility. lion into Alabama’s Because those who economy every year. plant this particular “This industry in growth brand of horticulture can has outpaced every other do so in a greenhouse, crop in Alabama,” Fields they are free to experisaid. “It makes up for cot- ment with different variton and corn. It’s not as eties of plant and are not large as poultry and live- bound by the seasons. stock, but it’s larger in “Crops like corn or cotterms of cash receipts. ton have a definite markIt makes up almost 45 er,” Fields said. “When you percent of all crops.” take them to market the Fields and the College of price is going to be set. Agriculture conducted an- These are entrepreneurs other survey in 2003, which who are diversifying or showed 38 percent of creating heterogeneity, Alabama’s total crop sales getting gain for products came from horticulture. based on their differencCompare that to 43 percent es. They’re different than in the latest study, along most farmers you’ll see.” with a 52 percent increase According to the study, in profit from $1.9 billion. the state has 97 turfgrass
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and sod operations. This is 28 more than in 2003, giving 1,862 people jobs and representing $150 million in total output impact compared to 1,334 workers and $100 million in 2003. The consistent cash flow from the green industry is further testament to the multipurpose nature of these crops. “Mention agriculture and people are going to think of corn, soybeans and cotton,” Fields said. “In cities located near the Birmingham area they couldn’t water their crops because of droughts, which can cause your business to lose half a million dollars in a day, but this is one flexible commodity.” Despite this optimism, however, the study ended in 2007. This means that the figures don’t take into account the U.S.’ recent financial troubles. Fields does, however, predict the industry will recover from its losses. “The industry grew with the economy and the housing boom, so no doubt we will see some contraction, because there isn’t an industry that hasn’t been hurt in this economy,” Fields said. “This study does put greens in the minds of legislators and the general public and is important to the state economy in terms of revenue and jobs created.”
Campus, B7
Ask a Professor: Are organic foods really better for you? “There is some debate on this topic. There have been studies demonstrating that organically grown fruits and vegetables are higher in antioxidant content and/or higher in nutraceutical value, and therefore better for you. There have also been studies showing no difference or perhaps just the opposite. In most cases, I suspect that the reason for this is that when plants are subjected to stress, perhaps from insects or nutrient deficiencies, the production of secondary metabolites is enhanced. These secondary metabolites, such as phenolics, can have health benefits. Organically grown fruits and vegetables are often subjected to more stress than those grown conventionally. However, more than often conventionally grown fruits and vegetables are just as good for you as organic produce. The key is to eat more fruits and vegetables in general!”
-Jay Spiers, assistant professor of horticulture
The Auburn Plainsman
Campus, B8
On the Concourse
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Photo of the Week
“If you could check basic textbooks out of the library instead of buying them, would you do it?” “Yeah, because textbooks are ridiculously expensive.”
Olivia Spears, sophomore in biomedical sciences Brandon Massey / SENIOR IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
“I’d still buy them because it’s a convenient way to study.”
Rachel Pridgen, freshman in studio art
“I would borrow. I’ve already photocopied a textbook from the library.” Russ Parten, freshman undeclared in liberal arts
“Buy, because you can study wherever you want to.”
Ginny Turner, freshman in pre-nursing
Photo Specifications: f = 22.1, 1/125, F 4. Send submissions for Photo of the Week to photo@theplainsman.com.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009
Game fans sport their costumes By CHARLEY GAINES Staff Writer
Students, tailgaters and players gear up for the Ole Miss game in the usual way, but with a slight twist. Oct. 31 will be no ordinary gameday with Halloween costumes replacing a stadium littered with orange and blue. “I think a lot of people are going to dress up in their Halloween costumes,” said Meredith Szabo, junior in English, planning to dress up as Snow White. Szabo and a group of friends are dressing up as Disney characters, her roommate’s idea. Snow White, Pocahontas, Belle and Alice in Wonderland will be additions are the planned princesses. Christina Merriott, sophomore in music, also plans to dress up as a tiger for the game. “I think there will be a lot of Auburn football players, cheerleaders and tigers,” Merriott said. Fans in the student section aren’t the only participants taking part in Halloween fun. “I hope it’s going to be more festive,” said Julia Sinclair of Auburn. “I’m looking forward to going out and having fun before and after the game. Whatever happens at the game, happens.” Sinclair and the group she tailgates with are planning an Andy Griffith theme, but not until after the game. Her costume choices are between Helen Crump and Opie Taylor. “We’re not wearing my costume to the game because we think we’ll get too many weird looks,” Sinclair said. “We’re saving the fun for later.” Like Sinclair, Merriott and her friends plan to change after the game. Merriott hasn’t decided what to wear later, but picked an Auburn theme for the game. Angel Thompson, an Auburn alumnae, > Turn to GAME, C2
Morgan Thacker / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR
A pile of pumpkins are stacked to be sorted through and picked by customers of the County Road 16 pumpkin patch.
Pick perfect pumpkins at the patch By HELEN NORTHCUTT Intrigue Editor
Morgan Thacker / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR
Sisters, Charlize (left) and Sasha enjoy a day at the pumpkin patch picking out there perfect pumpkins.
The two-acre pumpkin patch, on County Road 16, plants its pumpkins around the fourth of July every year in anticipation for the few weeks in October when pumpkin sales skyrocket: Halloween. As soon as the seeds germinate and start to grow, pumpkin patch employees start to fertilize and spray for disease. “Pumpkins are very susceptible to disease in the South,” said Mark Foshee, the land manager. “But, we do our homework, so the pumpkins resist the contamination.” Keeping the weeds down and the animals away from the pumpkins reaps benefits when the pumpkins are harvested in
October. “The perfect time to harvest the pumpkins is really the whole month of October,” Foshee said. “They’ll have reached full maturity and then core of the wall will be really thick. This makes them last a lot longer on your front porch.” Many students said visiting a pumpkin patch is more exciting than just picking up a pumpkin at the store. “I would rather pick a pumpkin from a pumpkin patch,” said Maconica Holloway, senior in communication. “I get to pick the shape and size of the pumpkin. I think the atmosphere of the pumpkin patch represents the very essence of fall.” This year the pumpkin patch is opening at night for a corn maze > Turn to PATCH, C2
Stores make Halloween costumes readily available By SIMPSON FLETCHER Staff Writer
With all the fun and excitement Halloween brings each year, there is one part that can be an agent of anxiety. Choosing a Halloween costume can be stressful and expensive. However, two stores in Auburn will be glad to help since everyone may not want to create their own. Check-It-Out and Sydney's Vintage Clothing Store, both on Gay Street, have many options. Deborah Penny, who works at CheckIt-Out, said they have more than 100 new styles this year, and the most popular have been the sailor, police officer and fire fighter. “People start buying their costumes in August,” Penny said. The store starts selling costumes for Halloween as early as August, but it has costumes year-round as well, Penny said. “The average student goes to about four Halloween parties,” Penny said. She also said the costumes start at $17, but the average price is approximately $40. The most expensive costume they carry is the deluxe male leprechaun for $90. The store is packed with angel wings, wigs, hats, masks, glasses, goblets, swords, bullet belts, toy guns and an extensive collection of costumes, which
includes everything from Spartan cheerleaders to "gold digger." “Y'all get an extra day to party, so to speak,” Penny said. “Since the game is a day game this year, you can still party Saturday night.” Ben Nichols of Sydney's Vintage Clothing, said customers can create a costume from their merchandise for as little as $10. “The majority of the inventory is just vintage clothing, and people usually come in and create their own from different pieces,” Nichols said. However, the store is featuring some more costume-like pieces for Halloween, such as old Mardi Gras costumes, it doesn’t usually feature. Nichols also said they have lots of time period pieces if a customer wants to be someone from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s or ’80s. “A lot of people come in and want to be an old TV show character,” Nichols said. “They try to duplicate them. We had some young ladies in a couple of weeks ago, who wanted to be Saved by the Bell charactors. They were remembering different episodes trying to re-create their outfits.” He also said the great thing about their inventory is it is much sturdier than costumes since they are real clothes that have already stood the test of time. “We try to find higher quality pieces that are in really good shape,” Nichols > Turn to COSTUME, C2
Blakeley Sisk / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Sydney’s Vintage Clothing Store offers a variety of Halloween costume items.
Blakeley Sisk / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
There are more than 100 new costumes at Check-It-Out this year.
Printed on Recycled Paper
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PATCH >From C1
where the public can find its way through the maze with only a flashlight. A hayride and some rides on the pumpkin patch will also be offered Halloween week. “The pumpkin patch is a great place for a date and pictures,”
Foshee said. “There are plenty of good photo opportunities. It is just a great place to come in the fall.” Katie Namen, junior in nutrition science, said visiting a pumpkin patch and carving a pumpkin are family traditions. “I always carve a pumpkin every year,” Namen said. “It is something my family
GAME >From C1
is joining in the festivities with the Andy Griffith crowd. “I’m either going to be a pirate or Aubie,” Thompson said. She, like Sinclair, is wearing what she would normally wear to a game.
has done for forever. This year I am planning on going back before Halloween so I can pick out my pumpkin and carve it. Even though I’m not at home, I still like to keep our family tradition.” Other than tradition, Namen said the patch is great for many other reasons. “It’s fun for me and my friends,” Namen
“It’s too early to dress up,” Thompson said. The time of the game is one element that has fans on the fence about dressing up. The weather is also something people are considering. Courtney Crew, junior in art, said she isn’t dressing up because it will be too cold.
said. “I get to pick out the perfect pumpkin, and the pumpkin patch itself is beautiful.” Admission into the pumpkin patch is free, but different activities range in price. The corn maze costs $5 a person, and the hayride is $3 per person. The patch’s pumpkin launcher is three shots for $1.
Another element calming the orange sea is head coach Gene Chizik’s call for the Navy Nightmare, when fans are supposed to come dressed in all navy attire to show support for the team. Merriot said she thinks fans will mostly adhere to Chizik’s request for all navy.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
COSTUMES >From C1
said. People usually come in with something they want to be in mind, Nichols said. Customers can also visit the store's Web site at sydneysvintageclothing.com, where they can find inventory that is not offered in the store. They are happy to bring anything from the Web site into the store for customers to try on with 24-hour notice.
“If (the players) see fans wearing what Chizik asked, it’ll get them pumped and let them know we’re behind them,” Merriott said. There are fans who think the crowd’s clothes will have no effect on the team’s performance. “If I thought it would make (the team) win, I
Tyler Case, senior in chemical engineering, said she likes to create her own costumes. “It's cheaper and more fun,” Case said. “My boyfriend and I might be Daft Punk. All you need are helmets and black clothes.” Shannon Dunlap, junior in theater, said she likes to create her own costumes as well. “I have a friend who is a costume major, and she is doing mine this year though,” Dunlap said. “I'm going to be Wonder Woman.”
would dress up,” Thompson said. Whether the atmosphere of the game changes is yet to be seen, but fans have their speculations. “I think it will be a rowdier, more playful crowd,” Sinclair said. A game is still a game in some people’s eyes, though.
“I think the atmosphere will be about the same,” Szabo said. “It won’t be as hard core or as serious, but I think people will still be going for the game.” Whether fans dress up as pirates, bloody rebels, Aubie or all out in navy, the added flare of the Halloween spirit is sure to get fans of all ages pumped.
Joe Random Do you trick-or-treat? No, not anymore.
ABOUT JOE: Age: 20
Do you believe in superstitions? No.
Hometown: Birmingham Greatest fear: Roaches
What is your favorite scary movie? 13 Ghosts
Hobbies: Going to the lake Random fact: I am a godfather Football prediction: Auburn will beat Ole Miss
Callie Garrett / ASSISTANT INTRIGUE EDITOR
Taylor Toleson is looking forward to Halloween this year, but has not decided what to dress up as.
Taylor Toleson sophomore, animal sciences
What has been your best Halloween costume? When I dressed up as a dead baseball player. Candy Corn or Candy Apples? I would definitely have to say Candy Apples. Zombies or Vampires? Vampires
What is your favorite Halloween tradition? Going to Halloween parties Have you ever been to a haunted house? Yes. Do you believe in ghosts? No. Are you dressing up for Halloween this year? Yes, but I have not decided what I am dressing up as yet.
Campus Rants ● I was walking on the Concourse with a friend, when we decided to split up and walk in separate directions. I turned my head to say goodbye while I was still walking and I ran straight into one of those short stumpy poles. Not only did I completely run into it but I flipped over and landed right on my back on the concrete. I think about seven people walked up to see if I was all right and there were a ton of stares. ● I locked myself out of my house this weekend in the freezing cold and had to wait six hours for my parents to drive all the way to Auburn with our second key. They were not pleased. ● I was in the Halloween candy aisle at the grocery store picking up a couple of bags for the trick-or-treaters when the lady next to me said, “I love Halloween. I can buy all of this candy and people will think it is for a party, but really I just eat it all myself.” ● I accidentally left my panties at a guy’s house. The next day he texted me saying he was auctioning them off to his roommates. I told him that was fine as long as I got a cut of the profits. ● I went over to my friend’s apartment to get some of my laundry done. I was in a hurry so I decided to come back and finish it later. Later turned into next week. His parents ended up coming into town and his mother decided to fold his laundry. She found my bras and underwear in his dryer. The worse thing is my friend actually got asked by his parents if they were his underwear. ● One drunken night, I decided to climb my friends spiral staircase like it was a jungle gym. I was more disappointed in the fact that I couldn’t do a pull up than the fact the homeowner made me get down. ● At LSU this weekend I lost my entire purse which held my football tickets, wallet and cell phone on Bourbon Street. I still haven’t found it. To submit your anonymous campus rants e-mail them to intrigue@theplainsman.com
Oct. 29 Ninth Annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat Oct. 30 2009 Trail of Terror Haunted Hayride The Haunted Hayride will be at Spring Villa Park, 1474 Lee Road 148 Opelika. The National Peanut Festival (NPF) The nation’s largest peanut festival is held each fall to honor peanut growers and to celebrate the harvest season. The fairgrounds are on Highway 231 South in Dothan. Friday Night Block Party The block party is a way to invite our customers and visitors to enjoy what Auburn has spent a lifetime developing: tradition and community, celebrated with music and football in downtown Auburn. Oct. 31 Trick-or-Treat Wear your costume Carve a pumpkin
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Auburn Plainsman
Intrigue, C3
Campus prepares for Halloween craziness By BRIAN DESSARO Staff Writer
Trick or treat, smell my feet; give me something good to eat! If you don’t, I don’t care; I’ll just take a shot instead! Not what kids used to chant? Welcome to Halloween in Auburn. What is traditionally thought of as a children’s holiday, filled with trickor-treating and pumpkin carving, translates into a booze-filled night of hijinks for many college students. “Halloween is easily my favorite holiday, and I try to do something to celebrate it every year,” said Rebecca Freeman, senior in art history. “I think most college students try to put a twist on their childhood traditions to keep Halloween fun, but still go wild and crazy.” It’s these “twists” on tradition that keep most college students celebrating this favorite holiday. One of the main staples of any college Halloween party is a costume, and Auburn students never fail to come up with interesting ideas. “Two years ago some of my friends dressed up as ’80s prom king and queens,” said Laura Atkins, senior in human development and
family studies. “They wore big prom dresses and sashes that said ‘Prom King/ Queen’ and looked like something out of ‘Pretty in Pink.’” Even some professors get in on the costume fun. Susana Morris, assistant professor in the English department, said she usually enjoys dressing up. “Last year, I dressed up as Angela Davis,” Morris said. “Even though I won't be dressing up this year, I usually do try to.” Freeman, who plans on being an Athenian goddess, said she always enjoys coming up with a costume idea, but sometimes she thinks students may take it too far. “Some people take some pretty big liberties when it comes to dressing up,” Freeman said. “A lot of times what people wear isn't really identifiable as a costume, and people take the opportunity to go a little crazy for the night.” While dressing up in crazy costumes is fun, it’s being seen in these costumes students enjoy. “My group of friends and I always have a huge costume party where we decorate the house and carve pumpkins before having a complete blow-out,” Freeman said. “The day after is never
fun, but it’s always worth it.” Some students, such as Atkins, try to top the previous year’s party through different themes or unusual treats. She said this year’s theme is “trick or drink,” which is going door-to-door, and instead of getting candy, people will be handing out shots of different Halloween-flavored liquor. “Last year, we made Jell-O shots with candy eyeballs in them, which was a huge hit and they were super cute,” Atkins said. “I'm not really sure what we are going to do this year, but it's going to be bigger and better.” However, many students still find time to return home and spend the holiday celebrating with their family. “Every year I go home and carve pumpkins with my niece and nephew,” Atkins said. “We have a pumpkin patch in my hometown and we go on a hay ride and pick out the pumpkins before going home to carve them.” Whether boozing it up at a raucous keg party or carving pumpkins with family, Halloween translates from a children’s holiday into a night of mischief and mayhem sure to send chills up even the most seasoned college student.
Callie Garrett / ASSISTANT INTRIGUE EDITOR
Sarah Ellis, senior in history, dresses up as Priscilla Presley for a friend’ws Halloween party, a common way for students to celebrate the holiday.
Haunted maze swears on scares By CHARLEY GAINES
hayride, but a staff shortage this year only allowed the maze. With high school and college footThe end of October means cool- ball games in full swing, Davis said er air, leaves changing and walk- it was too much to compete with on ing through corn mazes haunted Friday nights. by scary figures popping out of the “Next year we hope to do it on Fridarkness to scare the living crap out day nights as well,” Davis said. of someone. The staff ’s age Sheila Davis and her ranges from 17 family run the Darkest to 55, but it is (Mazes) have mostly people in Night Haunted Maze in West Point, Ga. a tendency to be gory their mid to late For those brave twenties. and evil. They’re not enough, the 5,000 Davis said her square feet offer a night cutesy for children.” 55-year-old husof fear every Saturday band is taking night in October. part in the fesDavis said her famSheila Davis, tivities this year. ily decided to create a “(Mazes) have owner of maze maze because they ena tendency to be joy them so much. gory and evil,” “We’re a funny family that likes Davis said. “They’re not cutesy for doing these kinds of things,” Davis little children.” said. The owner recommends teenagThe drive to West Point from Au- ers and anyone older to go through burn is about 45 minutes and is not the maze, but said she does see peohard to find, Davis said. ple bring their children through. Davis would not reveal the hauntEach year, they change the charing figures inside the maze, but does acters and other elements in the promise a good scare. maze. The maze offers all live characters Davis said they’ve changed the instead of animated ones. characters from week to week this This is the Davis family’s fifth year year. welcoming people into their maze. Although the 45-minute drive In the past, the Davis’ also had a may be a deterrent, Davis said peoStaff Writer
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ple coming out of the maze told her it’s the scariest one around. Anna Larson, undeclared sophomore, has never been to a haunted maze. “If I had friends go with me, I think I could handle the maze,” Larson said. “I would definitely bring guys with me.” The Web site previews some of the maze’s characters, but what goes on in the maze is a secret until you walk through. “It’s a little far away, but if I don’t have anything to do, I’ll go,” Larson said. Even with the promise of an adrenaline rush, some students don’t want to venture into the maze. “I get really scared when stuff pops out at me,” said Caitlin Stojcich, undeclared sophomore in science and math. “The gory doesn’t bother me, but I just don’t like stuff popping out at me.” Both Larson and Stojcich said the most scary thing they could put in the maze would be clowns. The maze takes 30 minutes or more to get through. For $10, terror seekers can roam through the dark corn field. Directions to the maze are on the Davis family’s Web site at darkestnighthayride.com. The phone number is 706-881-3492.
A brief history of Halloween’s mysteries
ADAM JORTNER HISTORY PROFESSOR
Where does Halloween come from? Halloween has a lot of different sources. The first is the Celtic festival from the British Isles called Samhain, which was a type of harvest festival. The second is the Christian holiday, All Hallows Day, Nov. 1st. All Hallows Day was a commemoration of the dead and was a precursor to All Saints Day
on Nov. 2 which commemorated the saints. The third is Guy Fawkes Day which imported aspects such as bonfires and fireworks into Halloween. Where does the modern concept of Halloween come from? There isn’t clear evidence. It’s not a political or religious holiday but somehow in the late-18th
century we have costumes and a more family oriented holiday. Why is Halloween so spooky? According to the scholar Nicholas Rodgers, Hollywood invented the concept of the demonic Halloween in order to sell more movies. Before then, there isn’t much evidence of a demonic Halloween.
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Midnight Meat Train
By GRIFFIN LIMERICK Associate Multimedia Editor
“Midnight Meat Train” might be the most unfortunately named horror flick ever, with a title destined to place it on the improper shelf at video rental stores and cause mothers to do a doubletake before sliding it into the DVD player for Family Horror Movie Night. But this unconventional slasher film could fit comfortably in a list of the best horror movies of the past decade, due to an interesting plot twist that separates it from its predictable peers. Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, “Midnight Meat Train” is based on a short story of the same name written by Clive Barker, an English author. The movie’s main character is Leon, a photographer
whose ambition to become great leads him to traverse downtown streets during late night hours to capture a scene that depicts the true brutality of the city. The role of Leon is played well by Bradley Cooper, an increasingly popular actor filling an uncharacteristic horror role after displaying his comedic prowess in big budget movies like “The Hangover” and “Wedding Crashers.” Kitamura’s cinematography complements Leon’s photographic profession, with every shot being superbly arranged and executed. One of the most memorable shots of the film is a POV shot of a victim who is being dragged across the floor as she attempts to claw at the ground to delay her demise. Despite the disapproval of his
Dawn of the Dead By JULIAN KERSH
Assistant Multimedia Editor
Like the cities they infest, zombies have always swarmed the horror genre. Bouncing from highs like “28 Days Later” to extreme, cavernous lows like “Zombie Honeymoon,” the genre has seen thousands of takes on one of horror’s oldest monsters. Despite numerous reinventions of the genre, the ravenous undead truly came to fruition in a barricaded Monroeville Mall in 1978. Such was the paramount setting of George Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead.” The zombie movie master debuted as a director in 1969 with the innovative “Night of the Living Dead,” which created the zombie as we now know it, but it wasn’t until his sequel that the zombie genre was fully realized. “Dawn of the Dead” follows two Philadelphia SWAT team members and a helicopter pilot and his girlfriend through their battle for survival against the ever-growing legion of undead. Boasting some of the earliest work of gore, make-up and special effects mastermind Tom Savini, “Dawn” is truly one of the best zombie movies. The special effects probably show its 30-year age the most, but its still evident they were ground-breaking at the time of its release. Savini worked wonders without digital enhancement, using creative, old-fashioned techniques, such as an exploding head rigged with blood-filled condoms. Even if its gore effects were mediocre, “Dawn” would probably rank just a highly in the all-time spectrum of zombie flicks because of the its characters. I mentioned the vast number of zombie flicks that are spit out of an assembly line. Over and over the characters are clichés, they lack any kind of appeal and you don’t care what happens to them. “Dawn” delivers the opposite. You get to see how the notion of an inevitably deteriorating world weighs down on the foursome as they pass day after day in mall, void of options. At the same time, there are plenty of scenes where you see the characters bonding and enjoying life with each other in a zombie-ridden world. Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead” incorporates every factor that we now automatically expect from a quality film about the living dead. It may be 30 years old, but its quality continues to tower over 99 percent of the genre. It may not deliver the heavy scares any more, but its lasting effect on the horror genre and the nostalgia attached to the cult classic “Dawn of the Dead” make it a must-see this time of year.
girlfriend, Maya (played by Leslie Bibb), Leon continues to follow and photograph a butcher who only chooses to commute on the subway train after most have gone to bed. Leon confirms his hunch that the butcher is the source of these disappearances when he witnesses the butcher bludgeoning a victim to death on a subway car. Leon is unable to resist snapping photos of the murder, which attracts the butcher’s attention and leads to a confrontation that will completely alter the life Leon has grown accustomed to. The thoughtful plot twist that follows this confrontation, in addition to the unique camera shots and spot-on acting, elevate “Train” above 10-part slasher series like “Friday the 13th.” The movie is not simply a
slaughterfest. Instead of just displaying the of carving of human bodies, “Train” tries to explore the idea of human bodies as dispensable hunks of meat, which is a disturbing aspect of the movie. This idea is supported by Leon, who is a vegetarian, and Leon’s friend, Jurgis. This intellectual focus on themes might provide some kind of reasoning behind the absurd title, which could make “Train” a thinking man’s horror film. For this reason, “Midnight Meat Train” is a film worthy of the attention during the Halloween season. And, if you don’t feel like discussing the implications of the movie’s themes, you can at least enjoy the vulgar, double-entendre ridden conversations that the film’s name inspires.
Top 5 Halloween Movie Picks Saw VI By BRITTANY COSBY Campus Editor
Want to play a game? It’s that time of year again. If it’s Halloween, it must be Saw. The next installment of the Saw series has returned with plenty of blood, spilled guts and games. If you love the Saw franchise, this film is a must-see. It makes up for the big let down of Saw 5, that I am still trying to erase from my memory. I went in with low expectations and I was blown away. This time Detective Hoffman emerges as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw’s legacy with the death of Special Agent Strahm. He sets a new game in motion and takes on the corruption in the Health Care insurance industry, while the FBI gets closer to tracking down the new killer’s identity. The plot twists this time around is even greater than the first movie. The viewer gets more insight on the complex charac-
ters Amanda, Hoffman, Jigsaw and his widow. There are plenty of creative new gruesome traps for the latest victims, but someone else will make the decision on who makes it out alive. All the unanswered questions are revealed with a completely different approach. This film redeems the falling series and brings everything full circle. The only complaint I have with this film is there was not enough character development for the recent new characters to get me involved in their story. I sympathize with the victims somewhat, but since they were so corrupt it was not enough to make me care who lived. I did like the creativity with the newest traps. A merry-go-round trap intertwining six people was the best one I’ve seen in the series. I do think this should be the last installment in the series. As much as I would hate not to have a new Saw film to see next Halloween, I think it is best to go out on top.
Paranormal Activity
By ANDREW SIMS Online Editor
I must be addicted to seeing bad movies. I thought this week would be different. “Paranormal Activity” has swept the media as the next “Blair Witch,” and “terrifyingly awesome.” Unfortunately, this movie was "terrifyingly" awful. I thought, for once, I had made a good choice. In true Blair Witch Project fashion we are treated to casual conversation between the actors in the movie. We go along for a ride through their daily activities and begin to feel a close personal connection with them as we are meant to. The female character Katie, played by Katie Featherston, is haunted by this demonic spirit that has been with her since her childhood. Her new boyfriend, Micah, has no idea of this past Katie has successfully kept hidden. Micah has the brilliant idea to try and capture the strange events on camera, and we the audience get to see the aftermath of this plan. The movie, a short one by normal standards, lasting only 86 minutes, takes us through the nights caught on camera as this demon moves about the house. I guess I should say attempting to scare this young
couple. There is literally only one scary scene where I actually jumped slightly in my chair, and it was mostly because the girl behind me screamed at literally everything. So the entire movie is Micah being defiant to his terrified girlfriend who insists the camera is making the demon angry. He even goes so far to buy a Ouija board to communicate with the spirit. We spent most of our time sitting in absolute silence. The door moving, the sheets moving, footsteps and a random picture tossed in the attic. Seriously I have seen scarier things on an Oprah show. The movie climaxes as the spirit becomes ultra enraged and decides enough is enough. He kills both of them and that is the end. OK so I lied, but seriously it's about that predictable. I will give this film props because of the extremely successful marketing campaign they did to get this movie nationally recognized. I was a fan of “Blair Witch” and “Cloverfield” both of which had the personal camcorder look to them. Final verdict is that “Paranormal Activity” turned out to be pretty normal, as scary movies go. And as normally, I am disappointed at yet another $9 tossed down the drain.
Hocus Pocus By JILL CLAIR Staff Writer
If you grew up watching the Disney Channel, the first movie you probably think of during the Halloween season is the classic, “Hocus Pocus.” The Sanderson sisters, three witches who terrorized Salem 300 years earlier, were hanged after they kidnapped a child and brewed a potion that allowed them to suck the life out of her so they can be resurrected in 300 years. They prophesy was a virgin would light the Black Flame Candle on All Hollow’s Eve, and then they would have until dawn to brew the potion and find more children to steal the lives of and live forever. Max, the new kid from California, moves to Salem right before Halloween. He thinks all the talk of the Sanderson
sisters is just a bunch of “hocus pocus.” Max, his little sister Dani, and his prospective love interest Allison end up lighting the Black Flame Candle and spend Halloween battling the Sanderson sisters. Like so many movies we all watched as kids, “Hocus Pocus” is full of slightly inappropriate adult humor that makes the movie bearable for parents to watch as their kids scream in fright over Bette Midler’s odd lipstick and the weird book with the eye. The funniest and sketchiest line in the movie involves the bus driver and Mary, the Sanderson sister who can smell children (Bette Midler has the power, Sarah Jessica Parker has the prowess, and the fat chick no one has ever seen again smells kids… go figure). The 300-year-old Sanderson
sisters approach a bus, and after asking the driver what the strange contraption is for, he replies, “To convey such beautiful creatures such as yourselves to your most... forbidden desires.” Mary replies, “We desire... children,” and the bus driver says, “Hey, it may take me a couple of tries, but I don’t think there will be a problem.” One line among many that would fit nicely into “The Office” character Dwight’s script. Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Sarah Sanderson, is the source of most of the sketchy moments. She constantly ooh’s and ahh’s over boys, and is found sitting on men’s laps and kissing a mummy at a party. I think it was the preparation for her character in “Sex and the City.” The plot: the nerdy guy from out-of-town meets a hot girl he never thinks he will get to
date, and the two of them survive an unthinkable adventure with the help of a personified character—in this case, a boyturned-cat named Thackary Binks. Sound familiar? How about “Transformers?” I think we all know where they got that plot. One more thing: I wish I had the nerves of steel these characters have. After Max lights the Black Flame Candle and brings the Sanderson sisters back from the grave, the floor turns green, lights start blowing out, and then this black cat starts talking. The characters’ responses? “So I guess the rumors are true!” I would be passed out on the floor. Oh well, I guess that’s just “Disney magic” for you. I enjoyed the movie as a child, and I won’t lie: I enjoyed it as a 20-year-old.
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Chocolate vs. gummies, which is healthier? By EMILY CLEVER Staff Writer
Sweet tooths wondering which healthy candies are available this Halloween season? Fruit-flavored candies are high in sugar, but gumbased candies generally contain less sugar than hard, solid candies, said Doug White, professor of nutrition at Auburn University. “Hard candies would be about 97 percent sugar,” White said. “‘Gum’ is really just a fiber.” Soft candies also have gelatin, cornstarch and water, which reduces the total amount of sugar, White said. But he said the difference between the two is minimal. Chocolate contains milk and butter products, which make it high in fat as well as sugar, said Adam Diaz, senior in nutrition and dietetics. “I prefer Twizzlers because they are fat free,” said Katie Tuel, senior in laboratory technology and a self-proclaimed health fanatic.
“Most gummy candies are fat free or at least low fat,” Tuel said. “I love gummy bears for that reason. But gummy candies are still high in sugar, which kind of takes away from the overall ‘fat free’ benefits.” Caramel, for example, is 100 percent sugar — glucose and fructose. “Caramel is just caramelized sugar, so if you are trying to watch your intake of refined sugar, then that is going to contribute to it, but that’s not to say you should never eat a Snickers bar either,” White said. White explained 10 percent or less of your total calories consumed should be from added sugar. Caramelization of sugar does not change the nutritional value of sugar, since it is simply the heating of sugar, Diaz said. Dark chocolate, however, is believed to contain antioxidants, which have nutritional benefits, Diaz said. “Antioxidants help remove free radicals in the body that keep stuff from oxidizing,” Diaz said. “For
example, some pathogens can produce free radicals that damage cells or can oxidize cells which produces free radicals. There are actually white blood cells that can destroy pathogens by overloading them with free radicals.” The controlling of free radicals in the body can sometimes lessen the chance of heart, brain and some neurological diseases. Therefore, the best chocolate candy would be the darkest, Diaz said. Cocoa is the processed fatty seed of the cacao plant, which is used to make chocolate. Without the addition of butter, milk and sugar, cocoa is bitter and acidic, but healthier than chocolate itself, Diaz said. “Cocoa is mixed with a bunch of unhealthy stuff (such as milk, butter and sugar) to make it chocolate,” Diaz said. “And then chocolate itself is mixed with a bunch of unhealthy stuff (such as peanuts, nougat and cream) to make it taste good.” Therefore, the milk chocolate and other
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Contributed by: Kirstin Nessler, junior, biomedical sciences
Ingredients 1 ½ cups all purpose flour 1 ½ tsp. baking powder 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. baking soda ¼ tsp. salt 1 ¼ cups canned pumpkin puree 1 ¼ cups sugar ¾ cup vegetable oil (preferably Canola oil) 3 large eggs at room temp. ½ cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans (if desired) Frosting: 1- 8 oz. package of cream cheese (softened and cut into small pieces) 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter ¾ tsp. vanilla extract 2 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar
Directions For the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the vanilla. Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar, beating continuously until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before using. For the bars: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour a 13x9-inch baking pan. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, oil and eggs with an electric mixer at medium speed. Beat until smooth, about three minutes. Add dry ingredients slowly and mix thoroughly. Add the pecans if desired. Pour batter into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool before icing the top with cream cheese icing. You can also add ½ cup of coarsely chopped toasted pecans to the top for a garnish.
chocolate-based candies are probably not the best route to take during this Halloween season due to the added ingredients, Diaz said. Dayspring Natural Foods at 223 Opelika Road sells sugar-free and organic candy for those seeking other alternatives. Most grocery stores also have natural food sections selling sugar-free and organic candies and chocolates. “‘Organic’ is a marketing term,” Diaz said. “It specifically refers to how something is grown or raised with organic pesticides, which could mean anything because bleach is organic. It can be healthier for you if it specifically states ‘unrefined,’ which can either be raw sugar or even more raw turbinado.” But, students don’t need to run to the gym after a bite of candy. “‘Healthy’ has to do with your whole diet, not necessarily one item,” White said. “I don’t think there is any one bad food or any one good food, there is a balance in your diet with all the nutrients that you will need.”
Intrigue, C5
The Auburn Plainsman INTRIGUE STAFF
Helen northcutt Editor Olivia Martin Associate Editor
Callie garrett Assistant Editor
To reach the staff, call 844-9109.
The Auburn Plainsman
Intrigue, C6
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Student superstitions are ‘security blankets’ By SIMPSON FLETCHER Staff Writer
Halloween has been a holiday filled with superstition for hundreds of years. Walking under open ladders and black cats crossing paths have become common superstitions. But why? “We believe in ‘bad luck,’ when, for example, a black cat crosses my path on my walk to school and five minutes later I trip and fall,” said William Buskist, psychology professor. "I then associate my fall with the fact that I let a black cat cross my path, which only reinforces that particular superstition." However, according to the History Channel, the superstition surrounding black cats comes from the Middle Ages when many people believed witches avoided being detected by turning themselves into cats. Lindsey Guttuso of New Orleans, sophomore in pre-pharmacy, said a lot of superstitious legends can be found there, including voodoo. “I don't do voodoo, but a lot of stores have stuff like eyes of newts and witchcraft stuff," Guttuso said. Many superstitions of the past focused on helping young
women find their future husbands, according to the History Channel. In 18th century Scotland, fortune tellers told young women to name a hazelnut for each of her suitors, then throw the nuts into the fireplace. The nut that burned to ashes, rather than exploding, represented the girl's future husband. Bobbing for apples is even a result of superstitious behavior. At Halloween parties, the first successful apple-bobber would be the first to marry. Young women would also create a concoction of walnuts, hazelnuts and nutmeg to eat before bedtime Halloween night, hoping they would dream about their future husband. Buskist said superstitious behavior develops accidentally when, by chance, a given behavior appears to produce a positive outcome. "For example, suppose I am a baseball pitcher, and as I walk to the mound, I jump over the baseline going to first base," Buskist said. "That particular inning, I strike people out, and I think to myself, 'How'd I do that?' I further think to myself, 'It must have been because I didn't step on the baseline.' So, with that sort of thinking I continue to jump over the baseline
on my way to the mound. If I am having a particularly good game, I will tend to repeat this behavior and thus become superstitious." Mary Elizabeth Haynes, freshman in communication disorders, did the same thing while playing sports in high school to ensure a good match. "I had to do the exact same thing every time before I served in volleyball matches in high school," Haynes said. "When it comes to sports, I'm superstitious. My friends forgot their Trooper Towels the past two games and we lost." However, there are some superstitions harder to explain. "I can't let my gas tank light come on," said Lacey Beno, senior in public relations. "If it does, I can't drive. I also can't let my bank account get below $50." Chas Strain, sophomore in agricultural economics, doesn't like to step on cracks. "Sidewalk cracks freak me out," Strain said. Buskist said when we repeat superstitious behaviors they become habits. "Habits make us feel comfortable, especially in anxiety-provoking situations," Buskist said. "They become, in essence, our security blankets."
Graphics by KATE DAVIS
Sydney the friendly spirit, Auburn’s ghost gone forever? By MICHELLE TESLICK Staff Writer
Photo Illustration by Michelle Teslik / PHOTO STAFF
Sydney supposedly died in the Auburn University Chapel on College Street and Thach Avenue when it was a hospital during the Civil War.
Missing: Auburn Ghost. Answers to: Sydney. He has haunted Auburn University campus for years until recently, when he disappeared. Melissa Dunn, program adviser for Camp War Eagle, said she has heard several different versions of the Sydney story told to orientation students while they tour campus. One story is that Sydney is the ghost of a soldier who died in the Auburn chapel when it was a hospital during the Civil War, and he still haunts it today. The chapel is on the corner of Thach Avenue and College Street and is the oldest Auburn building still at its original location. Another story Dunn heard is Sydney haunted the chapel when it became a theater for the Auburn Players in the late 1920s, and when the theater moved across campus to Telfair Peet on the corner of Duncan Drive and Samford Avenue in 1978, he moved with it. “As far as where in the world Sydney is now,” Dunn said, “I don’t know.” Paul Anton, senior in design and technology, heard stories of Sydney getting blamed when people’s belongings would go missing. “Mostly right foot shoes,” Anton said. “He was an amputee in the Civil War who lost his left leg.” Three years ago during a rehearsal break, Heather Rule, senior in theater, said she had a run-in with Sydney. “I was walking down a dark hallway with a friend my freshman year and we stopped when
we saw a silhouette of a tall figure in front of us,” Rule said. “He was dressed like a Civil War soldier.” The theater students used to leave treats for Sydney on the catwalks before the opening nights of shows. Kat Grilli, senior in theater, said one opening night her freshman year the stage manager forgot to leave Sydney a treat and the first line cue of the play was missed. “The next night we left his favorite, Reese’s Pieces,” Grilli said. “And everything went smoothly.” When asked about Sydney sightings, Linda Bell, the AU Theater marketing manager said, “We haven’t had any sightings here in the last few years.” The tradition stopped a few years ago when Sydney was blamed for everything that went wrong and a new design professor told students they needed to take responsibility for their own successes and mess-ups without a ghostly scapegoat. “It’s a nice tradition that we’ve observed and enjoyed,” Grilli said. “But we’re letting go of it.” As students stopped putting out treats for Sydney, he stopped showing up around the theater. With no sightings in three years, and no more treats being left for him, is there enough evidence to say Sydney is gone forever? Maybe he will return years from now, or maybe he is another tradition that will be lost to the newest generations of Auburn students. Well, wherever he is now, Happy Halloween, Sydney.
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, October 29, 2009
How
felt-tip pen or scribe Jack-o’-lanterns are the with a s into the skin using true essence of the Hallow- the line Be sure to make cil. pen a een atmosphere, and anynose and mouth , eyes the it ; one can carve a pumpkin large enough; you’ll have a just takes patience. e cutting out tiny “You don’t have to be hard tim n you’re using whe ures feat good at carving pumpkins e to saw. blad e knif big a said to carve a pumpkin,” der, but -han “I am a free Tom Nardone, professional stencils of h batc a is pumpkin carver and cre- there s.com,” pkin pum eme extr on ator of extremepumpkins. e said. “I enjoy free com. “It is not hard, you do Nardon though because of not have to be an artist and handing y.” tivit you do not have to make the crea your pattern as ow Foll 7. it symmetrical. Just give it way through the all cut you a e time, and you will hav . the pumpkin good time.” “I use a jig saw, but any of ppum h fres a ct 1. Sele tools that come in the the kin in a shape that pleases pkin carving kits are pum r thei you. Some folks prefer ” Nardone said. pumpkins low and round, decent, 8. Push the cut-out feawhile others like them tall s gently from the inside ture and oval-shaped. pumpkin and discard the of ahex 2. Draw a circle or es. gon on top of the pumpkin the piec e a votive candle Plac 9. ing mak for ion arat in prep pumpkin to crethe de insi an opening large enough for glow. e eeri an ate . ugh your hand to reach thro pumpkins reg rvin “Ca stem the 3. Cut through my childhood of me end of the pumpkin along minds liness of fall, love the and your outline with a sharp smell of cutthe love I and v-car knife or pumpkin pkin,” said pum open a ing tool. Use a back-and- ting ert, senior Gilb ley Ans forth slicing motion to cut Mary gn. desi ion fash in through the thick, tough Dana Goodson, senior skin. keting, said carving 4. Remove the stem end, in mar s is one of her fapkin which will act as a cap, pum s of Halloween. It part te vori making sure you scrape off is something she does every any seeds or pulp. 5. Use a large spoon to year. For students interestscoop out the seeds and after the final project ed, pulp from inside the pumppleted, submit a com is its by kin. Hold the spoon of the pumpkin to bowl to get extra leverage photo extremepumpkins.com to while scooping. pumpkin contest 6. Draw a pattern for the enter the win a prize. sibly pos and pkin face on the clean pum
Carve perfe a ct pump kin
To By CALLIE GARRETT Assistant Intrigue Editor
Rachel Smitherman / PHOTO STAFF
Left: Songi and Emily Cumbie carve a pumpkin together in the 3-year old class at ELC. Right: Forrest Morse and Kenzie Steury scoop out a pumpkin.
Officers offer safety tips By THEADORIS MORRIS Staff Writer
With Halloween right around the corner and costumes flying off the shelves, Auburn students and officials are being proactive when it comes to safety this Halloween home football weekend. “We will have a full complement of officers out this weekend,” said Capt. Tom Stofer of Auburn University Police Division. “The football game is a day game so that really will not impact the night activities.” There were no major problems last Halloween, Stofer said. He does not think it will be unsafe this year even with Halloween being on a gameday. “I don’t think it will be any more dangerous,” said Chris Mills, junior in biomedical sciences. “It’s just an excuse for people to wear costumes.” The Allied Barton Security Service, who patrols The Quad, The Village, Residence Overflow, The Hill and Student Center wearing orange shirts, will be increasing their security to make sure everything is covered, said Brandon Tew, security officer. “If you are going to wear a costume, make sure it has some type of reflector on it,” Tew said. “But the main thing is to always walk double, with a partner.” Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., is designated as the official trickor-treat night for the city
Morgan Thacker / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR Always check candy before eating. Avoid those with open wrappers.
of Auburn. “If you run into some trouble hit the red button and be aware of your surroundings,” said Aaron Pierce, junior in industrial design. “Don’t be oblivious to your surroundings because you might run into people that might get a little carried away.” College students should know common things like not going out alone, said Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones. “For the youngsters, the parents should go with them or at least have them under observation,” Jones said. “It’s all about being aware of your surroundings, safety and numbers.” A few other Halloween safety tips from Stofer and Jones: If going out, be aware of surroundings, carry flashlights, make sure costumes are fireproof and have good vis-
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ibility and notify the police if anyone sees anything suspicious. “There will be plenty black and white cars driving around Auburn this weekend, so don’t hesitate to contact us to let us know where we can help,” Stofer said. It may be hard to see pedestrians so when trick or treating at night, be safe crossing the streets. Only go to well-lit neighborhoods and houses that are recognizing Halloween and are familiar. If collecting candy, make sure it is checked thoroughly before consuming it. “We don’t look at Halloween as a dangerous weekend, or any other weekend in Auburn,” Stofer said. “We try to make sure Halloween and every weekend is safe here at Auburn.”
The Auburn Plainsman
Intrigue, C8
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wasting Time Halloween Crossword
Worst Pick-up Lines Does this rag smell like choloroform to you? I think you and I should diphthong. Is your last name Gillette? Because you’re the best a man can get. Ya certainly put the shiver in me timber. You must be an adverb, because you sure do modify me. Is your name Pepsi cause’ I’ve gotta have it. How much does a polar bear weigh? Enough to break the ice. Is there an ‘X’ on the seat of your pants? Because it appears that there’s wond’rous booty buried underneath. Yarrr.
Across: 2. It’s a Great Pumpkin Charlie 7. Popular Halloween color 9. Clothes stuffed with straw 10. This kind of person may cast a spell on you 11. Trick or 14. A bunch of bones 17. Should avoid full moons 19. Bob for 20. Creature that fly around at night 21. Drinks blood
Down: 1. Dawn of the Dead characters 3. Ghost call 4. Disguise your face 5. Don’t cross the path of a 6. Carved vegetable 8. You dress up in a 12. Common graveyard epithet 13. — Horseman 15. Costume involving a white sheet 16. When something frightens you 18. What Auburn students will wear to the game this Saturday
Weekly Horoscopes Aries (March 21 - April 19): This week, knowledge is power and you are very much aware of the value of what you know. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): Money is certainly going to come in from somewhere, so grab this opportunity. It is a good idea to create a budget that gives you some flexibility and allows you to save for a rainy day. Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): You will soon feel liberated from all the hassle and problems you have had to deal with. Wednesday is perfect for going on a short break or starting a long journey, you will have a good time.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Friendships will be tested. Those that are strong will stay strong, while those that are problematic may fall away. You may tire of certain groups and feel drawn to become a member of others that are more suitable to your current needs. Make time for your dreams, too.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20): If you have been ignoring your health and well-being, eating the wrong foods, and generally refusing to exercise, you may begin to experience some physical symptoms or discomfort. It’s time to take responsibility. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 23): Saturn moves into your sign this week, giving you more control over your life. You can now aim for those major goals, knowing you have an excellent chance of manifesting them.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22): You may want to redefine the space in which you live. This may mean remodelling or perhaps relocating altogether. Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): You have always been ambitious, but now the desire to succeed will greatly increase. You will be inspired to set yourself some very big goals - ones that are really going to stretch you if you want to achieve them.
Gemini (May 21- June 20): Mercury and the Sun in Scorpio highlight your health and your current job. You may need to gather information, applying a detective-like approach, in order to get the whole picture
Like to draw? The Plainsman is looking for a cartoonist to do a weekly comic strip. Contact Helen Northcutt at intrigue@theplainsman.com.
Cartoon by Helen Northcutt / INTRIGUE EDITOR
Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21): It is under this kind of influence that you could meet someone with soul mate potential. You will know them when you see them. The feeling will be unmistakable. You still have plenty of opportunities to find the ideal home and to relocate if necessary. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22): You may need to make an important health or lifestyle decision this week. Meanwhile, on Wednesday Venus connects with Jupiter, making this the best day for meetings and gettogethers. You are about to get relief from your money troubles. Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20): This is a good time to let go of beliefs that no longer support you, and to embrace those that are more positively life enhancing. Saturn moves into Libra this week, meaning you are going to have to learn how to be fearless if you want to succeed.
Thursday: Wing Night Saturday: Halloween with Ian and Huggy always 19 and up
The Auburn Plainsman
SPORTS
D7: Athletes stripped of tennis title
D
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Soccer shuts out No. 19 Georgia By ABBY ALBRIGHT Sports Editor
Patrick Dever sports@theplainsman.com
Team faces rebuilding These are trying times for the Auburn football faithful. A coach who posted one of the best winning percentages in Auburn history was dismissed after 10 years at the helm. The new head coach was booed and heckled when his plane arrived at the airport. He went straight to work to make sure Auburn didn’t have another 5-7 season. His goals were lofty, and he managed to start the season 5-0. Now, he has hit a slow spot in the season and people are questioning whether his hire was the right choice. Of course Gene Chizik was the right choice for Auburn. It is ludicrous to expect a coach to take a 5-7 team and turn it into a national championship contender, especially in the SEC. The only excuse for losing to Kentucky is it was an SEC game and every SEC game is unpredictable. The blame has to fall on this coaching staff for that loss, but the losses to Arkansas and LSU fall squarely on last year’s staff. The football team has enough depth to have beaten Kentucky. It doesn’t, however, have the depth required to beat Arkansas and LSU. Depth problems are always associated with coaching changes. > Turn to DEVER, D2
Auburn Women’s Soccer team (8-7-3, 5-5-0 SEC) earned its first win over a ranked team since 2007, beating No. 19 Georgia (13-4-1, 6-4-0 SEC) 2-0, Sunday. The win earned the Tigers their ninth consecutive trip to the SEC Soccer Tournament. In addition to the excitement of beating an SEC rival and a ranked team, the Tigers did so on Senior Day, with both goals being scored by senior forward Rebecca Howell. “Our team played really, really well in the first half, and normally we’re more of a second half team, so it was huge,” Howell said. “The whole team just came out really strong. Honestly, I didn’t recover from the excitement of Senior Day for the first 30 minutes I played, my
heart was in my throat. I was running so much and the excitement was so huge for our team.” Howell was rewarded for her hard work over the weekend by earning SEC Player of the Week, Monday. “Both of her goals were tremendous individual efforts,” said head coach Karen Hoppa. “They were unassisted goals, which is actually rare for our team. We’re a good possession team and combination play team and usually have an assist, or even two, on the goals.” After Howell’s first goal in the 56th minute, Hoppa encouraged her to keep fighting and to stay hungry. “(Coach) just laughed and gave me a hug and said ‘thank you’ and gave me a high-five,” Howell said. “I think she tells me this after every goal, ‘to keep being hungry for it, not to be satisfied and to
Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Senior forward Rebecca Howell works the ball through the Georgia defense Sunday.
keep working hard.’ The coaches always tell us one is not enough.” Sure enough, 23 minutes later Howell scored her second goal of the game and her 21st career goal. Hoppa praised the of-
Associate Sports Editor
Auburn Tigers Football team (5-3) will face No. 24 Ole Miss Rebels (5-2) in Auburn’s first Halloween showdown since 1988. The Tigers will try to make it three straight wins against the Rebels in Jordan-Hare Stadium while trying to break a three game losing streak to become bowl eligible. Auburn is coming off a tough 31-10 loss against SEC foe Louisiana State University. Auburn ranked eighth nationally in total offense, averaging 464.9 yards, but managed only 193 yards against LSU, with 151 yards coming in the second half. “The kids kept fighting,” said head coach
were thrilled with a lot of things. Thrilled with the win, thrilled to send the seniors out on a high-note and thrilled with the way we played. We deserved to win. We played really well. > Turn to SOCCER, D2
Auburn falls to LSU 31-10
Rod Guajardo / PHOTO EDITOR
Sophomore linebacker Eltoro Freeman tackles junior LSU wide receiver Terrance Toliver, Saturday. Freeman led Auburn’s defense with 12 tackles.
Tigers prepare to take on Rebels By NICK VAN DER LINDEN
fense and defense for playing tough and working together well to get the win over the rival Bulldogs. “It was a great day, a perfect way to send those seniors out,” Hoppa said. “Obviously, we
Gene Chizik. “Like I told them, these are good football teams. We are going to see what we did good and bad and move one” Senior running back Ben Tate led the offense with 67 yards on 18 carries, while junior Mario Fannin added 56 yards on six carries. “Tate is running the ball very well,” said Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt in Monday’s press conference. “Tate has been their guy. We are really familiar with him and know he runs hard and is very physical” The Tigers received a much needed extra day of rest when Chizik chose to forgo the usual Sunday night practice and hold a team meeting. The idea was for the team to recover mentally
and physically with three more games to go until the Tigers’ only bye week. Auburn is ranked seventh in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 230.4 yards per game, and 19th in total offense (430.9). The Tigers allowed only nine sacks so far which ties for 20th best in the nation. Along with good pass protection usually comes pass efficiency. The Tigers have thrown 14 touchdown passes so far which is already double that of last season. The Rebels are coming off a 30-17 win over Arkansas (3-4), a game in which junior quarterback Jevan Snead threw for a career-high 332 yards. Senior wide receiver Dexter McCluster had career highs in rushing, 123 yards, and receiving, 137 yards, against the Ra-
zorbacks. With the win, the Rebels are off to their best start since 2003 and are averaging 35.7 points per game. Junior defensive end Kentrell Lockett’s status is unknown after getting injured in the game against Arkansas. “He kind of tweaked the inside of his knee, probably a sprained knee,” Nutt said. “He felt good and had a good range of motion. We are pretty hopeful that he will be OK.” Saturday’s game will be a “Navy Nightmare” theme and fans are reminded to wear the official “Navy Nightmare” or navy colored shirts to the game. The game kicks off at 11:21 a.m. C.D.T. in Jordan-Hare Stadium and is televised by the SEC Network.
Printed on Recycled Paper
Previous Game Stats
vs. LSU
vs. Arkansas
L 31-10
W 30-17
OFFENSE
OFFENSE
First Downs: 15 Rushing Attempts: 41 Rushing Yds.: 112 Passing Attempts: 20 Passes Completed: 11 Passing Yds.: 81 Total Yds.: 193 Penalties-Yds.: 7-64
First Downs: 31 Rushing Attempts: 47 Rushing Yds.: 221 Passing Attempts: 33 Passes Completed: 22 Passing Yds.: 332 Total Yds.: 553 Penalties-Yds.:5-35
DEFENSE Interceptions: 0 Fumbles Caused: 1 Sacks: 3 Tackles for Loss: 9 Touchdowns: 0 Total Yds. Against: 376
DEFENSE Interceptions: 0 Fumbles Caused: 1 Sacks: 4 Tackles for Loss: 7 Touchdowns: 0 Total Yds. Against: 299
The Auburn Plainsman
Sports, D2
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sophomore leads Equestrian through fall By DAVID CRAYTON Staff Writer
Despite being a sophomore, Grace Socha is a leader in and out of the barn. Two weeks ago, the Auburn Equestrian team went up against Texas A&M University. Socha managed to defeat Jackie O’Connell in the Equitation over Fences event with a score of 89-72. Auburn won the overall game. She was named MVP of the meet. Head coach Greg Williams contributes Socha’s accomplishments to her humor and serious demeanor. “She’s just a sophomore, but she’s been an incredible rider and always keeps
up a great attitude and ride my best all week and she’s a joy to have around,” stay in a good positive atWilliams said. “One thing titude and not stress too that’s different about much and just think about what I Grace is need to do how she to be the can keep She’s been an best I can,” her humor Socha said. up during incredible rider and “As for the the week, team, we but she always keeps up a just try to gets dead great attitude.” work toserious on gameday.” Greg Williams, gether and supSocha head coach be portive said she and keep a began her career at the age of 2 when good attitude. We have so she was introduced to the much fun together. We’re sport by her parents. like a big family. We’re Socha does her best all like sisters. We have a to stay focused when it great time together.” comes to competing and The whole equestrian when it comes to keeping team motivates each other the equestrian team to- to work hard and win, Sogether. cha said. “Personally, I just try to Socha said although
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she achieved success before her collegiate career, she has had some of her best riding moments since joining the Auburn Equestrian team. “As far as on the team, when we were at Oklahoma State, I had one of the best rides,” Socha said. “It was so much fun. Before the team, the summer of 2008, at a horse show, I had a big win there.” Her love for equestrian is matched by her love for Auburn. “I love this town,” Socha said. “When I came on my recruiting trip, I looked around and I knew that this is the place where I want to be. Just the people, the town, the school, I love everything.” When Socha is not training, she and her team-
mate sophomore Maggie McAlary, spend their time taking care of the team horses. Socha said she and McAlary have history with each other. “We rode together as juniors outside the team,” Socha said. “We didn’t interact that much. Now that we’re together on the team, we just really have good energy together and we’re great friends and we support each other and I love being around her and I trust her input. We vibe off of each other really well. We both encourage each other. She always has really good advice so I can always go to her.” McAlary said she was proud of Socha’s accomplishments in the ring so far this season.
“She always brings a real positive attitude to not only workout, but practice,” McAlary said. “She’s always willing to encourage the whole team and she’s also extremely talented. She definitely deserves it.” McAlary said Socha is at her best when she is competing. “The thing I like about Grace the most in the arena is not only is she extremely competitive and she also brings a fun aspect to it,” McAlary said. “Even though we are all trying to win and it’s really scary, she still lightens the mood.” Socha and the rest of the team have three more meets this semester and will resume competing in spring 2010.
The Auburn Plainsman SPORTS STAFF
Abby Albright Editor Nick Van Der Linden Associate Editor
Deese maintains excellence in softball program since 1997 By LINDSEY GRUBBS
it and it just developed into a Staff Writer career for me.” With the beginning of AuHead softball coach Tina burn’s softball program, Deese Deese is entering her 13th year said the team has seen acof coaching at Auburn Uni- complishments such as Allversity where she has broken American athletes, academic many program records and All-American athletes and seen many new developments high statistics of the program during her coachsuch as 12th in the ing career. country and 20th Deese was in ratings percentnamed 2002 SEC age index. Head Coach of Deese said the the Year, leading way she coaches the Tigers to secis based on values ond in the Southof excellence in eastern Conferfamily, academics ence Western and sports with Division in 2005 a coaching style DEESE and most recently that is demanding, brought Auburn but understanding its 400th win in February 2009. because she too was an athOriginally from Huntington lete. Beach, Calif., Deese began her “I am raising children and softball career following in the I know how I would like my footsteps of her athletic family children to be to be treated by of four brothers and sisters. a coach,” Deese said. “I think “Basically we were very in- that plays a big part in how I volved with baseball and soft- approach the game and how I ball as a family,” Deese said. “It approach my athletes.” came really natural to all of us.” In 2005, Auburn’s softball It was in 1984 when Deese team had seven players on the committed to Florida State SEC Academic Honor Roll and Seminole to play softball dur- saw a total of 57 players ading her college career. mitted to the honor roll in the “Florida State was in need SEC. for a pitcher, and it just kind of Deese said she asks her playfell into place,” Deese said. ers to ask themselves what exDeese said, although it cellence looks like on the pracwas hard to adjust to moving tice field and in the classroom. across the country for college, “We stress those kinds of she found comfort in living things and to just being pasclose to her sister who was re- sionate about what you do siding in Florida with her fam- whether it be in the classroom ily at the time. or on the field,” Deese said. “It was real hard actually,” Auburn’s Softball team beDeese said. “My sister was my gins its season in February at hero as I grew up and she actu- the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, ally ended up trying softball at Ariz. the national level, and I wantDeese said the team has a ed to be close to her.” lot to work with and is strong At Florida State, Deese re- and motivated going into the ceived her bachelors of science upcoming season. degree in leisure services. “We’ve got strength in charAfter college, Deese said she acter this year,” Deese said. was offered a job to work at “They have what it takes to go Huntingdon College in Mont- out there and compete at the gomery, where she worked to highest level with a challengbuild a softball program and ing schedule. We’ve got a lot of was then hired as head softball speed in the line up.” coach in 1997 for Auburn UniAs for life off the field, versity. Deese is married with two “In the South there was a big children, ages 15 and 11, and need for fast pitch experience,” enjoys spending her free time Deese said. “I had a lot to offer at her home with her family to sports at the time I got into and friends.
Fastball with Tina Deese... 1. What is your favorite TV show or station? I don’t really have a favorite TV show. I don’t really watch a whole lot of TV; I guess Fox News. 2. What is your favorite vacation spot? My home in Auburn is my favorite vacation spot. 3. Since you’re from California, do you know how to surf? I body surf. 4. What is your favorite food? My favorite food is probably Jack in the Box tacos. 5. Do you have any pet peeves? I’ve got a lot of them, probably too many. I guess someone walking by a piece of trash is really a pet peeve of mine. You’re not helping the problem, you’re contributing to the problem. 6. What is your favorite movie? I like ‘Mr. Holland’s Opus.’ 7. What is your favorite music genre? ’70s 8. Do you like to shop? No, I hate it. 9. Do you have any pets? Oh yeah, I’ve got two pets. I’ve got a chocolate lab named Coach and a Shitzu named Shortstop. 10. What do you like to do in your free time? I like to clean house, quite honestly.
Patrick Dever Assistant Editor
To reach the staff, call 844-9109.
SOCCER >From D1
We had a ton of chances on goal and it was an overall great game. Our defense was great, obviously we got two great goals and had a lot of chances, but our defense was great too.” Sunday’s win marked freshman goalkeeper Amy Howard’s fourth shutout of the season. “It feels great to get another shutout because our entire team has been working so hard defensively this year, it’s great to see it pay off on the scoreboard,” Howard said. The SEC recognized Howard Monday for the third time this season, naming her SEC Freshman of the Week. “I am so excited to receive this award again,” Howard said. “I just can’t believe I was chosen for a third time because I know how many awesome freshmen there are in the SEC.” Howard made seven saves Sunday, totaling 101 for her career. Two more saves will move her to second on Auburn’s all-time singleseason saves list. “I think it’s the first time we’ve ever had anyone get three SEC Player of the Week’s in a year, so that’s fun,” Hoppa said. “Amy’s done a great job. She’s been great all season, it’s a lot of pressure
DEVER >From D1
Facts don’t lie though. Going into the LSU game Chizik had the second best record for new head coaches in the Football Bowl Subconference. Chizik’s former team, Iowa State, is at 5-3 this year as well. That is a statement to Chizik’s ability to recruit. This season is the epitome of a rebuilding year for Auburn. The team has the right
to play in the goal as a true freshman. It’d be like having a true freshman as the quarterback on the football team. It’s a highpressure position because every mistake you make is very costly, and she’s really done a great job of stepping up and playing well and playing like a veteran. To get a shutout over the No. 19 team in the country for her was fantastic.” Although an exciting day for the Tigers, Howell said it was particularly emotional for the seniors, especially for their injured senior teammates. Howell said the team played for forward Stephanie Fransoso and defender Lizzie Hamersly who were unable to play due to previous injuries. “I think that was a sentiment for the whole team,” Hoppa said. “With Lizzie and Steph being out for so long, and they’re both from Georgia so this game always has a little more meaning for those two. Not getting to play was really emotional for them. By winning that game we still have a chance of extending our season and then maybe a chance that those two will get to play again.” Before focusing on the SEC Soccer Tournament, the Tigers are taking this week to prepare to take on the Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl of Soccer in Tuscaloosa Friday at 7 p.m.
tools in place to be good in the next few years, but sadly this season is probably going to end 6-6 or 7-5. There is another coach in the SEC who went 6-6 in his first year in 2007. Nick Saban has his team undefeated, even though there should have been a penalty on Terrance Cody for throwing his helmet off before the play was over, and sitting in second place in the BCS standings. Perhaps that can happen on the Plains.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Auburn Plainsman
Sports, D3
Volleyball takes down Bama, Miss. State By CRYSTAL COLE Staff Writer
Auburn Volleyball improved its record this weekend, sweeping Alabama and Mississippi State at home. The Tigers sit alone at second in the SEC West with a record of 14-8 overall and 6-5 in conference. In both matches, the team had a strong showing in the first game, but let things get close in the second and third games. Associate head coach Chris Campbell said these games showed the team’s youth. “It is good to know that in certain situations we are capable of coming from behind,” Campbell said. “However, we want to prevent being in that spot to begin with.” Friday night, the team defeated in-state rival Alabama, 3-1, for only the second time in the last decade. Junior Sara Shanks was excited to beat Alabama. “It was a great feeling and something I can’t really describe,” Shanks said.
She added it was great to roll Toomer’s Corner afterward. Sophomore Kelly Fidero led the team with 11 kills and hit for .348 overall. Assisting Fidero were junior Morgan Johns and freshman Sarah Bullock with nine kills each, while sophomore Christina Solverson recorded nine digs and 19 assists, a team high. The Alabama team (615, 4-7 SEC) was led by junior Alyssa Meuth and senior Brooks Webster. Meuth had two blocks and nine kills and Webster recorded seven kills, nine digs and four blocks. Auburn lost to the Tide earlier in the year in Tuscaloosa. “Bama has gotten the better of us in that rivalry, and we feel it’s indicative of all the training they have been doing to be able to catch up and surpass other programs,” Campbell said. Sunday afternoon, the team continued home play with a match against Mississippi State (5-18, 1-11 SEC). The Tigers beat the Bull-
dogs in straight sets, 3-0. Although the crowd was sparce, the energy was not as fans wildly cheered on the team. The first set was strong for the Tigers as they won 25-14. The second set was much closer. After spending most of the second set trailing the Bulldogs, the fans rallied behind the girls to see them tie at 20 all. The Tigers pushed on and the set point found most of the crowd on its feet. Auburn won the second set 25-23. The score was kept close throughout the third set with neither team gaining enough momentum to break away. An 8-3 run by the Tigers carried the team at the end and Auburn took the set 25-21. Johns and Bullock were offensive leaders for the Tigers once again. Bullock recorded a match-high 12 kills and Johns finished with 11 kills and a .429 attack percentage. Even though the girls swept MSU, junior Alyssa
Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Junior outside hitter Morgan Johns and junior middle blocker Lauren Mellor attempt to block the ball against Alabama Friday. The Tigers beat the Crimson Tide 3-1.
Davis said she felt the team didn’t play its best. “We definitely could have played a lot better,” Davis said. “The score should have been a lot different, but we pulled it out in the end,” Campbell agreed and thought the team let its guard down in the second and third games, but said the program is heading in the right direction. “It’s kind of a bench-
Ashlea Draa / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Freshman forward Mary Coffed goes up against a Georgia midfielder Sunday. The Tigers beat the Bulldogs 2-0.
Auburn gears up for Iron Bowl of Soccer By ABBY ALBRIGHT Sports Editor
Coming off an exciting 2-0 shutout over No. 19 Georgia (13-4-1, 6-4-0 SEC) Sunday, the Auburn Women’s Soccer team (8-7-3, 5-5-0 SEC) has spent this week preparing to play arch-rival Alabama (6-9-1, 2-6-1 SEC) in the Iron Bowl of Soccer, Friday at 7 p.m. “Alabama, just like in any sport, is one of those games, especially at Alabama, that records are out the window,” said head coach Karen Hoppa. “It doesn’t matter what you’ve done before; it’s going to be a war no matter what. We’re trying to prepare with that mentality.” There is a traveling Iron Bowl of Soccer trophy that the Tigers are working to keep in Auburn. “We’ve won it the past three years in a row,” Hoppa said. “On the base of the trophy there is the
getting extra repetition in is what gets me prepared. The records are out the window. The more goals I score, It doesn’t matter what you’ve done before; the more focused I get, the more excited and confiit’s going to be a war no matter what.” dent I am.” After the victories on Karen Hoppa, Th ursday and Sunday, head coach Howell earned SEC Player of the Week and freshman score from every Auburn- against Tennessee came goalkeeper Amy Howard Alabama soccer game ever from senior forward Re- earned SEC Freshman of played. The winner gets becca Howell (who scored the Week. Hoppa said Alabama to keep it for the year. We both Auburn goals against have it, we’ll bring it back Georgia), sophomore mid- has a couple “dangerous Friday night and the win- fielder Julie King and se- forwards” that the Auburn ner of that game will get nior midfielder Chelsea defense and Howard have to prepare for. to keep it for the year and Yauch. “Like coach says, it’s a carve the new score in it.” “In preparing for AlaHoppa said to bring the bama we’re doing what new one-game season Fritrophy home, she told the we pretty much do every day night, so we just have team to focus on Friday’s week, all the forwards go to really focus on what we game as if it were a one- to keeper training an hour have to do and get the job before practice,” Howell done like we have these game season. The Crimson Tide fell said. “Whatever the train- last few games,” Howard to Tennessee (8-7-3, 4-4-2 ing the keepers are doing, said. we’re the shooters. It’s not Howell said it would SEC) Sunday, 2-0. One of the Lady Vols’ really forward practice, mean a lot to her and the losses came from Auburn it’s for the keepers, but we seniors to be able to say Thursday, when the Tigers get to shoot on them and they went 4-0 against Alaget in there and get in the bama in their Auburn socbeat the Lady Vols 3-1. Auburn’s three goals motions of finishing and cer careers.
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mark for us that we can win and be disappointed in how we played,” Campbell said. “That’s something we would have never done last year, we just would have been happy with a win.” The next four games for the Tigers are on the road with the earliest being Wednesday against Georgia, then heading to Baton Rouge to battle No. 20 LSU (15-5, 9-2 SEC).
In September, Auburn played LSU at home and lost 3-0. Campbell said the road games always take a lot out of the girls, and the key is to keep the energy up. He added the team has to make sure to take away something from every practice they can get in the upcoming weeks. “We’re just going to focus on our side of the net, our game,” Shanks said.
Sports, D4
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Women’s Basketball showcases talent By CRYSTAL COLE
Toles and center Pascale West. Sunday’s scrimmage Fans wanting to get a was kid-friendly as Aubie look at this year’s women’s guided children to the inbasketball team got an flatable and face painting unpleasant surprise as ju- area beside the court. nior Reneisha Hobbs took Tables draped with ora nasty spill on the court ange and blue tablecloths Sunday evening. lined this area in preparaThe veteran player hurt tion for the pizza dinner her knee afterward. during T h e a breakgirls got We have away lathe pracyup while limited numbers, but tice under practicing way with those numbers are in front of a short inthe crowd. very talented.” ter-squad She laid on scrimthe floor Nell Fortner, mage becrying out head coach fore playin pain ing against for sevthe orange eral minutes before being crushers. calmed down and helped The crushers are a select off the court. group of boys who volunIt is uncertain at this teer to practice against the time the extent of the in- team. jury to Hobbs’ left knee. They are found in the Injury aside, the rest of Student Activities Center the Season Kickoff event and have to go through the was centered around get- same eligibility process ting to know the new faces the players do. of the team. The game was close Head coach Nell Fortner throughout and neiapproached the crowd and ther side could gain too introduced all the girls, es- many unanswered points pecially the freshmen. against the other. “There are four freshThe first period ended men that have come in with the girls up 26-23. and worked hard, they’re After the break, the girls going to contribute a lot, had a solid run which gave and I think they have a them a cushion of which chance to be really good,” they never let go. Fortner said. At the end of the game, The freshmen are for- the girls came away with a ward/center Blanche 47-41 win. Alverson, guard Nicolle The young team caused Thomas, guard Morgan many turnovers against Staff Writer
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the crushers and kept a strong pace. The whole team sat down to sign posters for fans, some waiting as long as 30 minutes to meet with their Auburn Tigers and get autographs. Freshman Morgan Toles was excited to have the fans come out and support the team. “We are a totally different team than last year, and we just want to go out there and play as hard as we can and win some ball games,” Toles said. Fortner said she thought it was an excellent turnout and was happy the crowd was pumped and made noise. Assistant Director of Marketing Mike Hales said he felt the Season Kickoff event went as well as could be expected. “It’s just a good, free family event for people to come out to,” Hales said. He said the event was a team effort with the combined work of his office, the women’s basketball staff and the director of women’s basketball operations. Senior center KeKe Carrier said the event felt like a game experience with the fans, cheerleaders and Aubie making noise. As the only senior on the team, Carrier discussed the pressure from last season’s success. “We are trying to live up to what we left off with,” Carrier said. “I feel like we
are doing a good job progressing.” What they left off with was a 30-4 overall record, an SEC championship and a finish in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Two of their losses came from Vanderbilt, a team which made it to the Sweet 16 in 2009. “You always want to out-do the season before, but it’s not pressure,” Fortner said. “You take a lot of pride in representing Auburn and these players work very hard and we all are just trying to do our best.” Fortner said her goals for the team this season were to compete hard and win every game it plays, and then everything else would take care of itself. The open scrimmage gave the team a chance to look at some weaknesses before the regular season. Fortner said she thinks the biggest weakness will be depth. “We have limited numbers, but those numbers are very talented,” Fortner said. “We’ve got 10 players on the roster and it limits some of the things that you can do.” Toles said because the team is so young, a big factor would be getting more comfortable with each other and dealing with some of the insecurities that come along with being new. The team begins its reg-
JD Schein / PHOTO STAFF
Junior guard Alli Smalley shoots against Georgia last year.
ular season with an exhibition game at home against Georgia State College and University Nov. 8 at BeardEaves Memorial Coliseum. The regular season gets under way Nov. 13 against in-state rival Troy. Both Carrier and Toles said they are excited to get the season started and
Carrier wants to live up to what the team did last year. “Anytime you have a year like they did last year, it’s hard to top that, not to mention the number of seniors they lost,” Hales said. “I think they’re ready to prove they can still play at that level.”
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sports, D5
Men’s Tennis takes first at South Regional By DAVID CRAYTON Staff Writer
Auburn Men’s Tennis team won the Wilson/ITA South Regional Saturday with perfect wins in two of the competitions. “We had a great weekend, winning both the singles and doubles titles,” said head coach Eric Shore. The regionals were in New Orleans, starting Oct. 22 and ending Oct. 25. The top athletes for the event were sophomore Alex Stamchev and junior Tim Puetz. They finished with a 6-0 record in singles and 5-0 in doubles. Auburn played against teams from around the nation including University of Alabama, Mississippi
State University, Troy Uni- out the tournament. Shore said he was proud versity and University of of the team’s performance Alabama at Birmingham. Puetz entered the tour- and gave praise to both Stamchev nament and Puetz. as the sec“ T i m ond-seedWe’re going Puetz got ed singles better as player and to focus on our next week defeated tournament coming the went on George and played Coupland up and get some of of Mis- the other guys on the his best in sissippi his final State, with team playing better.” m a t c h ,” scores of Shore said. Eric Shore, “In 6-3 and douhead coach bles, Tim 6-1. Puetz and Alex and Stamchev defeated Stamchev got stronger Benjamin Smith and Cal- as the weekend went on. vin Kemp of University of With the wins, both will be New Orleans, 8-5. able to compete at the ITA The Tiger tandem de- Indoor Championships feated the Alabama duo and that is very exciting.” of Trey Walston and HousShore said the team was sam Yassin, 8-3, to close determined to get stronger
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and learn how to play better for future matches. “Our strategy was to just continue to work hard in practice and get better,” Shore said. “We want to continue to improve through the fall season. Tim has gotten stronger physically, serving bigger and moving well. We want to continue to work hard off the court and its paying off for Tim.” The best highlight was the team winning both major titles of the competition, Shore said. “We’re going to focus on our next tournament coming up and get some of the other guys on the team playing better,” Shore said. “Alex and Tim have been doing the job this fall and the other players need to step it up.”
Puetz said he gained experience and insight from the competition. “It went very well, and I don’t think it could have gone any better for me personally,” Puetz said. “It was great to play with Alex because he played very well. It was my first time seeing the other guys play in a tournament and so that was fun to watch them as well.” Puetz has a ritual he performs before matches. “I try to eat properly before about two hours before the match,” Puetz said. “I don’t like to be hungry during the match and get a good warm-up. I got injured because I didn’t warm up properly. I have to be focused on the court.” Puetz said he has been
playing tennis since birth. “I enjoy playing it and have been playing since I was a kid,” Puetz said. “I just enjoy going out to practice and to continue to improve. It is just fun to me.” Like Puetz, Stamchev said he enjoyed the competition despite his performance in the singles. “Both Tim and I played very well,” Stamchev said. “It was only our second tournament playing together and to get the doubles title was really great for the both of us. In singles, I wasn’t satisfied with my play and the loss really made me want to step up in doubles.” Auburn travels to Columbia, S.C., for the South Carolina Tournament Oct. 30.
Mat Cats lend support to Auburn Wrestling Club By MAX NEWFIELD Staff Writer
Auburn University Mat Cats pin down all of the wrestling team’s needs. The Mat Cats are the hostess organization for the Auburn Wrestling Club. From providing water to watching the wrestler’s weight, the Mat Cats do everything they can for the wrestling team. “We are there to show them moral support,” said Michelle Gropper, senior in accounting and finance and president of the Mat Cats. “But we also video tape and score all of their matches. We really just want to show them that
we’re there for them.” The Mat Cats formed in the early ’90s when the University changed wrestling from a varsity sport to a club sport. Since then, the Mat Cats have operated with 20-25 girls every year to show their support for their favorite sport. “We really want to get girls interested in the sport,” Gropper said. “Everyone is here because they have fallen in love with the sport, whether it was in high school or since they came to college.” The Mat Cats’ main duties, outside of cheering as hard as they can for the Tigers, are to video tape and score all of the wrestling
team’s matches. This means the team travels to all of the wrestling team’s matches, whether they are in Marion or in Hampton, Va., for the National Collegiate Wrestling Association national championships. Amanda Burns, sophomore in pre-nursing and vice president of the Mat Cats, said the most rewarding part of being a Mat Cat was being recognized for their contributions at tournaments. “At nationals the past few years we have been asked to help out,” Burns said. “It feels good that they trust us enough to help out.”
The Mat Cats do all of their own fundraising in order to travel to every tournament. In addition to other fundraising efforts, the Mat Cats are employed by the University to clean up the coliseum after big events. “To keep costs down we clean up after basketball games and gymnastics meets,” Burns said. “That means we literally walk through the rows and pick up all of the trash.” Gropper said the Mat Cats’ traveling experiences and extensive fundraising have led to a close relationship with the team. “It seems like we celebrate someone’s birthday
Women start a league of their own Auburn Women’s Rugby Club branches off Men’s Rugby Club, seeks official status Nov. 2 By LINDSEY GRUBBS Staff Writer
A sport once known to be played by mostly men is now open to women and is making its way to women in Auburn. Auburn Women’s Rugby Club opened its recruitment to find those interested in learning the game of rugby and most of all those who just want to have a good time. The club was granted provisional status by the Auburn Student Government Association and will seek an official vote to receive full club status Nov. 2. “We want to let people know that you do not have to have any experience to join our club,” said Mary Ann Reynolds, vice president of the women’s rugby club. “The whole point of our club is to introduce rugby to the South and show girls that they can play and it’s a lot of fun.” According to usarugby. org, rugby is a sport which is known as the forerunner to the American style of football that is more commonly played today.
they have the strength or aggression to tackle someThe whole point of our club is to one; it’s not all about tackling.” introduce rugby to the South and show Elena Hermans, match girls that they can play and it’s a lot of fun.” secretary, said she joined the rugby club after just Mary Ann Reynolds, coming to one practice vice president and meeting the girls who were in the club. Rugby began in the U.S. “I wanted to join a sport “The girls are amazing in 1870 and has seen about that could get me into and it’s a lot of fun; it’s like 40 percent of all players in shape,” Reynolds said. “It our own little sorority,” the U.S. as women. just kind of snowballed; I Hermans said. “It tends to be described went out to one practice The club practices on as a mix between soccer, and just fell in love.” the “pitch,” which is the football and basketball,” O’Mahoney spent last field across from the fraReynolds said. summer traveling across ternity houses FarmHouse Reynolds said the game the U.S. to train and learn and Tau Kappa Epsilon. is based on 15 players and the game which she found Practices are Mondays a backward passing game out has many social as- and Wednesdays from 5:30 with physical contact such pects as well. p.m. to 7:30 p.m. as tackling where each “Once you meet some“It’s not just a sport, but team plays both offense one who plays rugby you a whole culture,” Reynolds and defense. are immediately friends said. “We all have a good Women’s rugby club because you have that time, and if you’re looking President Danielle in common,” O’Mahoney for some awesome friends O’Mahoney, said her inter- said. and want to stay in shape, est began in rugby by just Even though rugby in- this is definitely where you watching her guy friends volves tackling, Reynolds want to be.” play and then scrimmag- said the game has more For students interested ing with them because to offer, and those who in learning more about or there was not an all-wom- are interested should just possibly joining the Auen’s group. come and play in the next burn Women’s Rugby Club, It was there she met practice. Reynolds said to check Reynolds and decided to “The reason why people out a practice and to visit encourage Auburn women are hesitant is because the team’s Facebook page to play the sport too and of the contact,” Reynolds by searching for Auburn begin their own club. said. “They don’t think Women’s Rugby.
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every week,” Gropper said. “We are a very tight-knit group because we are all here for the same reason; that we love wrestling.” William Griffin, junior in chemical engineering and president of the wrestling club, said the wrestling team appreciates the Mat Cats. “They are a huge help to us,” Griffin said. “It’s nice to get of off the mat to a bottle of water. Having them around allows the wrestler to focus on the match instead of keeping track of food and medical forms. It helps everything run a lot smoother.” Griffin said any girl interested in joining the Mat
Cats should attend one of the wrestling team’s practices to get a feel for the sport. “It’s a great organization; a great way to help out,” Griffin said. “You get to travel a lot and it’s a great way to get involved.” The NCWA season starts Oct. 31, which means the Mat Cats start coliseum clean-up duty this week. Gropper said the Mat Cats’ effort is worth the reward. “Some wrestlers may not always show their appreciation, but they take notice of who’s there and what we do,” Gropper said. “We really grow to become a family.”
The Auburn Plainsman
Sports, D6 Auburn Florida Michigan State Southern Cal Texas South Carolina Georgia Tech Iowa West Virginia Virginia Tech
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Auburn Florida Minnesota Southern Cal Texas Tennessee Georgia Tech Iowa West Virginia Virginia Tech
Ole Miss Florida Michigan State Southern Cal Texas South Carolina Georgia Tech Iowa South Florida Virginia Tech Ellison Langford News Editor 57-23
Helen Northcutt Intrigue Editor 57-23
Rod Guajardo Photo Editor 57-23 Auburn Florida Minnesota Southern Cal Texas South Carolina Georgia Tech Iowa West Virginia Virginia Tech
Auburn Florida Michigan State Southern Cal Texas Tennessee Georgia Tech Iowa West Virginia Virginia Tech
Abby Albright Sports Editor 56-24
OUT ON A L I M B
Auburn Florida Michigan State Southern Cal Texas Tennessee Georgia Tech Iowa West Virginia Virginia Tech
Brittany Cosby Campus Editor 55-25
Lindsey Davidson Editor 54-26
Auburn Florida Minnesota Oregon Oklahoma State South Carolina Georgia Tech Iowa West Virginia Virginia Tech
Auburn Florida Minnesota Southern Cal Texas South Carolina Georgia Tech Iowa West Virginia Virginia Tech Kevin Saucier Multimedia Editor 51-29
Ben Bartley Copy Editor 51-29
Auburn Florida Minnesota Southern Cal Oklahoma State Tennessee Georgia Tech Iowa West Virginia Virginia Tech Natalie Wade Managing Editor 51-29
Ole Miss Florida Michigan State Southern Cal Texas South Carolina Georgia Tech Iowa West Virginia Virginia Tech Cliff McCollum Opinions Editor 48-32 Auburn UGA Michigan State Oregon Oklahoma State Tennessee Vanderbilt Indiana South Florida UNC
A Plainsman Tradition Plainsman staff members make picks each week about which college football teams will win. The staff members will move up or down on the tree, depending on how many games they pick correctly. Week 9 Auburn vs. Ole Miss Florida vs. UGA Minnesota vs. Michigan State Oregon vs. Southern Cal Oklahoma State vs. Texas
Tennessee vs. South Carolina Vanderbilt vs. Georgia Tech Iowa vs. Indiana South Florida vs. West Virginia Virginia Tech vs. UNC
Andrew Sims Online Editor 31-49
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Auburn Plainsman
Sports, D7
Tennis Association strips win from athletes By NICK VAN DER LINDEN Associate Sports Editor
It was a weekend of highs and lows for senior wheelchair tennis player Jared Rehm after being stripped of the doubles title at the second annual Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Collegiate Wheelchair Tennis Championships. The tournament was at the Copeland-Cox Tennis Center in Mobile, the world’s largest public tennis facility, Oct. 16 to 18. “It was an amazing facility,” said Nathan Waters, first year master’s student. “They had at least 60 courts where tennis was played which made for a fun and exciting tournament.” The tournament format included Tier I singles, Tier II singles, women’s singles and doubles with players from six schools. Participating schools
included University of Arizona, Auburn University, Central Texas College, Grand Valley State, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Texas at Arlington. Rehm started with the singles bracket where he lost to the No. 2 seed. The loss put him in the consolation bracket where he was able to win two matches to win the bracket. “I played a very good opponent in that first round and let that mess with my head,” Rehm said. “I refocused and didn’t worry about the person across the net which helped me to two wins and take the consolation bracket.” Since Rehm was the only Auburn representative, he was paired with MIT’s Marcus Causton who entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed. Causton won the singles title, not losing a single set in his matches.
The doubles championship ended in a three-way tie between Auburn, UTArlington and Arizona, but Auburn was announced as the winner. “They announced us as the winner that Sunday and it felt great,” Rehm said. “We left thinking we just won a national championship.” Rehm received a phone call days later from ITA explaining there was a mistake in the calculations. “I thought she was calling to congratulate me again,” Rehm said. “Later on in the conversation she told me she had some bad news and I knew exactly what she meant.” Rehm and Causton were stripped of the title after recalculation of the final score and took third place, giving the title to UT-Arlington. “It was like getting hit in the gut,” Rehm said. “On the other hand, I think I’m
more motivated to go out and win a title next year.” Since there was a controversy of the winner at the tournament, Auburn is trying to host all the teams involved sometime in the spring to settle it on the courts and show there are no hard feelings. “It’ll be nice to settle things on the court instead of having to worry about all kinds of technicalities,” Rehm said. The purpose of the tournament is to make sure games won’t end in a tie and won’t have to rely on technicalities for the win. “We’re trying to get some University teams to help organize the tournament, and they seem to be excited about the idea,” Waters said. Waters said the ITA needs the help of Auburn and other universities to help get the word out about the tournament since it is only the second
CONTRIBUTED
Senior Jared Rehm and Marcus Causton show off their hardware before the ITA told them to give the trophies back after a calculation mistake.
year the tournament was played. “Because there are not many players, there are almost no guidelines,” Waters said. Tennis season is over for Rehm, but he’s excited
about the upcoming basketball season. “I’m playing for a team in Atlanta right now,” Rehm said. “I’m just working hard for the upcoming tournament in Tuscaloosa.”
The Auburn Plainsman
Sports, D8
Women’s Golf ties for 2nd place at NCAA Fall Preview By MAX NEWFIELD Staff Writer
Auburn Women’s Golf team ended its fall season with an ace of a tournament at the NCAA Fall Preview. The third-ranked women’s golf team tied for second in a field consisting of nine of the top 10 and 17 of the top 25 teams in the country. “This weekend has been great,” said head coach Kim Evans in a release. “This is a preview of the NCAA Championship, and I feel like we really executed well. Our team never felt like they were out of it and, on a golf course like this, you’re not. You have to play with such a focus and they did that very well.” The Tigers showed they were never out of the tournament by rallying to their second-place finish on the final day of play. Auburn finished Friday and Saturday’s rounds in sixth place, but put together an even-par 288 to end the tournament tied with UCLA in second place. “We played solid golf and improved after every day,” Evans said in a release. “It came down to the last hole to win and we barely fell short. We didn’t meet our goal to win, but I’m not going to take any sour notes away
from this NCAA Fall Preview.” Junior Cydney Clanton posted her second tournament win of the season by finishing each round with a two-under-par score of 70. Clanton was named the Golfweek National Golfer of the Week for her performance. “Cydney played incredible,” Evans said. “She really had a lights-out weekend. It’s another huge win for her. Her game is so complete and she’s worked so hard to get that way.” The Fall Preview marked Clanton’s second tournament win of the season. Clanton has finished under par in eight of the 10 rounds she has played this fall. At the NCAA Fall Preview, Clanton finished five strokes ahead of the second place finisher, Brittany Altomare of UVA. Clanton is currently the No. 4 player in the country in the Golfweek rankings. “Ever since she came to Auburn, she’s worked piece-by-piece to put all of the components together, and now she’s mentally into it and enjoying her golf game,” Evans said in a release. “Cydney is possibly the best player in the country right now.” Earlier this fall season, Clanton was also named
the Southeastern Conference Golfer of the Week for the week of Oct. 21. Sophomores Patricia Sanz and Haley Wilson assisted in the team’s last day surge. Sanz hit a one-under 71 on the final day after hitting eight-over-par Friday and Saturday. Wilson posted a oneover-par 73 Sunday, her best score of the weekend. Evans said Sanz and Wilson came around in their performance on the last day of play. “Patricia and Haley finally got a feel for the course,” Evans said. “It’s a really difficult course and they put it together today and were really big for us. It was great to see that kind of clutch performance out of them again.” The NCAA Fall Preview was the women’s golf team’s last tournament until 2010. The Tigers had two second-place finishes and two third-place finishes in the four tournaments they played in the fall. “I love that we end our fall season on a high note,” Evans said in a release. “However, I don’t want to take that away from the things that we need to improve on for the spring season.” Auburn’s next challenge is Feb. 22-23 in Tucson, Ariz., at the Arizona Wildcat Invitational.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Auburn Softball finishes Fall Ball 8-0
Rod Guajardo / PHOTO EDITOR
Junior pitcher Angel Bunner begins her wind up Thursday against Jefferson State.